Getbig Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Forums
Getbig Bodybuilding Boards => Training Q&A => Topic started by: Soundness on December 20, 2008, 04:15:36 PM
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In your opinion, what is the absolute, #1 best training book available for muscle building?
Give a couple additional recommendations as well if you think it would be helpful.
Personally, if I could recommend only 1, it would be Beyond Brawn:
(http://large.snazal.com/?9963916368)
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Brawn-Insiders-Encyclopedia-Muscle/dp/9963916368/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229817821&sr=1-1
Starting Strength is a very, very close 2nd. I'd actually consider this and Beyond Brawn to be necessities. Get and follow both:
(http://davedraper.com/blog/wp-content/Uploads/2008/01/starting-strength-rippetoe.jpg)
http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Strength-2nd-Mark-Rippetoe/dp/0976805421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229817958&sr=1-1
If someone didn't have a clear grasp on why it's necessary to do a limited number of volume and movements I'd tell them to read High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way:
(http://www.maxcontraction.com/mentzbook.jpg)
http://www.amazon.com/High-Intensity-Training-Mike-Mentzer-Way/dp/0071383301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229818131&sr=1-1
Now let's hear what books you consider to be "necessities," if you were limited to a couple. ;)
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you don't need no stinkin books....
all you need to do is ask me !
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you don't need no stinkin books....
all you need to do is ask me !
Yeah I'm sure many of us like to think that way, don't we? ;)
Books are useful because it is exhausting to attempt to explain absolutely everything to a beginner. Plus, it's sort of a first test on whether or not you really want it bad enough... if you're not willing to put forth the effort to read a book on what you strive for you are not likely to have the level of desire it takes to do what it takes to build the muscles.
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...
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"Pitt-Force" by Karsten Pfützenreuter (but i don´t know if there´s a english version of the book)
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those are some awesome books soundness. mentzer's high intensity training changed a lot for me in my bodybuilding routine!
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There is one particular book I received around 2 weeks ago, that was just released, and after reading it I now feel compelled to add it to this thread. Body by Science by Doug McGuff and John Little. For any of you interested in HIT, this book makes the strongest case for HIT to date. It is an original and profound contribution to HIT. Here, many concepts are integrated into HIT for the first time in a published book. It is simple to understand, constructive in content, scientifically supported with visual aids to demonstrate the points within. Again, it does the best job at scientifically "proving" HIT to this date. I would write a review of it here, but Drew Baye has done an excellent and thorough job of that. It's best I simply refer you to his review, because I'd for the most part be repeating what he's already said.:
(http://baye.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/bodybyscience.jpg)
http://www.amazon.com/Body-Science-Research-Program-Results/dp/0071597174/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230939251&sr=1-1
Here is the beginning of Drew Baye's review of the book:
"If you buy only one book on exercise this year, I recommend Doug McGuff, MD and John Little’s Body by Science. If you buy only two books, I recommend getting a second copy of it because you’re going to want to share it with friends, and if you’re a trainer you’re going to want to keep one at work to show clients.
Body by Science explains the how and why of high intensity training, balancing enough scientific background to convey key principles and concepts without overwhelming the lay reader, and practical in-the-gym how-to. It is well organized, well researched, and well written, and an enjoyable and informative read. Every one of its eleven chapters contains a wealth of information, clearly explained with the assistance of numerous graphs and diagrams..."
Read the rest at http://baye.com/review-body-by-science-by-doug-mcguff-md-and-john-little/
Body by Science is a historical and progressive contribution to HIT.
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Where are all the books that tells us how important it is with a pump ???
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Triple H "Making the Game."
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Where are all the books that tells us how important it is with a pump ???
A few years ago Flex unexpectedly sent me this book for free, titled GET THE PUMP: The Last Word in Bodybuilding. It makes the argument that the pump is what builds muscle afterall. That, we've spent all this time trying to figure out exactly what about lifting builds muscle, and it turns out it's precisely the pump! It lists a number of pro's as the authors, was highly visual, and explained all the underlying mechanisms that allow the pump to build muscle. As I recall it was like one long, long ad for the pump that lacked any scientific references.
I'll look for it and read through it again to see if they do cite studies, but I remember thinking it was bullshit and was simply a tool to convince people that the pump was what builds muscle, in order to encourage them to buy supplements that supposedly increase the pump. There are even supplements featured in this book(!). ::) I believe it was right after NO2 came out and that entire NO movement began. Either way, it's entertaining and very visual. The content is very sketchy though, commercially driven, and as I recall it lacks scientific support. I believe it's one big lie to sell products. You can buy it used for cheap.:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51l8vzfcZvL._SS500_.jpg)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=GET+THE+PUMP&x=8&y=20
Here's an article about it, right here from our very own Getbig, written back in 2005.:
http://www.getbig.com/books/getthepump.htm
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I remember the first time I ever worked out at a gym. I got such an amazing pump it felt like my arms were going to burst. It's hard to even come close to that now.
