Selected Book
Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding: The Complete A-Z Book on Muscle Building
- Hardcover
- Edition: Har/Pstr
- Author: Robert Kennedy
- Publisher: Robert Kennedy Publishing
- Release Date: October 2008
- ISBN-10: 1552100510
- ISBN-13: 9781552100516
- List Price: $39.95
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Summaries and Customer Reviews provided by Amazon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Comprehensive, but not in depth
Rating: 
This book is extremely comprehensive, and filled with a ton of high quality information, gorgeous pictures, and advice from the pros. It is lso brand new, so the information is 100% current. On the other hand, it does not go very deeply into a lot of the details. For example, there is a good description of various workout schedules, but no examples of what sample routines in most of them would look like. Likewise, the descriptions of the exercizes are woefully inadequete, and relegated to an appendix, with only a few pictures (typically 1 picture for every 5 or so items). If you are not familiar with the words that describe exercizes, you will have a hard time understanding these descriptions.
I really can't compare this book to many other sources; the only other body building book I've read is The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding : The Bible of Bodybuilding, Fully Updated and Revised by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Comparing the two, I think that this book covers a lot more ground, is much more modern regarding some things (you have to keep in mind Arnold's background and take a lot of what he says with a grain a salt... much of it is old wive's tales...). for example, I've tried Arnold's recommended 6 day split, and like he said, I got awesome results... but at the same time, every 6 or so weeks, my body would collapse and I would need to lay off for at least a week. This book talks about that, and I feel a lot better know that it isn't just me, and that the 6 day split is too grueling for most people. I am looking forwards to trying some of the alternatives now, and no longer feel like I'd better "slacking". But Arnold has a MUCH better section on how to perform the exercizes.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a good survey of the bodybuilding landscape, and then supplementing with a book devoted specifically to "how to perform exercizes", or even Arnold's Encyclopedia.
Great Encyclopedia
Rating:
As a MuscleMag Subscriber, I truly do believe in Robert Kennedy's knowledge, ideas, innovation, and all of the wonderful things he has brought to the world of bodybuilding. A great read for beginners and veterans alike, this encyclopedia is 792 pages full of knowledge. Although a couple of chapters may seem somewhat boring (such as describing the difference between dumbells and barbells), this book is an exciting read and hard to put down. Tons of knowledge, Robert Kennedy knows his stuff. I do wish, however, that more of the M.A.S.S. Phases would have been included in this encyclopedia. Only the first three were included, while there were over a dozen phases published in MuscleMag.
Fantastic read, tons of information for rookies and veterans alike!
Bodybuiding A-Z
Rating:
This book has basic information for the beginner. It's not as impressive for advanced trainers, bodybuilders or fitness professionals. Big book, heavy weight wise, filled with a lot male pictures. This is not geared for female competitors. The title should be " Encyclopedia of Male Bodybuilding for Beginners".
You get a workout just holding the book!
Rating:
This book is beautiful! I have a large library of bodybuilding books and magazines collected from the 80's and I'm always looking for something new and different to add to my collection, which is not always easy since every book out there seems to be a repeat of something else.
The book is a hardback which makes it somewhat heavy and awkward to hold and I can see over time how the binding may start to get stressed and begin to break because of the weight. If it's placed on a sturdy shelf and cared for, it should never fall apart- but it's something to consider. I almost wish they would have just made it a paperback because books are meant to be read and therefore endure some level of abuse from time to time. Hopefully they will get a paperback version out there soon. Also, it has a dust-jacket which is a bit annoying because of course it's going to slip off and get torn over time.
The book covers almost every aspect of bodybuilding that I can think of, including history and famous bodybuilders (vital information for beginners to the sport), how to stretch safely (something most bodybuilders overlook from time to time), how to make money in the industry, contest preparation and promotion, mass gaining, "the pump", individual pro's workouts, nutrition, basic physiology/biology, a "question and answer" chapter in the back, side affects of steroid use, training injuries, etc.
Really there's nothing it doesn't cover, so a beginner to the sport would really get a lot out of this large book. I am a natural competitive female bodybuilder and am also a personal trainer, and still found this book to be informative and thorough and am proud to add it to my extensive collection of literature.
The pictures are mainly of male bodybuilders which is always disappointing because I think it's equally important to read about the history of women's bodybuilding and explain the differences in muscle building between men and women. There is a quick rundown of the beginning of female bodybuilding with a large picture of Cory Everson (page 24-25), but it's really only two pages long and gives a basic explanation of why female bodybuilding is not as popular (ie. extreme masculinity being a turn-off, etc).
I subscribe to MuscleMag International and have for years, so I'm used to the writing style and information that Robert Kennedy provides in his publications. The pictures in this book are some of the best I've seen in any book I own, and they are inspiring. As a trainer, I like to keep myself informed from a scientific viewpoint, but also from the perspective of the people I train. Most of them will pick up books like this looking for information and it's important that I know what they are reading to better guide and educate them. This is one book I would recommend to any client of mine who appreciates the bodybuilding lifestyle and is not turned off by the larger than life physiques in this book. It is thorough enough to educate a newbie- but to also shed some light on the bodybuilding counterculture that is truly fascinating and unlike any other sport in the world.
Not on par with Arnold's Encyclopedia of BB this is better :D
Rating:
Musclemag is my favourite BB Mag, and Bob Kennedy has written many great books, so I had very high expectations from this book.
Let me tell you that, while it doesn't exceed my expectations it very well satisfy them.
It covers many grounds that Arnold's or Bill Pearl's Encyclopedia's didn't cover, Bob Kennedy is a great writer and publisher, this book is another testimonial for that fact.
Let me Share its Chapters:
1.Laying the Groundwork
2.The Body You're Building
3.Ready,Set,Go!
4.Principles of Nutrition
5.Intermediate Level Concerns
6.Advenced Level Training
7.BB the Greatest of Sports
8.Earning Living through BB
9.The Big Seven Exersizes
10.The M.A.S.S System Training
11.Training with the Superstars
12.The Complete BBer
13.BB Sociology
14.Hardcore Growth
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