Ironman's Ultimate Bodybuilding Encyclopedia (Paperback)

by Peter Sisco (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Continuously published since 1936, Ironman is the dean of bodybuilding magazines. Ironman has been showcasing every major bodybuilder, training technique, and scientific advance, along with other aspects of the iron game, longer than any other bodybuilding magazine. With articles by and photos of the greatest names in bodybuilding, the Ironman archives represent the best of bodybuilding in the 20th century. Here, in one definitive, information-packed volume, you have the best that Ironman has to offer. The articles and photos reprinted in Ironman's Ultimate Bodybuilding Encyclopedia are of enormous and enduring value to beginners and experts alike. A tour de force of bodybuilding information with stunning photos of unrivaled quality, this massive volume covers every aspect of bodybuilding with authority and depth. Included is complete information on:

• Bodybuilding fundamentals
• Bodybuilding physiology
• Shoulder training
• Chest training
• Back training
• Arm training
• Abdominal training
• Leg training
• Training with a system
• Training with the champions
• Tricks and secrets to boost growth
• Training for mass
• Training for power
• Mental aspects of training
• Natural bodybuilding
• Bodybuilding nutrition
• Bodybuilding injuries
• Drugs in bodybuilding

With Ironman's Ultimate Bodybuilding Encyclopedia, you will learn Arnold Schwarzenegger's insights on developing shoulder and back muscles, Mike Mentzer's complete triceps workout, and Lee Haney's tips for the best back training. You will understand how to develop granite abs with Steve Holman and huge chest muscles with Ron Harris. You will also benefit from Bill Starr's Power Rack Training and John Little's Static Contraction Training. This authoritative resource contains the step-by-step methods used by bodybuilders who went on to become Mr. America, Mr. Universe, or Mr. Olympia. Here, the champions reveal their techniques and secrets in their own words. Editor Peter Sisco is the author or coauthor of numerous fitness and bodybuilding books, including Power Factor Training, Power Factor Specialization: Chest & Arms, Power Factor Specialization: Shoulders & Back, Power Factor Specialization: Abs & Legs, Static Contraction Training, and The Golfer's Two-Minute Workout.

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: 464 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (January 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809228114
• ISBN-13: 978-0809228119
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #292,711 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too Long in Coming, April 10, 2000

By	Bill Pearl - 5-Time Mr. Universe (Medford, Oregon) - See all my reviews

Ironman's "Ultimate Bodybuilding Encyclopedia" is years overdue. I could have achieved my bodybuilding goals much faster and saved years of trial-and-error if this book had been available when I was in the competitive stage of my career.

The book takes the guess-work out of training and is loaded with photos of the greatest bodybuilders performing the exercises. There is nothing about the book that I can find fault with. As always another tremendous job by Pete Sisco and Ironman.

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Worthwhile, January 13, 2000

By	Justin Coleman "[e-mail]" (Cheshire, Connecticut, United States) - See all my reviews

Ironman's Ultimate Bodybuilding Encyclopedia is exactly what I needed to really jumpstart my workouts. Most books on the topic of weight-trainging are written by a single person and, therefore, only express one person's experiences. However, everyone is different; what builds muscle for one person may leave another no larger than 6 months before. This book gives multiple opinions by some of the country's most renowned body builders. Sometimes their opinions conflict, sometimes they coincide. Regardless, the reader is given a very thorough overview of the different possible routines to follow. In addition, this book provide the most eye-opening section on the negative effects of drug-use in body-building that I have ever seen; it really makes you think.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Paperback Compendium For Workout Enthusiast!, January 9, 2004

By	Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Other than regular access to a good gym with all the right equipment and all the necessary nutrition, nothing is so important to the aspiring bodybuilder than information, and everyone from the neophyte to more experienced muscle bombers will find everything they need to grow into the body they dream of in this wonderful bodybuilder's encyclopedia. Culled from a variety of sources from deep within the culture of the west coast bodybuilding havens of Venice Beach and Santa Monica, this compendium of relevant information and sage advice has been produced by veteran bodybuilding coach Peter Sisco, who used extensive interviews with bodybuilding stars and the mounds of information produced by research technicians associated with Ironman magazine, who also produced a wide variety of helpful publications such as this one. You will find everything you need here, from the best way to flare your quadriceps to the best way to widen your shoulders by bombing the lateral heads of the deltoids.

Given all this, the book is both highly informative and quite inspirational, showcasing a number of recent bodybuilding luminaries, using both photographs and drawings to illustrate correct exercise performance, useful training techniques, and the latest in scientific breakthroughs that are on the very cutting edge of what contemporary bodybuilders are using to constantly attempt to get even bigger, stronger, and more striated and cut. Using the treasure-trove of Ironman's photographic archives, Sisco has produced one of the best single volume works covering the waterfront of bodybuilding yet. It compares well to the standard Weider's "Ultimate Bodybuilding", Schwarzenegger's version of the book, and even Bill Pearl's superb "Keys To The Inner Universe". This is a book that works well for the bodybuilding enthusiast wanting or needing a handy reference volume he can throw in his gym bag and read between sets at the local iron dungeon. Enjoy!