![](https://8weeksout.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/fundamentalsofsportstraining.jpg)
Several years ago I went on a relentless hunt for the original book on periodization, “Fundamentals of Sports Training” by L. Matveyev. This book was referenced as a source in just about every single Russian text ever written and cited as the first book ever written on the subject of periodization so I was dying to read it.
The problem I ran into was that it was written in 1977 and the last printing was in the early 1980s. Needless to say, finding a copy, let alone a copy written in English was not easy. Nobody I knew had a copy or had even ever seen it printed in English, and I know a lot of people who are into this sort of material.
Fortunately, after a few months of searching around I was able to find someone who tracked a copy down for me in a library in Canada. I then had it scanned and turned into a .pdf so I could read it. I was amazed at the depth of information and the relevance of the material covered in it. Despite being written more than 30 years ago, this book is still far ahead of so many books on the subject and it actually cleared up several concepts for me.
Today, I’d like to pass along this invaluable piece of historic training work along to those who will value the information and take the time to read it and apply it. I’ve read just about every major book on the subject, those worth reading anyway, and this one is literally the original. Yes, this really is the first book ever written on the concept of periodization.
It’s not my information to sell and the publishers are long gone, so I’m giving it out for free. My motivation for doing so is simply I think the content of the book is important and needs to be passed on. There are probably just a small handful of the books actually out there. In fact, you can find a few used copies on Amazon but they are selling for $200-400 US. I can’t imagine that many people are buying it for that much, though it’s certainly worth it.
In any event, consider this a gift from me to everyone that is a member of 8weeksout. I can guarantee you will not find it anywhere else, like I said it literally took me months to find it.
If you are an athlete, a coach, a trainer, or just take your own fitness seriously, I guarantee you will get something from the book. I think it’s a must read if you really want to understand the original concept of periodization from one of the pioneers in the field. The concepts in the book literally paved the way for the entire architecture of the training system used by all the coaches/athletes in the USSR and the entire eastern bloc as a whole. All the great Russian coaches and scientists started their education with this book and they still consider it one of the definitive works on the subject.
In any event, it is completely free to download, I am simply asking that you share a link on Facebook or Twitter to help spread the word about 8weeksout.com in return. All you have to do is click the “Share to Get” button below and share a post to get access to the free download. As soon as you post, you’ll be given instant access to the link to download the book.
Read it, study it, apply it. You’re welcome
– Joel
Wow, thanks Joel! I was looking for something new to read since I’ve finished Supertraining, Conditioning for Strength and Human Performance, and IOC Strength & Power In Sport.
Thanks Joel
Much appreciated.
Thanks Joel! I appreciate it very much.
I can’t get the 2nd link to work.
Thanks Joel, looks like a great read
i haven’t been able to get the download link to work either.
Access link is also not working for me…
Can`t download, even after updating Adobe as it suggested. Still keeps coming back as out of date.
thanks good reading
The link to the book does not work for me either.
would love to see this
really awesome! thanks Joel!
Unbelievable! Much appreciated Joel – you’re the man!
I also was unable to get to the second link, but I did share it on my FB page. Can you offer better instructions on how to get to the PDF?
Thanks,
Chris
See my answer below
the father of the periodization
That is indeed a very much appreciated and fine gift, thank’s alot. Keep on the good work Joel.
Thank you sir, for your kindness.
Thanks. Great resource
Thanks Joel – good stuff.
I’m also having trouble getting to the actual pdf in the end. a url that seems to contain the pdf is displayed but the page won’t load.
To everyone having issues….once you hit the “share to get” button and you make a post, there is a link that shows in the same box. You need to right click that box and hit “save as” in order to download the file. It’s a 60MB file, if you just click the link it will try to open in the window and will take forever to download. If you right click and save as then you can save it to your computer.
Shared to get, but i can’t find a box for “save as”..?
Everything fine., many Thanks Joel!
Just got it going here, much appreciated Joel.
I’ve got it now, thanks.
Thank you, Joel.
Brian
Thank you for this Joel.
No facebook/twitter no cookie…
Would not work on facebook, so i had to start a twiter account.
But i got it, thank you sir are a great man.
Thank you Joel Very Much
Excellent find, Joel – Thanks for the hook up!
Thanks Joel!!!
Thank you so much, Joel! What an amazing resource!
lot of Thanks Joel takecare
thanks joel,
thanks a bunch joel, its always awesome to read something new and informative
Thanks joel
Is this still available?
Yep
Oh, I have to join something called Cloud Flood. Do I have to?
If you want to be able to post on Facebook then yes, that’s what the application does.
Incredible find! Thanks for the download.
Still working on getting the PDF of Matveyev’s book!
Is this still available? When selecting the link I do not get the option to save as.
Never Mind. I was able to get it through Everything Gym. Thanks a bunch Joel! Love the areobic-anaerobic stuff.