Has anyone read Arnolds encyclopedia?

[ACSZZ1988]

Arnold Schwarzenegger Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding

Thinking about reading it just wanted to hear some feedback and highlights of the book? Is it worth the time it will take me to get through it?

[ACSZZ1988]

No one? But Arnie is GOAT

[Ryanreece]

ive read it

[BartPimpson]

No one? But Arnie is GOAT

Sorry OP, if a thread doesn't have 300 posts within ten minutes it just isn't going to work.

About the Encyclopedia...I've read it.

It's interesting if you know nothing about bodybuilding. It has some cool pictures. But you'll find way better info online, and although Arnold is definitely "the man" he still can't escape being what he is: a genetic freak who worked hard, used steroids, and whose knowledge is mostly of the "folk" gym bro variety. He doesn't give such great information on diet and exercise.

Also note that the book was co-written with Bill Dobbins. And whenever you see a book written by two people, you can safely bet money that the less famous person did 90% of the work.

[ManInTheMoon]

10 minutes no reply: "No one"? Lmao. I guarantee you at least 100k people in this world at the very least have read it. It is a good book, try it, experiment, learn, grow, fail, experiment again etc etc enjoy the journey.

[flangmasterj]

It's awesome. Even just for the rare pics.

[lancs_hotpot]

He basically tells you to train a lot with heavy compounds and eat plenty of food. Thats pretty much all you need to know to build a decent physique.

[IvanTheBigOne]

I've read it, it does give a few good tips on the fundamentals in the gym and some other certain exercise concepts that a few people do in the gym. I've gotten a few weird looks here and there doing some of them. The photos are pretty rare too, most of them are black and white if I remember correctly, it has already been like 5-6 years since I've read it. Good book if you have the time and the desire to go through a thorough and in-depth analysis of what the sport of bodybuilding is and get some personal insight from it.

[hairlineofpeace]

He basically tells you to train a lot with heavy compounds and eat plenty of food. Thats pretty much all you need to know to build a decent physique.

^this. Train like a powerlifter and add some isolation stuff is his advice.

I own a copy and I think it's a fun read. Lots of cool pictures too.

[adamsz]

Sorry OP, if a thread doesn't have 300 posts within ten minutes it just isn't going to work.

About the Encyclopedia...I've read it.

It's interesting if you know nothing about bodybuilding. It has some cool pictures. But you'll find way better info online, and although Arnold is definitely "the man" he still can't escape being what he is: a genetic freak who worked hard, used steroids, and whose knowledge is mostly of the "folk" gym bro variety. He doesn't give such great information on diet and exercise.

Also note that the book was co-written with Bill Dobbins. And whenever you see a book written by two people, you can safely bet money that the less famous person did 90% of the work.

This. Cool book to flip through and admire the pics, but the stuff is pretty outdated. And the training methods are pretty ridiculous.

[The Abomination]

It's awesome. Even just for the rare pics.

This...would recommend

[TheMullah]

we had this book on our coffee table throughout the entirety of university and i think we never got bored of looking through it. excellent book

[littlemike23]

I have it. It's definitely worth buying for any lifter. Casual or competitive. Some cool pictures an some interesting tips. Very old school.

[endurancell]

Flex Lewis has definitely read it. I only bought it for the pictures since the info on training and stuff is pretty basic

[tng83]

Cover to cover. Though I wouldn't base my routine on it. The info is quite dated.

[stan_dias]

yeah its gud.. buy the hardcover version though. softcover got unravelled quick.

Training: great pics, best feature of the book. instructions clear. but with youtube the vids are clearer in execution techinque.

Nutrition: not strong point of book, some basic diets and guidelines.

supplementation: missing

All in all, it has history, some science, training, posing and competition guidance (only posing).

[KeithTheSnake]

Bought it years and years ago, when the first edition came out. Good pics.

Here's a plug for another classic: Bill Pearl's Keys to the Inner Universe. Just saying. Both are nice books to have on the shelf.

[FitOnSkiEdge]

I got the original one years ago. I think it has alot of useful info, with basic sections on anatomy, posing for photos and using different backgrounds and lighting effectively. Basic nutrition and even a vague discussion on steroids, where he said they are only a finishing touch to an already great physique (pro standard LoL).

I just take it for what it is, and for the average fitness enthusiast like myself a lot of the routines will certainly get you fit and conditioned and there are a lot of different and interesting exercises in the book which may be useful for many sports. Some routines may be a bit high in volume for building mass, especially for non enhanced lifters but im sure they are great for cutting up.

And like others have said, lots of cool pics. Despite being dated, a good fun read and like an astrophysicist watching Star Wars, you just have to suspend your belief with some parts and take it as it is and realize you probably won't reach Arnolds level by following the routines in this book and taking your multi every day. I believe the average non enhanced lifter will still get some results and look fit, athletic with more muscle than someone who doesn't train if they followed this book.

[artDDP]

It is very outdated and much of Arnold's training philosophy is completely unrealistic (6 days a week, twice a day). I love it for the photos.

[Hugh2]

It's what you'd expect from a no nonsense 70's bodybuilder lot's of high volume supersets with free weights while eating red meat tempered with the modern training sensibilities added by Bill Dobbins.
It all works really well........ provided you're on supps (or a genetic mutant) otherwise you can get great results by reducing the volume. A lot of solid advice and great photos and stories from the golden era, but it's a bit dated now.

