Product Description
From the pages of Muscle & Fitness magazine comes Bodybuilding 101, a complete motivational how-to guide based on Robert Wolff's immensely popular column in the world-renowned fitness magazine. Covering everything from nutrition basics, common training mistakes, and powerful mental strategies to specialized training for your body type and the 22 best machine exercises, Bodybuilding 101 appeals to men and women of all ages, from beginner to advanced fitness enthusiast--anyone who desires a stronger, firmer, and shapelier body but does not have the know-how to achieve it. In order to help explain exercises step-by-step, Bodybuilding 101 contains more than 200 photos by the best physique and exercise photographers in the industry.Robert Wolff is a true fitness and motivation authority who has helped thousands reach their absolute best. Let him show you the way to achieve incredible, lifetime-lasting results in the quickest way possible.Robert Wolff, Ph.D., lectures throughout the world on fitness, motivation, and high-level success principles. He has worked with such fitness legends as Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Lee Haney, Steve Reeves, Lou Ferrigno, Rachel McLish, and Cory Everson and has been published in Shape, Men's Fitness, and Flex. "Of all the writers who have written for my magazines, one of the best who's changed the lives of people through bodybuilding and motivation is Robert Wolff. He has the uncanny ability for discovering the subtleties that turn a good exercise into a great one and for cutting through the hype to explain it to the average man and woman in easy and motivating ways that they'll understand and remember." --Joe Weider"No other physical activity can change your body faster than bodybuilding, and no other writer and book can give you the real priceless jewels of training wisdom learned from years of gym workouts and working alongside the greatest names in the sport like Robert Wolff and Bodybuilding 101. This book will be a guide that you'll refer to time and time again because Robert Wolff's inspirational message is timeless." --Cory Everson, six-time Ms. Olympia and bestselling author"Robert Wolff is in a class of his own. Few writers can capture the muscle and soul of bodybuilding like him. You're holding a book written by the man who can give you a priceless world of knowledge and save you much wasted time and frustration." --Lee Haney, eight-time Mr. Olympia and world champion bodybuilder"What a breath of fresh air it is to have someone who really knows his stuff come along and write a book with information that works incredibly well. Robert Wolff is such a writer, and Bodybuilding 101 is a book that can get you in great shape much quicker than you ever thought possible." --Rachel McLish, two-time Ms. Olympia and bestselling author"Robert Wolff shares the same passion for the sport of natural bodybuilding that I have, and he has intuitive understanding of and in-the-gym knowledge about all aspects of training. It's with pleasure that I highly recommend his book. His message and book will change your physique and your life!" --Steve Reeves, former Mr. American and Mr. Universe ... Read more

Customer Reviews (48)

Come Back to Weightlifting
If you're wanting to get back into weightlifting, this book will give you the inspiration and tips you need.This book is the perfect supplement to your class or personal trainer

Additional Reading Required
The title of this book makes it sound like a beginner's college course in the subject of body building. In my experience, a course like this should have one of two thrusts.

1. An Overview: The book should cover all aspects of the subject, but in a very broad, somewhat superficial way. Bodybuilding 101 covers training and diet, and it covers intermediate and advanced techniques. But, if it's supposed to be an overview, I'm surprised there isn't a section about posing, and competitive body building.

Or:

2. A Beginner's How-To: The book should present detailed information for a beginner to have a clear picture of what to do if he/she wants to start down the road of a bodybuilder. If that's the case, there just isn't enough information to start a weight training program. The book serves as a good supplement for someone working with a trainer or a workout partner with more experience.

If you're a total beginner, and want to learn to workout on your own, the book offers inspiration and some useful information, but you're going to have to buy some other books or do some research to really get an understanding of proper form with the exercises he promotes. I've lifted before, and bought this book because I was coming back to weight lifting. For where I'm at, it's a pretty enjoyable book. He has good suggestions on what exercises to focus on, and he doesn't get bogged down in scientific theory. I also like his views of challenging yourself, and constant experimentation, and stressing we're each unique with different needs and different paths to success. I can't complain about the way information is organized. It's very perusable. However, if you're the type of person who wants to be told step 1 on page 1, then step 2 on page 2, etc., you'll be pretty frustrated.

My biggest complaints are with the detail. He doesn't give enough info about form for the individual exercises. More photos would be very useful. For some exercises, he has a couple photos showing beginning and ending positions. Other exercises will only have one photo, and a few exercises don't have any photos associated with them at all. There are a few useless photos in sections about rest and eating habits that I'm sure were just stuffed in there for no other reason than to break up the copy.

Overall, I'm happy with the book, but if you're an absolute beginner, and think you'll be able to start a lifting program with nothing other than this book, you'll be dissatisfied.

Bodybuilding 101: C+

Would have earned five stars with some change in attitude.
The author has compromised his hard work and insightful views by relishing his machismo. It portrays Bodybuilding as a mindless activity obsessed with sex, muscle mass, and physical appearance at the expense of graceful fitness, as follows.

1-The book cover is repulsive to a great segment of readers (in my opinion). It further conveys a sense of physical emptiness. That obsession of showing sexually attractive, yet mentally shallow, is prevalent in the book photos.

2- The first page of the book shows a person laying his shoe on the barbell. That is both demeaning to the sport and unhygienic. The part of the barbell that touches the lifter skin should not come in contact with the sole of the shoes.

3- The very second page shows a hunk squatting in 135 lb barbell and wearing a belt. Waist belts are the worst advertisement for bodybuilding. The rest of the book will amplify thas philosophy of stiff and inflexible lifters.

4- The most annoying part of the book is the photos of young people drinking, eating, laying on grass, and thinking.I am not kidding!That made me resists spending the $17.95, though I liked many things about the book. I might change my mind though and give it a ride home. The book does have many good ideas.

5- Many photographed people in the book look weird, either drugged or otherwise. Many faces look pathetic, not because of lack of physical attraction but rather of angry facial expressions. It conveys a sense of an endemic psychological disturbance among bodybuilders.

6- The unfortunate trend in the book is the total lack of stretching, flexibility, or sound skeletal fitness.The whole book is about getting big, strong, and cut. Many bodybuilders achieved those goals yet subjected themselves to spinal injuries, life-long joint disease, and unhealthy overweight.There is no single lift in the book that started from the floor and made full travel overhead, which is ironic, unscientific, and unfortunate.

The positive contribution in the book is plenty as well.

1- The author is clearly well organized with high abstract skills. His chapters are beautifully written, concise, rational, and focused. The author is genuine and knowledgeable. He does not sell the moon or the stars, but rather conveys what he has learned and what worked for him. That is where the worth of author's experience counts. I suspect that the author bought into someone's ill advice for the design of his book cover for commercial purpose.

2- The book offers very effective methods of excelling in bodybuilding by its emphasis on intensity. It is realistic in stressing that 90 days would not do the magic that others claim. It is realistic on exercise planning, except its obsession with peripheral muscles. I wish the author revisits Newton's laws of mechanics in order to figure out why huge arms and shoulders, with insecure low back, is not the best way to educate people about building muscles.

3- The invaluable wealth in the book is its emphasis on constant changing of routine, plenty of sleep and rest (that is the best approach), and its simple and clear understanding of the fundamental exercises such Squat and Deadlift. I dreaded the front squat with crossed arms. It is not right to wait until you lose shoulder flexibility and become unable to flex your elbows and shoulders in such improper front squat.

4- Many exercise photos in the book are inspiring to beginners.It demonstrates that physical improvement is feasible with behavior modification.

5- The peak triumph in the book is the discussion of exercising all body parts with different exercises of different ratios of sets and repetitions. Here, where you learn some lasting knowledge from an experienced author.

