Beef It!: Upping the Muscle Mass

There is a 1998 updated version of this book with a new title, "Basic Routines For Massive Muscles: Beef-It Training Secrets". I have a copy of the 1983 original. Although the forward to Mass!, says Kennedy "...competed successfully in both weightlifting and bodybuilding contests," in Beef It! Kennedy describes himself as a hardgainer and "bodybuilding failure". Of course, as an author and publisher he is anything but a failure, and I think that this book presents a lot of good information. Certainly, I don't expect sports writers in other sports to necessarily have been great at the sport themselves. However, one has to wonder if Kennedy's lack of personal bodybuilding success is really due to poor genetics (as he says) or some combination of that plus something else. In this book, Kennedy promotes a high carb diet, and down-plays the need for high protein consumption. Since Vince Gironda (who said bodybuilding is 85% nutrition, and whom Kennedy is fond of quoting) had significantly more personal success with bodybuilding and as a personal trainer of professionals and actors, I'm wondering if I shouldn't consider following his dietary advice instead. Gironda was one of the first to promote high protein, low carb diets. Ironically, Kennedy also shows up as a co-author of Gironda's book, "Unleashing the Wild Physique." Actually, I think it is a good idea to read both books to get the whole story on both viewpoints. For example, in Gironda's book, he says his gym did not have squat racks, but in Beef It! you learn that Gironda did have Smith Machines in his gym. (I found this very interesting since the place where I currently work out also does not have squat racks, but does have smith machines.) Kennedy's ideas on protein seem to have changed in later books. In Cuts! (1989) he says everybody is different and you should "...establish your own personal requirements just as you've had to figure out how many sets of bench presses you need to work your chest best." Anyway, Beef It! is full of interesting information and quotes. Kennedy is also not shy about boasting of the influence he has had on the sport through his articles, books, and magazine. Unfortunately, Kennedy does not present much scientific evidence in this book to back up his ideas and so I was left wondering whether his advice is any better than anybody elses. I would also suggest that readers check out Dr. Fred Hatfield's "Hardcore Bodybuilding, A Scientific Approach". Hatfield's book provides a specific training system based on periodization principles. It's a little harder to understand than Kennedy's writing, but worth the effort.

Beef it is a great book for any aspiring bodybuilder or anyone who is just interested in improving their physiques. It is loaded with inspirational pictures and useful facts, such as, nutrition, fat loss, exercises, routines. Definitely worth the $5 bucks.