Reviews (26)

Just buying the book works miracles.
Just owning the book did miracles for my physique.
The Title says it all
I have used this before, and all I can say is "WOW"!I had fat to lose so I was only consuming approximately 2000-2500 cals. a day.I used the 6 day 1 workout a day program. I'm sorry to say that I only used it for 6 weeks though. My weight was about 215 at start and 205 at end.I put almost an inch on my arms , over an inch on my chest ,but the most incredible thing was that my strength skyrocketed.Bench 175x6-205x6;Squat 245x7-275x7. The crazy thing is that I was maybe averaging 5-6 hrs. sleep and I worked 60 hrs. a week in a busy restaurant and worked out at the end of 12 hr. shifts. I also didn't use any supplements!After reading all of the other reviews, I can attest that the workouts have to be followed as written or you will fail miserably.

An awesome book
The best damn easiest book to follow that gets you all the results you need.I was coming out of high school football, and wasn't talented enough to play in the division 1 college i went to, but i did wanna keep lifting.I did the medium frequency weightlifting program which was once a day, 6 days a week.It was absolutely awesome, and honestly, i only stayed on it for a six week phase of the recommended 18 weeks.You MUST, as is stressed in the book, follow the recommendations of the book as closely as possible but you will most definitely get results.In six weeks i went from weighing 220 to weighing 242 with a bodyfat % that went from 22 to 19, which basically means i gained OVER 20 POUNDS OF MUSCLE in six weeks!!!It doesn't take a genius to know that's awesome.Bench press went up from 295 1 rep max to 365, Squat went from 365 4 rep max to 505, and i was curling a 45 and a 25 on each side in standing easy curl bar like if it was nothing.Needless to say i was incredibly impressed.This book is definitely not for unseasoned weightlifters, or atleast not for ones who don't have someone to stress the importance of sticking to the guidelines.Also, my power clean went up from 245 one rep max to 275 and i didn't do a single power clean during the six week phase.The most surprising thing is that each workout took less than an hour to complete with a partner and in some occassions it was under 45 minutes.It may not make sense now, but read the book.Take it with you to the john, and you'll get ass numbness from reading on for too long.It really grabs you.Lots of the stuff is stuff that most people know, but nonetheless it's good to read it all together in a coherent way that translates into MORE MUSCLE, more muscle, and more muscle.The book is called big beyond belief, but it's also awesome for Strength gains.I've never done any drugs...just protein powders and i had awesome results. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Exercise for men    3. Muscle strength    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training   

Reviews (4)

Not what the title implies
This book is designed for mega body builders who want advice on taking lots of supplements in order to bulk up and obtain the type of physique shown on the cover.It is not very good at explaining how to get maximum nutritional value from food in order to more efficiently burn fat, which is what I was hoping for.

Excellent book that introduces sound advice and concepts
This book is largely Dent's take on the Macro Nutrient ratios i.e. how much of our food intake should be Carbohydrates, Protein and Fat. In Macrobolic Nutrition these ratio's are 45% Carbs, 35% Protein, and 20% Fat.
Macrobolic Nutrition
This book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how important the types of food we eat are when trying to sculpt a lean and muscular physique. It comes complete with Glycemic indexes, nutrient breakdowns, and caloric intake charts for people over/under 15%bodyfat, active/sedentary, breakfast,lunch and dinner meal plans. The best part about the diet is that it doesn't restrict anything. Without giving away everything the nutrient breakdown goes 45/35/20- carbs,protein,fat. The book gives detailed descriptions of when the best time is to take in your nutrients, and supplement recomendations. Given that Dente runs his own supplement company that isn't surprising, but the advice is solid and from what I've heard his MHP product line is top notch. As a personal trainer I have been recommending this diet to my clients, (but actually getting them to follow through is a different story). Try it for yourself and you won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilders    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Diets - General    6. Exercise    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Macrobiotic diet    10. Macrobiotics    11. Nutrition    12. Diets & dieting   

Reviews (4)

You must own this book
If you are interested in steroids at all, especially if you use steroids you should buy this book. It is money well spent.

