Rating: 
Summary: It May Be The Biggest - But It's Definitely NOT The Best!
Review: It never ceases to amaze me just how much so-called "professional" bodybuilders know about building pumped-up, functionally useless tissue, as opposed to building real muscle the natural way. This book is a veritable compendium of just about everything that is WRONG in the sport of modern bodybuilding.As I looked over the workout routines contained within, it became readily apparent that these routines could benefit ONLY those exceptionally genetically disposed for bodybuilding and/or those individuals taking steroids. Of course, I realize that one isn't expected to lift all the workout routines directly from the book, as your workouts should be tailored to your individual needs. However, the amount of revision necessary to make the routines worthwhile to typical drug-free trainees renders this volume worthless. In addition the instructions detailing how the exercises are to be performed are, in some instances, incredibly bad. For example, look at the instructions regarding the bench press. The text clearly states that your feet should be flat on the floor, and is accompanied by a photo of Ahhhnold with his feet on the bench (a DANGEROUS practice). The book is filled with such irregularities, and other downright dangerous exercises as well. The research behind the exercise physiology herein is dubious at best. There is a plethora of photographs of pro bodybuilders, past and present, which are supposedly inspiring. I strongly suspect that many (if not all) of these bodybuilders used or abused steroids, and this doesn't impress or inspire me in the least (neither do heroin addicts.) As for the section on nutrition, it's simply outdated. This nutritional advice may have worked for Ahhhnold when he was in his bodybuilding prime, but remember that his prime was QUITE some time ago (and we've all learned a thing or two since he last competed.) The Bottom Line: Don't waste your money on this book, as it is only useful to genetically gifted and/or drug assisted bodybuilders, and not the general public. If you want SOUND advice regarding building muscle and becoming physically fit, I recommend that you purchase a copy of "Beyond Brawn" along with "The Insider's Tell-All Handbook On Weight-Training Technique" (both authored by Stuart Mc Robert.) Your body will thank you for it in the long run.
Rating:
Summary: Out dated
Review: This book will mislead most novice bodybuilders. Arnold's training regimine worked for him because of the steroids he took. A natural lifter using his training program will become severely overtrained in a matter of a month or two. Arnolds lifting information is from when he competed in the 70's and the field has matured scientifically since then. Arnold's principles are not backed up by sound research. I do not recommend this book. A better book would be the NSCA's Essentials of Strength and Conditioning.
Rating: 
Summary: This Is The Bodybuilder's Bible
Review: Every time I have a question about my routine or diet this is the first source I look to. It comes before the web, calling a friend, or asking someone at the gym. Just the other day I was training and I looked in the mirror and decided "I really need to work on outer calf development." When I got home I grabbed this book and looked it up. "If outer calves are a weak point do this, that, this," etc. If I need tips on posing, preparing for photo shoots, information on bulking up, information on cutting up, and just about anything else it's this book that I look to for a reference. If you are a hardcore bodybuilder or just someone who wants to learn more (from basic stuff to advanced techniques about competition even), I HIGHLY recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Counter-productive for the Average Lifter
Review: This book is about 25 years out of date with both scientific results and empirical observations on what works for the average, non-steroid popping individual. This was my bible for the first 5 years of my weight-lifting life, and it was the worst possible thing I could read. I trained as prescribed by Arnie and ate like a pig. I made only nominal strength and weight gains because like 95% of the population, I'm a 'hard-gainer', which means that unless I take steroids, lifting more than 3x a week is overtraining. Recovery time is at least one week per muscle group for the average person. According to Arnold's schedule, it's more like 24-48 hours. A year ago I switched to a much less physically and mentally taxing 2-3x a week plan typical of HIT (high-intensity training), and have seen gains of 2.5lbs/week on bench and 5 lbs/week on squat. Arnold's book is average for tips on form. Its training regimen is only for Mr. Steroids.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, contains everything you need to know...
Review: This book is seriously excellent. Since reading it I've realised I know a lot more about bodybuilding than the instructors who work in my local gym. From specific exercises to set techniques to motivation, this book has it all... If you take your health seriously you should definately buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: If you ever plan on lifting weights, buy this book!!!!!!!
Review: If you ever plan on lifting weights, buy this book!!!!!!! I have been involved in weight training for many years, and no book that I have read even compares to the information found in this encyclopedia. I am a personal trainer, and currently a dietetics and exercise physiology major, and I would without a doubt recommend this to anyone who evn thinks about picking up a weight. I would purchase the hard cover edition though, because me and a few of my friends purchased the soft cover and our pages are falling out because of the extensive use.
Rating:
Summary: Don't purchase this book!
Review: "The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding" will not help you create a strategic plan for building and protecting your body. If you follow it, you'll probably end up crippled. I read this paper weight front to back when I started bodybuilding, it's not effective as a guide to bodybuilding. In short, I found it to be vague and more of a photo collection.
If you are new to bodybuilding, or have failed to make progress, purchase Stuart McRobert's "Beyond Brawn:The Insider's Encyclopedia On How To Build Muscle & Might" & "The Insider's Tell-All Handbook On Weight-Training Technique". Stuart is the real deal, his books are easy to follow(Text & Illustrations),and accurate for helping you to make progress and avoid injuries.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!!
Review: I've been bodybuilding for almost 2 and a half years and this book always keeps me motivated and educated. Arnold really did a good job with this book, although the nutrition section is a little outdated. This book has cool pictures and even a Hall of Fame section. It's an all-around good book, from beginning to advanced.
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of money
Review: All pictures are great except for the exercises. They are too old fashioned and dangerous., But there are some excercises that are safe. (Doing the "behind the neck press and pulldowns"??!?-- Gosh!! I'm a personal trainner and I won't let my clients suffer from shoulder problems doing behind the neck press and behind the neck pulldowns.) So, think twice before buying this book. And I think Arnold is a big liar telling people that HE didn't use steroids, He himself used it to get big. Who you trying to fool Arnold??? ARE You clean Arnold???
Rating: 
Summary: PhD amateur body builder
Review: This is a good all round book with a good range of exercises for the different body parts. It deals with anatomy and shows how the different positions of holding the bars affects strains the muscle group in a different way. It's nutritional section in the final chapters of the book is a bit drap. There are a few home made protein drinks etc but nothing major in nutrition receipies. I wanted to build a big neck there is a comment on the use of head harnesses but nothing on neck development except a brief comment. If you want neck exercises look on the internet. Otherwise an all round reasonable and excellently priced book.
| 