One might argue that engaging in bodybuilding is more productive than succumbing to sedentary living, drugs, smoking, or alcohol. Yet, the many years bodybuilders devote bulking up should not be wasted in compromising future health with inflexible joints, damaged internal organs, and irreversible side effects of overweight. High mobility and full range of motion of joints should improve the quality of life of bodybuilders. The top bodybuilders I followed in my over 40 years of training either struggled with kidney problems, lower back and knee problems, high blood pressure, or loss of great opportunities of professional and educational gain because of the extreme indulgence of building massive muscles that are hard to keep atop.The sadistic drive for big and strong should be substituted by graceful and strong. And habitual smiling comforts the soul as well.

Mohamed F. El-Hewie
Author of
Essentials of Weightlifting and Strength Training

Disappointed - it says do it, but doesn't say how to do it.
I bought this book recently and I'm disappointed at it. It only has one page with the exercise plan just listing the exercises you should do in the beginning phase. But, IT DOES NOT EXPLAIN HOW TO PERFORM THEM. It only shows pictures of just some of the exercises he lists. All in all, buy this book for advice and stories about the weight training life rather than how to do it.

5 stars?You gotta be kidding me..
How is it that Wolff's books get such great reviews?I'm not going to rehash the negative points.Search the reviews for the scant few that gave less than 4 or 5 stars.I think there is some kind of "circle of friends" going around giving 5-star reviews and then going back saying that they found each other's reviews to be helpful.The books certainly are not helpful. Reviewer SBJ400, while having some good reviews on other products, has basically cut and pasted reviews from one Wolff book to another and given them all 5 stars.If you want to get started-out in weight training I'd suggest anything from the "Men's Health" line of products or anything that Lou Schuler has been associated with (even though he is no longer with Men's Health).As far as I'm concerned, "The Book of Muscle" has been pretty much the seminal treatise on weight training for the past couple of years.I've read probably 50 other books on the subject, and none of them has any information that one doesn't have in it. ... Read more

Product Description
Continuously published since 1936, Ironman is the dean of bodybuilding magazines. Ironman has been showcasing every major bodybuilder, training technique, and scientific advance, along with other aspects of the iron game, longer than any other bodybuilding magazine. With articles by and photos of the greatest names in bodybuilding, the Ironman archives represent the best of bodybuilding in the 20th century. Here, in one definitive, information-packed volume, you have the best that Ironman has to offer. The articles and photos reprinted in Ironman's Ultimate Bodybuilding Encyclopedia are of enormous and enduring value to beginners and experts alike. A tour de force of bodybuilding information with stunning photos of unrivaled quality, this massive volume covers every aspect of bodybuilding with authority and depth. Included is complete information on:

• Bodybuilding fundamentals
• Bodybuilding physiology
• Shoulder training
• Chest training
• Back training
• Arm training
• Abdominal training
• Leg training
• Training with a system
• Training with the champions
• Tricks and secrets to boost growth
• Training for mass
• Training for power
• Mental aspects of training
• Natural bodybuilding
• Bodybuilding nutrition
• Bodybuilding injuries
• Drugs in bodybuilding

Customer Reviews (12)

Informative
This book is just jammed pack full of good information and it's a very good book to read no matter if you're a rookie or a vet.

A good book, and worth owning
I bought this book here along with all the other big popular thick books/encyclopedias, like the Bill Pearl books an the Arnold books, among others.I enjoyed reading the front section on the origins of the bodybuilding made popular from the early days of muscle beach and some of the early figures like Joe Golds' recollections among others.I am still looking this over, having bought it and many others to add to my bodybuilding personal library, and like I keep on saying in my other reviews, there is no such thing as "if you could only have one book then such and such is it", it is never true on any one subject, and I bought several books used from Amazon dealers, decently priced, though I bought this book new and on sale.
Some areas of interest in the book so far I have read is for instance the chapter dealing with several greats of bodybuilding fame, Bill Pearl and Arnold Schwarzenegger, where Arnold mentions a great workout routine once used by many called the golden six, and Bill Pearl talks of beginner to advanced workout routine he used, and there are other workout routines outlined of course.I haven't completely read every page yet, but I can tell this is a fine reference that I will study along with all the rest to give myself the best, fastest, safest route to building more size and ironing out my weak spots in an ironman fashion, so to speak.
Lastly, speaking of the last chapter, "Drugs in bodybuilding,....stop the insanity", an interview with a mr olympia contender is very interesting about the horrors of this particular subject.In my opinion, just like what Arnold said in this book when interviewed, and what Bill Pearl practiced, just like all the other early successful big names did, that gains in muscle mass can be done without drug enhancements, and it is true.Pretty much folks who abuse substances to become unrealistically large, for winning competitions or getting ahead in any way from looking extraordinarily big and looking artifically athletic and fit, are just junkies.Maybe it is society that is alot to blame, I mean, we see all the shows on t.v about women, models and actresses, even business women, who get breast implants, and suddenly those are the women who get acting roles, modeling jobs, or job promotions above average women who are "smaller" in the chest.Same is true for men of course, I got a job opportunity once over a much younger man once cause I had larger muscles and looked fitter, it was obvious, the employer thought I was much younger and fitter, but technically in that case I was stronger and more able to do the job from being stronger and lifting weights in my spare time and cycling.I don't think the other guy, that even if he took steroids to get muscle, would have had the stamina and actual built up tendon strength like I did, that took me years to achieve(probably why so many bodybuilders or those dabbling in it and young get injured so much and why evey major book has sections on injury recovery and how to avoid them, so much).

A "must have" for all bodybuilders around the world!
I am running a succesfull gym since 2001. Since 2001 I've bought 30-40 books for bodybuilding and sports or dieting.
It's the best book I found and very helpfull for everyone.
Excellent knowledge, very good practical advises on workout training day.
Top workout programms. There is nothing missing on this book. Dieting and nutrition also!
Thanks a lot to the writter of this book, it's a tough durable tool for any proffesional on fitness industry.

5 star is the correct rating for this!!!

Should be a part of every bodybuilders library.
Although dated this book contains good information and guidelines to advance your training. Every new bodybuilder should study this book!

Informative and Enjoyable Compilation of Ironman Articles
I've been reading this Ultimate Bodybuilding Encylopedia for the last few weeks and I find it very useful and motivating.

This is very different than Arnold's encylopedia, not better or worse just different. If you want a systematic and comprehensive guide to bodybuilding exercises and their performance then Arnold's is what I would recommend. Note that (in my opinion), many of the routines are geared more for someone w/ performance enhancing drugs and would severly overtrain most natural bodybuilders. Still, Arnold's book is incredibly comprehensive and has been updated since the original release.

The Ironman encyclopedia is more of a collection of articles from Ironman issues over the years. The great thing about that is you get a variety of points of view and approaches which is excellent.
The price of the book is VERY inexpensive compared to what one would have to pay if you were to buy the same volume of valuable information in magazines.

Personally I'm not a big fan of the overall direction bodybuilding has gone with the extreme juice monsters, but this book has a mix of material that can cater to a natural bodybuilder as well as those into the more extreme aspects of the sport. In addition to the many excellent articles, there are photographs which contain bodybuilders from both "schools" of bodybuilding which is not something you find very often.

I've recently purchased the Ironman Natural Bodybuilding Book which is also excellent for those interested in focusing specifically on a drug free approach (though certainly some of the extreme supplementation used by "natural" bodybuilders almost approaches a middle ground between completely natural and pharmaceuticals).

For me the most important thing has been learning the difference between how to approach training from a natural point of view. I train for health and appearance, but not even remotely with the idea of competition, and it's been great to learn so much about how to workout hard without overtraining, especially for someone drug free like myself.

