20 Best Books About Bodybuilding (2023 Update)

"if i were to go back and start my weight lifting journey from the beginning, this is the plan that i would follow"hi, my name is james atkinson ("jim" to my friends and readers). i am a qualified fitness coach, ex- airborne forces (british army) and i have a very diverse past in health and fitness. from personal training, long distance running to competition bodybuilding, it is fair to say that i have changed the shape and condition of my body more than most. – since my early teens i have been involved in weight lifting and resistance training of some description. i am now into my late thirties. – starting off in a powerlifting environment, the doors to a new world of resistance training were thrown wide open in front of me. the possibilities of what could be achieved with the correct weight training and diet inspired me to start work on building my own body into something that i could be very proud of! however, it would take me around eight to ten years before i found the correct path and begin to actually get some results. i will admit that i am not the quickest of learners, but if i was given the correct advice from the start, today, i would no doubt be leaps and bounds ahead of the physical development that i currently hold. – this book has a full year of progressive weight training laid out in the form of four "sub routines". each one of the workouts is a progression from the previous one. this means continued muscular development. and the great thing about this kind of training is that you can repeat it year after year if you wish. – some of the information included in this book: vital fundamental material on training mentality, planning, diet and motivation.4 x 12 week progressive exercise plans (a year in total)explanation of the training year. why you are training in this way – illustrated descriptions of all exercises included – accountability charts to keep you on track – optional healthy cooking recipes reader bonus – and much more! this book is written for anyone who is interested in developing their body with the use of resistance training. this type of training can be used not only for building muscle mass but for fat loss and toning alike. – if you are new to the weight lifting and bodybuilding world, you will benefit a lot more from this book, but on the flip side; if you have been in the game for a while and would like a few ideas to develop your knowledge further, you will also find this book useful. – i wish you the very best with your training and i look forward to hearing of your achievements! keep on lifting and i wish you every success! jim

From elite bodybuilding competitors to gymnasts, from golfers to fitness gurus, anyone who works out with weights must own this book—a book that only arnold schwarzenegger could write, a book that has earned its reputation as “the bible of bodybuilding.” inside, arnold covers the very latest advances in both weight training and bodybuilding competition, with new sections on diet and nutrition, sports psychology, the treatment and prevention of injuries, and methods of training, each illustrated with detailed photos of some of bodybuilding's newest stars. plus, all the features that have made this book a classic are here: -arnold's tried-and-true tips for sculpting, strengthening, and defining each and every muscle to create the ultimate buff physique -the most effective methods of strength training to stilt your needs, whether you're an amateur athlete or a pro bodybuilder preparing for a competition -comprehensive information on health, nutrition, and dietary supplements to help you build muscle, lose fat, and maintain optimum energy -expert advice on the prevention and treatment of sports-related injuries -strategies and tactics for competitive bodybuilders from selecting poses to handling publicity -the fascinating history and growth of bodybuilding as a sport, with a photographic “bodybuilding hall of fame” -and, of course, arnold's individual brand of inspiration and motivation throughout covering every level of expertise and experience, the new encyclopedia of modern bodybuilding will help you achieve your personal best. with his unique perspective as a seven-time winner of the mr. olympia title and all international film star, arnold shares his secrets to dedication, training, and commitment, and shows you how to take control of your body and realize your own potential for greatness.

This book helps with the heavy lifting. – bodybuilding for beginners is the ultimate guide for new bodybuilders. it doesn't matter if you've never set foot in a gym before: this book will have you bulking up in no time. think of it as a personal trainer who's always going to be there for you. – get essential bodybuilding info, like detailed walkthroughs of 55 exercises that'll work your legs, chest, arms, and everything in between. looking for a quick start-without the guesswork? 84 straight days of suggested bodybuilding routines will build both your confidence and your muscles. – bodybuilding for beginners includes: bodybuilding exercises you need to know-learn to lift, squat, and stretch with illustrated, step-by-step guides that cover 45 high-impact exercises, as well as 10 warm-ups and cool-downs. – beginner bodybuilding plan-make getting started simple with a complete 12-week plan designed to take you from new bodybuilder to experienced pro. – eating for gains-ensure your diet supports your gains with handy macronutrient guidelines, simple meal ideas, and easy food prepping tips. – make it simple to get swole with bodybuilding for beginners.

