Customer Reviews

Hardcore Bodybuilding: A Scientific Approach

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fred Hatfield is indeed one of the clearest thinking writers in the iron game and I think that intermediate level weight lifters in particular will appreciate the information in this book. However, I will say that his website contains even more information than this book provides. From reading his website, he frequently strikes a condescending attitude toward bodybuilders, so I thought it somewhat curious that he would write a book on bodybuilding. Although overall it's a good book, I found myself wanting some parts fleshed out more. For example, how to cycle intensity isn't addressed adequately, nor is how long to rest between workouts. These are questions that intermediate weightlifters grapple with much more frequently than some problems that Mr. Hatfield discusses at length such as how to maintain a proper diet and I wished that he would've discussed those concerns in greater detail. I recommend this book, but I recommend Mr. Hatfield's website more.

I got good results with this book. Carefully following his diet and workout plans, I increased my upper arms measurement by half an inch in just 2 months. I'm not promising it will work that well for everybody, but I am one satisfied customer.

Maybe you could find all this information on the web, but because of the nature of the web, information tends to be in small articles or discussion groups and mixed in with a fair amount of misinformation, conflicting opinions, and advertising. So, I think it is best to read a few books like this one and then supplement with the internet information.

This book is not just an encyclopedia of every conceivable exercise and variation (if you want that, there are other books out there), it's not just a bunch of unrelated magazine articles shoved into a book format (there are plenty of those kinds of books too), it's not just a bunch of fluff with a picture of a grunting bodybuilder on every page (although it is adequately illustrated), and it's not just the expression of one person's bodybuilding philosophy based purely on anecdotal experiences (Hatfield has tremendous experience, but also makes every effort to modify his methods based on the latest available scientific information).

Hardcore Bodybuilding shows you how to cycle intensity, how often to work out, recovery time for different body parts, recommended exercises for different body parts, how to do the exercises, what to eat, how often to eat, how to cycle your diet to lose fat and gain muscle, how long it will take, how to estimate percentage body fat, what supplements to take, etc. You are expected to develop your own plan of attack to fit your schedule and goals, but all the concepts are there with examples to get you started.

Hatfield's honesty may scare off some people. He makes no bones about how hard it is to be successful at bodybuilding with no drugs and does not promise over-night success. If you are not willing to put in a significant amount of time and effort, you may not be satisfied with his approach. On the other hand, he does present work out plans for beginner-to-intermediate bodybuilders too, so you can grow into it. However, that is not the focus of this book.

The book could stand some updating. For example, the author promotes the use of aspirin during training, but recent studies suggest aspirin (and other similar pain killers) may inhibit protein synthesis. Also, Hatfield recommends not eating immediately before or after a workout since this supposedly inhibits growth hormone. However, more recent scientific studies seem to suggest that a post-workout meal actually has the opposite affect. (This still seems to be a controversial subject on discussion forums.)

Also, I have noticed that for some reason, the book doesn't discuss neck specific exercises. I am talking about exercises using a neck harness, wrestler's bridges, or other exercises specific to the neck. I'm not talking about traps. (I think it is interesting that Hatfield includes trap exercises in his shoulder section and another famous author, Bill Pearl, puts these into the back category. Many people seems to think of them as neck muscles.) Maybe some of these neck exercises can even be dangerous and Hatfield just considers them unnecessary. However, it seems to me that a book on hardcore bodybuilding should not ignore this body part.

Don Ross's book, Muscleblasting!, refers to a technique he calls "Breakdowns", saying it was a "...variation of step-bombing... devised by Dr. Fred Hatfield and Mike Quinn..." This is essentially what Hatfield says to do for "C" workouts in his ABC system. You can read about the ABC system on Hatfield's web site, but I think it would be difficult to fully understand the system without reading this book.

Anyway, this is still an excellent book (I think one of the best on the topic). So, buy and read the book, then check the website (and/or other books) for additional guidance. Just keep in mind that science does not stand still, so even a scientific approach cannot be written in stone.

I bought this book with some reluctance because there are so many titles one the subject. However, I have read a lot of Fred Hatfield's columns in the magazine's and figured he knows his stuff to be around for as long as he has.

The book has been WONDERFUL! Dr. Hatfield makes a great case for his approach so I tried it. I have gained 16 pound of muscle in 8 months! I have been thrilled with the range of information presented in the book and thrilled with the results! I have used the information and found it to be right on, no nonsense and straight forward.

If you ever wondered whether you were maximizing your workouts, and wanted to locate a good source of information, this book is for you. One of the finest "one-book" overviews out there. Easy to read, easy to understand, and packed with useful and easy-to-understand information that you can take right to the gym. Have used the book to produce great results in the gym, and have passed it on to friends who are doing the same. Highly recommended.

I can't believe the people that have complained about this book. I will answer them all. First off I have owned this book for 10 years and still get new information out of it. It has been the best 15 dollars that I have ever spent.

One guy said the program is too rigid.

