What bodybuilding or strength training books are a must have?
There’s the Book of Muscle by Ian King and Lou Schuler. It’s a fun, glossy book. And there’s Christian Thibaudeaus’s book The Black Book of Training Secrets.
[quote]bikemike wrote:
There’s the Book of Muscle by Ian King and Lou Schuler. It’s a fun, glossy book. And there’s Christian Thibaudeaus’s book The Black Book of Training Secrets.[/quote]
…it’s a fun,glossy book.
Supertraining probably has more information than any other piece of work…you have to be able to decipher it, though.
Tucker
It depends on how much you want to think. If you want to get really scientific and get heavily into periodization (not necessary for a beginner), sure, get Supertraining and the Black Book. They’ll help when you’re advanced.
Understanding Supertraining will require a LOT of time and effort, and for me, it just isn’t worth it. The Black Book is a good read, and very informative, but you may or may not have any use for it at this stage in the game (I don’t know anything about you).
Books that I’d absolutely recommend for anyone, regardless of how long you’ve been training, are:
Super Squats by Randall Strossen
Dinosaur Training by Brooks Kubik (one of my favorites)
Mastery of Hand Strength by John Brookfield
Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe (essential IMO)
Dinosaur Training is my favorite training book that I own, not because of the info, but because of Kubik’s attitude and outlook. The message is simple: lift hard and heavy. Bust your ass and you’ll get the results you’re after, whatever that may be. None of the info in the book is anything new or unique, but it’s a great read nonetheless.
Super Squats is another good one. You should spend at least a few months of your training career doing 20 rep squats, if only for the experience. It will make you into a man.
Mastery of Hand Strength is written by THE master of hand strength himself. Brookfield is a legend in the field of grip training, with many Guinness records under his belt. Your hands are your first contact with the world. Don’t neglect strengthening them. Strong hands will help you go far in strengthening the rest of your body.
Starting Strength should be first on your list. It will teach you all the most basic lifts in detail (squat, bench press, overhead press, deadlift, and power cleans). It will be the most worthwhile book you ever buy on strength training.
Hopefully this helped.
Have to agree with OneEye Kubiks Dinosaur Training is a must have!!
I think you need to get “Brother Iron, Sister Steel” by Dave Draper. I think that maybe it conveys a sense of what it means to dedicate yourself to this iron game better than almost any book out there. It’s not a specific training “how to” book, but a “why” book. Read it, you’ll see what I mean.
Brawn and other stuart mcrobert stuff
The strongest shall survive by Bill Starr
Facts and fallacies of Fitness by Mel Siff
Muscle Logic by Charles Staley
Beyond Brawn by Stuart Mcrobert