Is this book worth buying?

You don't need a book. Put together your own workout routine based on what your own goals and objectives are... i.e: Do you want to be a meathead? do you want to lose fat? bigger biceps? smaller ass? figure out what you want to do and then ask for advice. there are quite a few people in this forum who can help you.. DIESEL (who is never around), NEWBIE101 and myself to name a few.

Originally posted by Puma
Is this book worth buying?

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Nope. The training and nutrition principals are outdated and only work if you're on steroids and have incredible genetics. Just do some reading around the internet. There are much better routines and diet plans out there.

NEWBIE101 - You truly are a nubie, so stay a nubie, read more, learn more then speak...Arnolds principles still stand today, the only reason to say that you have to have great genetics is if you go by the workouts he prescribes, not the principles, and there arn't really any nutrition priniples in there either, but just a basic guide on a good died, which he goes in to talk about protein, fat, and carbs, which any site will tell ya...Now how can you diss someone that built one of the greatest bodies in history, damn nubie...ok anyhow...if you're serious about training look into gettin' ian kinds book get buffed you can get it at getbuffed.net and also look into obtaining a copy of charles poliquin principles, it's extremly hard to find this book because its out of print, but if you do find it, cherish it...it's a great read.

Back to me flamin' nubie101 - why do you say steroids, steroids just help you recover faster, there's nothing really wrong with them, they're safer then pro hormones...just that steroids will help you recover quicker, but thats' not true aswell...if you look at dorian yates who is like a number of times mr. olympia, he only trained 4 days a week, and claimed to have overtrained if he did more, and yet he took more steroids then just about anyone out there, with exception of a few pro. bbs out there, peace.

Originally posted by enkai
NEWBIE101 - You truly are a nubie, so stay a nubie, read more, learn more then speak...Arnolds principles still stand today, the only reason to say that you have to have great genetics is if you go by the workouts he prescribes, not the principles, and there arn't really any nutrition priniples in there either, but just a basic guide on a good died, which he goes in to talk about protein, fat, and carbs, which any site will tell ya...Now how can you diss someone that built one of the greatest bodies in history, damn nubie...ok anyhow...if you're serious about training look into gettin' ian kinds book get buffed you can get it at getbuffed.net and also look into obtaining a copy of charles poliquin principles, it's extremly hard to find this book because its out of print, but if you do find it, cherish it...it's a great read.

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Amen...
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Noob101-
The book is worth it, I doubt you have it.
It explains about the excercises and the description of each excercise, then the principle, the diet, the history of it and so on.

Just to correct you a bit, you are a real dumbass on this-
"The training and nutrition principals are outdated".

There is no such thing as outdated or old rules. That's like saying "drinking 8 cup of water is old, you only need 1 today". The principle still work today, that's what important, not "the new theory said this, said that".
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Do you have a pic of yourself? Consider yourself a "dumbnoob101" if you are skinny.

Ummmm.

Yea guys. I suggest you take a look at some of the routines. 25 sets on his chest routine, you guys can have fun doing that.

If you guys wanna juice and you're over 18, there is no problem with it, besides that it's illegal. Yes, I know they're safer than phormones, but most people don't take steroids.

Enkai-Did you notice how I never said anything about Dorian Yates routine being overtraining, because it's not. Why did you bring that up? Maybe you're right about the nutrition principals, I was just condoning not to do the diets or the routines that Arnold did. If you wanna try them with steroids and great genetics, then fine. But, if you don't have great genetics and aren't juicing then I say, GOOD LUCK!

Killer-No I don't have the book. I have seen it though in book stores, I admit some of the pictures and stuff are good. But, if some newbie is looking for a routine or diet plan and wants to try Arnolds, I wouldn't suggest it. Yes, you are right about the history, pictures, and exercise descriptions being good, but you can find that all here on the internet. Sure there are things about outdated rules and principals since there are new discoveries in these fields of science every year. For instance, I can guarantee you that the best creatine on the market right now is better than the best one in 1990. And lastly, no I'm not that huge. I'm decent size. But let me ask you this, since when does a person's size determine his knowledge in the subject of bodybuilding. All the IBFF pro's trainers are smaller than them, does this mean that they don't know as much as them? Yea, that's what I thought.

Originally posted by Puma
Is this book worth buying?

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Not really, unless you like looking at pictures of Arnold. Maybe it can motivate you?

I wouldnt waste the money since everything you want to know is available to you for free on the net.

Another thing, I am always hesitant taking advice from a bodybuilder that is a genetic freak AND takes steroids. Building muscle is something that has come natural and easy to Arnold. I once met a guy who was an approach MACHINE. Any pretty thing that walked by and he was on her like flies on shyt. After about 30 approaches I asked, "How do you that?" He looked at me with a blank expression and said, "I dont know, i just do."