A lot of attention is paid to the fact that natural bodybuilders/weight trainers really have to learn how NOT to overtrain, something I most definitely did many years ago. I worked out way too much and really hit a wall.

Anyway, the different articles contained in this book has a plethora of interesting information that I think most people interested in pumping iron will find useful and enjoyable to read.

Another thing I really appreciate in the book is the honest discussion of the various drugs being used by non-natural bodybuilders. I especially liked the fact that Ironman had the guts to have interview with the anonymous IFBB Olympia competitor who frankly discusses the insane drug combinations he uses to stay competitive and the dangerous health issues he faces from that use. It's such an over the top interview that it actually had me going "Is this for real?", but most certainly it is. I've talked with several athletes who have used performance enhancing drugs and they suffered greatly from the side effects so this interview rang true to me.

It still amazes me that the IFBB hasn't tried to clean up and legitimize this sport into a sport that people can take seriously. Instead, they've taken a great sport and turned it into a freak show. They've created an environment that is horrific for the athletes, men and woman who should exemplify health and instead exemplify drugs. This Ironman book, while still featuring many "juiced up" bodybuilders, at least doesn't shy away from the truth about these drugs where many other publications have a "don't ask don't tell" approach.

Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
Home Bodybuilding is the perfect solution for those who want to look and feel great without having to go to a gym or health club.Former Muscle & Fitness editor Robert Wolff shows you how to achieve the fitness level you desire, with his three-step program of:

· Gym-free exercises

· Powerful eating strategies

· Inspiring life lessons to help you focus your energy

- Learn how to tone and shape your deltoids, quads, hamstrings, glutes and abs

Packed with clear photographs that show you exactly what to do, as well as mental strategies and life lessons to help you stick to your routine.Now you can achieve the physique you’ve always dreamed of-without leaving the house! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Read the reviews carefully
I've read the reviews on this site about Home Bodybuilding and have a few observations people may find helpful.

First of all...

1) If a book is rated five stars, look to see if it's rated with just one five star rating or many. Chances are, if there's more than one glowing review, many other people have found the book equally as helpful.

2) When there are negative reviews, check and see how many there are and if there are commonalites between each of them.

I bought this book many months ago along with the Men's Fitness Home Workout book and have found each to have their strengths and weaknesses.

While the Men's Fitness book has more photos and exercises, it lacks much of the periphery elements of the mental components of motivation and just how hard it is for many of us to get started and stay motivated working out--especially at home AND by yourself...HELLO!

I like both both books very much. There must be a reason why amazon.com pairs Home Bodybuilding with the Men's Fitness book. They compliment each other quite well.

Finally, I'd like to give a few observations on what the reviewer "Judge Knott" wrote regarding the Home Bodybuilding book and how this reviewer must not have read the same book I'm looking at right now as I write this review. Specifically:

"There are many exercises shown that can only be done if one has access to expensive, complicated gym machines. (Yo! Isn't this supposed to be for h-o-m-e workouts?)"

If this reviewer would've read the book and understood its purpose, the author Robert Wolff states in clear language that he wants to give readers exercises they can do with freeweights (barbells and dumbbells), without weights (bodyweight only), with machines (if they have those in their home), and even informercial equipment.

"There is a sloppiness and an imprecision in the way many of the exercises are described."

I've got a library full of nutrition, exercise and physiology books and the exercise descriptions and illustrations Wolff uses in Home Bodybuilding match how the others illustrate how the exercises Wolff Describes should be done.

"The whole book is written at a reading level equivalent to that found in "The National Enquirer" or "The New York Post."

I'm reminded of a quote that a 20-plus million copy bestselling author once said, "Don't worry; If you write for the seventh grader, the Ph.D. will understand it too."


"It's also filled with cheerful, peppy, Oprah-like self-help sayings and anecdotes that recall Dale Carnegie in an extremely good mood. They bored and annoyed me."

Look at the other reviews who seem to greatly enjoy this author's writing style. Then click on reviewer Judge Knott's other reviews. For such a scathing review of this book, it was surprising how many of this person's reviews fall into the scope of fine arts and NOT nutrition, fitness or health. Perhaps returning Home Bodybuilding and getting a book on the order of the "New York Metropolitan Ballet of Workouts" might be a better fit?

My purpose is not to deride of belittle the above reviewer. All of us are entitled to our own opinions. However, when coming to this review forum, my only request is that any of us have a fully formed and educated opinion that doesn't selectively omit the good or not so desirable points of any book. That way, we can all learn and be helped by what anyone says--good or bad.

For my money, Home Bodybuilding was money well spent. Thanks for letting me have my two cents worth. Best to all!

Ideal for beginners only
This book is great for someone who is starting out.
However, I found that the book was lacking in variety of exercise for a person who already knows the basic weight training exercise.

I found that the book did not go into much detail in all the chapters, it was more like a breif summary.

I guarantee after 8 weeks you will be looking for another book that provides a variety of exercises so that you can alternate and stay motivated.

This book is a huge help
I like the Men's Fitness book a lot and thought it woould be all I needed for working out at home, but I have to say I was wrong.

While the MF book provided lots of tips and plenty of exercises, it didn't give me the missing pieces I was wanting to help put together an effective home workout program that took into consideration my need for having a thorough exercise, nutrition, AND motivational program.

It's tough for me to go to the gym and even tougher for me to work out by myself and at home. But the Home Bodybuilding book has made it so much easier and enjoyable. It not only gives lots of information about exercise and nutrition, it also convincingly explains the ways of how to get started and stay on a home workout program. It's been those ideas that have helped me reach my goals quicker than I imagined possible.

I'd like to see the author do a follow-up book with more information on home workouts. I've noticed that as I've gotten into to workoing out more, I'm wanting more and different ways to work out.

This book works and is highly recommended.

It is possible to create a great body at home
I almost quit working out (again) if it weren't for Home Bodybuilding. I have two kids, a full-time job and no time for a gym and I needed to find something that would help me keep in shape. I'm so happy that I found this book.

The book has five parts and they are:
Part I--Getting Started
Part II--Nutrition
Part III--The Basics
Part IV--Body Specific
Part V--The Mind

It is also broken down into giving workouts and advice for women and men (a good thing since I have no desire to have big muscles) and it has lots of good workouts and exercises you can do at home or in the gym.

It seems to cover all the basics by featuring exercises and workouts you can do with barbells, dumbbells, machines, no weights and exercises with just your body and even using infomercial equipment.

Yeah, I admit it. I bought the Total Gym a year ago and after a few months of using it (it now sits in the garage, thank you) it's more like the Total Joke, but that's a whole different review.

Anyway, this book has been really helpful and if anyone is looking for a no non-sense way to get themselves in good shape and do it at home, this is the book I'd recommend.

the best book for working out at home
I was looking for a book that was geared for people who want to work out at home and couldn't find anything until I found Home Bodybuilding. The format is based on three steps which are the mental, physical and nutritional. The book also has separate sections for men and women as well as exercises with weights, without weights and even infomercial equipment. I liked the author's straight forward approach which doesn't have any agendas like other books I've read (i.e. like Body For Life which the author of the book is also the founder of the supplement company EAS which is promoted in his book) and he provides lots of good information which works. He is also very motivational and the book is filled with inspiring observations, quotes and affirmations which are helpful. The last part of the book is devoted to the mental aspect of being successful working out at home and while being a bit apprehensive about it at first, I'm a believer now. All in all, a well done book I'd whole heartedly say "get". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Inspiring read, very effective, efficient instruction
It was the cover shot, one of Jim Helwig (the professional wrestler once performing as The Ultmate Warrior), that grabbed my attention. The photography within, black & white and reminiscent of the old magazine shots of Arnold, Franco, Frank Zane, and their contemporaries, was EXCELLENT, the value of which justifying the few dollars it costs you for this out-of-print classic. As for the training information contained, basically Dr. Darden's standard protocol of a full-body routine, repeated three non-consecutive days per week, more heavily weighted toward a certain muscle group just a bit to specialize on a given bodypart. Dr. Darden repeats this format in almost all his 2 dozen plus other books, so if you've read any two or so of them, you won't gain as much as you otherwise might from reading this book. The value of the training if espouses? It employs, as the sequel to a smilialrly titled book, the principles and techniques learned and developed during Dr. Darden's tenure as Director of Research at Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, applied with free weights in mind. As Nautilus machines are designed to provide full-range, balanced resistance, whereas free weights cannot (owing to the fact that gravity pulls solely in one direction), more exercises are employed in the training routines (i.e., 20, vs. the typical 10-12 when utilizing Nautilus machines exclusively), along with the obligatory gut-grinding intensity for which Nautilus' founder, Arthur Jones, is notorious. Motivational stories and photography help a bit in that regard, however.