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Unleashing the Wild Physique by Vince Gironda. Awesome read.
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"pushing for power" from bill seno.
"beyond bodybuilding" from pavel tsatsouline.
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Here's an article about it, right here from our very own Getbig, written back in 2005.:
http://www.getbig.com/books/getthepump.htm
"This book represents the culmination of over 100 years of bodybuilding knowledge and know how. Hopefully, you will enjoy reading it, and will come to refer to it from time to time as your bodybuilding goals change. This book would not have been possible were it not for Iovate Health Services, who sponsored and generously paid for all costs involved in its development, and the dedicated Iovate researchers, who worked with the authors in developing the contest. In this book, you will see products promoted. Feel free to investigate them further if you are interested, since knowledge is power. If you do use a supplement, make sure you read the label carefully and follow its instructions. It is also advisable to consult a physician before beginning any diet or exercise program, including those contained in this book. ."
I'm not sure which is more humorous, the paragraph above, or the fact that somebody is trying to sell this thing for 100 bucks on Amazon.com.
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"This book represents the culmination of over 100 years of bodybuilding knowledge and know how. Hopefully, you will enjoy reading it, and will come to refer to it from time to time as your bodybuilding goals change. This book would not have been possible were it not for Iovate Health Services, who sponsored and generously paid for all costs involved in its development, and the dedicated Iovate researchers, who worked with the authors in developing the contest. In this book, you will see products promoted. Feel free to investigate them further if you are interested, since knowledge is power. If you do use a supplement, make sure you read the label carefully and follow its instructions. It is also advisable to consult a physician before beginning any diet or exercise program, including those contained in this book. ."
I'm not sure which is more humorous, the paragraph above, or the fact that somebody is trying to sell this thing for 100 bucks on Amazon.com.
I agree completely.
Get the Pump is by far the worst bodybuilding "book" (if you can even call it that) I've ever come across.
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This is always an old standby, purely because it has every damn exercise ever invented:
(http://large.snazal.com/?0684857219)
This is also a good one, not necessarily for bigger muscles, but for moving more weight:
(http://www.moosbummerl.com/tagewerk/bild/2008070401.jpg)
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This is always an old standby, purely because it has every damn exercise ever invented:
(http://large.snazal.com/?0684857219)
That's also good if you dont have any weights, you can use the book
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I just posted this on the positive board but I have been reading this book and its great
http://www6.mailordercentral.com/ironmind/prodinfo.asp?number=1287
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The Yellow Pages. To find the best heavy duty gym in your area and start training with serious intent..finally. Good Luck.
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This is always an old standby, purely because it has every damn exercise ever invented:
(http://large.snazal.com/?0684857219)
[/img]
bump arnold book is the best i've read the entire thing like 11 times.
i'd also recommend:
Extreme Muscle Enhancement by Carlon Colker MD
Training for Mass by Gordon Lavelle
Brother Iron Sister Steel by Dave Draper
All of those were worth checking out for a different perspective on muscle building but overall the Arnold book is the greatest.
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Brawn by Stuart McRobert (the 240 page edition) is the best book I have read for bodybuilding/strength training.
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bump arnold book is the best i've read the entire thing like 11 times.
i'd also recommend:
Extreme Muscle Enhancement by Carlon Colker MD
Training for Mass by Gordon Lavelle
Brother Iron Sister Steel by Dave Draper
All of those were worth checking out for a different perspective on muscle building but overall the Arnold book is the greatest.
This is an excellent book - it's got more information about nutrition than training but I've read it several times and I recommend it to anyone.
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dorian yates 1st book totaly changed my physique and most of the lads in my country.......... blood and guts!!!!!!!
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All these answers are WRONG.
Bodybuilding is an individual pursuit and you write your own book over the years through trial and error. if you are smart enough to think for yourself
Nutrition is a different matter altogether. evryone should read a couple of books on sports specific nutrition,just to get the basics. but even then you gotta figure out what works best for you.
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All these answers are WRONG.
Bodybuilding is an individual pursuit and you write your own book over the years through trial and error. if you are smart enough to think for yourself
Nutrition is a different matter altogether. evryone should read a couple of books on sports specific nutrition,just to get the basics. but even then you gotta figure out what works best for you.
