Best workout book

[citizensoldierny]

I've been using the same old encyclopedia of Bodybuilding by Ahnald, since forever and while looking in Men's health and the like recently it appears there has been quite a few exercise innovations lately. Examples being the whole emphasis on the core exercises, sumo deadlifts, kettlebells etc.. Looking for a recommendation for one book that has most or all of the new stuff or even close to it.

On a side note now that I have the workout minded peoples attention any of you using the Iron Gym? I like the idea, just don't want to buy junk. The reviews look good on amazon but I'm a little leery as I'm a far from small guy and always wonder about things that promise too much.

 

[Erebos]

On a side note now that I have the workout minded peoples attention any of you using the Iron Gym? I like the idea, just don't want to buy junk. The reviews look good on amazon but I'm a little leery as I'm a far from small guy and always wonder about things that promise too much.

You mean the pullup bar? I've got one and it works great for me. I don't know how big you are, but it's very sturdy and mine has never damaged my door frame.

 

[Commander Quan]

I have an Iron Gym and as long as your door frame, and the trim around it will hold your body weight it'll work. And as long as your trim isn't more than 2.5 or 3 inches wide. I live in an old house and the original trim on the house is about 6 inches wide and the Iron Gym won't fit on it, but I use mine at my TKD Academy.

 

[The Nid Hog]

...recently it appears there has been quite a few exercise innovations lately. Examples being the whole emphasis on the core exercises, sumo deadlifts, kettlebells etc.. Looking for a recommendation for one book that has most or all of the new stuff or even close to it.

Not a book, but I find that there's lots of good information on Crossfit's website. Great archive of instructional videos, etc. Also a good opportunity to interface with people who really know what they're doing and are happy to share. You can buy a subscription, but the site itself is totally free.

I've also been tempted to buy an Iron Gym, but I fear that by cranking out pull-ups on it, I'll bring my house down around my head.

 

[sero-sed-serio]

i have an iron gym and it works great but its just a pullup bar. i like the book strength training anatomy. it is a pretty classic book that has been updated to include some newer workouts. it doesnt have anything on kettlebells though.
Crossfit has some good workouts but the way they go about it doesnt seem right to me. MAny of the workouts are done on a timed basis which encourages you to rush and is detrimental to form. Form comes before everything.

 

[Stubblefield]

Best book? Starting Strength by Mark Ripptoe. Tomy Kono's book on weightlifting is pretty good also. And while not considered a book, I have a bunch of back issues of MILO that are filled with great info.

 

[Obsessed]

Best book? Starting Strength by Mark Ripptoe.

I just started reading that myself. A lot of great stuff in there that makes so much sense once you read it (particularly with regard to squatting technique) that you wonder why it's not more widely used. Rippetoe is actually involved with CrossFit as well.

 

[The Nid Hog]

I just started reading that myself. A lot of great stuff in there that makes so much sense once you read it (particularly with regard to squatting technique) that you wonder why it's not more widely used. Rippetoe is actually involved with CrossFit as well.

That's right. I haven't looked in a while, but he had some outstanding videos on there too.

 

[TimmyBoston]

The Iron Gym is a good product, I use mine daily. Unfortunately I can't do anywhere near as many pullups as Andy.

 

[crowdog]

No go on the chin up bar, I would probably take the house down.

If you like men's health, I found their "Mens Health Guide to Peak Conditioning" a couple of years ago, and really like it. Very balanced and give lots of ideas and exercises depending on age, level, sports interest. Etc.

Marty

 

[Jethro1984]

I have an Iron Gym. It's great for Dips and Pullups but I don't use it for anything else so I can't speak to that.

 

[Kratos]

The Iron Gym is a good product, I use mine daily. Unfortunately I can't do anywhere near as many pullups as Andy.

I can't ride near as many miles as you! Getting some distance covered, man.

I love my Iron Gym. It's useful for push-ups as well, and you can vary the grip. It's great if the floor is hard on your wrists.

Rippetoe is pretty cool. I saw him just a while ago. He knows his stuff. My mom trained with him for a little while.

 

[citizensoldierny]

Looks like the Iron Gym is going on the birthday wish list. And I'll be looking at Starting Strength there wiki was pretty good, now I wan more.

 

[Stubblefield]

I just started reading that myself. A lot of great stuff in there that makes so much sense once you read it (particularly with regard to squatting technique) that you wonder why it's not more widely used. Rippetoe is actually involved with CrossFit as well.

I think it is one of the more useful books out there, as he focuses on the 3 basic exercises that should be the foundation of everyone's program. His section on squatting is pure gold, and is worth the price of the book alone.

I also like the Crossfit Journal, tho I don't spend much time on the message boards anymore.

 

[Ceezer]

Best book? Starting Strength by Mark Ripptoe.

Rippetoe's book is well received, I've heard, and another I hear much ado about is New Rules of Lifting.

 

[Kratos]

I think it is one of the more useful books out there, as he focuses on the 3 basic exercises that should be the foundation of everyone's program. His section on squatting is pure gold, and is worth the price of the book alone.

I also like the Crossfit Journal, tho I don't spend much time on the message boards anymore.

I read in a couple of different lifting mags that his one pretty close to the best method to teach someone to squat.

 

[Monkeydad]

I've been using the same old encyclopedia of Bodybuilding by Ahnald, since forever and while looking in Men's health and the like recently it appears there has been quite a few exercise innovations lately. Examples being the whole emphasis on the core exercises, sumo deadlifts, kettlebells etc.. Looking for a recommendation for one book that has most or all of the new stuff or even close to it.

On a side note now that I have the workout minded peoples attention any of you using the Iron Gym? I like the idea, just don't want to buy junk. The reviews look good on amazon but I'm a little leery as I'm a far from small guy and always wonder about things that promise too much.

I have the Iron Gym and it's made VERY well and is versatile.

I have it and love it. It's really a great thing to have to motivate you to work out.

I found myself using it several times a day, whenever I walked past it, I'd do a quick 25-50 pullups.

Then I got really ambitious and started doing pullups with a backpack on. What's the backpack for? Weight plates of course. 40 extra pounds on your back is an awesome workout.

It even held my dad, who weighs significantly more than me. No damage to my doorframes either.

I HIGHLY recommend it.


As far as books...does Jack Lalanne have any? I saw some old TV shows of his a few years ago and his workouts just WORKED. He's one tough dude, even as an old man.



I'm sure this will work well too:
http://navyseal.s5.com/workouts.html

 

[SRock]

These days I use one of these. It's not going to bulk you up, but it will tone you and improve balance and stability.

Also, how old is your Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding? It has been updated and changed quite a bit in recent years.

 

[Jethro1984]

I think I have the Revised edition of the Bodybuilding Bible (the Arnold Encyclopedia). Great book even though I do not agree with all of his techniques. Some of his stuff is better suited to juicers.

 

[SRock]

I believe the newest is the grey cover.