Intelligent Effort
I have numerous books on the subject of Bodybuilding; I keep coming back to this one. True, this program is definately not for the faint of heart. But, if time is an issue, and efficiency is a must, this is the only game in town. The arguments made are immensely logical, and the results, when followed to the letter, are astounding. I recommend you absolutely stick with it for a minimum of six months. I garnered amazing results in strength and size. The efficiency and intelligence of Mr. Darden's system sets the benchmark for exercise programs.

Not for the Faint of Heart
This is probably the highest level reached by the high-intensity school of bodybuilding which argues--counter to the traditional/Weider school--that less is more.Fewer sets with perfect form (and a few tricks) will get you awesome results in about a quarter of the time the other guys spend in the gym.But you have to have the constitution of a Navy Seal to do it full out.I found just doing bits of the workout of great benefit. ... Read more

Product Description
Pro Mr. America DAN LURIE'S "Instant Action" Positrain Training Course - How to develop your body Muscle Building System. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Good basic training program
If you a new to weight training or looking for some home gym type training, this book can help. Dan Lurie was a physique contestant back in the early 40's and wasa repeated runnerup in the AAU Mr. America and winner of every subdivision prize. He was the original trainer for Lou Ferrigno and did a lot for Big Lou.

Lurie also ran a very succesful bodybuilding organization known as the World Bodybuilding Guild that competed very well with Joe Weiders IFBBback in the late 60's and early 70's. He also had a successful magazine Muscle Training Illustrated that lasted from 1965 to 1991.

Unlike other self proclaimed "trainers of champions", Lurie has been a successful competitive bodybulder and just as importantly has the ability to teach and train. His bodybuilding system is worth a look if you want to maximimize your results.

Thanks Dan for a great program.

Good& effective
Clear & concise.
Not too many blah blah pages.
Some essential pages to explain the basics.
Exercises with pictures alongide.
Clear programme charting.

Quite effective, when done correctly...
I saw this book first in the 90s with a frien.. bought it 2 yearsand have used it with satisfactory results

Nothing less than great-9/10
A great book that maximized my potential growth to the limit. The format and the approach to every aspect that might be affected is well established.

Brilliant mind with brilliant thoughts. The result is no less than one of the best books ever written on the subject.

A must buy for anyone interested in bodybuilding or fitness in general!

Cheers!

Fantastic!
My friend showed me your book on building a better body.I am a girl and was afraid to try your program. It's now six months of training and I lost 30 lbs. I use very light weights and enjoy my three days a week work out.Your book is great and I highly recommend it!Good luck.

Great
Great Results. I followed the Dan Lurie Body Building System for 2 years.I gained over 50 lbs of solid muscle, My arms are 18 inches== Chest 48 inches Waist 29 inches.If you want to improve your body,this book is for you. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Bbldg History
This is a great read, hope more is coming. I'd like to hear more about even earlier bodybuilders from before the 60's. It would be great to hear the stories before the "juice" era arrived and changed the spirit of bodybuilding.

A wonderful read you won't be able to put down
The book has been described well in other reviews. So mine will be short and to the point. The years of the 1960s and 1970s was indeed the golden age of bodybuilding. Some would argue that it was the fifties, some even the forties. But the sixties and early seventies were the brief years when bodybuilding evolved from a hidden, disregarded sport into a full-fledged, respected athletic event with its own contests. It became respected.

Moreover, this was the time when the greats to whom we look to as models today were created. We meet Arnold when he started out, Dave Draper when he was soft and unformed, yet tenacious. We meet the very small but unique young, handsome men who, for a very brief time in history, came together to form the golden age of bodybuilding.

This was the time when the men looked great. No freaky ugly muscle --- rather lovely, sleek, striking and handsome muscle that made the male form look perfect.

This well-written book will take you back to that time and into the places that were alive for these men in those days. You'll learn about them in intimate ways heretofore untold.

Highly recommended.

- Susanna K. Hutcheson

Good "history" book
If your looking for bodybuidling advice - then you've come to the wrong place. This book is on events that occured back in "the Golden Era" on the beaches of California. Overall the book is written fairly and allows you a glimpse into the different aspects of the bodybuilders lives. If your looking for a history lesson, this book does the trick. If your looking for advice - look for something else.

They were having fun
I got this book as a gift but flipped through the pages before wrapping it.The gift recipient is a big fan of Dave Draper and Arnold and all the rest and just LOVED it.A lotta fun to read.Great pics, too.

Muscle UP!
If you are seriously into the fun & history of the good times in Bodybuilding. Then you can't go wrong buying this book. It's written with an easy going style that helps the reader feel the vibe ,sweat & good hard workouts of these very strong men. You'll learn a lot about why these guys worked out so hard & enjoyed it!
What they did,,how they trained, what they added to Football, Boxing & other sports, Well they just made sportsmen & women faster & stronger. Lift some weights, feel the buzz come alive. Ladies & gentlemen these guys were ahead of their time. It's a good read. ... Read more

Product Description
Guide to ultimate bodybuilding. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Incredibly Helpful
This little old book, published over 25 years ago, is still one of the best books out there for getting into bodybuilding.What it lacks in specifics for nutrition can be made up elsewhere, but what it contains for no-nonsense lifting advice is stellar.Anyone who wants excellent information related to lifting, without a huge and expensive tome to tote around should buy this old standard.

A Complete Guide to Bodybuilding
This book was my first introduction to Bodybuilding. Franco explains everything in this book from body types to diet and training routines. A helpful book for anyone just starting out or for the advancedlifters out there.

Winning Bodybuilding
The author begins with an explanation of what makes a muscle grow. He explains body types, the bone structure and basic
principles. The work is segmented into beginning, intermediate
and advanced body-building. The author depicts various exercises
and explains the nutritional dimension to weight-lifting.
Overall, this is an excellent book for beginning, intermediate
and advanced lifters.

Solid Foundation
This book has the best foundation building routines in the sport. Franco's arm routine in this book is excellent, completely balanced. Great advice from one of the strongest bodybuilders in the business.

plain and simple
this is the best book for getting from novice to intermediate that i know of when it comes to bodybuilding without all the smoke and mirrors. ... Read more

Product Description
Lee Haney is the only man to win eight Mr. Olympia titles--and he won them consecutively.Host of his own television show, he is one of the most popular figures in bodybuilding and fitness.His work with boxer Evander Holyfield and basketball star Kevin Willis has proven that weight training can ehnance performance in other sports; his Atlanta-based gym, Lee Haney's World Class Fitness Center, teams up with the city to promote general heath and good fitness for everyone.

