The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding gives you a workout just lifting it. The mammoth book written by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 38th Governor Of California with a little help from Bill Dobbins provides a thorough and comprehensive look at the art form and makes a small cameo in one of our controversial vids.
Whether you are into aesthetic type training or functional training there is something in here for you. Some methods championed by the encyclopedia may be questionable and out dated but as a detailed reference guide the 700+ pages are pretty invaluable.
Arnie's passion and personality come off virtually every page of the biographical encyclopedia. The exercise descriptions and bodybuilding regimes are segued with his personal journey as a muse of the art form.
Enlisted to demonstrate the exercises and methodologies include some of the Governor's pals and fellow Greats of the time; Franco Columbu, Tom Platz, Robby Robinson, Jusup Wilkosz and Bertil Fox.
These Greats' routines and regimes are likely unrealistic for regular 9-5ers like you and I. Bodybuilders of the same calibre as Arnie are fortunate to be able to dedicate a lot of time to rest and nourishment and dare we say it they've been known to throw down the odd performance enhancer which enables them to train for long periods with little rest; so the desk jockey athlete must also exercise caution and common sense when following the routines outlined.
