The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding : The Bible of Bodybuilding, Fully Updated and Revised

This book was the original motivator to get me into the gym in the early 90's. I recall sitting day in and day out reading and re-reading this book. While it might not be the most up-to-date, it still hits all the key areas. Let's face it, there are only so many different workouts you can do to hit a particular muscle. This book covers them all. Lacking in diet information should not sway your decision to purchase, as you can find in depth diet information from EAS for free. I lost the book and am finally ordering my second copy. Can't wait to start looking it over again.

This book was a great guide if your an athlete trying to get into shape for any sport, or if your interested in bodybuilding. It was a complete guide to weight training including a list of exercises with pictures and the exact purpose of each exercise. If you are just getting started, or you think you're pretty advanced, you should still read this book because there is a lot to be learned.

This book has everything you need to know about all aspects of bodybuilding. It starts with basic recommendation and training techniques for the beginner and ends with posing for bodybuilding competitions. The book is well organized, so it is very hard to get lost. In the first few pages, you will find the history of bodybuilding, but following it are the actual programs and sets of exercises that you can use for every workout. There is a beginner program, advanced program, and competition program. Each program has 2 levels of training listing exercises most suitable for each level. If you are a beginner, you can start with level 1 of the beginner training and then eventually move up as you see results. Or you can just start with a level that you see fit for your current shape, as I did. After all the programs, you will find information on how to correctly perform each of the exercises listed in training programs, all with big illustrations (you will see a lot of inspiring pictures of famous bodybuilders). You will also find many different exercises that you can use to alternate your workouts, and also nutritional programs to go with your training. Nutritional programs are divided into different levels as well. I have never used anabolic steroids, and I have no problem performing exercises listed in the book. Some of them may be hard, but not in the beginner training. That's why you shouldn't start with advanced training unless you feel comfortable. I started seeing results after as little as 2 weeks after almost no progress for last half a year before I picked up this book. Arnold's training hits all muscle groups, and some that many people simply miss/disregard, but that are essential for building the best physique. You don't need steroids to do any of the exercises or to workout for 2 hours a day. In fact, I actually enjoy my every workout more than ever. It is hard to describe 800 page book in a few words, so there are a lot of things in there that I didn't even mention. You just have to see for yourself. I can't speak for everyone, but I definately recommend it.

What I find most valuable about this book is that it provides you with almost every movement done in body building. This is especially helpful in learning how to do a particular movement correctly and without hurting yourself. Everything is explained and illustrated very well. True the nutrition side is lacking but as mentioned in other reviews but that is not the focus of the book.

For excercise info, motivation, and historical content, not many books can beat this one. Although it is light on nutritional advise and supplements, anyone can get Bill Phillip's Supplement book for free, and a good nutrition book as well, to complete the library. Arnold's book shows excercises and routines which will have been accepted as foundational; none of these foo foo 1 workout a week, 1 set per body part business. Just hardcore training. The book is worth its price for the photos alone, let alone the written content. But, enough of my rambling; it's the most dog-eared book on my coffee table. "Nuff said!"