Lee Haney's Ultimate Bodybuilding presents the training program and mental perparation that helped Haney dominate the Mr. Olympia competition.Beginners and experienced athletes alike can learn from Haney, by following his instructions and examining the photographs that show the proper form for each exercise.

This book includes:
A beginners workout: a safe and doable program to get started
Advanced bodybuilding: Haney's secrets to building muscle mass, strength and symmetry
A healthy, safe, steroid-free nutrition and diet plan
Cross-training workouts for other sports, including Haney's special program for Evander Holyfield
The Mr. Olympia titles in review
Tips for competitive bodybuilders, from mental readiness to the seven mandatory poses.
Comparative photographs of other top bodybuilders
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Why Didn't I Decide to Get This Sooner
I have enjoyed Lee Haney's DVD workout for quite a while. I don't see how anyone can follow this regimine and not get results. Very safe as well as healthy.
Someone at work loaned me the VHS version for about a week. Very motivated after watching this, I joined a gym for about a year. People assumed I was one of the trainers before long. The gym went through changes and I decided to work out at home. With a treadmill and weight bench purchase, there is never an excuse not to work out.

With the book, you get additional information to the history of Lee Haney and Bodybuilding, not to mention very detailed instructions on the actual exercises. I would recommend this book to anyone because of the safe way of gradually building - you never get sore.

Lee Haney remains numero uno
This quality book by a quality gentleman who just happens to be the most prolific (and least disputed) Mr. Olympia is a book that needs to be read if you're serious about a serious subject. I recommend the Lee Haney videos which can accentuate what this book displays page after page. Warning: the mesomorphic form he's been blessed with is rarely built to this level of symetry and depth, so your results won't match, just use the techniques to accentuate your own gift.Mr. Haney's cable [ch. 19, in Fort worth] show combines more about mind-, body- and spirit-strengthening in twenty-five minutes than anyone. Since he autographed my copyat the one chance I had to hear him speak, it's priceless. He remains "TotaLee Awesome"!

Way too hardcore
This book is definitely not for beginners or even intermediate or advanced bodybuilders.It is for the pros!The routine is Haney's own and is way too much for normal people.Besides, each person's body is unique and will require a different routine to build mass.Try "Weider's System of Bodybuilding" for a more personalized approach.

Great Stuff
Forget Schwarzenegger's "Encyclopedia of Modern Bobybuilding," Mike Mentzer's "Heavy Duty," or Dorian Yates's "Blood and Guts."This is THE book to have for increasing srength and health viaweightlifting--simple, effective, no nonsense.And Haney's workouts forhis celebrity clients--among them Evander Holyfield--provides interestingreading.

This is one of my alltime favorite bodybuildingbooks.
I've read tons of bodybuildingbooks but this isone of the best. Lee Haney is my favorite bodybuilder. This book is full of training routines for different levels. I really like that. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Glad I could find it!!
My husband is really into Bodybuilding and he had been looking for this book as he had lost his copy from back in his teen years. I was so glad I was able to find this for him!! He was very happy to receive it!He likes this original book as opposed to the "revised" one.

was the first book on bodybuilding but
yes it was thefirst book onbodybuilding published in the late 1970 .s but now in this new century pumping iron warriors are much more impressive . would need and update.

great deal
i'm am so happy with this purchase!bought it for my brother for christmas, when he see's that it is autographed by the authors and arnold he is going to freak!

The Dirty Little Secret
I agree with all above that this is a fine book. I wish there were more such insightful forays into other sports. My one quibble with Pumping Iron is that whistles past the graveyard of the great dark evil, steroids. One reading this book would get the impression that all of the bodybuilders within had sculpted their physiques with weightlifting, diet, dedication, and genetics. The truth is, all the stars of that era relied heavily on steroids, as subsequent admissions by such as Arnold Schwarzenegger have revealed. That, and the near-death disaster to Steve Michalik from steroid overdose (the book attributes his great "sea change" gain of muscle mass to heavy weight training and eating a lot of chicken and tuna fish) are crucial facts for the reader to know. To ignore the dirty little secret of big-time bodybuilding is dishonest, and presents a disservice to the readership. I would enthusiastically welcome another edition of Pumping Iron, as suggested above- it's a fine book- but I would repect Messrs. Gaines and Butler the more if they would address the steroid issue.

These were the real champions
I book this book back in 1973 and then lost it in a flood but was able to get a copy at a used book store.These were the real champions and pioneers of bodybuilding; Arnold, Nubret, Columbu, Zane, Corney, Waller, Katz etc.You rarely see training photo's like this and heretofore, never saw bodybuilders depicted as real people as Gaines and Butler did with this work and the movie that followed.Pumping Iron and a Mega-Superstar German with a hard to prononunce last name literally took bodybuilding into the mainstream and turned the stars of our sport into household names.While I was lucky to find a copy of this book at a used book store, I really feel that Gaines and Butler should have a reprint for people who would like a new, first class copy; perhaps even a revised version showing where those champions are today.Great book Mr. Gaines and Mr. Butler. ... Read more

Product Description

Prepare to look, feel, and perform better than you ever have before!

Why bodybuilding? Put simply, lifting weights--or resistance training--is one of the best ways to achieve total body health and fitness. Research has shown time and again that pumping iron provides a host of benefits: Bigger muscles, of course, but also greater strength, higher bone density, and improved cardiovascular capacity. Adding muscle also naturally ignites your body's internal fat-burners, increasing your metabolism while lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol. Oh yeah, and you'll look terrific.

Here's all you need to start building serious muscle, including crucial information on:

• Complete workouts and techniques to maximize results
• Specific tips on achieving more defined abs, arms, legs, chest, and back,
• How bodybuilding is different and better than other training methods
• Basic anatomy and physiology
• “Gym jargon” via a special decoder
• How long and often you should work out--and how much recovery time your body needs

Customer Reviews (6)

Pros and Cons
There are things I liked and disliked about this book - but I have 'gone away with something', and for me that is good enough.

The main points I took:
- The full body workouts (I've always done split training), so this is definitely something I want to try.
- How to calculate your personal ideal rep range for each muscle group.

Pros:
- The whole layout (design-wise) is awesome.
- Each exercise is very clearly explained and has excellent pictures (of both the start and finish position).
- Covers steroid use in the bodybuilding world - which many beginners people don't realize and set unrealistic goals (then end up giving up).
- For someone new to training, some of the routines will definitely start them off well, and they should see results - but I also think some routines are very advanced.
- The "Max Contraction System" was interesting.

Cons:
- Majority of the book is just different routines and how to do the exercise.
- Not much on nutrition -John doesn't seem to find that it as important as training(I think it is!!!)
- It sometimes feels like the book is a huge ad for Nautilus.
- John finds a lot of faults with the way others do things - I'd even call him a 'hater' based on some of his comments.

Methodical Blueprint for Muscle Building
This program sets forth a step-by-step, month-by-month blueprint for building muscle naturally and intelligently.The book is very well written and presented, with each exercise described and illustrated in detail.The author emphasizes intense workouts followed by sufficient rest periods as the most efficient formula for growing muscle.Following several months of foundational training, the author provides an overview of his Max Contraction System designed to efficiently work the muscle at peak contraction for maximum benefit.

Great book
This is the perfect book for anyone who is considering bodybuilding.I spent more than a year working out without seeing any results.In less than a month following this plan, I gained mass faster than ever.5 Stars.

