Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder
3Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder
Five-time Mr. Universe, seven-time Mr. Olympia, and Mr. World, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the name in bodybuilding.
Here is his classic bestselling autobiography, which explains how the “Austrian Oak” came to the sport of bodybuilding and aspired to be the star he has become.
“I still remember that first visit to the bodybuilding gym. I had never seen anyone lifting weights before. Those guys were huge and brutal….The weight lifters shone with sweat; they were powerful looking, Hercule
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Tristan Heberlein (vatolocouno@juno.com)
Great motivational piece for any aspiring athlete,
The book is an autobiography of Arnold, up through the mid-70s. It is interesting to be inside the mind of a super-athlete such as Schwarzenegger. He conveys how and why he rose to become what many believe to be the greatest bodybuilder of all-time. He writes about many of the distractions of the early days — girls, school, parental disaproval, a year of army duty — and how he dealt with these and managed to stay focused on his dream to be the best at the sport.
Within five years he became Mr. Universe. He perservered to become more than just a great bodybuilder. He became a superstar. After he had beat every other bodybuilder of his time, he decided to do away with competing and accomplish his next set of goals. He went into acting, and as we all know, became an international moviestar. In addition he went into the promotion side of bodybuilding, running competions such as Mr. Olympia, Mr. Universe, and of course, the Arnold Classic. He also set up many gyms in several countries.
The second half of the book is a rough guide on how to begin a progressive resistance program, additional motivational advice, nutrition and the like.
Throughout the book he demonstrates the many benifits he obtained from bodybuilding — optimal health, discipline, mind control, etc. Basically, I found it very inspirational to read. However, I would suggest not to solely rely on the information in the second half for workout planning. Though it is good information, it is somewhat brief, and it is WHAT WORKED FOR HIM. Everyone varies in their response to weight training (i.e. how quickly their muscles grow) due to genetic predispositions, such as natural metabolism level, and and I would suggest getting additional, more comprehensive information, such as Gold’s Gym Mass Building Training and Nutrition System, or check your local bookstore and do some browsing through the selection to see what appeals to your interest.
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|Charles Runels Md “research physician & fathe…
Why I gave this book to my son…,
When I finished my first year of college, I had dropped to 135 pounds (at 6 feet and 2 inches…more than 100 pounds lighter than Arnold and the same height). I was over motivated in my studies of chemistry in a premedicine curriculum and finished that first year exhausted with mononucleosis but with a 4.0 average.
But, I decided I would take a different strategy my second year of college. I bought this book (the summer of 1979) and studied it carefully. Here’s what happened…
I spent the summer resting and then started school at 145 pounds. I determined to follow the book to the letter (even the going to bed and getting up at the same time…which doesn’t make for the best social life for a college sophomore). I also watched my thoughts carefully and practiced some of the techniques that Arnold suggests as well as experimented with a few of my own.
When I finished that school year, I weighed 198 pounds and still sported a 29 inch wasit. People who saw me the summer after my second year of college who hadn’t seen me since the previous summer, sometimes didn’t recognize me.
I gained 53 to 63 pounds of muscle in one year (depending on when you start counting) and did it eating the diet described in this book. I even started with 6 weeks on the non-weights/calesthenic routine before lifting the weights. Then I spent the rest of the year doing the “beginner” routine. Oh, I didn’t touch any anabolic steriods but supplemented with brewer’s yeast, descicted liver, vitamin C, and Bee Pollen.
I took to heart the advice about record keeping and about eating at the same time with strict adherence to the diet recommended.
Now, at the age of 45, I still train almost daily, and still use some of the techniques I learned from this book (and teach them to my patients). Still have the 6-pack (though my sons joke with me when I blur out to a “4-pack” and start telling me to get in shape).
Here are some of the points that have been especially helpful…
1. Always leave yourself a little hungry when it comes to exercise (stop before you would like so you want to come back the next day). But, when in the gym train very intensely.
2. Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate (it helps intensity and forces growth).
3. Don’t let anywone get in the way of your most improtant dreams.
4. Eat and go to bed at the same time daily as much as possible (the body thrives on regularity).
5. Keep records. The records motivate you.
6. Use strict form.
My oldest son’s hormones just kicked in (turned 13) and so I bought him this book (still have my old copy, but it’s a trophy now that’s torn and stained with sweat from 20 years ago and it’s not for loan). I think men should celebrate their strength and their intelligence at whatever level nature has allowed them. In this book, Arnold teaches the development of brain and brawn.
Having followed Arnold (like many others) since he was more of a cult hero, it came as no surprise that he would gain a position of power and responsibility. In this book, he teaches the focus that made him a success in and out of the gym. This book helped me gain and maintain the health that I have now at age 45 (so that I might inspire my patients) and helped me go through medical school and grow stronger and healtier along the way.
Thank you Arnold…here’s to you!!
Charles Runels, MD
Author of “Anytime…for as Long as You Want: Strength, Genius, Libido, & Erection by Integrative Sex Transmutation.”
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|“rjgrib”
The Austrian Oak’s inspirational story,
Actually, Arnold wrote this book long before his Hollywood career took off. He tells an honest story about his life and career as a bodybuilder back in a time when bodybuilding was considered strange and obscure. Arnold helped shatter all the myths and stereotypes about the sport and realistically tells us how gruelling and demanding the sport really is. He is correct in accessing that certain body types have a better chance at succeeding while others have many obstacles to overcome. Sheer muscle mass is only part of the sport. Just as important is definition and symmetry. Arnold was blessed with just about perfect body symmetry so he was a natural. This doesn’t mean he didn’t work hard. In fact you’ll gather inspiration as you read about him always pushing himself and striving to do better. Arnold is also not shy about some of the seedier elements that were around at the time he was in competition. Promises of contracts, endorsements, and money could disappear as fast as the unscrupulous businessman who took advantage of them. This is a great book about a great man and brought bodybuilding the dignity it deserves.
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