I got mine as an Xmas gift when it was reissued in hardcover a few years back. Good to see its cheaper now.
At that price, I’d recommend it to anyone with interest in bodybuilding and its history, but still not so much for instruction or descriptions. There’s a good little section on peaking in there too, though I laugh at the parts that tell the reader to keep their hair short and his face clean shaven…
Right side its true if you look at it. How many Mr. Olympias have won with long hair and a beard or mustache. I don’t follow BBing much but I can’t remember one that has won.
GreatWhiteDope,
The word “ingrate” means to be “ungrateful.” I sure have nothing to be grateful to you about. However, I wish that you would contribute useful information, so that I, and others, could be grateful.
The fact is Arnold was, (at one time) the best Body Builder in the world! I think that even you, (chuckle) could learn a few things from him.
GreatWhiteHope:
I’m with you 100% and believe that your advice is sound.
Arnold IS very inspirational. Check out his 70’s classic “The Education of a Bodybuilder” and peruse his BB Encyclopedia for the great pictures and fun stories. But for training? PUHLEEZE! Don’t insult the editors of t-mag. Ten-times better information on training, nutrition, supplementation and so on can be found right here for FREE!
Also, as already alluded to in this thread, some of the exercise descriptions in Arnold’s BB Encyclopedia are not so hot. I mean, if you like doing stiff-legged deads, bent-over rows, etc. with a rounded back go right ahead. Not that these movements can’t be done in this fashion with light/moderate weights… but for heavier poundages not recommended.
For the Westsiders, Arnold’s book would work great for Board Presses!
ZEB, I am mildly offended. Mildly, because I have to consider the source of the criticism. You took a disagreement from an OT thread and carried it over here. Excellent work.
Now, the stories in Arnold’s book can be inspirational and the history of BB is interesting, but even you, ZEB, have to admit that the routines, diet advice and exercise descriptions are very poor.
Case in point. Check out Haney’s clean and press photos. Is this how you would perform the movement? If you answer yes, I suggest you post some pictures of yourself completing the movement in this manner. Ask CT for his opinion. Do you get behind the weight, deadlift it up, reverse curl it, not even consider racking it and instead balance it in the palms of your hands before pressing it? ZEB, this is Flex quality stuff. Do you read Flex? If so, I congratulate you on your patience, as I can’t get past page 1.
There are a multitude of examples. I would suggest that anyone that is purchasing it for the exercise descriptions instead check the T-Mag archives or other sources.
PGA - while it is true (except for Ronnie’s goatee), I just think it’s another funny BB thing. They have many quacky habits!
GreatWhiteHope,
I think it was you who carried on something from the previous thread! I noticed that your continued obsession with my “Pull-up” performance has been carried from a previous thread to this one. Sort of over done. You seem to have created, and then carried on your own little vendetta, (why is anyones guess). As far as any disagreement that we may have had, I think it’s best forgotten.
On to the topic at hand. I have the first edition, "The Encyclopedia Of Modern Bodybuilding, and found it to be a very interesting and informative.
It covers everything from the “oaks” roots, and the early history of Bodybuilding and Weightlifting, to execise selection and using the mind to further advance the body. I thought it was mostly good solid information.
I feel much can be gained from his latest effort as well. Sometimes even with the best “how to guides” there will always be other ways to perform a movement. Do you agree with everything that every “guru” claims as fact? I know I don’t. But, that should not prevent you from opening your mind to all of the possibilities! My point was that it is worth adding to any good muscle building book collection that you may have.
Often trainees are trying to find the latest and greatest routines. Arnold, and his high sets and some of the ways that he performs a given movement may be out of vogue right now. And Some other “coaches” advice might be in. However, If you wait long enough things change! And everything that was “old” becomes “new” again.
To all considering this book, I say make the purchase! If nothing else you have one more good read (even if you do not agree with 100% of the material), in your collection.
I’ll stick with Siff and the others.
Great,
Do you have, “Weight Training, A Scientific Approach,” by Michael Stone & Harold O’Bryant? I found this book to be pretty informative.
"They have many quacky habits! " Right Side, are you talking about those ever classy Zubaz pants that just won’t go away?