Not a good choice for general fitness
I am not a bodybuilder but have read articles on strength training by Mr. Little that made sense to me. I exercise purely for health and function. This book was a bad choice for me. If you like high intensity weight training, there are much better choices than this book. It also seems to contradict other advice given by this author.He states in the introduction that this book is written for beginners who should train more frequently, but he gives only vague advice on when to change frequency. He gives an example of training one man on a once a week "max contraction" routine with great results, then advises three days a week for his readers.In other books/articles by this author he writes that after about 2 to 6 months of training you should go to once a week training.
The "Max Contraction" routine he prescribes has no exercises at all for the glutes and low back, essential for running/walking movement and spine stabilization. This is a major omission for someone concerned with general fitness and function.This type of training requires spotters and machines, and is impractical for most people. Recent studies show full muscle fiber/motor unit involvement using lighter weights and a full range of motion which is probably safer for most people.
Look for something by Wayne Wescott,for general fitness, or Ellington Darden if you're into bodybuilding stuff.
Griff

Rehash of stuff everyone already knows that quickly turns into a complicated mess
This book is horrible.The descriptions and pictures of the movements are ok, but the routines are derivative and contradict each other.In Little's previous major contributions (Power Factor, Static Contract, Max Contraction), he followed a line of reasoning that lead increasingly away from the standard Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 2 or 3 sets, 10 reps routines, and laughed at routines like supersetting etc.Anyone who read those books and agreed with his assumptions was forced to agree that these new systems presented useful innovations to strength training and bodybuilding.

But now with this book he completely tosses out all his previous reasoning, and tries to fit Max Contraction into a greater overall progressive scheme that *includes* the previous types of training he said was pointless.

And to make it even more annoying, like so many other acolytes of Any Rand's supposed "Objectivism" who confuse *fondness* for reason with an *ability to reason well*, he constantly maintains this attitude of superior rationality, railing against straw-men presentations of "mysticism" and irrational thinking... and then he goes on to offer his own mystical digressions (the story about Hercules for example) and irrational thinking ("Giant sets" aren't really multiple sets even though it looks like you're doing different sets with different exercises because you don't rest in between exercises, like you do in "straight sets"; and since you don't rest between exercises, you won't overtrain, because we all know that resting leads to overtraining... right?).These intellectual shenanigans would be nearly excusable from a bodybuilder if he didn't constantly pose as a Master of Reason who "Has It All Figured Out", and with just the slightest bit of humility and perspective on the evolution of his own thoughts as presented in his books he ought to see and admit that he has NOT figured it all out.

So between his pretentious attitude and the fact that there is almost zero novel information in this book, and especially considering the confused mish-mashing of the sequence of development he presents, I find it hard to imagine that *any* beginner would be able to separate the wheat from the chaff here, and anyone who can do that likely doesn't need this book for any reason.

And seriously, did he drug test the guys who posed for the pics in his book?If he's going to devote a chapter to bashing 'roids (which he should), the least he can do is give positive role models of people who don't look like poster boys for the black market.


Buying this book was an utter waste of money. ... Read more

Product Description

The last word on how to build a better body--from the late, great Mike Mentzer

With his revolutionary "Heavy Duty" system, Mike Mentzer changed the way bodybuilders train, showing them that "less is more" when it comes to making great gains. In The Wisdom of Mike Mentzer, you will discover Mike's most advanced training techniques and philosophies--previously known only to his inner circle and personal clients.

Drawing upon never-before-released materials, his longtime colleague John Little reveals Mentzer's most powerful lessons and workout plans, including:

• The importance of working to failure
• Techniques for pushing past mental and physical plateaus
• How overtraining impedes progress
• A complete advanced "Heavy Duty" training system

The workout that worked "like magic" for Mr. Universe himself More than an instruction manual, this thorough compendium brings together a lifetime of insights, training truths, and personal philosophies from one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time.

Customer Reviews (9)

Best Bodybuilding book ever.I wish I had this information in the book 25 years ago!
Mike Mentzer's book is the absolute truth of how to train, and grow huge muscle's.Since I have started using Mike's principle's using high intensity training I stay sore up to 5 to 7 days.I have been training for 25 years and thought that I had reached my full genetic potential.I am 235 pounds and have already gained 5 pounds in four weeks.I squatted with 550 pounds using forced reps and negetives with rest-pause and felt the stimulation deep within my muscle fibers.You definitely have to rest your entire system training this way.Hail! Hail, to Mike Mentzer for sharing the truth.I thank you greatly.

General and Informative.
This is actually my favorite of Mentzers works. I like it specifically because it is so broad and manages to be both specific and abstract.
I enjoy Mike's writings and ideas in this form.
He is a philosopher and writes best in a philosophical context.
This book pretty much sums up the duration and evolution of his entire philosophy.
I am not a religious devotee of Mike Mentzers' philosophy entirely.
I train with slightly more volume and eat more protein than Mike suggests.
Mike's approach is fantastic and well thought out. It is also dogmatic.
My suggestion would be to look into this, as well as Arnold's work, and maybe some other books like those of Ronnie Coleman and Dorian Yates, and find what suits you best.
As I've said before, I haven't come across the perfect bodybuilding book yet.

An Excellent Followup to Mentzer's Earlier Book
This book is, in many ways, a tribute and memorial to Mike Mentzer. Although it is not written by him, as "High Intensity Training" was, it is written by his co-author on the book (and by his business manager)-- two people who knew him well. As you would expect, most of the book is directed at high intensity training, although in this book, it is referred to as "heavy duty" training. Much of it is also directed at Mentzer's philosophy of body building and of life in general. The first part of the book deals with the importance of character in relation to body building, something that Mentzer felt strongly about. The basic principles of heavy duty training are presented in the next part of the book, along with several workout programs. Of particular interest are several advanced programs where he emphasizes the importance of long rest periods. In some cases, though, his suggestions for rest periods seem overly long, but I'm sure he knew a lot more about that than I do.
The book compliments Mentzer's earlier book and is a good book to buy if you have the earlier book, as it adds several new ideas and techniques. It is filled with black and white photos, and is a delight to read. Strongly recommended.

Mentzer's Philosophy
Learn Mike Mentzer's philosophy for bodybuilding and how to apply it to your own routine.The Mentzer approach can work for anyone.

Not a good effort
Being a fan of Mentzer, I was eager to read this. He does stand as someone I truly have admired in my life time. I have enjoyed his other books and always came away better for reading them. However, I was very disapointed in this book. I soon realised that the problem is it was not written by Mentzer. The first half of the book is honestly just a little too reverent in painting Mentzer as a hero. I admire him, but John Little makes him sound like a saint. It's just a little much. The second half improved as it delved into Mentzer's philosophy on training using many of his own quotes. But even here, John Little refers to his previous book so blatantly and repeatedly, he often sounds like a broken record. It was a shameless redundant self promotion that almost makes one question his sincerity.
My advice, this is just fluff and promotion. Go buy one of Mentzer's books such as Heavy Duty as it is eye opening. Mentzer was a prolific writer and had a such a keen sense of logic that made the other books such as pleasure to read. This feels like a somewhat goulish attempt by those that have survived him, to use his name and drain one last bit from his devout fans. ... Read more

Product Description
Use high-tech training for high-definition sculpting! In Target Bodybuilding, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans show which muscles are used most in a variety of bodybuilding exercises. 60 exercises are featured, including

• 11 biceps exercises to sculpt the front of the upper arm;

• 20 triceps exercises to develop the back of the upper arm;

• 19 thigh exercises to work knee extensors, knee flexors, and adductor muscles in the leg; and

• 10 lower leg exercises to build and define specific calf muscles.

Each exercise includes a description of the lift, photographs of correct start and finish lifting positions, an enlarged photo of a specific muscle group and body part with a line indicating the site of the MRI cross section, and a multishaded MRI scan showing the amount of activity in the muscles being used. Tesch includes tips for designing beginner, intermediate, and advanced targeted bodybuilding programs. This book allows you to see inside the body to pinpoint the muscles you want to develop and shows you which exercises to use to fine-tune your bodybuilding efforts.

