The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding Review

The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger is considered by many to be the ultimate resource when it comes to working out, but is it really worth purchasing?

Introduction & Overview

The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger is no light read. In fact, the book itself probably weighs a good 5 pounds. The original encyclopedia was first published in 1985, and then updated and revised in 1992. It is dedicated to informing the reader about every aspect of bodybuilding and weight training.

The book has information pertaining to the bodybuilding lifestyle, and how to develop a bodybuilder physique. Some topics include: bodybuilding history, training, nutrition, muscular injuries, competition, and stretching. Within the 800 pages of bodybuilding-related material also lies many pictures of top bodybuilders from the past. These bodybuilding icons demonstrating poses, explain their training principals, and show the proper execution of many exercises.

Most people will simply buy this book because of its connection with the bodybuilding guru Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man who essentially made bodybuilding what it is today. There is nothing wrong with that, but let us take a look at what information this book holds.

A Quality Read

The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding is exactly what it says it is: an encyclopedia. The information it holds is, in my opinion, extremely valuable. Despite this book being written 18 years ago, I feel much of the information is still extremely relevant in this day and age. I see reviews slamming this book based on the idea that no normal person could possibly have enough time and energy to workout at the intensity the book portrays.

The reviewers also go on to say that no one would want to look like a bodybuilder either, and that it is unnatural and disgusting. What these reviewers don’t realize is that the book is entitled “The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding“. This book is specifically written for people who aspire to be bodybuilders, or who want to have a bodybuilding physique. Whether or not someone thinks bodybuilding is unnatural or disgusting is irrelevant.

Concepts and guidelines in this book are considered tried and true, and are shown to be effective for most people. While there have been enormous advancements in fitness and nutrition, many of the subjects covered in this book still hold true as great means of successfully enhancing muscular and cardiovascular fitness. In addition to including information on training and nutrition, the book covers specific topics that were seldom seen in other fitness books. Topics such as competition, bodybuilding history, and injury prevention.

Concepts and guidelines in this book are considered tried and true.

Each of the book’s sections contain a great deal of information without going over the edge with content. The bodybuilding history and competition bits can be extremely valuable if you have considered pursuing bodybuilding professionally. While the injury section also covers a fair amount, it may be a good idea to purchase a book that goes over injury prevention and care as the main focus. This section is very small and only covers common injuries brought upon by incorrect exercise movements or extreme workloads.

The quality of this book solely depends on how the reader employs the information.

Effective Teachings

There are no official claims made by this book, but it is obvious that the title and main focus screams “I will morph you into a bodybuilder!”. There are many real life examples of people who have used the solid principals in this book to shape their body into a bodybuilding physique over time. However, with all information, many will not utilize it and oftentimes end up blaming it for their shortcomings.

If you are someone who has the time, money, and energy to follow advanced and somewhat lengthy routines outlined in this book, then you will absolutely be able to experience the benefits. This book makes no outrageous claims. It is very clear that you have to live an extremely strict fitness and nutrition-based lifestyle to make it to bodybuilding potential. This book may lack advice on supplementation, which is very important in the health community, but supplementation isn’t everything.

Valuable Purchase

It contains 800 pages of information and detailed pictures for around 30 dollars. One could spend much more money on a dozen books with smaller page counts, and less content. In my opinion, this book exceeds its price value by a long shot.

Much of the content is written from research done roughly 18 years ago, so there are many books out there today that have a more up-to-date information base. With that being said, I still feel information provided in The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding is extremely valuable and can still be used to successfully sculpt the body.

Scientific advancements in the field of health that were made after the book was published may change the way you approach working out, but this book covers fundamental principals that still hold true. Many other books also don’t provide what this book does, including the sections on bodybuilding history and competition.

About Mike Barrett: Google Plus Profile | Mike is the co-founder, editor, and primary researcher behind Natural Society. Studying the work of top natural health activists, and writing special reports for top 10 alternative health websites, Mike has written hundreds of articles and pages on how to obtain optimum wellness through natural health.