Very true.
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"CHEWING TOBACCO, WHISKEY, BIG MUSCLES, AND WOMEN - THE ARNOLD PALMER METHOD" by me. Book is still in the process of being published. PM me and we can arrange a payment method and I will send anyone an advanced copy.
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All these answers are WRONG.
Bodybuilding is an individual pursuit and you write your own book over the years through trial and error. if you are smart enough to think for yourself
Nutrition is a different matter altogether. evryone should read a couple of books on sports specific nutrition,just to get the basics. but even then you gotta figure out what works best for you.
Cop out answer. That's like saying that you don't need books to learn math, just sit down and figure it out by yourself.
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Cop out answer. That's like saying that you don't need books to learn math, just sit down and figure it out by yourself.
You couldn't have picked a worse example to try and prove me wrong :D
2+2=4......here and in china and on fucking mars.
One of the number 2s isn't a diabetic and the other number 2 can't maintain 10% bf without trying and yet another number 2 is an endomorph.
Now I'll let you figure out the rest.
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You couldn't have picked a worse example to try and prove me wrong :D
2+2=4......here and in china and on fucking mars.
I'm sure when you were in 2nd grade and you were learning division you just stood up, told your teacher to "fuck off bitch, I can learn this on my own," and then tore your math book up because books are an unneccessary tool for learning.
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I'm sure when you were in 2nd grade and you were learning division you just stood up, told your teacher to "fuck off bitch, I can learn this on my own," and then tore your math book up because books are an unneccessary tool for learning.
You couldn't have missed my point any more if i had written it in chinese
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You couldn't have missed my point any more if i had written it in chinese
Your point was something about math being the same everywhere and training needs not being constant from person to person. My point was that you are an idiot if you think that people don't have a need for books about training, the same as you'd be an idiot to presume that someone could learn math without material to learn from.
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Your point was something about math being the same everywhere and training needs not being constant from person to person. My point was that you are an idiot if you think that people don't have a need for books about training, the same as you'd be an idiot to presume that someone could learn math without material to learn from.
Training is elementary zach.
you can learn the basic movements and routines in one month at any gym. learning what works for you is the tricky part you have to figure out for yourself.
I am curious if you have ever posted a pic here, so we can see what someone that has read tomes of bbing material has managed to do with all that info. No slam, just curious.
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My pics have been posted several times on the training log board, but here's a rundown of what's happened since the day I picked up a weight:
Went from 108lbs at 5'7" to 181lbs at 5'8"
Have at varying points had bodyfat percentages of as low as 5.5% at 168lbs and as high as 13% at 181lbs
Went from not being able to bench an empty Olympic bar to a max bench of 235lbs
Max deadlift of 405 lbs at a bw of approx. 170lbs
Gained almost 4" on thigh circumference in 6 months after altering leg training to "Westside Barbell Method" training - from July 2008 to December 2008
I'm by no means a "beast", but a giant portion of what I have achieved I can attribute to reading. In fact, anybody on this board should take offense to your insinuation that you can learn everything you need in a month, and then just spend the rest of your life throwing shit at a wall to see what sticks. You could do it that way, but I would rather cut out the crap and learn from the mistakes of others.
If you can learn everything you need in a month, why is it that world-class lifters still seek out others to help them with their training? Guys like Louie Simmons, Joe DeFranco, Charles Poliquin, Dave Tate, and Ed Coan have all taken guys with ridiculous amounts of experience and helped them improve well beyond what they could do on their own.
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My pics have been posted several times on the training log board, but here's a rundown of what's happened since the day I picked up a weight:
Went from 108lbs at 5'7" to 181lbs at 5'8"
Have at varying points had bodyfat percentages of as low as 5.5% at 168lbs and as high as 13% at 181lbs
Went from not being able to bench an empty Olympic bar to a max bench of 235lbs
Max deadlift of 405 lbs at a bw of approx. 170lbs
Gained almost 4" on thigh circumference in 6 months after altering leg training to "Westside Barbell Method" training - from July 2008 to December 2008
I'm by no means a "beast", but a giant portion of what I have achieved I can attribute to reading. In fact, anybody on this board should take offense to your insinuation that you can learn everything you need in a month, and then just spend the rest of your life throwing shit at a wall to see what sticks. You could do it that way, but I would rather cut out the crap and learn from the mistakes of others.