What you need to know about hipocrisy in America
If you are, or are thinking of, using anabolics (including prohormones soon), you need to read this book.
DON'T READ THIS BOOK
...unless you can handle the truth!This is the ground-breaking, pioneer, authoritative treatise on anabolic-androgenic steroids and the law in the United States.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anabolic steroids    2. Bodybuilders    3. Consumer Health    4. Doping in sports    5. General    6. Health/Fitness    7. Law and legislation    8. Legal status, laws, etc.    9. Popular works    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training    12. United States    13. Bodybuilding    14. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    15. Sports & Recreation    16. Steroid hormones    17. Steroids   

Reviews (13)

highy recommended
This book is the real encyclopedia with thorough contemplation ofa very experienced author. You will not find numerous pictures or the beginning stuff several times repeated in this work. But you will find two-column dense text of pure-gold information that every good and skillful weightlifter or bodybuilder should know.
NOT for beginners, very good for more advanced lifters
The book is huge and really explains every tiny aspect of O lifting. If you are a beginner it can actually be a bad thing since you're flooded with an enormous amount of information, but when you have a solid foundation and you aren't just lifting to improve your performance but participating in the sport of weightlifting this book is for you. It is about time to have a Second Edition.
It is about time for Mr. Drechsler to refine his encyclopedia in a newer edition. He must find ways of reducing the lengthy pages of text, without illustration or appropriate paragraph breaks, into less boring and modern style. His wealth of knowledge is greatly undermined by his extensive literal description of techniques and approaches, with skimpy illustrations. Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Rules    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Weight lifting    7. Weightlifting    8. Weight lifting--Handbooks, manuals, etc.    9. Weight lifting--Rules   

Reviews (7)

An excellent guide to butt and legs advanced shaping
I bought this book after I bought the "The complete book of ABS" by the same authors. I was so impressed by the thoroughness and effectiveness of the first book, that I decided to try this one and "The complete book of shoulders and arms".
Good but a little disappointing after the Book of Abs
The introductory chapters are as good as those found in the Brungardt's Complete Book of Abs, but having read that book there is little new useful information in the wellness and nutrition sections.
Keys for Killer Quads
The Brungardt series of "Complete" Exercises finally gets around to covering lower body. It's nice to see a reference book that focuses on the most essential piece of a well-planned workout.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Buttocks exercises    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Exercise    6. Health/Fitness    7. Leg exercises    8. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (9)

Covers everything any bodybuilder needs to know about successful nutrition

The Bible
I used this book to bulk up while losing over 50 lbs (from 225 to 165 lbs), and I maintained my strength.I did not follow the nutritional supplement advice, but did follow what to eat religiously.This is the best sports nutrition book, period.
THE BEST NUTRITION BOOK OF ALLTIMES!!!!
IF UR TRAINING HARD, UR REALLY LIKE THE TRUE MEANING OF BODY BUILDING AND WANNA KNOW HOW NUTRITION CAN HELP U TRANSFORM UR BODY TO THE MAX THIS IS THE BOOK ALL SHOULD HAVE.Read more

Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Bodybuilders    3. Bodybuilding    4. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    5. Consumer Health    6. Diets - General    7. Health/Fitness    8. Nutrition    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Diets & dieting    12. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training   

Reviews (4)

Great ab workout, the rest, well.....
This book has great ab routines, although it took me a bit to organize them all into a workout. Its kinda like the authors threw all the pages of the book into the air, then glued them together and put a cover on it. However once you actually find the routines, they are good. Although I would get another strength training routine, one that may not have the best abodominal excercises and combine it with this book. The rest of the stuff in the book was usless to me, and most training routines, that I've seen, dont really have a great ab/core workout. Bottom line; you get the best for your core, and you can dump the rest.

Great ideas presented in poorly organized manner
The basic premise of the book is conditioning the abdominal, low back, and hip muscles such that the whole body mass is stabilized during activity. That great idea is over inflated with the word "core" that the authors overuse redundantly and apply it to the mind, body, anatomy, and eating. The simple format of writing style, short chapters, and plenty of the authors' well tested advices, render the book invaluable source of information on effective fitness practice.
A Great Resource For Total Core Training
This book covers it all.
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Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Physical fitness    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (4)

Great reference for any athlete!
As a graduate student in the field and a competetive division 1 NCAA volleyball player, I found this book to be a great reference for improving my speed, agility and quickness. The pictures, explanations and DVD made it easy to incorperate proper form into each drill.
Something for everyone
This is a pretty good book.
Great help for improving base performance
We purchased the book a few weeks ago and since using the program my daughter is a new person.After learning the basic skills in each of the three categories: speed, agility and quickness, she has increased both her performance and attitude.She is working on her volleyball skills and is improving her reflexes.She really enjoys the drills.She has been practicing some of the rolls and moves even when she is not working out.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Coaching (Athletics)    3. Exercise    4. Motor ability    5. Physical education and trainin    6. Physical education and training    7. Speed    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Fitness training    11. Sports coaching   

Reviews (31)

Pretty Good Stuff
I got quite a bit of good information from this book and with that information I was able to finally bust through a plateau that I'd been struggling with for months.Could I have gotten this information for free off the Internet?Probably.But, I was getting tired of reading articles here and there and wanted one good source of information that I could read in the bathroom.
Good Information
I have read almost all of this book, and it has a lot of good general information about diet, suppliments, and workout routines.There is no specific method that the author recommends, but to take and try some of his technic's and see how they will work for you.I would recommend this book.

