Built Hard [Paperback]

Charlie Mann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 1997

Built Hard is designed to make it easier for the beginner to enter and understand the real nature of the sport and to help the advanced bodybuilder make the gains necessary to win in competition. As if the reader had an expert training partner, the exercise routines tell the reader about proper form, how it will feel when an exercise is performed correctly, and what mistakes are likely.

A complete program for learning the sport and building a hard body, Built Hard features

- important initial steps for beginners,
- comprehensive exercise routines for every part of the body,
- detailed lifting descriptions with more than 200 photographs
- separate programs for beginner, intermediate, and advanced bodybuilders, and
- special inside tricks that promote faster progress.

Author Charlie Mann's engaging writing style and practical, detailed descriptions of exercises for every muscle group help readers learn the correct muscle action and feel for their workouts. Whether their goals are personal or competitive, Built Hard is the one book all aspiring bodybuilders need.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"A certification degree should be offered when readers finish this book. It took me many years of studying and observing to learn what is taught in Built Hard. Anyone who follows this book’s advice will save themselves years of frustration."

Bob Bonham Owner, Strong & Shapely Gym Official, International Federation of Bodybuilders

About the Author

Charlie Mann is a prolific, well-known writer and longtime contributor to a number of fitness training publications, including Ironman, Muscular Development, Musclemag International, Muscular Training Illustrated, SuperFitness, and others. He was a contributing editor for Total Fitness and CrossTrainer. Mann is also a fitness trainer certified by the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT).

Charlie Mann lives on a dairy farm in Sweetwater, Tennessee, with his wife, Phyllis. They have a son, Eric. Mann was born in California and still participates in a family business there. His other pursuits include writing non-fiction features on electronics, computers, and travel, as well as fictional novels and screenplays. His favorite leisure time activities are working out, surfing the Web, and exploring the country in the family motorhome.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics (October 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088011696X
• ISBN-13: 978-0880116961
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,173,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Edited Lousy, April 16, 2003

By 

Marshall Recht (Conroe, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Built Hard (Paperback)

My advice to the publisher of "Built Hard" is to read a book with a title like "Edited Right". In at three instances, the descriptive text clearly doesn't match the exercise depicted. This is no minor shortcoming because even when there is no obvious descrepancy between text and photos, it leaves a virtual novice like myself wondering if the exercise is properly presented. The exercise presentations are medicore at best, even when there is no obvious discrepancy between text and photos. There are plenty of exercises depicted though, but a few are described only in a text and others with a only single photo. Though useful, the photos are on the dark side. One welcome bright spot is this: the book explains how exercises that are essentially similar differ in their effect on the same muscle or muscle group. Still this does not redeem this sloppy and disappointing book. There are much better choices.

5.0 out of 5 stars Built Hard book, May 12, 2007

By 

Kelly S. Dudley "Personal Fitness Trainer" (Cleburne, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Built Hard (Paperback)

This is one of the best Bodybuilding books, comprehensively, that I own, out of my extensive library. I have purchased several copies to give to special friends. Built Hard is easy to read, proven effective for Real results, and a has a great format. Thank you Charlie Mann!

4.0 out of 5 stars Step by step, August 28, 2000

By 

Ben Amos (Dedham, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Built Hard (Paperback)

This book is very good for beginner's I thought. I have just expressed an interest in weight lifting and training. I was very confused as what type of schedule to do and how to do it. I got this book, and I'm starting their requested routines. There are plans as to how to do it and what muscle group it works. The only negative aspect is that I don't have all the equipment it shows, so many excercises can not be achieved, unless at a gym.