by Tanya Zilberter, PhD
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. Everyone inside and outside the iron game gives him credit for exponentially broadening the popularity of physique training.
The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding
by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Dobbins (Contributor)
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.
Opinions
Proponents (90% of opinions)
Looking to gain some muscle mass while becoming educated on how you are getting it at the same time? This book is for you!
I beleive this book is worth every penny and then some.
Arnold is the man, buy this book and someday you might become one too!
I'm no expert so this is just what I need.
Dont buy any other until u have bought this!
No book will ever be totally complete, however this book is the closest that I have seen.
If you're a beginner and looking for a book to buy, this is definitely a good choice
Even if you are just starting out, this book has excellent exercises and it shows how to do them the correct way, to prevent injury and maximize your workout.
Opponents (10% of opinions)
I am not trying to take anything away from his accomplishments. However, one thing he is not to the masses is an BB instructor.
The training techniques promoted in this book are training suicide for most of the population.
I spend three years of my live trining this way until I realized that I was overtraining. I hate arnold since then!
Bodybuilding A Realistic Approach by Frank Melfa, et al;
Shows you how to realistically tone, shape, and build your body. It helps you set and reach realistic goals by first identifying your body type and showing how to properly perform basic exercises for the entire body. It includes easy-to-follow workouts and nutritional programs for losing and gaining weight.
The first few chapters are for people who are just getting started with weights and progresses to those who want to compete in a bodybuilding contest. It has over 250 phototgraphs and illustrations of amateur bodybuilders with realistic physiques.
Also included: Dormroom and Home training, Sex & Bodybuilding, Women & Bodybuilding, How to prepare for a bodybuilding contest.
Opinions
100% positive opinions!
Easy for Novices
11 months later I am about 45 pounds lighter (and still losing) and have gained quite a bit of lean muscle mass to increase my metabolism. I feel great, look better, and have much more confidence!
Changing the shape of your body is a difficult thing to do. For many of us, our body is the result of our habits and lifestyle. If you truly want to change the way you look, you will need to change your habits.
I bought the book 45 days ago and have used the exercises in the book religiously and have actually added muscle mass and definition
Frank Melfa comes through as a genuine and earthy person, who doesn't mince words about what it takes to achieve a top class physique, or for that matter, what it takes to achieve anything in this world.