If you can learn everything you need in a month, why is it that world-class lifters still seek out others to help them with their training? Guys like Louie Simmons, Joe DeFranco, Charles Poliquin, Dave Tate, and Ed Coan have all taken guys with ridiculous amounts of experience and helped them improve well beyond what they could do on their own.
Impressive gains, Zach. You've come a long, long way.
I agree with your point as well.
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Ripped II by Clarence Bass. Actually his whole series of books is an education of first rate knowledge. Many judge a man's knowledge according to his physique but this wrong. Many look like garbage without the chemical assist. Bass realized this and tells of how he lost his gains once off the juice. The only way to gain lean body mass over the long haul and retain it is without drugs.
Another great book for learning training variety is Bill Pearl's "Keys to the Inner Universe." It has so many exercises per body part that it will inspire you out of using the same exercises over and over again.
http://www.rosstraining.com/products.html Lastly any of these books is gold. Conditioning is a lost cause among guys training. It's just as important as strength. Strength without conditioning is useless in most athletic endeavors.
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My pics have been posted several times on the training log board, but here's a rundown of what's happened since the day I picked up a weight:
Went from 108lbs at 5'7" to 181lbs at 5'8"
Have at varying points had bodyfat percentages of as low as 5.5% at 168lbs and as high as 13% at 181lbs
Went from not being able to bench an empty Olympic bar to a max bench of 235lbs
Max deadlift of 405 lbs at a bw of approx. 170lbs
Gained almost 4" on thigh circumference in 6 months after altering leg training to "Westside Barbell Method" training - from July 2008 to December 2008
I'm by no means a "beast", but a giant portion of what I have achieved I can attribute to reading. In fact, anybody on this board should take offense to your insinuation that you can learn everything you need in a month, and then just spend the rest of your life throwing shit at a wall to see what sticks. You could do it that way, but I would rather cut out the crap and learn from the mistakes of others.
If you can learn everything you need in a month, why is it that world-class lifters still seek out others to help them with their training? Guys like Louie Simmons, Joe DeFranco, Charles Poliquin, Dave Tate, and Ed Coan have all taken guys with ridiculous amounts of experience and helped them improve well beyond what they could do on their own.
how old are you ?
those are great gains
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All these answers are WRONG.
Bodybuilding is an individual pursuit and you write your own book over the years through trial and error. if you are smart enough to think for yourself
Nutrition is a different matter altogether. evryone should read a couple of books on sports specific nutrition,just to get the basics. but even then you gotta figure out what works best for you.
reading books on bodybuilding and learning about other people's trial and errors is a great way to build a strong foundation to propell your own positive experiences in the gym. while i agree with you that you cannot learn to swim without jumping into water, i do believe that books have their own seperate benefits. im sure even an experienced bodybuilder can pick up any of the books mentioned in this thread and learn something new or at least find something that captivates them and inspires them in some sort of way. books and other reading materials have their purpose in learning, just as personal experience does. which one is more important is debatable, but neither method should be ignored.
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reading books on bodybuilding and learning about other people's trial and errors is a great way to build a strong foundation to propell your own positive experiences in the gym. while i agree with you that you cannot learn to swim without jumping into water, i do believe that books have their own seperate benefits. im sure even an experienced bodybuilder can pick up any of the books mentioned in this thread and learn something new or at least find something that captivates them and inspires them in some sort of way. books and other reading materials have their purpose in learning, just as personal experience does. which one is more important is debatable, but neither method should be ignored.
It's funny but in this month's FLEX magazine Jay Cutler says, and I quote...."You're going to do this, you're going to do that. bodybuilding has become too complex. These guys are trying all these new things, but it's all just trial and error anyway
So it seems a 2 time Mr.O agrees with me ;D
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It's funny but in this month's FLEX magazine Jay Cutler says, and I quote...."You're going to do this, you're going to do that. bodybuilding has become too complex. These guys are trying all these new things, but it's all just trial and error anyway
So it seems a 2 time Mr.O agrees with me ;D
As I recall, he also has a training book and a half dozen training dvd's for sale.
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As I recall, he also has a training book and a half dozen training dvd's for sale.
the dvd's arent to learn how to train they are for motivation
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It's funny but in this month's FLEX magazine Jay Cutler says, and I quote...."You're going to do this, you're going to do that. bodybuilding has become too complex. These guys are trying all these new things, but it's all just trial and error anyway
So it seems a 2 time Mr.O agrees with me ;D
Also strikes me as interesting that a guy who is opposed to using books to improve your training would be quoting Flex Magazine.
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the dvd's arent to learn how to train they are for motivation
He talks enough about his training in them to classify them as "training dvds" in some capacity.