If you want to be muscular, lean, and strong as quickly as possible without steroids, good genetics, or wasting ridiculous amounts of time in the gym and money on supplements…then you want to read this book. … the bottom line is you can achieve that "hollywood hunk" body without having your life revolve around it–no long hours in the gym, no starving yourself, no grueling cardio that turns your stomach.–back cover.

"by far the most popular topic among men's health magazine readers is muscle building. young or middle-aged, men equate muscle with power, success, and sexual attractiveness. and a new generation of young men is hungry for a definitive guidebook that shows them the steps to the bodybuilding stage.for decades, the seminal work has been arnold schwarzenegger's encyclopedia of modern bodybuilding, but geny is ready for a fresh new guidebook that takes a healthier approach to bodybuilding written by the poster boy for clean eating and natural homegrown muscle, tyler english, whose youth, long hair and tats, and unorthodox bootcamp workouts will appeal to young lifters.at the heart of english's book is a 16-to-24-week course of weight lifting and nutrition that will shed body fat and trigger explosive muscle growth. exercise by exercise, meal by meal, the reader is shown precisely what to do to build a competition-ready body. but even if the reader simply wants to look his best on the beach, this book will reveal the secret techniques that bodybuilders use to achieve hard, rippling muscle"–

Build muscle, burn fat, and chisel your physique with 100 delicious recipes and customized bodybuilding meal plans.ever wonder how professional bodybuilders get that herculean look? well, you might be surprised to know it’s as much about what happens in the kitchen as it is about what happens in the gym. the bodybuilder's kitchen provides expert guidance on what to eat and when to eat it, and helps you understand how your body uses what you eat to burn fat and build lean, strong muscle. what are you waiting for? dive right in to discover:- 100 delicious recipes for every mealtime with key macronutrients and nutrition panels provided for every recipe- 5 custom-designed meal plans for bulking and cutting phases, as well as plans for ketogenic dieting, calorie cycling, and carb cycling – strategic guidance on when to eat, what to eat, and how to manage your nutrition for optimum fat-burning and muscle-building results with five weekly meal plans, 100 mouth-watering recipes, and expert insight from champion bodybuilder erin stern, this much-needed nutrition book will provide you with everything you need to fuel your workouts and achieve the bodybuilder physique. from salads to sides, meal prep planning to protein bars, this body-building book will be your one-stop guide to bulking up! feel like having a more chiseled physique this new year? join the journey to becoming your strongest self today!

If you want to burn fat, build lean muscle, and get strong, you need to train like a bodybuilder! ever wondered what training programs professional bodybuilders use to get that herculean look? well, natural bodybuilder and two-time ms. figure olympia erin stern knows exactly what it takes to build a body the right way. now you can use the same natural bodybuilding techniques erin uses in this fantastic fitness book to build lean, strong muscle and create a strong, ripped physique.join erin as she takes you through her training techniques and teaches you everything you need to know about strength training, bodybuilding and more, including how to plan workouts, how to bulk up, how to cut fat, how to use nutrition to maximize the benefits of your hard work, and how to take advantage of the essential mind-muscle connection to get the results you're seeking. what are you waiting for? dive right in to discover:- over 60 exercises with beautiful step-by-step color photography, each broken out by major muscle groups, with cardio exercises to ensure you're achieving maximum fat burn – 10 expertly crafted workouts that span from 4 to 6 days and cover all the major muscle groups to ensure you'll never get bored doing the same routine – expert guidance on nutrition, training techniques, supplements, equipment, and more from bench press to box jumps, dumbbells to deadlifts, whether you're just getting started or are looking to take your training to the next level, train like a bodybuilder has everything you need to get the strong, ripped physique you've always dreamed of! fancy a fuller physique this new year? join the journey to becoming your strongest self today!

Most of the 23 million american men who lift weights do so to get bigger; unfortunately, many of them are going nowhere with watered-down bodybuilding routines that don't help them actually get stronger. eric cressey's cutting-edge four-phase program, featuring constant progression, variation, and inspiring goals, keeps you focused on increasing strength along with muscle mass, helping you achieve the fittest, most energetic, and best-looking body you've ever had-with fewer hours at the gym.

