Customer Reviews

Championship Bodybuilding: Chris Aceto's Instruction Book For Bodybuilding

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Aceto is a smart guy and honestly tries to bring some scientific analysis to bodybuilding. So much of what is published on the topic is hype or unproven. Some bodybuilders may quibble with the fact that Aceto only mentions "known" facts about bodybuilding, but his presentation is better. No hype about building an "awesome physique" or "massive arms" or "ripped this" or "shredded that"...it's more about progressive resistance, good form, solid nutrition, and a very good description of muscle physiology. His key points to bodybuilding may be "known", but Aceto makes the case that they are the way to stimulate muscle growth...and that's the beauty of the book: It's 'Tips to Muscle Growth' vs. 'Awesome Muscle-Blasting Routines of the Pros'. You choose. There are two "cons" about the book that brought it from a 5-Star rating to a 4-Star rating in my estimation: 1) Aceto--as in some of his other books--needs a copy editor. There are some typos and grammatical inconsistencies. Not enough to throw you, but they're there. 2) The book does suffer from a superficiality, of sorts. He states a fact or opinion, gives a reason or two, then moves on. There is no real in-depth, drilling-down except in certain Aceto-mastered areas (e.g., muscle physiology, nutrition, etc.). However, this is not a real show-stopper...the information contained is reliable, and the book is a very good adjunct to other books you may have on the subject.

I own a lot of books by many different writers including Mentzer, Parillo, Polaquin. Where this book differs from others is in the author's ability to deliver the information WITHOUT CONFUSING YOU. As it claims in the description, it , in fact, does cover the isssues of sets, reps, freqency of training, aerobics, and nutrition. I recommend this book highly to others who want the low down and truth on training and diet.

I am a 34 year old female completely confused with all the different advise I had been getting at the gym I joined so I purchased this book after some one I know recommended it to me. I was very very happy with it because it provided me with what I nedded, total and complete guidance in training from the reps to do the sets and how often to workout to putting the body parts together. The nutrion was also very impressive though iI think it is geared more towards the bodybuilder who does contests. I think women who are confused as me would highly highly benefit.

I read this book originally two years ago and continue to reference it because, frankly, its got all kinds of information and guidelines that are ahead of its time. For example, a recent issue of Muscle and Fitness Magazine states that weight training is superior to cardiovascular exercise in burning bodyfat and helping to attain a low level of body fat. The magazine article also touches on the shrinkage of 2a muscle fibers with aerobics. This is nearly word for word from this book which was mere guess work by the author at the time the author wrote this book. That in and of itself reason enough to give this book 5 stars.

This book, in my opinion, lived up to its sub title, "INSTRUCTION" as Mr Aceto has done a wonderful job in guiding the reader along the training path from beginner, to intermediate to advanced trainer. He puts together a plan for all 3- beginner, to advanced trainee complete with guidelines as to how many sets to do, how frequently to train, how to know when your ready to move on up to say, an intermediate level from beginner. He also covers muscle physiology and explains its importance in a way that is easy to understand and apply to your training. Theres illustratios on training exercises that are better than pictures. I think they are the same type of drawings that regularly appear in Muscle Mag. Nutrtionally, the book also lays down an eating plan which shows you what to eat, how much and when. It also covers aerobcs and tells you when to do them and how much. In my case, this was an eye opener because I was not only training wrong but completey screwed up in my understanding as to how aerobics fits i with the weight training. Good Job Chris!

This book may be useful - if you are clueless about bodybuilding and need the basics to be spelled out to you (numerous typos included). Even then, you might find the book lacking in detail and barely scratching the surface. If you have been a bodybuilder for a while or have bothered to read around the subject, you will definitely find the book inadequate. I was disappointed, particularly given Chris Aceto's reputation as a guru and expert. The font is large and much of the book is dedicated to diagrams of exercises (not an exhaustive collection by any means), so there really isn't much useful information or anything new in this book at all. I hardly consider myself an expert on the topic, but I can honestly say that I didn't learn much from this book.