What? You are supposed to use the information to come up with your own program. Didn't you even read it. This book will tell you "how" to create a great body. It is not a simple do this type of book. No. This book is for people who want to know why they are supposed to do things, not just a simple recipe to follow. But even then, yes, the most in dept routine (as an example) is there for you to study. It is there so you will understand the concepts so you can create your own system. Why do you think there are 425 pages on information in this book? It is not so you simply follow the example routines on pages 55-60. It is so you will learn how to develop your own system depending on what your goals are.

One guy said there are better books out there.

Yeah right, I've been looking for ten years. I foolishly bought books from other "name" people in bodybuilding and they were almost useless. Sure they went over how to do certain exercises and had many pictures in them, but did any of them have a break down of every type of skeletal muscle fiber and the best way they respond to movement (exercise)? No, not one of the "other" books did. The only books that I saw that anything even near the amount of fundamental knowledge about bodybuilding in them were medical in nature and cost over 50 bucks. None on the market have this much vital information for only 15 dollars. That's why in ten years it's the only bodybuilding book that I still have. I gave the other ones away to people who wanted some info. I have showed my book to about 30 people but I will not lend or give this one away.

If you want to work on your body and you have 15 dollars, then there is no better book out there. Period. There are certain section that you may want to get more information on, which is how the web site is helpful and why there is so much information there. Together, you can't bet it. The web site is free and the book is only 15 bucks.

Fred Hatfield is the man known as 'Dr Squat.' His books are some of the best I've ever read. If you seek an understanding of how your muscles work and grow his books are a must. You do not have to have a Ph.D. to understand his writings. This book covers all types of training, with good and bad points, with solid information on the how and why. He is very well researched and experienced. NBAF 'very best'.

Dr. Hatfield's enthusiasm is infectious, his attitude positive, and his anti-steroid stance a very, very good thing. The photography was likewise above average. Beyond that point, however, the value of this book falls off rapidly. The training seems rather random and not at all soundly reasoned in it's structure; in determining his recommended set/rep/workout frequency combinations, Dr. Hatfield even reassures the reader he's "done the thinking for you". Pronouncements lacking solid rationale (excepting an occasional referrence to the Eastern Bloc trainers with whom he studied) on the "hows" & "whys" of training like so abound. The section on nutritional supplementation contains a bit of what can only be called Dr. Hatfield's personal voodoo. As one example, he stands virtually alone in recommending inosine supplementation, the value of which has long ago been debunked and summarily forgotten amidst bodybuilding's "latest and greatest". For the positives listed above, it certainly doesn't warrant a single star rating. For the negatives that come along with them, however, I can't justify more than two.

Great book for all levels. Great fundamentals, and more indepth coverage than most can handle (lots of biology). I first bought this book in college, but a few moves later it was lost. I recently bought this book thru amazon as a handy reference, especially when I get bored of a routine and need to look for alternative weight exercices. I'm not trying to get bulky, just toned and fit ~ this book is great even if you don't want to be Mr/Mrs Universe. On the down side, it is a bit dated, and could include new research and weight routines.

This has got to be the best workout program. If you follow the A,B,C routine and follow the dietary suggestions there is no reason you cannot get great results.
I have followed this program for years and it simply gets results. You must constantly break down your muscles to make them grow and this routine will do that if you put the effort into it.

This book is one of the classics in the field of fitness/bodybuilding. It covers a lot more than just bodybuilding. (I am not a bodybuilder). Dr. Hatfield researched and wrote like a PhD. Consequently, it does read like a textbook. It is challenging to wade through it at times, but the information it contains is well researched and complete. One notable omission from the book is any discussion of body weight squats or single leg squats (This is notable because Dr. Hatfield is also known as Dr. Squat). One frustrating element of the book is when Dr. Hatfield contradicts what he wrote elsewhere in the book. This happens a few times. As one example on Pgs. 162-163 he writes:

"Another rule of thumb for bodybuilders trying to put on muscle mass without also putting on fat is to zigzag your caloric intake. For example, if you want to go to 240 pounds (and under 10 percent body fat) and presently weigh only 190 pounds (with 20 percent body fat), you should 'amp' your calories for about four to five days, then back off for one or two." All of the examples in Chapter 16 "Zigzag Your Way to Muscular Weight Gain" say "The 'down zag' in caloric intake should last 3-5 days, while the 'up zig' should last a day or two." The number of days are reversed.

When it comes down to appearance or health in this book, appearance generally wins. This shows in the discussion on tanning which Dr. Hatfield feels is essential and aerobics which he seems to view as a necessary evil. (He does give advice for reducing the dangers of tanning).

I am continually amazed at the number of internet fitness Gurus who take a page or even a sentence from this book and build a whole workout program from it that is suddenly worth $39.95. The vast majority of it is right here in this book. You could buy ten of those programs and not get what's in this book. I bought several bodybuilding magazines in May 2010 which were buzzing about a study which demonstrated the benefits of using BCAAs while working out.
Dr. Hatfield wrote about that in this book back in 1993. This is the best fitness book in my library. A couple of other good ones which include DVDs are: The Complete Guide to Navy Seal Fitness, Third Edition (Includes Free DVD): Updated for Today's Warrior Elite, and The Body Sculpting Bible for Men, Revised Edition: The Way to Physical Perfection, Revised Edition by James Villepigue and Hugo Rivera.