Provides guidance on how to use bodybuilding techniques to increase the size of muscles in the chest, arms, shoulders, and other parts of the body

This is a comprehensive, easy to understand, guide for the man or woman who wants to build a great body or for the competition type bodybuilder. the author divides the training section into 3 parts; training for the novice or very beginner, training for the intermediate or more experienced trainee and training for the advanced bodybuilder. within each training section, aceto covers training schedules, repitition ranges for building muscle strength, size and endurance, set selection, and exercise prescription. each exercise is described with a 3 dimensional drawing allowing the reader to grasp the range of motion that best fits each exercise. he also covers muscle physiology, the comparison between 2b fibers and 2a muscle fibers and the importance of developing specific training methods to maximize your gains. the delicate issue of aerobics is also covered with exact guidelines for the pre-contest bodybuilder as well as the trainee simply trying to lose some body fat. specifically, aceto calls aerobics, one of the biggest myths in body fat control. getting lean is about building your metabolic rate by building lean body mass and manipulating your nutrition plan. for most, aerobics is a way to short circuit progress, not enhance it." the nutrition section sets down exact formulas to find precise amounts of calories, carbs, protein and fat one needs to build up or lean down-whatever his or her goal. the latest supplement are also covered from creatine to glutamine and contest bodybuilders will appreciate the sodium and carbo loading techniques. championship bodybuilding is all about instruction. a thorough plan that will help you transform your physique!

(updated)charles atlas transformed himself into a powerful muscular he-man with his method dynamic tension. this book is more than bodybuilding, this book is designed to enhance your overall health, strength and lifestyle. charles atlas will show you first hand, by training you, motivating you, and teaching you how to increase a magnetic personality. you will increase your muscle size, strength and gain confidence life long. charles atlas has inspired millions of young men around the world to be the best they could be.

For thousands of years, the muscular male body has been an object of admiration and a primary subject of art. women, on the other hand, have rarely been celebrated for their physical strength or muscular development. but in the late 1970s, women discovered the sport of competitive bodybuilding and began doing the same kind of muscle-specific weight training as their male counterparts. in the women, author and photographer bill dobbins presents eighty full-color and duotone photographs of top female competitive bodybuilders in a stunning visual exploration of this new phenomenon, and convincingly shows that muscles on women can indeed be beautiful. the photographs, combined with an enlightening text, explore the implications of this new aesthetic for art, sport, and our overall view of the capabilities of women. an unusual and fascinating book for anyone interested in fitness, feminism, photography, or the complex issue of gender, the women is certain to challenge many perceptions.

A new fitness book for men and women over forty from bestselling author and trainer michael matthews.is this a workout book that can make you look and feel like you’re twenty again in thirty days flat? no. is it a fitness book full of diet and exercise “hacks” and “shortcuts” for gaining lean muscle and melting belly fat faster than a sneeze in a cyclone? absolutely not. but is it an exercise book (and nutrition book) that’ll guide you on how to eat and exercise to lose pounds of fat and gain eye-catching amounts of muscle definition and strength? yes. and faster than you probably think possible, no matter your age or abilities. because here’s the deal: muscle building and fat loss after forty aren’t nearly as complicated as you’ve been led to believe. -you don’t need to: obsess over “clean eating” and avoiding “bad” or “unhealthy” foods like sugar, meat, and bread. some foods are just more nutritious than and should be eaten more frequently than others. that’s it. -you don’t need to: spend a couple of hours in the gym every day grinding through punishing strength training workouts. sweating buckets, getting really sore, training until bone-tired…all wholly overrated for gaining lean muscle and strength. -you don’t need to: slog away on the treadmill. in fact, you don’t need to do any cardio exercise at all to shed ugly belly, hip, and thigh fat and even build your best body ever. those are just a few of myths that keep people over forty from ever achieving the lean, toned, and strong body they truly desire. and muscle for life will teach you something that most of those men and women will never know: how to transform your body while eating all the foods you like and doing just a few challenging (but not grueling) strength training workouts per week. oh, and cardio exercise? completely optional. here are just a few of the things you’ll discover inside this fitness book for men and women over forty: -the biggest fitness myths and mistakes that keep people weak, overweight, and confused. for example, “calories are all that matters,” “carbs and sugars make you fat and unhealthy,” and “strength training makes women bulky.” -the primary driver of muscle growth that forces your muscles to get fitter and stronger. and no, it has nothing to do with “muscle confusion,” “functional training,” or any other pseudoscientific fitness nonsense. -how to create meal plans for losing fat and building muscle with all the foods you love so you never feel starved, deprived, or like you’re “on a diet” (and especially a “bodybuilding diet”). -twelve months of paint-by-numbers resistance training workouts for adding lean muscle definition to all of the right places on your body…in only 3-to-5 hours of strength training per week. and that’s not all, either… -360 peer-reviewed scientific studies support the muscle for life system of eating, exercising, and recovering for losing fat and gaining muscle and strength. so, here’s the bottom line: you can get a fit, lean, and strong body no matter your age or circumstances, and you can do it without following a bland diet and without living in the gym doing exhausting workouts you hate. and this book helps show you how. get your copy now, and start your journey to a fitter, leaner, and stronger you…for life!

