Customer Reviews

Arnold's Bodybuilding for Men

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The information presented in the book is no-frills weight training and practical advice. Perhaps that is why some people don't like it. They are usually the ones who are taken in by the allure of protein shakes, supplements of dubious value, and exotic weight training routines. It is unfortunate that Arnold, like most bodybuilders, got his huge gains from steroids. He is clear, however that his massive gains took many years to achieve. People still believe they can go from flab to male model muscle in 12 weeks or 6 months. Muscle takes work, time, and dedication, more than most people are willing to devote. Arnold's dietary advice is practical and no-nonsense. He deflates the standard ideas of high protein diets and vitamin supplements as a way to speed muscle gains. His recommendations are pretty standard, lots of fruits & veggies, small amounts of meat, avoid heavily processed foods. Not a very marketable point of view but at least a logical one. His blurbs about daily nutrition requirements were most likely lifted straight from the FDA, but that info comes from scientists, so its better information than what you read in muscle magazines.

The pictures are of course dated. Nobody wears calf socks and skimpy shorts with white piping anymore, and the models are like normal folks, hairy, balding, shaped funny. Today we are so used to shaved, tanned and sculpted models in magazines and books it is somewhat disconcerting to read this older tome.

His routines are brutal, so don't expect to be able do them completely. Mutiple sets are at the core of his training regimen. I tend to do only 2-3 sets per muscle group, but that is what I am comfortable with. Vary the routines to your liking and ability, because not everybody can keep up with Arnie...

I've used the method in this book for several years, starting at age 47, I'm now 52, and it changed my life, made me stronger, healthier and more sucessful. Highly, highly recommended. There's a lot to learn but when you do it completely for awhile, and then you see others coming into the gym doing their routines, you really see the superiority of this method. It is totally thought out and very beneficial for both men and women. I have started my daughter using it, and she has seen the same great results. Kudos to the master. I could lose his movies, but NOT this book!

This is a great book for anyone who is just starting out in weight trainig. It has all the fundemental routines and breaks you in while keeping you motivated. A Must Have!

I bought this book for my boyfriend and he loves it. The book is broken down in to specific areas and along with the pictures, make exercises easy to understand and do correctly. The pictures are VERY outdated which makes for a good laugh, but overall the book is great. NO FLUFF! And you can never go wrong with Arrrrnnnold.

This is a great, no frills, concise set of routines from the legendary Arnold. He covers the major muscles areas, stretching, diet, etc. My only fault with the book is the lack of variations in the exercises. I have created my own routines based on his sequence, however, and use his routines as the cornerstone of my workouts. For a huge choice of variations for each muscle group, check out Getting Stronger by Bill Pearl. I use Arnolds sequence and get my variations from Pearl's book. Arnold recommends three times through the workout, and when time permits I do that, but I've had decent results with 2x, adding a few reps to each set. This is a great addition to anyones fitness library.

I've read most of the standard books on this subject & found this to be among the "must haves." It's well written, from the perspective of one who's lived what he recommends. I found it to be extremely practical, emphasizing results rather than theory

I got this book almost 15 years ago and it really worked for me. I used it to start my own workout regime and I got results within weeks. I still do many of the stretching exercises that I'd learned from this book today at the gym although I don't have as much time as before to do all the weight training exercises. I find both the stretching and the abdominal exercises here to be first class - easy to do and extremely effective - and should time permit and I get more time say at least 3 hours to spare at the gym, I'll try to restart in full the routines outlined in this book. This is highly recommended for anyone who has always wanted to get fit through weight training but didn't know how to start.

I have been working out for over 10 years and never did any sort of workout like this,but it works. I had a surgey and found myself in the weakest shape of my life, so i bought the book read it thaught it was stupid, but gave it a try anyway and now have been doing it for 3 months and can do the circuit with no problem 3 times in 45-50 mininutes with heavey weights.
give it 4 weeks it works

I can verify this book definitely works. Essential for those starting to workout with little experience or knowledge of fitness.

It's educational since it covers diferent body types, age groups, and fitness goals. The exercises are functional and provide results. They're broken down into several segments that cover various body groups. He gives recomendations as to how many reps and sets, and how you should structure your workout regimen based on what your goals are. An added bonus is he addresses workouts based on your age group. He also encourages you reap the benefits of getting fit by becoming more active with sports for recreation.

You can start out little equipment, gradually build up a collection of weights. His initial work out program is designed to increase your chest size and decrease your waistline by a couple of inches, to encourage you to keep on working out.

Some people may be put off by the old wardrobe in the photo's and the current trends such as kettle balls. This book is still worthwhile to buy!

My testimonial is:

Initially, I was shape in the US Army. I was 150 lbs. with a 26" waistline, yet was fit enough to fireman's carry a 210 lb. guy a 1/2 mile while jogging. My Army fitness was based on labor intensive work and routine PT (Physical Fitness Training). I got out, got out of shape, dropped to 130 lbs. and had little muscle.

I bought a starter weight set (80 lbs) and this book. Gradually, I kept working out and picked up more equipment. I was so weak that I had to use the bars (without weights since I had never lifted weights before. Honestly, I was embarassed to workout in front of anyone. My goal was to build strength. After 2 years, I went from barely lifting the bar to bench pressing 300 lbs (1 set of 10 reps). I shifted in shirt size from a Medium to Extra Large. I wasn't built like a bodybuilder but had a solid and stout build. Based on this book I worked my lower and upper body equally, I was 190 lbs. Since my legs developed faster than my upper body, I adjusted my workout based on tips by Arnold. My goal was purely strength not looks.

Many years later, in my middle age, I'm returning to getting fit for health reasons. I also have my son working out based on the guidance I got from Arnold. After 1 year, he started out flabby with little muscle(16 years old) to a lean and muscular build (17 years old). He's feeling and seeing the benefits of fitness. Now my fitness goals have changed to just being lean. I've had to fall back on basics since my age, goals, and general fitness have changed.

I believe anyone with the desire to become physically fit can. You can find this book as a valuable tool. Remember to keep your workouts fun. Eat a nutritious and healthy diet. You gain more by consistency and longevity. I've benefited from this book and think you can too.

This book is a very good aid to setting up your own weight training exercises....even if you're 13! Schwarzenegger gives lots of different exercises, and is very encouraging about teen training. VERY GOOD!!!!