In 2000 and 2001 Ian
wrote a six (6) part series training program for Men's
Health, spread over six issues. Although Ian has been
published in the Men's Health magazine on numerous
occasions, it may have been the popular response to this
six month workout program that prompted Men's Health to
approach Ian to write a book for them, which resulted in
the release of the Book of Muscle.
If the feedback we
received was anything to judge this on...
My first exposure to
Ian came through his 6 phase workout in Men's Health. It
was absolutely awesome. By the end of it, everyone was
asking me how they could get into the same shape as me.
I'd go to the gym, and people would ask me if I was a
personal trainer. I'd tell them to go on the 6 phases =)
It became a common joke with my college roommates, but
then they'd all come to me later behind everyone's back
and say, hey, could I get on that program, could you
show me how?
None of them could last past the first one or two
sessions, though, courtesy of 15-20 reps of the King
Deadlift.
Now understand, I was from a guy who had never done any
previous weightlifting. I did a lot of weight gaining (I
was 6'0" and 220lbs at the time, and very out of shape)
by eating many Dominoes deep dish pizzas. I'd like
to thank you for that series you did with Men's Health
(Get Back in Shape). It really changed my body
dramatically (for the better) and I have people coming
up to me quite often asking for the series. --Sarosh
I actually
have BOM, and I must say it's amazing. And I mean
everything, from text, to photos, to illustrations. So
you got a very good book from a visual standpoint of
view and phenomenal info. The fact that Ian is a
co-author...well I really don't need to add anything
else do I. Buy it!
--Luzy
The
Book of Muscle is absolute best the best book, no
contest! Am I biased in offering this recommendation?
Absolutely yes and most certainly no! Buy this book.
There is no other book for the general population that
so accurately depicts, both visually and with works, how
to perform exercises the way Ian teaches them. I
fact, if I may be so bold, having this book will put you
ahead of 99% of the 'general body-building' population.
--Darren Stehle
I
want to complement you on a brilliant workout: This was
the first workout I enjoyed in my 9 years of training,
and I got amazing results. Thank you again! --Deon
The Book of Muscle was
published in a unique way by Men's Health, fitting for
such unique training programs - Men's Health chose to
produce this book in hard back, and in coffee size
table. Which meant they were willing to invest more than
usual in it's production.
Men's Health and Ian King
have been well rewarded by this book. Evidence of the
sales success of this book soon after it's release were
the reports that this book made the top 20 in the week,
narrowly missing the top 15 needed to be categorized as
a New York best seller; and its Amazon.com ranking in
the low 200's.
Following the release of the December 2003 Issue of the
US Men's Health magazine which included an 8 page
excerpt from 'The Book of Muscle:
The World's Most Authoritative Guide to Building Your Body'.
*
US English - direct sales version has no
dust cover (art work printed straight onto
cover)
*
UK English - has variation on title -
'Muscle'
*
German - in German language
*
Korean - in Korean language
The content
is the same in all versions of the book - great
programs, chapters explaining various aspects of
training, great pictures and illustrations.
KSI
sells the US English version with dust jacket only.
If you want the other variations or translations we
recommend searchiing online or inquire at your local
book store. If you have no success, send us an
email and we will see how
we can help you!
You might
think that the subtitle, "The World's Most
Authoritative Guide to Building Your Body,"
is hyperbole, but The Book of Muscle from
Men's Health delivers as promised.
Australian strength coach and former
powerlifting champion Ian King and Men's
Health fitness director Lou Schuler cover
everything you want to know about your
muscles and what makes them grow, complete
with dietary recommendations, exercises for
every muscle group, and exercise routines.
Each muscle group is illustrated and
discussed, with 149 pages of clearly
described, well-photographed exercises using
a variety of equipment. A section on workout
routines helps you put together your own
program, from beginner to advanced.
Schuler's
guy-talk style makes the book enjoyable to
read, even on days when you have no
intention of going to the gym. The artistic
drawings of muscle groups, full-color
photographs of beginning and ending
positions of every exercise, and stunning
close-ups of buffed body parts make The Book
of Muscle is as beautiful as it is practical
and motivating, an exceptional gift for the
fitness guy in your life, and well worth the
price. Highly recommended for men wanting to
get in shape or stay there.
--Joan
Price
No
stranger to the Men's Health fitness books,
Schuler, writing with King, designs a
thorough workout plan for each part of the
body. The authors begin by explaining the
physiology of muscles-how they grow and
deteriorate, what nutrition they need to
build up. Exercises are then organized by
body sections, with such chapter headings as
"Muscles that Act on the Shoulder Joints and
Scapulae" and "Muscles that Act on the
Hips." With full-color photos and
step-by-step instructions, each entry
explains the set up, execution and
variations of every exercise.