Get the help you need to achieve a stronger lower body. lower body training is a comprehensive guide containing the most up-to-date, scientifically proven strategies for increasing lower body size, strength, and power. jason brown, a program design expert who has worked with crossfit affiliates and strength and conditioning facilities around the world, shares his innovative programs for a variety of different training goals, ranging from increased lower body size and strength to improved athletic performance. lower body training offers dozens of options for developing all the muscles of the lower body. the exercises are organized by the movement patterns they target–quad dominant, hip dominant, isolation, and plyometric–and feature variations based on the equipment you have available without sacrificing results. you will also find recommendations for selecting a balance of exercises to maximize effectiveness and reduce lower back pain and other potential overuse or acute injuries. best of all, lower body training includes programs using maximal, submaximal, and dynamic training methods. the programs–categorized by beginner, intermediate, or advanced–target specific goals such as hypertrophy, strength, or athletic performance. plus, there are variations for making staple exercises even more effective. whether your goal is increased lower body size and strength or improved athletic performance, lower body training has the tools to help you get there. ce exam available! for certified professionals, a companion continuing education exam can be completed after reading this book. lower body training online ce exam may be purchased separately or as part of the lower body training with ce exam package that includes both the book and the exam.

This is the first and only bodybuilding book written specifically for boys and young men. inside, you'll find a complete routine that's safe, fast, and effective. follow the routine as specified and you'll see results not in months, not in weeks, but literally within days. build super wide shoulders with the upper body squat inside this book, you'll find the king of upper body exercises. a forgotten exercise that is so powerful and so effective, i call it the upper body squat. no exercise has ever worked better for me in thickening and broadening my shoulders. best of all, it's easy to perform and completely safe. build bigger arms with one of the best exercises in the world you'll find an exercise for your arms that's more effective than barbell curls in building thick, "baseball" biceps. it's harder to perform than barbell curls, which is why most bodybuilders avoid it, but it's safer and it will build and grow your biceps muscles much faster than anything you've tried in the past and with less sets. it's safe to perform too. build popeye forearms with a most unique exercise how about a super forearm exercise that only one bodybuilder in a thousand is even aware of? it has the potential to pump your forearms up like popeye's. and all you need is two sets at the end of your workout. you'll find nutritional advice here, geared specifically for growing boys and young men, including the optimal muscle-building diet. you'll find tips on rest and sleep, along with advice on dealing with emotional stress from parents, school, and girls. you can't gain muscle when you're stressed out from life. the bodybuilding advice in this book has never been known to fail. not once. not ever. it's worked for others who have tried it, and it will work for you too. books for boys there are lots of books for boys on the market, but this is the only one geared towards health, strength, and a better life. it's filled with muscle-building advice, safe and effective exercises, life lessons, and a whole lot more. take a gander at the look inside feature and see for yourself. if this isn't among one of the best and most useful books for boys that you've ever seen, let me know and i'll personally sing you a serenade over the telephone.