Worth the read
This book book addresses all the crucial points to consider in building muscle. I followed the philosophy of the author and found it to be quite effective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness / Exercise    2. Exercise    3. Exercise & workout books    4. Health & Fitness    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    7. Nutrition    8. Dietary supplements   

Reviews (39)

not for most people
First of all, the book has about 200 pages of useless stories.Once you get past that, the substance is decent for a select group of people.The small section of the book that actually deals with HIT can be useful to people interested purely in bodybuilding; I would recommend it to those people.
good book but takes way too long to get to the topic
Good book if you like reading about the authors background into the subject.He just took to long praising the man who basically invented the technique.This book could have been way smaller in volume.I would go with the Encyclopedia of Muscle and Strength.It took a page to detail what this technique is all about. I would pass on this one.

Poorly structured, poor on form, poor on substance
I got used to the jargon of the weight training bazaar. Words such as "Encyclopedia", "Revolution", "Truth", "New rules", "New methods", and "Never tried before" cease to amuse me. This book by Ellington Darden has few things that captured my curiosity. His serious look at the barbell and constant lack of warm facial expression correlates to the circumstantial structure of the book. There are many personal tales that waste the reader's time without apparent purpose. Frowning at the barbell does not render training "high intensity", particularly if the lifter is emaciated, muscle-wise.
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Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Exercise    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Muscle strength    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Weight lifting    9. Weight training    10. Weightlifting   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (2)

An engaging memoir that deserves a wide audience
This engaging memoir deserves a wide audience.Anyone interested in bodybuilding, weightlifting, sports medicine, the history of the fitness movement, magazine publishing, marketing, motivational thought, Napoleonic history, or diplomacy will find this book worth reading.Schwarzenegger fans may learn a few new things about the Governator, who was Joe "Master Blaster" Weider's star protégé in the early 70's and features prominently in the narrative.
Best book on bodybuilding ever
I've been a collector of bodybuilding memorabilia
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Bodybuilders    5. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    6. Brothers    7. Canada    8. Motivational    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training    12. Weider, Ben    13. Weider, Joe   

Reviews (5)

New Edition of this Book
I'm a multi sport athlete who trains all year round regardless of what sport I play. I bought a few of these Ultimate Guide to Weight Training books, and they definitely helped me train specifically for the different sports that I play. Then about a year later I received an email from amazon that there was a new edition out.These upgraded editions are even better than the originals, with more articles and a lot more sport-specific information. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who plays a lot of sports or wants to specifically focus on training for one sport in particular.

Helpful workout program
With help from this workout program I gained baserunning speed and an increase in bat head speed.This program is written very clearly and easy to follow.

Suprised
I have to admit, I never thought something like this would work.But, I was proven wrong. I just thought I would give my recomendation for this book, and thanks to Robert Price for helping me with my game. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baseball - General    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Health & Fitness / Exercise    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / General    7. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training    8. Training    9. Exercise    10. Health & Fitness    11. Physical education and training   

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Skiing - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training    6. Sports & Recreation / Skiing    7. Sports & Recreation / Training    8. Training    9. Athletic Training And Conditioning    10. Exercise    11. Health & Fitness    12. Physical education and training    13. Skiing   

Reviews (10)

Not sure this is a good buy
The last pages are a waste (glossary, about 100 pages), but the rest of it is in a question answer format that at times seem to contradict themselves.I think he should stick with nutrition he seems to know that, and leave the bodybuilding questions to people who know what they are talking about. Also just one side note I thought that he was disrespectful to Mike Mentzer calling him "ignorant". I am not a huge fan of Mike Mentzer, but I think that he forgot more about bodybuilding than Chris will ever know. I usually like Chris Aceto's books, this one however is not typical of his work.

