Rating: 
Summary: I'd give it more than five stars if I could
Review: As a long-time lifter I was amazed at how much this book taught me. It delves into details that I never realized existed, but does so in a way that is easy to read and understand. This is the first exercise book I purchased new and I certainly waited for the right one!The book is essentially divided into two parts: a detailed review of the body and the actual workouts. The body section is filled with neat illustrations that fully describe the body's musculature and give the what, where, how and why of resistance exercise. The workout section is further divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced programs, each several months long. I was so impressed with this book that I considered starting at the beginner workouts despite my lifting experience. I decided on the intermediate and love it, and look forward to the advanced program. The workouts take about an hour, some less, some a little more, but the variety and structure is so challenging you'll want more. In short, this book has everything a fella could possibly want for beginning or improving his weight lifting program.
Rating:
Summary: As good as it gets
Review: As someone who has been lifting weights for 5 years, this book was originally intended as a reference manual, maybe with some new ideas on how to tweak my workouts. After 2 months, I have nothing but praise for the authors. In addition to what has to be the most authoritative book on weightlifting out there, the workouts put together by King and Schuler are soem the most effective programs around. A giant 2 thumbs up.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have For Any Fitness Library
Review: As the Fitness Editor for Men's Fitness magazine, I've read more fitness books than I care to remember. It's how I make my living. And I can honestly say that The Book of Muscle is one of the best fitness books ever written. Let me just say that I have no personal investment in this book. In fact, you'll notice that it's published by my competition. But I believe in directing the public to quality material--and this book fits the bill and then some. I have known Schuler and King personally for years, and can attest that they're tops in the fitness biz. Because of my job, I think I can say with some authority that the writing is superb. Schuler makes complicated physiology seem simple. But let me put it in perspective: I have a master's degree in exercise science, and I wish that this book would have been available when I was in graduate school. It would have saved me hours of boring textbook reading--and I would have learned MORE! Just as important, Schuler's co-author, Ian King, is known in my circles as one of the best strength coaches in the world. And he backs that reputation up with the highly effective, cutting-edge training programs that are presented in this book. I highly recommend The Book of Muscle to anyone who wants to: *Understand the science of building muscle--from the basic functions of each of your major muscles to the secrets of increasing their rate of growth.
*Learn how to do over 100 exercises with perfect form.
*Have at your fingertips months' worth of expertly designed workouts from one the world's leading fitness authorities, Ian King. So for what it's worth, consider this my professional opinion. I hope it's useful to you. Adam Campbell
Fitness Editor
Men's Fitness
Rating:
Summary: Book of Muscle Rocks
Review: Book of Muscle is one of the best books of it's kind that I have read and I have seen them all. It takes you on a tour of your body and gives you a road map to keeping it in the best shape possible. The text by Lou Schuler is clear and concise with a no nonsense approach that is refreshing in this world of "flavor of the month" workout and fitness books. You learn about muscles and how to maintain them for life. The workouts, by noneother than Ian King, provide over a year of quality, well planned routines that will keep you challenged and growing. And Ian definitely follows the less is more principle by keeping the workouts under an hour. I have been doing the Intermediate program for 12 weeks now and I am getting stronger and growing in body, mind and spirit. King also manages to keep things lively with changes in routines and innovative exercises and combinations that beat the hell out of those monotonous 3 sets, 10 reps workouts you find in the magazines. Get Book of Muscle. It's the best bang for the buck for the novice and the seasoned lifter.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for the home gym...
Review: Doesn't cater to the home gym much. Many of the exercises need to be revised in order for someone with an average home gym to perform the workouts. Lots of pictures though.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for any Level Ironhead
Review: Finally, Men's Fitness has gotten it right - a book that does not promise immediate results...but instead one that helps you formulate a plan, that is equal part guide to the weightroom, solid nutritional advice, and key principals for involving the mind in your workout. This is without a doubt their best book yet on the value (and IMPORTANCE) of personal fitness. Ian King may not be the best known name in the world of fitness, but among weightlifters, he is known for hard core, no-nonsense weight training, with functionality stressed over mere muscle mass. Along with Men's Health regular Lou Schuler, they have compiled the best muscle guide to come out of Rodale Press - and one of the best guides I have ever read. Along with showcasing the various muscle groups, and giving well explained details of their importance, the book goes on to spotlight various exercises for each group. What is nice about the exercise pages is that they show great variation in order to allow for full definition of the particular muscle, and also give great explanation and illustration for the exercise, allowing the reader the chance to really learn more about proper form. It's great to read a book like that that uses pictures to explain and educate, rather than to have an excuse to photograph chiseled bodies in sweaty conditions. This book has everything - whether you are a newcomer, or have been in the weightroom for years, you are bound to learn some new exercises, or some outstanding twists on some old favorites. And the sample programs written by King are well reasoned, and offer a creative mix of hypertrophic and endurance building routines. And they allow for customization to meet specific body part needs. Great book guys - this has me thinking about subscribing to Men's Health again (if only they would stop running the cheesy "pump up your sex life" articles).
Rating:
Summary: best of its kind
Review: For years my weight-lifting regimen has been an amalgamation of falsehoods, facts and assorted advice from friends and magazines. Any gains would always plateau after several months of lifting. I was spending time in the gym but not seeing results.
This book changed that. The workouts in the back come from years of research. They work. I've seen increases in strength and size. And because of the cyclic nature of Ian King's programs, I continue to see gains.
This book divulges the mechanics of muscle growth. It gives specific nutrition guidelines. And the routines in the back produce real gains.
This book will give you all the information you need to lift weights. No gimmicks. No quick fixes. Just good information.
Rating:
Summary: Totally Complete
Review: From my personal perspective, as a BEGINNER, it is an essential book to have in my collection.
The reason is the info it provides on not only nutrition but on almost every exercise that could be done. It gives clear instructions with excellent photos to go along with the exercises. Now, that would describe most other books, however this goes above and beyond by giving a VERY complete (IMO) anatomy lesson on the muscles, tendons and so forth. What they do and why they do it and how you can hurt them if you are stupid.
I can say with out a doubt this book needs to be in any serious gym rat or health conscious persons library. You will refer back to it often even if you never do a single routine that it has set up, which, by the way are very well designed and NOT a two hour ordeal as some have described.
Thanks Lou!
Rating:
Summary: All star book!!
Review: I have a collection of more than 200 fitness related books, mostly dealing with weightlifting. This one goes to the front of the pack. It is well written, full of detailed descriptions of a multitude of exercises, and designed for all levels of ability. The book could easily be adopted as a college text for exercise physiology classes as it goes into clear and concise descriptions of muscle function, nutrition, and physiology. Most lifters will greatly benefit from the variations that are also provided allowing them to take advantage of muscular adaptation. The photos are tremendous when I first got it (from Amazon) I thought it was too pretty to be a fitness book- it isn't! Lastly anyone wanting to learn more and gain muscle will benefit from these two authors- Ian King and Lous Schuler are recognized experts- not some juiced up gym monkeys with ghost writers.
Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT!
Review: I have been a personal trainer for over 17 years, and have read volumes Ian King's and Lou Schuler's books over the years to advance my own knowledge as a fitness professional. The very fact that the two of them have teamed up to give us the BOOK OF MUSCLE is enough reason to pick this book up immediately. The illustrations are excellent, but more than anything, the book contains real substance. If you can only afford one book to teach you everything you need to know about building a muscular body, this is absolutely IT. It doesn't talk down to the reader, but it doesn't go over their heads either. It will certainly expand the reader's knowledge and understanding of how the body works.
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