"this massive and authoritative master blaster book is the greatest bodybuilding book ever written, primarily because it is firmly based on the training principles of the weider system of bodybuilding, which have been followed by literally every bodybuilder in the modern history of the sport. i began developing my weider system back in the 1930s and continue to refine and add new weider training principles to it. you can rely on the information i present in this book to improve your physique. good luck!" — joe weider on instinctive training "one of the most fundamental secrets of successful bodybuilding is getting to know your body and how it reacts to various training and nutritional practices. unless you have finely honed your instinctive training ability, it will take many weeks, even months, to evaluate each experiment. it definitely pays to master the weider instinctive training principle." — franco columbo, two-time mr. olympia on progression "the key to building massive, powerful muscles is to doggedly increase the training weights you use. but it is only good to increase training poundage if you do so in perfect form. there is a direct correlation between the amount of weight you use with perfect biomechanics in an exercise and the mass of muscles that move that weight." — lee haney, three-time mr. olympia on muscle confusion "once i reached the advanced level of bodybuilding and started entering competitions, i discovered that i quickly became bored with a set training program. i began to use the weider muscle confusion principle, changing to a new and more challenging routine every time i came into the gym to bomb a particular body part." — lou ferrigno on supersets "since supersets constitute a big jump in training intensity, i always tell bodybuilders new to the weider supersets training principles to experiment with supersets, compounding movements for the biceps and triceps, or forearm flexors and forearm extensors." — albert beckles, ifbb world pro grand prix champion

Power. speed. agility. pride. these are just a few of the reasons why bodybuilding has become the fastest growing sport in america. from gymnasts to football players, from golfers to boxers, athletes everywhere now are working out with weights to maximize their performance and their lives. and you can, too, thanks to one man and one book: arnold schwarzenegger and his encyclopedia of modern bodybuilding. across the country and around the world it's recognized as the definitive source on the subject — the "bible of bodybuilding." now, fifteen fantastic years after that first publication, arnold is ready to teach and motivate a new generation of athletes with this fully updated and revised new encyclopedia of modern bodybuilding. – inside, arnold covers all the very latest advances in both training and competition, with new sections on diet and nutrition, the treatment and prevention of injuries, and methods of training, each illustrated with detailed photos featuring bodybuilding's newest stars. – plus, all the features that made this book a classic are still here. you'll find every facet of bodybuilding, from the history of the sport to a complete analysis of the muscles in the body, including arnold's tips on how to strengthen, sculpt, and define each and every muscle to create the ultimate balanced physique. – encompassing every stage of your development, the encyclopedia outlines specific training programs for basic, advanced, and competition-level bodybuilders. you'll get expert advice on everything, from what equipment the beginner should use to complete career and competition strategies for the elite bodybuilder. – whether it's your first time in the gym or you're a pro bodybuilder competing in a top event, arnold's inside advice on training and exercise will help you achieve your best. then, once you're ready, the new encyclopedia of modern bodybuilding will prepare you for the intense psychological warfare of professional competition. – applying his experience as the only seven-time mr. olympia, as well as his monumental success as an international film star, arnold shares his secrets about dedication, training, and commitment that will allow you to take control of your body and reach your ultimate potential.

Over 1 million copies sold! with new exercises, additional stretches, and more of frédéric delavier's signature illustrations, you'll gain a whole new understanding of how muscles perform during strength exercises. this one-of-a-kind best-seller combines the visual detail of top anatomy texts with the best of strength training advice. many books explain what muscles are used during exercise, but no other resource brings the anatomy to life like strength training anatomy. over 600 full-color illustrations reveal the primary muscles worked along with all the relevant surrounding structures, including bones, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue. like having an x-ray for each exercise, the anatomical depictions show both superficial and deep layers and detail how various setup positions affect muscle recruitment and emphasize underlying structures. new pages show common strength training injuries in a fascinating light and offer precautions to help you exercise safely. author and illustrator frédéric delavier is the former editor in chief of the french publication powermag. he is a journalist for le monde du muscle and a contributor to men's health germany and several other strength training publications.

Train with the man who trained arnold schwarznegger – joe weider. this instructional book is most assuredly more informative and helpful than that what you might receive with the purchase of your weight-lifting equipment. joe covers all the angles and issues involved with heavy-duty weight-training: the very real risk of chronic fatigue, preparing for a contest, or simply cycle-training for a life time of weightlifting for the non-competitor. there are also suggested routines for various sports–which are only to be followed after at least six months of carefully constructed routines and procedures for the beginner. there is even a chapter on dieting to lose weight or 'cut up'.

This unusual book gives a unique insight into the good, the bad, the "ugh"-ly and the beautiful in the long-existent but little-known world of bodybuilding. it explores the enigmas of skinny runts who become feted adonises, tells of men who would spend their last dollar on a workout and would later become superstars and millionaire muscle peddlers-barons of weight training by mail.