This book was the first that I've ever read that hit every topic... the technique, form, # of reps, # of sets, nutrition, diet, specific exercises.... you name it, it's in here. I've attended Chris Aceto and Laura Creavalle's fitness weekend in Florida and got the opportunity to train with both of them. This book captures what you need to know to build and maintain a successful program, and achieve the body you really want. Illustrations of the exercises are excellent, giving you clear direction on how to do it correctly and feel the result. Chris writes in a very no-nonsense direct fashion that everyone from beginner to advanced can appreciate. Among the huge amount of conflicting books, magazines, and opinions out there on bodybuilding... this book stands out. Definitely worth your money!

Championship Bodybuilding was all right of a book, but nothing of great spectacular in my opinion. If you are really into the sport, and have read many books on bodybuilding than this is just another repeat of what you probably have already read. [ A big repeat if you read Chris Aceto's monthly articles in Muscle and Fitness, and Flex Magazine.]The book discussions is as follows: a section is devoted to training theories, another gives tips, descriptions, and shows how to properly execute various exercises for all body parts, and the rest of the book discusses nutrition, supplementation, and preparing for a show. I definitely would not highly recommend this book.

I have been bodybuilding for 20 years. Believe me when I say there are many books out there loaded with "secrets" that you can read in any other book. Chris Aceto got it right in this book. nothing over complicated. No crazy workout routines. just the simple facts. Here is how to do it, now get in the damn and discover for yourself what works and what doesn't.

I was a certified trainer years ago too. I can tell you that each person is different. Some people responded well to high reps. Others responded better to lower reps. Some responded well to low weight training. Others had to hit the weights heavy and hard. Chris's book will not try to give you a guaranteed routine or step by step method because there is NO SUCH THING!! Anyone with some decent knowledge/experience in weight lifting should know better than to expect that or consider it useful. If you are a novie looking to become educated, this is the book for you. If you are a novice or intermediate, this book is a great start and enough to keep you busy for the next year or two without having to spend a dime on another book. Why? because in your first 1 to 2 years of bodybuilding, you only need the most simple routine to get STUNNING results! Your dietary needs are MUCH MORE important for you to focus on!!! Let me put it this way, you can have a Ferrari in your drive way, but if you don't give it fuel...it won't go any where!!!!

Many books out there will give you routines, and other fluff just to fill the book up and make it thicker. If you want diverse routines and different things to keep you refreshed, get a subscription to a good muscle mag like M&F. If you need to learn how to do the exercises properly, invest some money in a good book that is devoted to that or 1 or 2 sessions with a personal trainer at your gym. All quality gyms out there will teach you to use the equipment at no cost. If you need to, spend some bucks and get a CERTIFIED trainer to show you in real time.

Championship Bodybuilding takes you through nutrition, simple foundational info like the best compound mass building exercises, do's and don'ts among other things. The simplicity of this book is the genius. It does not overwhelm or bog you down in minute details.

Every so often over the years, I start to complicate my routines and get burned out. I have to remind myself why the basics work so well. The basics keep you happy and keep you in the gym. It keeps you going back for more and more instead of making excuses. The basics keep it FUN!!!

If you are a novice or intermediate...this book is all you will need for the next year or two on bodybuilding mechanics. Diet is importnat so let me also recommend Chris Aceto's other books that focus on diet. Search Chris Aceto on Amazon to see more. Don't forget that their are other excellent nutritonal guides for bodybuilders too besides what Aceto offers.


Good luck to you!

I've been following Chris' advice thru Flex magazine for a few years now. So when i got this book, i expected a re hash of all the articles I have read in Weider's Mag. What I got was an A plus insight into the best trainer in bodybuilding. This book cuts right to the nitty gritty and tells you explicity how to train and eat right to get big or how to prepare for a show. If you are a contest- type bodybuilder, you need this book.