A curated index of the best learning resources on the Internet about nutrition and muscle-building.
There are many charlatans spewing non-scientific garbage on the Internet. We’ve done our best to curate those sources out and only include resources that are based on real science. Because of this, there are less resources here than in our other lists. If you know any good resources that we’ve missed, let us know in the comments below.
If you’re completely new to fitness and nutrition, start with Start Here. This should tell you everything you’d ever need to know about building muscle; but if you’re still curious, explore everything else below. Resources marked with ❗️ are difficult, and those with 🌟 are our favorite.
- Metabolism & Nutrition, part 1: Crash Course A&P #36 by Crash Course.
- Metabolism & Nutrition, part 2: Crash Course A&P #37 by Crash Course.
- Muscles, part 1 - Muscle Cells: Crash Course A&P #21 by Crash Course.
- Muscles, part 2 - Organismal Level: Crash Course A&P #22 by Crash Course.
- What makes muscles grow? by TED-Ed.
- Building Muscle by Julian Shapiro.
- Ultimate Glossary of Strength and Conditioning Terms by Art of Manliness.
- Building Muscle by Julian Shapiro. 🌟
- Maximize your fitness and health by Simple Science Fitness.
- How to Choose a Beginner Weight Training Program That You’ll Stick To by Routine Excellence.
- PictureFit 🌟
- Six Pack Shortcuts by Mike Chang.
- Alan Thrall
- Omar Isuf
- CrossFit’s channel
- Muscles, part 1 - Muscle Cells: Crash Course A&P #21 by Crash Course.
- Muscles, part 2 - Organismal Level: Crash Course A&P #22 by Crash Course.
- What makes muscles grow? by TED-Ed.
- How Does Protein Build Muscle? by Reactions.
- The Deal with Protein by SciShow.
- The Deal with Carbs by SciShow.
- The Deal with Fat by SciShow.
- Metabolism & Nutrition, part 1: Crash Course A&P #36 by Crash Course.
- Metabolism & Nutrition, part 2: Crash Course A&P #37 by Crash Course.
- How Bacteria Rule Over Your Body – The Microbiome by Kurzgesagt.
- When You Burn Fat, Where Does it Go? by SciShow.
- Why are GMOs bad? by SciShow.
- Are GMOs Good or Bad? Genetic Engineering & Our Food by Kurzgesagt.
- Michael Pollan: "In Defense of Food" | Talks at Google
- Michael Pollan on Food by The School of Life.
- Sugar: The Bitter Truth by Robert Lustic on UCTV.
- The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding : The Bible of Bodybuilding, Fully Updated and Revised by Arnold Schwarzenegger. 🌟
- Strength Training Anatomy by Frederic Delavier. 🌟
- Anatomy of Movement — by Blandine Calais-Germain.
- Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training
- Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (The Muscle for Life Series Book 1) by Michael Matthews. 🌟
- Thinner Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Female Body (The Muscle for Life Series Book 2) by Michael Matthews.
- The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman by Tim Ferriss.
- Bodyweight Strength Training Anatomy by Brett Contreras.
- Practical Programming for Strength Training by Mark Rippetoe.
- Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning by National Strength and Conditioning Association.
- Atlas of Human Anatomy: Including Student Consult Interactive Ancillaries and Guides by Frank Netter. ❗️
- Science of Exercise by Robert Mazzeo for University of Colorado Boulder.
- The Body Matters: Why Exercise Makes You Healthy and How to Stay Uninjured by Ian Shrier for McGill.
- Health and Medicine by Khan Academy.
- Nutrition and Health: Macronutrients and Overnutrition by Sander Kersten for Wageningen University.
- Nutrition and Health: Micronutrients and Malnutrition by Sander Kersten for Wageningen University.
- Nutrition and Health: Human Microbiome by Clara Belzer for Wageningen University.
- /r/Fitness Wiki Resources 🌟
- Exercise & Muscle Directory — This looks sketchy, but it’s good.
- On-The-Go Fitness — Tim Ferriss’ curated kit of products to help you get a fantastic workout.
- How long does it take to get strength and mass gains back, if you had it earlier on in life? on /r/Fitness.
- Beginner - Is it normal for my bench press to be so weak and wobble around? on /r/Fitness.
- A Linear Progression Based PPL Program for Beginners on /r/Fitness.
- These 3 meals have helped me get started eating healthy. What easy meals do you suggest for beginners? on /r/Fitness.
- What common fitness myths should all beginners be aware are FALSE? on /r/Fitness.
- I wrote a guide to help you choose a beginner weightlifting program on /r/Fitness.
- If you could buy one book (for beginners) that outlines the body's physiology and musculature in terms of exercise, what would it be? on /r/Fitness.
- As a beginner teenage weightlifter, what are some things I should look out for? on /r/Fitness.
- Nutrition Tuesdays on /r/Fitness.
- FoundMyFitness by Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
- StrengthTheory by Stronger By Science.