The third
section of the book explains how to devise a
workout plan, while that fourth section
lists 6-month workout schedules for
beginning, intermediate, and advanced body
sculptors. The authors break each program
into stages and offer charts listing number
of sets, number of reps, and how much time
to rest in between. Whether one wants to
build muscles or simply tone them, this book
is the perfect introduction to body shaping
for men.
The Men's
Health Book of Muscle : The World's Most
Complete Guide to Building Your Body Ian
King and Lou Schuler. Rodale, $35 (320p)
ISBN 1579547699.
Finally,
Men's Fitness has gotten it right - a book that
does not promise immediate results...but instead
one that helps you formulate a plan, that is
equal part guide to the weight room, solid
nutritional advice, and key principals for
involving the mind in your workout. This is
without a doubt their best book yet on the value
(and IMPORTANCE) of personal fitness.
Ian King may
not be the best known name in the world of
fitness, but among weightlifters, he is known
for hard core, no-nonsense weight training, with
functionality stressed over mere muscle mass.
Along with Men's Health regular Lou Schuler,
they have compiled the best muscle guide to come
out of Rodale Press - and one of the best guides
I have ever read.
Along with
showcasing the various muscle groups, and giving
well explained details of their importance, the
book goes on to spotlight various exercises for
each group. What is nice about the exercise
pages is that they show great variation in order
to allow for full definition of the particular
muscle, and also give great explanation and
illustration for the exercise, allowing the
reader the chance to really learn more about
proper form. It's great to read a book like that
that uses pictures to explain and educate,
rather than to have an excuse to photograph
chiseled bodies in sweaty conditions.
This book has
everything - whether you are a newcomer, or have
been in the weightroom for years, you are bound
to learn some new exercises, or some outstanding
twists on some old favorites. And the sample
programs written by King are well reasoned, and
offer a creative mix of hypertrophic and
endurance building routines. And they allow for
customization to meet specific body part needs.
Great book
guys - this has me thinking about subscribing to
Men's Health again (if only they would stop
running the cheesy "pump up your sex life"
articles)."
--Kemspeaks
Sections
include Physiology (types of muscle fibers and
technical stuff), Exercises (how to perform,
cautions, variations, and what they work), Prep
Work (flexibility and warm-ups, with routines),
and the Workouts (Ian King is simply amazing. If
that's not everything you need to know about
muscle...
If you're new
to lifting, read it twice. It'll put you ahead
of many personal trainers with regard to your
knowledge of muscle and training.
If you're an
intermediate level, you'll enjoy learning even
more from a pair of the best guys in lifting.
You'll understand more and be able to gain more
from the same time in the gym.
If you're
advanced, you'll appreciate the layout (which is
the best I've ever seen in a fitness book). If
you know everything already, I'm Elmer Fudd.
It'll be a great addition to your library.
If you're
breathing, you'll reap huge rewards from Ian
King's workouts. Be prepared to be awed,
humiliated, and ripped. Ian has an uncanny
ability to make a light weight impossible by the
end of the day.
--John
Book of
Muscle is one of the best books of it's kind
that I have read and I have seen them all. It
takes you on a tour of your body and gives you a
road map to keeping it in the best shape
possible. The text by Lou Schuler is clear and
concise with a no nonsense approach that is
refreshing in this world of "flavor of the
month" workout and fitness books. You learn
about muscles and how to maintain them for life.
The workouts,
by none other than Ian King, provide over a year
of quality, well planned routines that will keep
you challenged and growing. And Ian definitely
follows the less is more principle by keeping
the workouts under an hour. I have been doing
the Intermediate program for 12 weeks now and I
am getting stronger and growing in body, mind
and spirit. King also manages to keep things
lively with changes in routines and innovative
exercises and combinations that beat the hell
out of those monotonous 3 sets, 10 reps workouts
you find in the magazines.
Get Book of
Muscle. It's the best bang for the buck for the
novice and the seasoned lifter.
--Justus
In many
respects this is the perfect first book for
someone looking to get into regular exercise.
More than most other books in the genre, this
one seems to have more than a modicum of
scientific understanding backing it. The first
sections set the tone, going over the actual
science of muscles, why they get bigger, and
how. The authors know their audience, though,
and don't overdo the science. However, if you
are going to lift weights then you need some
level of understanding of what things work and
why. This first section gives you that. I
personally would have liked to see more
scientific detail and references but understand
that that probably would alienate large chunks
of their target audience.