Originally posted by NEWBIE101
Killer-No I don't have the book. I have seen it though in book stores, I admit some of the pictures and stuff are good. But, if some newbie is looking for a routine or diet plan and wants to try Arnolds, I wouldn't suggest it. Yes, you are right about the history, pictures, and exercise descriptions being good, but you can find that all here on the internet. Sure there are things about outdated rules and principals since there are new discoveries in these fields of science every year. For instance, I can guarantee you that the best creatine on the market right now is better than the best one in 1990. And lastly, no I'm not that huge. I'm decent size. But let me ask you this, since when does a person's size determine his knowledge in the subject of bodybuilding. All the IBFF pro's trainers are smaller than them, does this mean that they don't know as much as them? Yea, that's what I thought.

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Of course, nothing is perfect. Nowaday, you can find everything on the net but the thing is, having a book, by you, wouldn't that make it easier on your life? Rather than, while working out, you have to run to your computer, then wait for it to load, then get on the net, then get to the website, then wait, then look for it, while you have a book.

I never said that a person size determine everything, you noticed I've said that if you have good genetic, consider yourself LUCKY. Amen, on the creatine part better now than 1990, but the principle will never change. A superset will always be a superset, not weakset or whatever they can come up with now.

The book is worth buying because it's rather a reference. Maybe I was wrong if Puma mean to "read it" literally.

If you really want to learn how to get big and cut go to bodybuilding.com. There are hundreds of articles on things from training to nutrition from some of the greatest bodybuilders. They also have a good discussion forum there too.

Originally posted by daman01
If you really want to learn how to get big and cut go to bodybuilding.com. There are hundreds of articles on things from training to nutrition from some of the greatest bodybuilders. They also have a good discussion forum there too.

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Are you a member over there? I am. If you are what's your username? Yes, that is the ultimate forum.

Originally posted by NEWBIE101
Are you a member over there? I am. If you are what's your username? Yes, that is the ultimate forum.

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Yea I am a member there. My name is agjas001. I haven't posted there in a few months. I think the forum has gone down a bit lately. There seems to be a lot of meathead asholes there. I mainly look at the articles there. I also buy some supplements too, they have good prices.

Well there is a whole lot of issues thrown up from a pretty simple question! In my view Arnold's Encyclopedia is worth a look, especially the later edition. Sure, he does advocate too many sets for the average guy but if you are doing too many your body will tell you and you cut back - common sense really. The first book I ever read was Arnold's Education of a Bodybuilder when I was 14 and it inspired me like nothing else I have ever read (except this board of course ).

Another good read is the Ironman Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding which is rather like a collection of articles. Some superb training and scientific info - although some articles contradict others - a minor flaw as in my view bb is not an exact science and what works for one may not work for another. There is SOOOO much info on training both in print and on the net that you have to try things out for yourself and see what works. There is no magic training formula or supplement or drug - all these can help but your genetics override everything. I have seen guys train in the most sloppy of ways yet they looked awesome.

Can't remember who posted about Dorian Yates steroid use but you must be very close to the man to know how much gear he took. Dude - most, if not all pro bodybuilders take a truck load of drugs, some will show more evidence of it than others. One thing regarding DY - he was the most dedicated and meticulous pro there ever was - yes he had the genes but he maximised them more than any other competitor ever in my view. I believe he was a heavy dose user - as I believe 95% of pros are.

With regard to using gear generally I think 18 is too young. Steroids can put many guys into a negative state of mind whereby they think they cant gain without them - I have seen many guys like this - and at 18 you are not mentally OR physically ready for them. The body at that age is a testosterone factory to be taken advantage of with no need for synthetic test. Wait til at least age 21-22 and 24-25 would be better.

Originally posted by daman01
Yea I am a member there. My name is agjas001. I haven't posted there in a few months. I think the forum has gone down a bit lately. There seems to be a lot of meathead asholes there. I mainly look at the articles there. I also buy some supplements too, they have good prices.

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Well some of the sections have gone down the drain. But if you go to where I hang out like workout programs and nutrition there is some good advice. My username is bignbuff.

I think the book is worth it because:

a. You get tons of pics of Arnold (who is still the coolest, most aesthetic builder of all time)

b. You get tons of great pics on exercise execution and selection

c. You get great advice on EXERCISE EXECUTION. (To note: look at how Arnold does "skullcrushers" and then look at how every other book tells you to do them. I've tried them both, and Arnold's little "variation" makes all the difference in the world)

d. You also get great advice on the mental aspects of training


The book is flawed because:

a. Arnold never comes out and says he's on the juice.

b. His workouts (especially the Competition routines) are impossible to complete without overtraining if you're natural.. hell, most juiced bodybuilders had trouble keeping up with Arnold back in the day !!

c. Arnold discounts the role of genetics in bodybuilding... some guys, unfortunately will never come even close to looking like Arnold, even on the gear..

d. A lot of the training advice and rationale is now outdated.

As a whole I would say if you're a newbie who has got 20 bucks burning a hole in your pocket... then knock yourself out..

D

come on guys, it's a great newbie book. A lot of basic principles, diet advice, mental focus aspects, and intensity techniques.

Ok...this thread can now retire...