What books are "the ones" to read/own?

[sharkattack]

The thread on Alwyn's book prompted me to start this thread. After reading the thread I realized that there are a number of books out there that you guys recommend. One could spend a small fortune on just the reading material alone. I've basically started my collection with NROL, Brawn, Beyond Brawn, The Insider's Tell All on Weight Lifting Technique, and a few other articles that I've collected.

Some of the books out there are obviously written for different audiences, i.e. personal trainers, gym goers, people interested in fat loss or muscle growth, sports performance, etc. I'm after books/information that will help me build a great looking body as well as help me develop a nice degree of strength. (I'm not after powerlifting courses, or pure bodybuilding 6 day a week stuff either.)

There are a ton of books out there that I would call 'typical cookie cutter bodybuilding books', but how can an average Joe (or in my case, an average Scott ) sift through the garbage and find the ones that are worht the money? I work hard for my money and don't want to spend it on books/courses that are worthless or don't live up to the hype. NROL and the Brawn series are the first books I've been exposed to that really seem to 'go back to basics' when it comes to building a great physique as well as developing some decent strength.

So, that being said, what books are in your collection?
Which ones do you like, and which ones do you regret buying?
Are most of the books that you have available at Borders/Barnes & Noble, or were they only available online?

Thanks guys and have a good one!
S.

[chris_f]

stop by here: What training book(s) to buy for $150?

[jvernacchio]

I would agree with your list and add Muscle Revolution By Waterbury to that list I just finished reading it and have to say NROL and MR have been the best 2 reads this year.

[Simon C]

Originally Posted by jvernacchio

I would agree with your list and add Muscle Revolution By Waterbury to that list I just finished reading it and have to say NROL and MR have been the best 2 reads this year.

I second that.
Gotta go get NROL back from a friend though!

[rookie]

WHat is the basics on Muscle Revolution. What are the benefits of it after reading all the other fitness books. Just wondering if i will gain from it by adding it to my library.

[chris_f]

my purpose for posting that link was that th is discussion occurred less than a week ago in another thread. It'd make sense to continue it there.

[Kevin T.]

I'm pretty sure I posted this link before, maybe it got deleted? Whatever, here's take two: Eric Cressey's Recommended Resources

[Canadian_Bacon]

Starting Strength
NROL
Practical Priotization
Texis Powerlifting
From the Ground Up (And its free too!)
Offseason Training Manual
Black Book of Training Secrets

[laxcdn]

Arnold's encyclopedia of modern body building.

[Lisa~]

I think the purchase of a nutrition book would be a great addition to the information you already have. John Berardi's Metabolism Advantage is economical or you could go all the way and buy Precision Nutrition, which is excellent.

If your goals are general fitness and better body composition, then quality nutrition is a big part of the plan.

[Jen Heath]

Hello, I read your thread. This is one of the most worthwhile books I have really ever read. Kelly has way of getting 'back'to basic' like you said. He takes all the complex stuff and breaks it down into something that really works. This Muscle building book is AMAZING. It is truly a method to improve your lean body mass EFFECTIVELY without gaining a boatload of fat. Many would conisder this a bodybuilding book, however, it really isn't in my own opinion. I am a Professional Bodybuilder, and you can do whatever you want to in the gym and yes, effective training is key, but it is how you eat that determines whether you are a bodybuilder or not :-) Many have complimented Kelly on his style of writing. It is interesting and informative, and gives excellent nutritional recommendations, so that you don't have to spend HOURS figuring out what you need to eat in order to preserve and sculp lean body mass while cutting fat off. Much of transforming your Body Comp is determined on if you know how to cycle your nutrition and training properly. The amazing way in which this book lays this process out is really cool. His methods allow you over time to execute muscle building phases without getting fat, and phases to "cut" without literally keeling over from starvation, with the overall effect being better lean mass, and less fat mass. Anyway, when I read you question, this is what came to mind, as it is some of the best information I have ever come across!

These are the links to his products where you can purchase the books. Most other books that would have had similiar quality information I didn't buy, because they were double, triple and even quadruple the price. His book is amazingly only $39.99 (pricelss if you ask me)


Kelly Baggetts No Bull Muscle Building Plan: http://www.1shoppingcart.com/a pp/?Clk=1717942

Good luck to you -

[Chiron]

I think the list Eric Cressey wrote is a good thorough list.

I've spent way too much on this stuff. Just sticking to training and nutrition, here are some books and DVD's in my library and where I'd put them. Not as thorough as Eric's though.

MY TOP FIVE:
Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning
Exercise Physiology by McCardle Katch & Katch
Precision Nutrition
Supertraining
The Weightlifting Encyclopedia (book & video)

OTHER BOOKS WORTH OWNING:
Applied Kinesiology
Black Book of Training Secrets
Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise
Designing Resistance Training Programs
Modern Trends In Strength Training
Muscle Building Nutrition
New Rules of Lifting
Optimal Muscle Building (book & DVD)
Power Eating
Red Gold
Rock, Iron and Steel
Sports Speed
Starting Strength
Strength & Power In Sport
Strength Training Anatomy
The Metabolism Advantage
The Poliquin Principles
The Science and Practice of Strength Training
The Training of the Weightlifter
The Vertical Jump Bible
Training For Speed
Westside Seminar (DVD)

WORTH CHECKING OUT OF THE LIBRARY:
A Practical Approach To Strength Training
Athletic Body In Balance
Arnold Schwarzenneger's Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding
Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder
Core Performance
Essentials of Weightlifting and Strength Training
Everything You Needed To Know About Fat Loss
Freak of Training (DVD)
German Body Composition Training
Getting Stronger
Joe Weider's Ultimate Bodybuilding
Periodization For Sport
Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook
Serious Strength Training
Strength, Speed & Power
Stronger Abs & Back
Winning The Arms Race
Power To The People
Bulletproof Abs
Beyond Stretching
The Naked Warrior

A WASTE OF TIME:
Heavy Duty
High-Intensity Bodybuilding
Optimum Sports Nutrition
Maximize Your Training