Natural Bodybuilding for Men and Women

[Review written Jun 2005] This was, and apparently still is, one of the best available books on natural body building. The author covers the material expertly and well ... from both an exercise physiology standpoint (with plenty of photos, showing good form), to how to tailor 'split training' programs to your own personal schedule (while avoiding overtraining), to sports nutrition. I used to be a bit of a gym rat and a fitness nut back in the 1980's and early 1990's, and (as of this writing) I've only recently resumed working out with weights ... to help minimize the effects of an old back injury. This book was, and to a lesser degree still is, my bible, on all matters relating to training with weights, for basic fitness and proper joint function. No drugs, no gimicks, no unhealthy and unbalanced diets - just good exercise, done in good form, in moderation, and with good nutrition and good rest to back it up. There are a few minor areas in which the book is a little dated ... including advances in nutritional supplementation, new medical research, and new types of low-stress equipment (ex: core strength balls, exercise bands, etc.) that have been developed since this book was published ... but you can find books on such things elsewhere. Highly recommended - if you can find a copy.

Peter Neff was a former champion natural bodybuilder back in the 1970s and 1980s who also became editor of Natural Physique magazine, now called Natural Bodybuilding. When I met him and spoke with him, he struck me as one of the most knowledgeable trainers on the field of fitness and strength training for the drug-free trainee. He was one of the pioneers of the drug-free movement, having competed successfully against steroid users and then eventually becoming named Natural Bodybuilder of the Year for 1983-1984 after having won 22 competitions, most of them at the regional level, and most against non drug-tested contests. He is a very gifted writer and has a talent for explaining the most complex of principles in a way that could be understood by the layman or novice. This book is divided into the dangers of steroid and other performance-enhancing drug use, the differences between training naturally and training while on drugs (yes, there is a big difference!), genetic potential, the most productive exercises for each bodypart, natural training for women, nutrition, and a brief biography of his training success. This book was indeed a labor of love when it came out in 1985, meant to be the most comprehensive encyclopaedia of its kind. Compared with the books today, Peter's book still is, but, because it's over twenty years old, some new information has come out that I believe makes his book somewhat outdated (such as the specific supplements he recommends). Still, if I were to make a choice at the bookstore as to what one book to buy on weight training without performance drugs, this is the one to get. But since it's no longer available at the bookstore, I'd try to find this anyway possible, even though it may be a little pricey, because it's well worth the investment.

It's a pity this book is so hard to find now. Is is the most complete book I've seen on solid, pragmatic techniques to build muscle. It explicitly explains things that other books simply seem to assume the readers know already such as progessively increasing the weight and intensity on each set and only performing half of your workouts at maximum intensity. A newer, up to date edition would be a very welcome thing.

Poorly edited, but solid on content, this no-nonsense book takes holistic approach to the bodybuilding science. Some of the material may be a little dated, but not much: solid treatment of exercises, training programs, etc. are provided, and are generally timeless. Done in 1985; wish he'd done an encore.