Frédéric Delavier

Frédéric Delavier (born 3 June 1967) is a French author, illustrator, and fitness journalist best known for the Strength Training Anatomy series, published in multiple languages and widely used by athletes and coaches. Independent outlets have cited and recommended his anatomy-led strength guides,^[1][2][3] and his publisher has reported multimillion-copy global sales for the series.^[4]

Delavier studied morphology and anatomy at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and studied dissection at the Paris Faculté de Médecine.^[5] The Bibliothèque nationale de France lists his birth date as 3 June 1967 and notes his background in powerlifting and journalism (Le Monde du Muscle).^[6][7] The BnF also records that he was vice world champion in powerlifting in 1988.^[6]

Delavier first gained international recognition with the French-language Guide des mouvements de musculation (1998), later adapted into English as Strength Training Anatomy. He has since authored or co-authored multiple titles in the series—including Delavier’s Core Training Anatomy, Delavier’s Stretching Anatomy, and The Strength Training Anatomy Workout volumes—and contributed anatomical poster series based on the same artwork.^{[8][9][10][11]}

In France, he publishes with Éditions Vigot, including the 2024 volume Blessures en musculation et sports de force (with Michael Gundill), and he has coauthored nutrition and training titles in the Méthode Delavier line.^[12][13][14] Delavier is a former powerlifting vice world champion and has written for the French magazine Le Monde du Muscle.^[6]

In November 2019, a Paris-based company named Delavier Éditions (SAS) was registered, listing Marc Zoratto as president and Frédéric-Antoine Delavier as managing director.^[15]

Outside strength training, Delavier has undertaken comparative anatomy research at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris and produced paleontological reconstructions; his anatomical drawings have been credited in the peer-reviewed Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.^[16][17]

Mainstream newspapers and fitness media have recommended or reviewed Delavier's work. The Guardian highlighted practical strength-training guidance,^[1] The Daily Telegraph recommended his anatomy book in a reader advice column,^[2] and Iron Man Magazine reviewed Strength Training Anatomy soon after its release.^[3] Human Kinetics reported in 2017 that Strength Training Anatomy had sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide,^[4] and the fourth edition notes the series has been translated into over 30 languages.^[8] The BnF data portal consolidates his works and authority record.^[7]

English

• Delavier, Frédéric (15 September 2022). Strength Training Anatomy (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN 9781718214866. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
• Delavier, Frédéric (2011). Delavier's Core Training Anatomy. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN 9781450413992. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
• Delavier, Frédéric (2011). Delavier's Stretching Anatomy. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN 9781450432825. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
• Delavier, Frédéric (2014). Delavier's Women's Strength Training Anatomy Workouts. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN 9781492585022. Retrieved 30 September 2025.

French (selection)

• Delavier, Frédéric (23 March 2009). La méthode Delavier de musculation, Vol. 1 : Exercices & programmes pour s'entraîner chez soi. Paris: Vigot. ISBN 9782711420186. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
• "La Méthode Delavier de musculation, Vol. 2 : 250 exercices avec poids, haltères et machines - 75 techniques d'entraînement avancées". Vigot. Paris: Éditions Vigot. July 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
• "Guide des compléments alimentaires pour sportifs. 3e éd". Vigot. Paris: Éditions Vigot. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
• Delavier, Frédéric (21 November 2024). Blessures en musculation et sports de force. Paris: Vigot. ISBN 9782711427246. Retrieved 30 September 2025.

Delavier has also been credited as a contributor to Men’s Health in Germany and Italy and as former editor-in-chief of PowerMag.^[18][19]

• Strength training
• Powerlifting

• "Delavier (official site/boutique)". delavier-shop.com. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
• "Frédéric Delavier". data.bnf.fr. Bibliothèque nationale de France. 4 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.