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Also strikes me as interesting that a guy who is opposed to using books to improve your training would be quoting Flex Magazine.
Actually, I'm staying at my brothers for the weekend and he reads it, which I bust his balls for, but I had to take a shit so i grabbed it for my bathroom reading material.
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whats with bashing flex ? i mean, yeah, MD is way better...but its still a bodybuilding magazine with coool pics and some good info on the sport...
this is like a nascarfan telling another nascar fan "why you drinking budweiser and eating kfc while makin fun of mexicans and nigrs ?"
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It's funny but in this month's FLEX magazine Jay Cutler says, and I quote...."You're going to do this, you're going to do that. bodybuilding has become too complex. These guys are trying all these new things, but it's all just trial and error anyway
So it seems a 2 time Mr.O agrees with me ;D
yeah i do totally agree with you, and jay cutler apparently, people have made this bodybuilding shit a complex science. and YES i have developed my own unique training method based on what's best for me. BUT i do not think books should be tossed aside all together, they have their place.
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the dvd's arent to learn how to train they are for motivation
The DVD's and the book have one purpose........to fatten Mr. Cutler's bank account.
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The DVD's and the book have one purpose........to fatten Mr. Cutler's bank account.
Isn't that the point behind selling anything?
I still don't buy that you've never found one valuable piece of information from somewhere other than yourself. Videos, magazines, website articles, forum posts, etc. are no different than books. In fact, I think it's interesting that you claim that you should and can learn everything on your own but are hanging out on the training Q&A board.
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Isn't that the point behind selling anything?
I still don't buy that you've never found one valuable piece of information from somewhere other than yourself. Videos, magazines, website articles, forum posts, etc. are no different than books. In fact, I think it's interesting that you claim that you should and can learn everything on your own but are hanging out on the training Q&A board.
Dude, relax.
I'm actually hanging here lately because i'm trying to be more positive, I'm sick to death of the rest of the boards. We can agree to disagree, it's cool.
IMO all BBing books are just the same ol shit in a different package. I have read exactly ONE BBing book "Arnold...The education of a bodybuilder"
And I gained the most useful knowledge from that book ever about training........it's all about focus and mentality.
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Dude, relax.
I'm actually hanging here lately because i'm trying to be more positive, I'm sick to death of the rest of the boards. We can agree to disagree, it's cool.
IMO all BBing books are just the same ol shit in a different package. I have read exactly ONE BBing book "Arnold...The education of a bodybuilder"
And I gained the most useful knowledge from that book ever about training........it's all about focus and mentality.
Agreed.
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bump arnold book is the best i've read the entire thing like 11 times.
i'd also recommend:
Extreme Muscle Enhancement by Carlon Colker MD
Training for Mass by Gordon Lavelle
Brother Iron Sister Steel by Dave Draper
All of those were worth checking out for a different perspective on muscle building but overall the Arnold book is the greatest.
those work outs were pure shit...train entire upper body one day...and then entire lower body the next
6 days a week..get the fuck out of here...you would be tired as shit if you tried that work out for a week...ahnold owned me with that crock
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Picking a best book is like trying to pick the most beautiful girl. They all have their good points and their bad.
Instead I think I'll skirt the issue and just give you a list of authors that were pretty decent.
Poliquin's first the "Poliquin Principles" was very good and you could get by by just getting this one and augmenting it by reading his T-mag articles.
Bill Starr's stuff is great and most of the current authors still bite his stuff.
Bob Hoffman/York Barbell's Big series of books is a little dated but still decent and worth a read.
Peary Rader's "Masters Course" is a solid workman like program, similar in vein to Starr's stuff with a bit extra thrown in.
Anthony Ditillo is a bit of a forgotten author that is just being discovered again. His stuff runs the gamut from standard American style powerlifting to Russian/Eastern style programs. Good stuff.
Brooks Kubik's Dinosaur Training is a nice little book for the beginning Powerlifter or Strongman. His other stuff is just a rehash of it though.
Art Dreschlers- The Weightlifter's Encyclopedia is the book for Olympic Style lifter. Too many good things to say about this one. It's a real "thinking mans" weightlifting book.
Doug Hepburn's little booklets are always good if one wants to fall into a nice premade program.
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(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RQ55T0FFL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Some will probably frown upon it, but it's worth it's weight in gold.
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This is always an old standby, purely because it has every damn exercise ever invented:
(http://large.snazal.com/?0684857219)
Solid form comes before everything.. except maybe motivation. Get the Arnold Bible!