Target Bodybuilding takes the guesswork out of your training program. By using MRI technology combined with high-level strength training methods you will be able to build and sculpt your body into perfect shape! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Very Satisfied From Ireland
Service- Excellent
Price- Incredibly due to our ridiculous tax system,Purchase and delivery of book halfway around the world cost half the price of the same item as new on the shelves of the cheapest Bookshop in Ireland
Quality of Book.-Was stated as used.This is an understatement.Except for one small blemish on the first page,the book was as new in my opinion.
Customs- No problems.
Delivery- No Problems within a week and fitted in through the letterbox .
Customer Service.-Excellent Had a slight problem with payment due to security features on my credit card.TN Valley books were understanding and Patient whilst the problem was being resolved.
Payment-.Used 3V Card on this transaction
Return Customer-Yes will Use TN Valley books again.

Fairly interesting
This book was an acceptable read. It however was not at all very intriging past the indroduction. It rehashes the same idea over and over, offering no serious insight into the subject. Only vauge theory. Beyond that it offers no new workout plans, exercises or ideas, but rather a look inside the muscle and what takes place during your tried and true workout schemes. This aspect is beneficial to probally mostly advanced bodybuilders. it was I must admit interesting enough to think about when I hit the gym and I still use it when I am curious about what specifically my muscles are doing. It was not what I was excpeting... but decent enough! (I don't condone my personal opinions to that of any others nor are these words set in stone. Amazon.com asked me to write this.)

Now you really know which exercises work
The MRI scans in this book show the effects of an exercise on the body parts exercised. You can use this to select routines to work all muscles on a body part you are working on.
I can already feel the difference in using this book.
I only hopew there will be a follow-up book to cover the Chest, Back, and Abs.

scientificly wonderfull
Although the contents of this book refers only to the concentric part of the rep inducing beginners or unexperienced readers to false intrepretations, it is with no shadow of doubt the most important tool that a trainer must keep under his pillow.

Return of the arm blaster
This book revives the art of the armblaster and brings it back into the mainstream where it belongs.This author uses the MRI to prove that this and other equipment are not antequaited, but rather something that needs to be a part of everyone's workout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent tool for professionals and not only.
It's a very nice book, excellent tool for professionals and not only.
Can help everyone with his/her nutrition plans. Can advise everyone for better nutrition and as a result maximum profit from workout programms.
Recommended!

good pictures
This book wasn't great. I don't like the format of this book the way it was written by several different contributors. I don't feel it has any particular flow or direction. It touches of some supplements and on the macro and micronutrients but doesn't outline any particular diets for anything. If you want to read a little about effervescent creatine, a little about protein, a little about calcium, and a little about a few other topics then I guess this book would be for you but you can find way better information in other books or online. I don't recommend this book.

Two stars because of its legacy...
...I mean, after all, this is the Ironman series we're talking about...but for content, avoid this.Rather, do yourself a favor and pick up Franco Columbo's book.It is far, far superior and will give you much better results, and much superior advice.

However, all the other Ironman books, with the exception of the "natural bodybuilding" book, should be picked up.

one long advertisement for endless supplementation
This book basically is one long justification for taking lots of supplements.I've been down this road, and at some point startedto ask myself -- do the guys writing this have a reason to want you to buy supplements?Of course they do.Ironman is a muscle mag.Its revenues come from advertisements from the people who sell supplements.If Ironman starts dinging the idea that supplements work, its revenues dry up and it goes out of business.Are protein bars useful as a quick meal replacement?I think so.Does taking chromium lead to six pack abs?Please.Hit the gym hard, watch what you eat, and save your money.

ironmans ultimate nutriton
I bought this book as well as the Ironmans ultimate mass guide.I foundboth books to be of great vaulue.I have learned a great deal aboutnutrition.Although the book does not cover a great deal, it does howeverexplain how to build a good nutrional base.I suggest anyone wanting tolearn about mass and nutrion,get both books as they complment each othervery well.I rate this book 4 to 4 1/2.I did not know what I was missing tilnow. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great introduction to the HIT world
This book is only sold on Dr. Dardens site and I'm surprised that someone is actually selling it. It is an absolutely amazing book, it covers the history of HIT, lots of interviews of the people involved with the evolution of HIT and of course training routines. Arthur Jones just passed a few months ago and he truely was a man before his time. The lack of acceptance of Arthur Jones training principles is a classic case of conspiracy to suppress knowledge. This book has rekindled my love of training and I've since acquired 2 more Ellington Darden books. This book has changed my perspective on training and I'm UN-learning the HVT (High Volume Training) I grew up learning about when I was training in highschool in the 90's. If you want to train correctly instead of LIVING IN THE GYM 6 days a week, training twice a day split routines, and doing 10 sets of each exercise, then you might want to browse through this book. WARNING, remember I just said that Arthur Jones training principles lack of acceptance is a classic case of conspiracy to suppress knowledge, so some of the things you read in this book are COMPLETELY contradictory to what you may have learned in 99% of the training books out since the 80's. As a matter of fact, I would say it's 180 degrees different from what you've been taught. It's not about working out for hours several several times a week, or buying and consuming useless supplements (no matter how new and advanced or "specially formulated" they claim they are), or taking steroids. It's about training your body the natural way it is supposed to be trained and doing it strategically, feeding it a healthy diet and getting adequate rest between workouts. Just a tip for you "advanced" bodybuilders, your body doesn't require more training, it requires more rest to let it rebuild itself. You can make your body adapt to training by getting bigger, getting stronger and getting more stamina but there is no training that can be done to cause it to heal faster. So make sure you feed your body healthy natural nutrition, and get a full nights rest every night. I would highly recommend this book as well as another one of Dr. Dardens books, "The New High Intensity Training". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Condescending
What a condescending, supercilious and smarmy piece of crap.Even the title is a slap at bodybuilders, many of whom work very hard to perfect their physiques.Would Klein have written similarly about B.K.S. Iyengar, the world's great yoga teacher, who practices yoga
6 hours a day?No, because he is a revered figure.But bodybuilders are an easy target, so safe to bash.The fact is that bodybuilders are smart, disciplined and have a highly developed skill.

Predetermined interpretation
As a lifter (but not a bodybuilder), and trained as an anthropologist, I expected this to be a fun and illuminating book, especially in light of some of the other reviews.I think this is a decent book--Klein writes well and captures gym flavor decently--but not a good one.It seems to me that Klein had already decided, prior to his empirical work, that bodybuilding was an outgrowth of or response to a sense of inadequacy.As far as I can tell, he never puts his interpretation to any kind of test: rather, he merely picks out those facts that support his interpretation and glosses them with a great deal of unsupported speculation.There is actually counterevidence to some of his claims in the book, but he never deals with it as such.All in all, I think it is a shame to spend seven years doing fieldwork only to rehearse a fairly standard bias against bodybuilders.If you read this book, balance it with another Roland S. Persson's short book Big Bad & Stupid or Big Good & Smart, which is a contrarily biased study.Persson's book is hard to find, but exposes some of the kinds of bias Klein adopts.

