T Nation

Looking For a Good Bodybuilding Book

#1

My first thread didn't really take off so maybe this one will.

I am just about to finish Thib's I-bodybuilder and I am looking to start a bodybuilding split. I've gotten tremendous strength gains from this program but now I am looking to start a program geared towards hypertrophy.

This website has a wealth of knowledge and I know if I spent a ton of time searching I could probably find everything I need here but I am looking for something a little more consolidated and something I can read in bed or on the go. I'm not looking for a book to give me a program to do but something that explains the methodology behind why I am doing it and what the physiology is behind what I am doing so I can make informed decisions about my own program. I want to know why am I doing a pyramid or dropset or why do I need to work within certain rep ranges.

I appreciate your time and any recommendations you may have.

#2

Chris Aceto’s “Championship Bodybuilding” lays out all the basics very nicely. It hits all aspects of the world up to contest prep even.

#3

I just checked it out on Amazon and it has a bunch of great reviews and it sounds like it is what I am looking for. Thanks a bunch and if that’s you in your avatar nice work.

#4

[quote]Apollo1029 wrote:
I’m not looking for a book to give me a program to do but something that explains the methodology behind why I am doing it and what the physiology is behind what I am doing so I can make informed decisions about my own program. I want to know why am I doing a pyramid or dropset or why do I need to work within certain rep ranges.[/quote]
Hard to beat Arnold’s New Encyclopedia for Modern Bodybuilding for most of that info. It does reinforce the stereotypical “low reps for strength, higher reps for size”-type methods, though. Also, kinda hard to read it “on the go” because it’s huge.

#5

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
Hard to beat Arnold’s New Encyclopedia for Modern Bodybuilding for most of that info. It does reinforce the stereotypical “low reps for strength, higher reps for size”-type methods, though. Also, kinda hard to read it “on the go” because it’s huge.[/quote]

Ha ha it’s funny you mentioned this one. My buddy who was staying with me for a while had this book and I think he left it at my place. I am going to have to go through my storage I think it’s in there and you are right it is massive. You may have saved me some money.

#6

Instead of reading, get into the gym and lift some stuff. Stick to the big 3 (Bench, Deadlifts, and Squats). Also MILK and SQUATS never hurt anyone.

You can do it. Get into the gym.

#7

If you’re interested at all in the history of bodybuilding, I’d check out Muscle, Smoke and Mirrors.

Reading it right now, it’s great.

#8

[quote]dmaddox wrote:
Instead of reading, get into the gym and lift some stuff. Stick to the big 3 (Bench, Deadlifts, and Squats). Also MILK and SQUATS never hurt anyone.

You can do it. Get into the gym.[/quote]

I have been. I am about to wrap up 16 weeks of Thib’s I-bodybuilder. I just want a better understanding of what I am doing. I have had great increases in size and strength using it. I want to start focusing on a bodybuilding split now.

#9

[quote]Apollo1029 wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:
Instead of reading, get into the gym and lift some stuff. Stick to the big 3 (Bench, Deadlifts, and Squats). Also MILK and SQUATS never hurt anyone.

You can do it. Get into the gym.[/quote]

I have been. I am about to wrap up 16 weeks of Thib’s I-bodybuilder. I just want a better understanding of what I am doing. I have had great increases in size and strength using it. I want to start focusing on a bodybuilding split now.[/quote]

Hopefully after reading Aceto’s book you’ll realize how silly the I-BB program is =)

#10

[/quote]

Hopefully after reading Aceto’s book you’ll realize how silly the I-BB program is =)[/quote]

Ha ha Thanks man. I just placed the order on Amazon can’t wait to get it. I-bodybuilder served it’s purpose I guess. It got me motivated and consistent but now I want more. I’ve been at it for 12 weeks and gained over 10 lbs. I started at 160-165 and I’m up to 170-175. I’ve also put about 50 lb’s on to each of my big 3 and I haven’t even hit the chest portion of the program. This may be beginner gains but I will take it.

All and all I am happy with the gains and motivation it has given me.

#11

I have heard carrying a shoe when you take pictures of your abs make you look bigger.

#12

[quote]dmaddox wrote:
I have heard carrying a shoe when you take pictures of your abs make you look bigger.[/quote]

I thought that was to get a proper estimation of body fat percent.

#13

[quote]Apollo1029 wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:
I have heard carrying a shoe when you take pictures of your abs make you look bigger.[/quote]

I thought that was to get a proper estimation of body fat percent.
[/quote]

My bad. I still have the image of him with the pasties on.

#14

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]Apollo1029 wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:
I have heard carrying a shoe when you take pictures of your abs make you look bigger.[/quote]

I thought that was to get a proper estimation of body fat percent.
[/quote]

My bad. I still have the image of him with the pasties on.[/quote]

I bet you do.

#15

[quote]optheta wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]Apollo1029 wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:
I have heard carrying a shoe when you take pictures of your abs make you look bigger.[/quote]

I thought that was to get a proper estimation of body fat percent.
[/quote]

My bad. I still have the image of him with the pasties on.[/quote]

I bet you do.[/quote]

That is the funniest thing on the interwebz.