After that
primer you get introduced to the major muscles
and the exercises that target them. There are
also sections on diet, warming up, and
stretching. While none of these sections are
comprehensive, and many have been done better
elsewhere, they are done well enough here that
it makes the book a viable one stop shop for
beginners.
Before you
rush out and buy this, though, there are few
caveats.
One, the book
does not cater to the home exerciser. Depending
on how well stocked your home gym is and how
creative you are with coming up with replacement
exercises this might not be a big deal, but the
exercises DO assume access to barbells,
dumbbells, and a machine.
Two, while
the provided exercise regimen is very good it
can occasionally require more time than you'd
like. Right off the bat King prescribes a
circuit routine to break you in. Each circuit
takes will take 25-30 minutes, and that's with
spending almost no time waiting for equipment or
setting it up. In Week 3 he says "perform two or
three circuits". Then you throw in the 10 minute
minimum warm-up and the 10 minute minimum
stretching that is also recommended. With three
circuits that's 1 hour 40 minutes bare minimum.
And that's not counting time spent changing or
showering.
You can only
do 2 circuits and shave half an hour off. And
not all weeks require that much time. Just be
aware going in that this training programs
prescribed require a certain amount of
dedication. If you can't or won't muster up the
time and focus King's programs require then much
of the worth of this book will be lost on you
and you should probably look elsewhere.
I have
purchased probably 50 or more workout books as
well as magazines of all kinds. As I am a
natural bodybuilder I was hesitant on buying
this book as I thought it was more fitness
orientated. After trying out and formulating
literally hundreds of routines this one truly
hits the jackpot! It's principles are simple:
-eat enough to make sure you gain 1/2 kilo a
week and eat according to a few principles that
maximize the bodies natural hormone output. I've
tried every supplement under the sun and I tell
you the natural hormonal effects that I got from
this far outweigh the synthetic stuff! No more
complicated supplement cycles, just food and if
I want some protein powder. The method of
training is simple, use the absolute best
scientific way to build muscle and burn fat and
you will get the desired result. How far you go
is up to genetics. So far I have gained around 2
or so kg while leaning up in just two days of
training. A must for any serious lifter or just
anyone who wants a good body!
--Jean-Paul
I have been a
personal trainer for over 17 years, and have
read volumes Ian King's and Lou Schuler's books
over the years to advance my own knowledge as a
fitness professional. The very fact that the two
of them have teamed up to give us the BOOK OF
MUSCLE is enough reason to pick this book up
immediately. The illustrations are excellent,
but more than anything, the book contains real
substance. If you can only afford one book to
teach you everything you need to know about
building a muscular body, this is absolutely IT.
It doesn't talk down to the reader, but it
doesn't go over their heads either. It will
certainly expand the reader's knowledge and
understanding of how the body works.
The
Master lives! I have started training using
the beginner program from the book. You may
question this but not having trained with
weights seriously for about 5 years (I muck
about in the gym at home but have done less
and less proper programs. Injury and lack of
motivation always seem to stop me) I thought
that it would be a good idea to go back to
basics instead of trying to rush through a
less organized program or session.
Being
able to concentrate on technique and getting
into a few different exercises has
revitalized my training and I have already
noticed the results. A problem forearm
hasn’t bothered me to date and I feel
confident that taking it slowly will benefit
me greatly. Good to read through and check
the technique tips as well. Nearly as good
as having the master in the gym with you.
Now if I can just get right back into the
stretching I should be in for a great
summer. Thanks again!
--Rod
I just
got your Men's Health book the other day and
I think its great. I've always been a huge
follower of yours and have tried suck up all
the information that you put out through
your books, t-mag, etc... The information in
your new book is put together in a well
organized and easy to understand manner, and
after reading through it I feel like I have
a much better understanding of how muscle is
built and what I have to do to build it.
--Ryan
Just
rec'd your new book from Barnes and Noble.
Wow!!! It's awesome, more than I expected.
Thanks!! I'm 42, and your methods have
given me the ability to train again. This is
not the first book or the only product I
have purchased from you. Every item has
been absolutely great. I work in the retail
industry, vitamins and supplements to be
exact, but I'm also a consumer and I want
quality. Your products are always of the
highest quality and value. The Book of
Muscle is THE definitive book on training
bar none, and trust me I've read them all!
People are crying out for this kind of
info! Good Luck with NY times bestseller!
--Jeremiah Horel
Mr. King,
I want to thank you for writing "The Book of
Muscle". It has made a difference in my
life. Could I get an autographed picture?