[DPNZ]

This book is what got me into bodybuilding.

[2276]

When you bring a bish home and that badboy's sitting on your coffee table - she'll know what's up.

No but seriously it's a good read, even if it is a tad dated in some departments, it's worth a purchase.

[jcham12]

Thinking about doing anything will not get me to my goals, just read it? I thought about working out last night. I got into my car pulled into the gym parking lot, gave it some thought and drove home. How do you think I feel today, think about it lol..... The book is awesome...

[Allers]

It's a great book and it really is an encyclopaedia of everything out there. But you'll find more up to date info on the internet now.

And the dude was a freak so your results may vary.

[dom1987]

some good info about how to do exercises,stretches,warming up and diet.

but the training programs are crazy, for the beginner program, you train chest and back twice a week, abs everyday.
and he says you should train every set to absolute failure, I tried it and I think I lost muscle, a long time ago.

[Hugh2]

some good info about how to do exercises,stretches,warming up and diet.

but the training programs are crazy, for the beginner program, you train chest and back twice a week, abs everyday.
and he says you should train every set to absolute failure, I tried it and I think I lost muscle, a long time ago.

It's worth trying though, seriously the two biggest freaks in bodybuilding back before modern supps were Arnold and Sergio who both trained exactly the same, lots of antagonist supersetting with moderate reps focusing on pumping as much blood into the muscle as possible. I don't think there is one perfect volume that fits everyone so you have to find your own i.e as much as you can handle before suffering the effects of overtraining. Arnold and Sergio certainly found their perfect volume. Increase or reduce and see what happens.

[lotus_esprit5]

As everyone else is saying, it's a fun and entertaining read for anyone who's into lifting or bodybuilding and will get you really psyched up to lift some weights. Training and diet advice is pretty hit or miss, but there's definitely useful stuff you can glean from it. You won't regret buying it and the paperback is very reasonably priced for how massive it is. Just don't treat it as the be-all end-all of training and diet info.

[stealth_swimmer]

I got the original one years ago. I think it has alot of useful info, with basic sections on anatomy, posing for photos and using different backgrounds and lighting effectively. Basic nutrition and even a vague discussion on steroids, where he said they are only a finishing touch to an already great physique (pro standard LoL).

I just take it for what it is, and for the average fitness enthusiast like myself a lot of the routines will certainly get you fit and conditioned and there are a lot of different and interesting exercises in the book which may be useful for many sports. Some routines may be a bit high in volume for building mass, especially for non enhanced lifters but im sure they are great for cutting up.

And like others have said, lots of cool pics. Despite being dated, a good fun read and like an astrophysicist watching Star Wars, you just have to suspend your belief with some parts and take it as it is and realize you probably won't reach Arnolds level by following the routines in this book and taking your multi every day. I believe the average non enhanced lifter will still get some results and look fit, athletic with more muscle than someone who doesn't train if they followed this book.

I'd say pretty much this, exactly. Also, I'm not one to completely toss out broscience cus the same thing doesn't work best for everyone. Like people are saying though, i seem to remember the training prescribing a lot of volume.

The explanation for exercises is something i remember being pretty good, even if Youtube vids are better. Besides, you never know when you might find some little tidbit of insight that makes a difference for you. Even on Youtube vids, people give the same general explanations for exercises, but sometimes someone will add a comment on how it feels or something to imagine while doing the exercise that just "clicks" for you and helps you get more out of that exercise.

It's worth trying though, seriously the two biggest freaks in bodybuilding back before modern supps were Arnold and Sergio who both trained exactly the same, lots of antagonist supersetting with moderate reps focusing on pumping as much blood into the muscle as possible. I don't think there is one perfect volume that fits everyone so you have to find your own i.e as much as you can handle before suffering the effects of overtraining. Arnold and Sergio certainly found their perfect volume. Increase or reduce and see what happens.

Agreed completely. You can always try "getting a feel" for a different type of training you're not used to. Obviously, none of us are gonna be able to duplicate a Mr. Olympia workout on a consistent basis or maybe even at any point in our lifetimes, lol. You just adjust the volume down to something that's appropriate for you (which is different for everyone depending on how long they've been training and their recovery ability).

[tom11]

some good info about how to do exercises,stretches,warming up and diet.

but the training programs are crazy, for the beginner program, you train chest and back twice a week, abs everyday.
and he says you should train every set to absolute failure, I tried it and I think I lost muscle, a long time ago.

this program is called push pull legs and many redditors run it

[Hugh2]

Agreed completely. You can always try "getting a feel" for a different type of training you're not used to. Obviously, none of us are gonna be able to duplicate a Mr. Olympia workout on a consistent basis or maybe even at any point in our lifetimes, lol. You just adjust the volume down to something that's appropriate for you (which is different for everyone depending on how long they've been training and their recovery ability).

Exactly there isn't a one size fits all training regiment that is perfect for everyone, certainly not at every stage from beginner to veteran. You can say (not incorrectly) that Arnold overtrained but that amount of volume certainly worked for him and Sergio. It might not work for you especially if you're natty so reduce the load until it does.