an interesting book for anybody who weight trains
When I was a little kid Use to marvel at many of the bodybuilders. Arnold Swartzengger was my childhood hero. I bought flex magazine regulary. I bought Weider training videos. When I was 12 years old I bought all this bodybuilding stuff and I wanted to look like Arnold when I grew up. Well somewhere along the way I lost interest in bodybuilding and got more interested in sports in high school. This book explains why young teenager boys 7are lured to bodybuilding because they are insecure and want to make up for it by being very muscular and strong. This book did an excellent job of explaining the lifestyle of the bodybuilder and the motives why they became bodybuilders. I found much of the information true, however on some occasions I think the author's analysis was flawed. For instance the author said something along the lines that bodybuilders just have big muscles, but don't have enough strength to lift very heavy weights. So they just look strong, unlike powerlifters who can lift very heavy weights. This is not true bodybuilders don't lift very heavy weights because they wan't to isolate muscles rather than try to lift the most weight. Many bodybuilders could bench press just as much as a powerlifter if they used bad form, arched their back,and wore bench shirts. Other than that this book was fantastic! This book reveals how bodybuilder is more like an addiction rather than dedication for many bodybuilders. Many bodybuilders couldn't stop lifting weights if they wanted to. It really is a depressing book to read. Bodybuilders spend as much as 8 hours a day in a gym some of that time training, some of socialicing. This book reveals how bodybuilders throw their life away to the gym and because of it they fail to develop the necessary friendships and social skills necessary for a healthy life. This book reveals bodybuilders are dirt poor and because of that they often resort to prostiution and selling steriods just to get by. I remeber my classmates telling me not to get into bodybuilding because most of them are gay, after reading this book I realize my friends were right and I am glad I didn't go into bodybuilding. This book reveals their is a lot more risks in bodybuilding besides steroids. Anyone who is seriously considering bodybuilding should read this book first so they know exactly the lifestyle they will be getting into.

Readable format, intriguing study.
Insightful examination of an extreme manifestation of societal tendency, and how this reflects on gender construction in our society as a whole.
I purchased this book for use as one of the (many!) references for my thesis (on gender role traits and food selection.)
While probably not for a lay audience, this book is written in a very easy-to-read style for a study. Although I have to do hours and hours of reading every single day, I still found that this book held my interest.

Big Words
I found this book to be interesting and true when it comes to bodybuilding.It is not always an easy read.It may be better suited for someone in the industry or at least an anthropologist ... Read more

Product Description
In this comprehensive handbook, Lee Haney, current Mr. Olympia, reveals his training techniques and nutritional secrets for bodybuilding success. Aspiring bodybuilders as well as fitness fanatics will respond to his easy-to-follow method. 80 photographs. ... Read more

Product Description
"Robert Wolff has changed untold numbers of people's lives all over the world with his knowledge and words of wisdom when he wrote for my magazines. I'm happy to say, with this new book, he can do the same for you." --Joe Weider

Following the tremendous success of fitness and motivation authority Robert Wolff's introduction to bodybuilding, Bodybuilding 201 is Wolff's next "course" in building a better body.

Designed for intermediate and advanced people of all ages, this new motivational guide offers:

• More than 50 new routines
• The latest research on exercise, nutrition, and health
• Injury-prevention tips
• Specialized training for each body type plus hundreds of photos that explain each exercise step-by-step

Customer Reviews (5)

Not the best book, but not the worst either.
This is only an okay book.Certainly not one that I refer to as I work on my training.The information is kind of basic, and there is an overtone of mass marketing to it.Hard to put your finger on exactly, but it's kind of fluffy.Some of the exercises are bizarre, like doing squats with no weight and holding onto a post (not to be confused with a sissy squat), calf raises with no weight, etc.Remember, this is supposed to be for intermediate lifters.People reading this book could end up wasting a lot of time in trial and error.The point of buying books is to avoid that. I would recommend Natural Bodybuilding by John Hansen for an experienced beginner instead of this book.He is a lot more to the point, and he has real advice to offer.

There is one element that really just makes me want to laugh...the female model they use to show about half the exercises.Imagine, if you will, a very tall, very, very skinny woman with HUGE fake breasts barely contained in a tiny, string sport bra trying to demonstrate weightlifting.She is also grinning and wide-eyed throughout, and has long hair that is not tied up.This looks so ridiculous...how can anyone take this seriously??Were all the fitness and figure girls tied up that day, and they just could not find a single one for the photo shoot???

Newsflash-- If you work out half naked, with your hair all over the place, and lift weights that are so light that you never lose the smile from your face, you aren't going to accomplish anything.Women have to work very hard just like men to make gains.

Dr. Wolff will not let you down!
Read my other reviews of Dr. Wolff's books because I have read several of his books and I am proud to have them in my collection. Truthfully, they are all I need since they cover everything you need to know!

Bodybuilding 201 is meant to build on your current experience and results to take it further or get past your sticking points.

My advice for the new or experienced - start with BodyBuilding 101, then read his Book of Great Workouts, to get your base of knowledge. Then read this book while you are hitting the gym and getting amazing results.
Remeber, amazing results come slowly, over time. You cannot see that 1/4 inch of growth but it is there. Little by little it all adds up and before you know it, your a completely changed person!
Dr. Wolff teaches you how.

All of Dr. Wolff's books teach you technique, proper diet, and truly give you a solid education in all areas of working out - supplements, exercises, routines, fact and fiction.

My game plan for you- buy the 3 books I mentioned(and any others Dr. Wolff has written!!), read them in the order I described and start working out once your done. While your building your body over the next 6 months to a year, spend the time wisely by reading his other books and crafting your gameplan further. Don't rush into it. Just build your base slowly and after the proper amount of time has passed, try the next level of techniques.

Robert Wolff gives you proven and time tested material, coupled with his own personal experience. He goes over proper diet, proper technique and methodology to get you started off on the right foot. All of us are different and what works in the magazine interviews of the Pro bodybuilders probably will not work for you.

Did I mention that the author really will answer your e-mail questions!! Yes, I have had actually direct communication with him. He answered my questions and was more than happy to help!!!

Forget Atkins, South Beach, and all the other hype out there. Read and learn from Dr. Wolff.

Great Book!
Excellent practical information.Not the normal 'cookie-cutter' info on training.Cutting edge info.Would recommend for advanced and beginners alike.Workable for the natural athlete.

A must have for everyone who wants a better body!
This book is a must have!I am a personal trainer and fitness director and I found this to be one of the best books that I have read.If you want a book that covers a little of everthing, then this book is well worth the money.Robert Wolff is one of the best authors that I have found.This book has helped me with my fitness, so let this book help you reach your fitness goals!

A must have!!! This book has EVERYTHING!!!
Robert Wolff has done it again!!! This time, his new book teaches advanced and experienced bodybuilders how to get the winning edge without drugs, this is the most complete bodybuilding book I've ever read!!! My advise to every1 lookin 2 build a better body is to get Bodybuilding 101 and for those looking to build a championship physique to get both bodybuilding 101 and bodybuilding 201!!! This is a book that I'm sure will eventually be passed on from generation to generation...

BOTTOM LINE: BUY THIS BOOK!!! ... Read more

Product Description
The guide to mental training for bodybuilders. Mind Pump challenges athletes to assess their mental attitude toward bodybuilding, improve concentration, use positive thinking, and focus their workouts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Mind Over Matter
An overall excellent text on the psychology of bodybuilding for those lifting weights at any level from novice to competitor.The book will help you synchronize mind and body and achieve significant,consistent and more effective training results.The chapters are clear and concise and include self-assessments and applications to practice and which facilitate learning the conceptsand using them during your workout routine.

Excellent chapters on concentration, relaxation,motivation and visualizations and for the hard core lifters, a chapter on psychological aspects and factors of competing.

The power of the mind in body building
I read this book about 8 years ago The book is inspirational and allows people to push their physical limits. ... Read more

Product Description
Current popular interest in bodies, fitness, sport and active lifestyles, has made bodybuilding more visible and acceptable within mainstream society than ever before. However, the association between bodybuilding, drugs and risk has contributed to a negative image of an activity which many people find puzzling. Using data obtained from participant observation and interviews, this book explores bodybuilding subculture from the perspective of the bodybuilder. ... Read more