--Jason
I have
found over the years I make better progress
when training 3x per week due to
lifestyle/age...etc. If everything is near
perfect (sleep/stress levels...etc) I am
able to recover from 4x per week training. I
am finishing up a training routine in the
"Book of Muscle" (as you know this is 3x per
week training). I have made excellent
progress by tailoring the routine to my
specific needs. I'd like to incorporate the
Get Buffed (4 days per week) workouts to 3x
per week training. I realize I cannot
specialize as much as 4 days per week allows
and I'd have to eliminate some sets and/or
exercises from the workouts to fit the 4
workouts into 3 per week. Any thoughts on
how to best get this done? Thanks.
--DJ
I am
writing to you from Malaysia and to start
off with, would like to congratulate you on
your new book, The Book Of Muscle. I must
say, it covers almost every aspect of
fitness training.
--Ashley
I just
finished week 11 of this program, the last
week of stage 2, and I'm lifting personal
records on most of my lifts, and I feel
stronger than I've ever felt. Also, I feel
like I'm lifting the weights with greater
control than I have in the past. Thank you
for your recommendation.
--Bryant
Dear Mr
King, recently I purchased the book muscle
that you co authored with Lou Schuler. I
would like to say that it is the most
effective, coherent and downright common
sensical publication relating to muscle
building that I have read. I am only on the
eighth week of the intermediate program but
already I can see and feel results!
--Antonio
Your
workouts in Book of Muscle are awesome.
Thanks!
--Brenden
Ian -
Just wanted to drop you a note and let you
know that 'The Book of Muscle' has been
posted in the article 'Stuff You Like' on
T-Nation.com. This article gives a brief
overview of some of the products that have
received high ratings on T-Jack Reports and
will help to maximize exposure for those
products that have done very well. We just
thought you would like to know that 'The
Book of Muscle' merited being mentioned
again. Great product!
To view
the article just go to T-Nation.com and look
at the 'Most Recent Articles' section, first
group at the top. The article should be
right there at the top of this section,
click on the text 'Most Recent Articles' to
see a longer list if you don't see the
'Stuff You Like' article.
--Brandon
Masters, T-Jack Reviews / T-Nation.com
I was
elated to be woken from my early morning
slumber yesterday....delivery: BOOK OF
MUSCLE! Fantastic volume, as always. I
returned home late last night, read it until
I fell asleep...woke up and continued! Along
with How To Write Strength Programs, it is
the only text I have read that details
progressions from beginner to advanced.
Perfect for my learning of Ian's approach.
Gratefully,
--Scott
Received
my copy of the Book of Muscle! The book
holds true to its subtitle "The World's Most
Authoritative Guide to Building Your Body".
This is truly an impressive work and should
be part of any Physical Prep library!! The
content is outstanding - matter of fact - if
it were not for the layout (which is also
very impressive!) I would consider adopting
it for teaching a physical prep course. The
illustrations and photos are great works of
art and at the same time, extremely
informative. . Congratulations on creating
yet another valuable contribution to the
industry!
--Mike
I have
BOM, and I must say it's amazing. And I mean
everything, from text, to photos, to
illustrations. So you got a very good book
from a visual standpoint of view and
phenomenal info. I have read a couple of
times, on some other web page, that it's
overpriced, but people who say that are
idiots. Even if book was not signed by Ian,
I would say it's not bad, but add the fact
that Ian is a co-author...well I really
don't need to add anything else!. Buy it!
--Luzy
Your
latest book with Men's Health is the first
of it's kind on the market and worth every
penny. An invaluable training resource! I'll
see you at the TOP!
--Jimi
My wife
recently gave me The Book Of Muscle for my
birthday. She knows I follow your work and
employ many of your techniques with my
clients. Many of my clients have seen
significant improvements and, most
noteworthy, my client retention rate has
been almost 100% during the last 3 years.
Most of the other trainers I observe have a
large turnover in clientele which is not
surprising given that they serve up the same
cookie-cutter routines for all their
clients.
--Guy
I just
got a copy of your book “The book of
Muscle”, it’s an excellent book with great
photos, and I plan to put some of my clients
on The Beginner Program next week.
--Denetsosie
Just got
the new book... WOW it looks Awesome!
Really! So much class too. The pictures are
great, the layout is so easy to follow. It
gets across your core principles to such a
larger audience. I can only see massive
success (and big$$$) coming your way with
this release!
--Darren
Your
workouts in Book of Muscle are awesome.
Thanks!
Do you have any feedback on the
Book of Muscle?
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