The Gold's Gym Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding (Gold's Gym Series) [Paperback]

Edward Connors (Author), Michael J. B. McCormick (Author), Peter Grymkowski (Author), Tim Kimber (Author)

Book Description

Series: Gold's Gym Series | Publication Date: February 1, 1998

In the world of bodybuilding, there are nearly as many opinions on how to get the edge as there are bodybuilders. How do you know which advice to follow? Look to the experts--the world's most recognized and respected bodybuilding organization, Gold's Gym. Whether you are a newcomer or a veteran, you'll find what you need in this all-in-one bodybuilding bible. From diet and nutrition to sets and reps, every concern is addressed and every question answered by the pros who started the bodybuilding movement and who have been leaders in the arena for more than thirty years. The Gold's Gym Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding offers everything a bodybuilder needs to overcome obstacles and exceed training goals, including:

• An introduction to the art and science of bodybuilding
• Essential information on diet, nutrition, and supplements for bodybuilding
• Analysis of the best types of training to reach your goals
• Exercises to develop every muscle in your body
• Tips on aerobic fitness and stretching
• Strategies for gaining lean muscle mass
• Winning advice for competitors
• And much more!

If you're serious about success in the intensely competitive world of bodybuilding, take your lead from the pros at Gold's Gym and put success on your team. Ed Connors and Tim Kimber are co-owners of Gold's Gym Enterprises, Inc., along with Peter Grymkowski, former Mr. America (heavyweight) and Mr. World. Mike McCormick is a freelance writer and bodybuilding analyst.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Bodybuilders, wisdom has it, go through three stages: First, people make fun of them because they're so skinny; then, after they've been training for a while and starting to see results, people admire them because they look so strong and healthy; then, after they've become successful bodybuilders, people make fun of them again because they have so much muscle. The Gold's Gym Encyclopedia is about getting to that third stage and staying there--and not caring what anyone who's not a bodybuilder thinks of the way you look. For the hardest of the hard-core, this book shows the way to hugeness with the latest information about training, nutrition, nutritional supplementation, and, of course, actually competing in the sport of bodybuilding. There's an interesting discussion of high-volume (lots of sets and repetitions of each exercise) vs. high-intensity (one killer set per exercise) training methods and other systems, plus a token caution against using physique-enhancing drugs (followed by a list of drugs that's far longer than the caution preceding it). If Gold's Gym is the mecca of bodybuilding, then this "encyclopedia" is surely the sport's holy text.

About the Author

McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Product Details

• Paperback: 407 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809230062
• ISBN-13: 978-0809230068
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #307,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Sports

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you lift, then this book is for you!, January 10, 2000

By 

R. S. McNally (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gold's Gym Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding (Gold's Gym Series) (Paperback)

No matter if you are a novice or an expert on body building, this book will undoubtedly come in handy. Everything you need to know about getting built is in here - from excercises to techniques to supplements - you name it. If you are starting out, then reading this book will enlighten you on how to build and make you seem like less of an idiot at the gym. If you already lift, this book will further your knowledge and give you an edge that will maybe one day allow you to compete with the biggest and the best in the business. It's the next best thing to having your own personal trainer.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best book available today for anyone wanting., March 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gold's Gym Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding (Gold's Gym Series) (Paperback)

The GOLD'S Gym Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding

Since the early 70's bodybuilders from every point on the globe have packed their belongings and made the move to the "Mecca of Bodybuilding" -- GOLD'S Gym in Venice California. This book will give you a chance to step inside the famous walls of the "Mecca" with it's "electrifying" atmosphere" while giving you every opportunity to build some serious muscle by following the instructions laid out in the GOLD'S Gym Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding. You'll thoroughly enjoy reading every chapter as the owners' of GOLD'S Gym and writer Michael J.B. McCormick accomplish the daunting task of reworking complicated material from divergent areas of research, into user friendly chapters.

The authors for had the insight to present the expected "bodybuilding" material (exercises and training) only after covering a broad scope of scientific information related to bodybuilding. There is much essential biomedical information explained in a manner that readers will to be able to easily utilize. This type biomedical data is certainly responsible for many advances in bodybuilding recent years.

There's a remarkable priority given to educating the reader, making certain that you understand what occurs in the body before putting a workout together for yourself. Thus assuring that your able to utilize the easily understood information to maximize your results. And the authors do a tremendous job of sifting through volumes of research to present what they call "Essential Bodybuilding Knowledge" (Chapter 3). This chapter is a mix of terms, definitions, and explanations for concepts such as Energy Systems, How Much Muscle Tissue Damage Occurs in Training, and Reverse Anorexia Nervosa. Once the technical instruction is dealt with, the muscle group specific exercise chapters begin -- and let me tell you they rock!

I found the charts, tables, and glossary to be effective in their function of providing easy access to facts. The book's motivational photos allow you to actually repeat the well written exercise instructions. The training and exercise chapters feature both top IFBB pros and some incredible undiscovered talent as well. All photos are the work of master photographer Irv Gelb. You'll find plenty of absolutely gorgeous ladies to stimulate your testosterone too.

About halfway into my first reading I felt something was missing and I could not quite put my finger on it. It occurred to me later that what I expected to encounter in this book was some smoothly written secondary sales spin for memberships or products. To my pleasant surprise there was nada, not a hint of any advertorial inclinations. This publication is written in a concise and rational style which makes it user friendly, informative and inspirational to all levels of reader.

At the risk of appearing to be a full time heavy duty GI Joe for GOLD'S Gym, I am comfortable stating that this is one of the best book available today for bodybuilders. I have actually gone back to the store and purchased three additional copies to give as Christmas presents. Do yourself a favor -- get up and go buy this book!

There is a definite mystique that GOLD'S has had for decades. The biggest of the big train there day in and day out year after year. The owners of GOLD"S and Michael McCormick write from years of first hand bodybuilding knowledge and if your even remotely sincere about achieving your bodybuilding goals then -- you need to know what they have to convey. If bodybuilding were a planet and you drilled to the center, there'd be a GOLD'S Gym there.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent descriptions and pictures of exercises but..., January 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gold's Gym Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding (Gold's Gym Series) (Paperback)

This book had great descriptions and pictures of many types of exercises for each body part, with numerous variations. As far as an encyclopedia of exercises this book is thorough and very useful. As an intermediate lifter I refer to this book when considering altering my routine and substituting exercises to work specific areas.
However the book also reads like a propaganda piece for Golds gym. It is repleat with statements about how it is the best gym in the world, famous European lifters dream of going there, it is the most inspiring place, etc... The text sounds alot like the bottom review, which is nearly directly cut and pasted from the intro. Also the nutrition and supplement sections are very vague, not particularly describing what vitamins might be good, or why.
Finally the lifting recommendations are all HIT training, that is high intensity training, short trips to the gym, ie. 45 min intense work outs. Other theories are excluded. Although I use it as a reference for exercises, the other stuff would make me prefer Arnolds encyclopedia or the various Ironman's books.