Arnies encyclopedia

Garbryn · 07-03-2009, 07:07 PM

arrived in the post today so im gonna work on reading it cover to cover. anybody else done this and have views on the book itself?

GRAVESY079 · 07-03-2009, 07:40 PM

I have the book, never read it cover to cover.
Can be pretty out dated when it comes to stuff.
But to a bodybuilder/fan of the sport it is just one of those thing you just have to have in the collection.

**T.O** · 07-03-2009, 08:21 PM

exactly

**MikeNYY420** · 07-03-2009, 08:50 PM

I have the book, I kept getting confused and posting questions on here and it turns out that it's outdated and full of misinformation. I would get Understanding nutrition instead, much cheaper and will help your performance much mroe than Arnold's book. I did read the whole thing and knowing what I know now that book is, like I said, not very good.

stateofmind25 · 07-03-2009, 09:31 PM

I like to look at it from time to time for new exercises...it also has a great section on competing.

Stonecold21 · 07-04-2009, 03:18 AM

I bought it and can't say that I got much out of it but as a bodybuilding enthusiast it was interesting reading about Arnie's experiences, daily routine etc.

**islander** · 07-04-2009, 03:21 AM

I loved it for the old school pics. Never heard of running the racks either. Sounds cool, still havent done it. Good inspirational book.

JoshH · 07-04-2009, 03:34 AM

I got it a few weeks ago and am reading it cover to cover, I'm about halfway through. Pretty good book, most of the exersizes I already do in the gym and have knowledge of but I have picked up a few good pointers. It would be a great book for a beginner who doesn't have much knowledge of the sport.

As far as being outdated.. I don't know about that. Arnold was one of the best bodybuilders of all time and these are the exersizes that got him into the shape he was. Sure he had "help" in the form of steroids, but still!

But yea, if you are interested in bodybuilding, this book is a must just to have in your library.

Garbryn · 07-04-2009, 09:37 AM

yes i expected it to be outdated, but as a newbie to bb i thought it might be some inspiration, and generally a good read since i enjoy reading.

i dont know the full range of exerscises either so i can use it plus the internet to get my routine up to date.

TylerDurden389 · 07-04-2009, 10:01 AM

It may be outdated, but at least it's not as outdated as the first edition that he made back in the 80s. Maybe he should make a 3rd edition in 2015 eh?

Famine · 07-04-2009, 10:16 AM

I bought this book years ago, read it cover to cover, and still reference it once in a while. As for being outdated...that's like saying holding a door for a lady is outdated...that's like saying Elvis is outdated, that's like saying writing a message without a keyboard is outdated...these things are timeless...AND SO IS PUMPING IRON...AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

**MikeNYY420** · 07-04-2009, 11:26 AM

Calling the experts.

Read this thread and if you don't get confused then the book's not outdated ok?

tomdelongste · 07-05-2009, 12:41 PM

iv got this book and i read it religiously , its a great help

**MikeNYY420** · 07-05-2009, 12:44 PM

^ So then you didn't read my link...

Famine · 07-05-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeNYY420

Calling the experts.

Read this thread and if you don't get confused then the book's not outdated ok?

I read the entire thread, it is not confusing at all.

We're talking about two different types of "outdated" material. Those that say the book is outdated say so for scientific reasons based on new knowledge of the chemisty and physiology of the human body. When I say it's not outdated, but rather timeless, I'm speaking of his exercises, his straightforward explainations of muscle groups and how to work them, and his examples. The exercises he shows are in fact timeless. Bench, shrugs, rows, Arnold presses, all great, all timeless.

If we're talking about supplements and how to force the body to grow via chemistry and routines, then I believe the members of this forum are the best bet for knowledge on that. Even so, this don't mean this book should be dismissed. I think it's a great read for beginners.

I have his book, and it sits in the workout room. But I also have numerous other books, mags, and files on the pc to supplement the information and take it further than Arnold ever thought possible.

Tony94 · 07-06-2009, 10:33 PM

I got this book 3 years ago when i started, and it still lays next to my bed when i need to change up my routine. I have never read the thing cover to cover, never will. I barely even read my college texts lol. But as Famine was saying great on the workouts, and yes theres a few that he missed but he captures a majority of them in there. The injury sections I have found helpful because im a thick headed italian and ive been biting more than i can chew since i first started to learn how to walk lol.

BiG_mAn · 07-07-2009, 04:30 PM

Does anyone know where there is a free ebook of this anywhere? Links aswell if possible? I am dieing to read this.
Thanks.

**MikeNYY420** · 07-07-2009, 06:40 PM

I agree that there's some good stuff in the book for sure, the exercises and posing. But yeah that's what I'm sayign a lot of the scientific knowledge of teh human body that he talks about is wrong. Just like how he encourages lifting while sore. I'll need to look through it for some routine ideas and exercises though, that's a good idea.