Strength Training Anatomy - 2nd Edition

The book is broken down into seven major muscle groups: arms, shoulders, chest, back, legs, buttocks, and abdomen. Within each muscle group are multiple exercises, each comprised of detailed anotomical illustrations, instructions on performing the exercises, and key information such as variations (for specific focus on particular muscles) and warnings (to aviod injury).

Using this book, one could easily select a variety of exercises to build a total body workout program. The selection of exercises also allows for some routine variation to keep one's workout from getting stale.

The illustrations are of an exellent quality, as are the materials. The pages are of heavyweight paper, with a semi-glossy finish.

Although I rated this title highly, I did so with the understanding that it suits a very specific purpose, and is not a general purpose introduction or guide to weight training. This is an ANATOMY REFERENCE, specific to selected weight training exercises. It does not contain any other information concerning weight training, diet, exercise, etc. In fact, there is not even a brief introduction by the author, simply the reference material itself. But, in terms of its intended purpose, it is an excellent reference. If you already have some sort of "Bodybuilding Encyclopedia", you probably already posess much of the information contained in this title. Having no interest in the history, self-promotion, and general testosterone driven attitudes of many of those types of titles (as well as the phonebook sized package), I much prefer this concise book as an exercise reference.


Indispensable!   December 12, 2002
MarvelousMarla (Way down in Dixie)
101 out of 135 found this review helpful

I buy lots of fitness and strength training books, and this one is by far the best I've purchased. The book may look small, but it provides an extensive listing of exercises and includes tips about variations that will change how you work each muscle. This is important for a couple of reasons.

To maximize your gains in the gym, you have to constantly change your program so that your body doesn't hit a plateau. Regularly incorporating new exercises will also keep you from becoming bored with your workout. This book will show you how using a rope attachment with the pulley works a different part of the triceps as opposed to doing bench dips or doing a kickback. Also, the illustrations show you the auxiliary muscles that are recruited during compound movements like presses and deadlifts.

At first I was worried that the book might be too much for me to absorb, but it's not because the author does not get overly-technical with the explanations. The text is concise, yet thorough, and the pictures are highly detailed.

This is a wonderful reference book, and I highly recommend it.


Great learning tool   July 6, 2002
Mark (Oklahoma)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I bought this book because it's hard to find a strength training book that isn't full of oversized bodybuilders talking strictly about building HUGE muscles. This book is perfect for the average person who just wants a scientific explanation of which muscles do what and the proper strength training technique to use for each. I found almost all common exercises included, and they are easily organized by body part.


Amazing   January 4, 2002
I. Nieves (Pittsgrove`, NJ USA)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

This book is one of the best book I have found in this subject. I been working out for more that 20 years and studied every major book in this subject and never found anything that comes close to this book. The clarity and illustrations are the best that I seen. Don't get me wrong book such as Arnold's Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding are fine and very informative, but they concentrate on explanation (sometimes confusing) rather than Illustration which get the point accross. I HIGHLY recommendt this book for anything body who is interest in exersice and weight lifting. This book is a must for any serious athelete or fitness person. This is best for men and women as well (I never seen such a well illustrated book about women exercises). BUY IT AND ENJOY THIS JEWEL...