Good but expected somthing different...
The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is because i bought his other two books, championship bodybuild and everything you need for fat loss and most questions were answered in those books.
Not Bad
Chris Aceto is obviously a smart guy. It shows in his writing. You'll never find a bodybuilding book that is "art", but as a reference source this book is pretty good. I do have a few "cons" about this book, though: It's somewhat abivalent about the steroid issue. Some of the information in this book (though not the majority) seems to be geared toward the steroid-using bodybuilder without acknowledging it, which may be confusing to "naturals". There is almost a wink-and-a-nod about steroid use in a few of the glossary entries. However, this is not uncommon in bodybuilding books, so you'll have to judge for yourself if the information in these few entries is right for you. The other gripe I have is that this book is in need of a professional copy editor. There are numerous typos and grammatical inconsistencies. Overall, you may think I'm slamming this book, but I'm not. Dive into it with your eyes open and you can come away with some good stuff, especially about non- or low-controversial supplements like vitamins, minerals, etc. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Nutrition    5. Weight Training   

Reviews (4)

This guy is insane...

122 Pages of Excellence
This book is THE book when it comes to grip training and becoming a well rounded athlete.Brookfield lays this book out very logically starting with a section on getting ready.He then progresses through: Advanced Lower Arm and Grip Training; Advanced Grip Challenges; and Steel Bending.No matter where you turn to this book is filled with helpful tips and ideas to get your workouts going.
The Master shares his secrets
John Brookfield IS Mr. Hands.He is also a very sharing person who will gladly help others to succeed.The Grip Master's Manual is a superb book with many unusual ideas for exercise and hand health.If you are interested in building a stronger grip, you MUST read this book.If you're not interested in building a stronger grip, you are probably not interested in performing near the top in any athletic endeavours.In a nutshell, if you want to be better at almost anything that requires use of your hands, you should build your grip and this book is a true asset.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Training    5. Exercise    6. Grip strength   

Reviews (1)

Not a bad investment. Encyclopedic on exercise versions and methods.
This book has extensive variations of all sorts of exercises. In the first impression, I felt that was a distraction from simplifying life for exercisers. Yet, the variation of equipments, environment, and exercises convinced me that could help people to choose among many options. One exercise of T-bar row was done with the bar anchored on a dumbbell, which made me feel uneasy. Yet, it could help people where machines are scarce. Many gyms I visited lack the T-bar row machine and the idea of using a heavy dumbbell isn't bad for a beginner. It could cause injury if the dumbbell moves, though.
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Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Consumer Health    3. Exercise    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Healthy Living    7. Men's Health    8. Physical fitness for men    9. Weight Training    10. Exercise & workout books    11. Fitness training    12. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (7)

Box like a heavyweight champ!
This is the best book I have seen for boxing training!No matter what level you compete at, this book is for you.I have really improved my agility in the ring after reading this book.I highly recommend it to anyone interested in being a better, more athletic boxer!

Yo Adrian!
If Rocky could do it so can you -- and this book is the secret how.The book (aka "the boxing bible") won't only put you on a plan to increase strength and stamina, but it will also boost your quickness and agility.After reading this book you'll be able to knockout Mike Tyson.

a boxer's bible
This book is perfect!A workout plan geared specifically toward boxing that really works!Appropriate for any level of boxing! I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Boxing    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Training    6. Exercise    7. Health & Fitness    8. Physical education and training   

Reviews (99)

great for beginners
What...no flashy hard cover? Black and white photos, and a single picture on anatomy of the body? This book is a great example that you should not judge a book by it's cover. I was looking for a book that could introduce me into the world of weight lifting. I needed the basics in nutrition, form, breathing, and progression. This book gave me every thing I was looking for and more. This was my third book I purchased to get me started. The other publications were flashy, full of color and expensive. But this is the book I go back to over and over again. I am very happy with this book and I am progressing very well with the right know how provided here. A great guide for beginners

Excellent Book to Improve your Physique or Stay in Shape

You've gotta start somewhere...
If you're searching for books like this, chances are you are 'looking into' getting started with weights or getting back into them. One thing you should know is that no one book on the market is the be all/end all for weight training. Two broad categories of books in this field are those that present you with routines and those that focus on exercise mechanics. I like this book because it gives you enough of both to get started - which was the biggest hurdle for me. You get the exercises (w/ photos) and the proposed progression routine to follow. For all its shortcomings - I completely ignored everything it had to say about nutrition and supplements and it has given me great results - if you can follow the break-in routine laid out here for 12 weeks, your body will be prepared to move into whatever direction you want to go. That will probably mean buying more books, but at least you will have a feel for what you are looking for. If you can't get through the break in routine you prolly won't be looking for anymore books anyway - until you feel inspired again. If you have the extra cash, you should prolly pick up the "Strength Training Anatomy" book to get more specific information on the indivdual exercises. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Consumer Health    4. Exercise    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health and hygiene    7. Health/Fitness    8. Men    9. Men's Health    10. Exercise & workout books    11. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (104)

Excellent Book to Improve your Physique or Stay in Shape