Amazon.com Review Arnold Schwarzenegger hasn't competed as a bodybuilder since he won the Mr. Olympia title in 1980, but he remains the sport's No. 1 icon. He hosts an annual bodybuilding contest in Columbus, Ohio, and allows a column to be ghost-written under his name in a muscle magazine. Today's bodybuilders may have bigger muscles than Arnold ever did, but everyone inside and outside the iron game gives him credit for exponentially broadening the popularity of physique training.
With this updated Encyclopedia (it was originally published in 1985), Schwarzenegger wraps his huge arms around the entire sport. He hits the history of bodybuilding, the champions (he's quite generous in his praise of predecessors, contemporaries, and successors alike), the training systems. Some of the information is more bodybuilding lore than science; for example, exercises are said to "expand the rib cage" or develop the "inner" or "outer" chest, all physiological impossibilities. But they're still good exercises, and the book includes every movement imaginable for every muscle group.
If you love the sport of bodybuilding, you'll want this book in your library, if for no other reason than to feast your eyes on the hundreds of photos of the best physiques in the history of the sport. And, in a pinch, the 800-page encyclopedia can fill in nicely for a missing dumbbell. --Lou Schuler
Product Description Power. Speed. Agility. Pride. These are just a few of the reasons why bodybuilding has become the fastest growing sport in America. From gymnasts to football players, from golfers to boxers, athletes everywhere now are working out with weights to maximize their performance and their lives. And you can, too, thanks to one man and one book: Arnold Schwarzenegger and his Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. Across the country and around the world it's recognized as the definitive source on the subject -- the "bible of bodybuilding."
Now, fifteen fantastic years after that first publication, Arnold is ready to teach and motivate a new generation of athletes with this fully updated and revised New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding.
Inside, Arnold covers all the very latest advances in both training and competition, with new sections on diet and nutrition, the treatment and prevention of injuries, and methods of training, each illustrated with detailed photos featuring bodybuilding's newest stars.
Plus, all the features that made this book a classic are still here. You'll find every facet of bodybuilding, from the history of the sport to a complete analysis of the muscles in the body, including Arnold's tips on how to strengthen, sculpt, and define each and every muscle to create the ultimate balanced physique.
Encompassing every stage of your development, the encyclopedia outlines specific training programs for basic, advanced, and competition-level bodybuilders. You'll get expert advice on everything, from what equipment the beginner should use to complete career and competition strategies for the elite bodybuilder.
Whether it's your first time in the gym or you're a pro bodybuilder competing in a top event, Arnold's inside advice on training and exercise will help you achieve your best. Then, once you're ready, The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding will prepare you for the intense psychological warfare of professional competition.
Applying his experience as the only seven-time Mr. Olympia, as well as his monumental success as an international film star, Arnold shares his secrets about dedication, training, and commitment that will allow you to take control of your body and reach your ultimate potential.
Only Book you'll ever beedNovember 18, 2008 This book has everything. To include an inspirational history of bodybuilding. Reading about the competitions and Arnold's rise in the bodybuilding world just gets you PUMPED to work out harder. The exercises are documented and easy to read. And the creditials of the author say it all.
Must be on any fitness enthusiats shelf.October 19, 2008 I call this book a must have. One, it's huge. Takes up a lot of space on your shelf. Two, it's huge. It has very good photos illustrating more bodypart exercises and inspirations than most of us will ever use. The photos are all fantastic quality with lots of inspiration. The book is not without flaws. The routines, even the beginner routines, would put the majority of exercisers into a state of overtraining. There also seems to be a lot of the old fashioned "Bulk and Cut" advice. Putting heavy whipping cream into milkshakes for extra fat calories and such. Not the healthiest way to go. All in all though, I think that the sheer volume of information and inspiration is worth these issues. I have yet to find a single, stand alone bodybuilding book that works for everyone. For me, the perfect routine lies somewhere between the excessive volume here, and the intensity of Mike Mentzer's Heavy Duty. But your metabolism, structure, hormone levels, etc. are not identical to mine. So learn what you can and figure out what makes sense to you.
Amazing book!October 15, 2008 What a great book by the one and only Arnold! Extremely detailed with so much great information and pictures and examples of just everything you need to know about bodybuilding. This is the Bible of Bodybuilding! I recommend to anyone that wants to get in shape or become a serious bodybuilder or even just the regular joe schmoe!
Could be much better!October 12, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have bought many bodybuilding books and this one is not very good. Here is why: 1. It's large and heavy - it's very difficult to keep this book on your lap and read. The only option is to put on the table. If you would like to take this book with you to the gym, or sit comfortably in a chair and read it - forget it, your arm will fall off. 2. Book is filled with photo's - if you enjoy the history of bodybuilding - this could be fine. But I expected photo's just to illustrate the exercises, not the review of American bodybuilding, especially from 20-30 years ago. Better make a dedicated book with photos and instead in this book provide clear examples for exercises. 3. Programs are not easy to adapt if you are starting bodybuilder and there is not enough variety to fit into your needs. I expected clear and simple programs with variations depending on my particular needs. There is a program and it's hard to figure it out how to properly change it for my needs. 4. Nutrition is a very short chapter at the end. I expected more advice and examples which would make it easier for me to understand and adapt. For example program Body for Life offers very easy instructions for meals and protein drinks etc. As far as easy to understand exercises with good and easy to understand photo's I found that Joe Weider's book is much better (and a bit lighter)...
Excellent book!October 4, 2008 The most thorough book I've seen. Arnold Schwarzenegger did a remarkable job covering any aspect of bodybuilding. From the different exercises, programs and nutrition to the most subtle topics. I read a few other books and this book is definitely the best one I read so far - VERY RECOMMENDED!
