Delavier's Anatomy for Bigger, Stronger Arms

GOT EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED

First, let me say that the one book that I would regard as most benficial for designing an arm development program would be TARGET BODYBUILDING by Per A. Tesch. It is out of print, but used copies are available for the ridiculously low price of $5.00 plus $3.99 shipping on Amazon. That said, I have Delavier's book, BIGGER, STRONGER ARMS THE POLIQUIN WAY (if you buy it, buy it from Poliquin's site...it's cheaper)as well as a number of other weight training books. Delavier's book has information that can be found elsewhere. For example, techniques such as cheat repetitions, forced repetitions, drop sets, and rest pause have been around for years and can be found in other books, but they are definitely not in all books. If you are advanced enough to want to start an arm specialization phase, having that information is essential. Likewise, the exercises themselves are pretty standard although I will say that he does illustrate how to make some more effective. I especially like the fact that he shows how to use bands (search the web for Jump Stretch (TM)(also see http://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/bands.html ) Bands to see what I'm talking about when I say bands) to make certain exercises -- barbell biceps curls, push-ups, and narrow-grip bench press - more effective. Oddly, he dosn't show a band being used in the triceps cable push-down. BTW, if you purchse bands for arm exercises, you probably will want to start with the light bands...at least for triceps push-downs. Another nice touch that Delavier adds are sections in each exercise description titled Advantages, Disadvantages, Variations, Helpful Hints, and Risks. There is also a 19-page chapter titled Preventing Pathologies which illustrates and lists the causes of some common training injuries that can result from improper training such as overuse, using weights that are too heavy, improper stretching. personal anatomical anomalies, etc. But, there are some things about this book that bother me. The first is that he does not really caution strongly enough about over-stretching the shoulder capsule. Each person has his own limits on flexibility with some people being a lot more flexible than others. Delavier does say not to do excessive stretching exercises for the shoulders. I would go further and say find out what your normal range of motion/ degree of flexilbility is in each joint and make sure that any given exercise does not go beyond that range. Parallel bar dips, for instance, can easily overstretch the shoulder joint. Ideally, the floor or a box should prevent the exerciser from dropping too low. Likewise, many chest press machines or dumbbell flyes can overstretch the shoulder. Maybe another entire book devoted to weight training injuries is in order. Pardon my soap box. Also, some of his illustrations show a straight bar being used where an EZ curl bar should be used. I'm thinking of reverse curls and a couple of others. Finally, let me say that much of what is described in the book is for young, healthy, fast-healing folks. If you're a geezer or approaching codgerhood, have an orthopedic surgeon check you out looking for signs of arthritis, etc. You may want to concentrate on correcting bad posture first and using joint sparing strength training protocols such as isometrics or SuperSlow(TM)/quasi-isometrics. All in all though, I am very happy with Delavier's book. For me, it was money well spent.

All of his books are great. This is good for a focus on arms, but still useful for all weight training

Delavier has done it again! Excellent book full of very useful and clearly drawn examples of exercises for those wanting to learn the correct form/ technique for each exercise. The book was delivered within three days of ordering which was excellent, all in all very happy with this book will definitely advise my friends and fellow gym goers to buy this book if they are interested in the ins and outs of their exercises.

Detail is great, explanations, illustrations and layout

I lift things up and put them down on a daily basis. This book gives in depth info on how to exercise the muscles that compose the 'arms.' I also bought the strength training anatomy 3rd edition by this same author; it doesn't hold a candle to this book. Some of info is common knowledge but other info really adds drama. As a recreational lifter, my preexisting knowledge is confirmed: eg arm is at its strongest with neutral grip (hammer curls), so I take rest of info with analysis to heart. Lot of quality info that takes into account individual morphological differences in how our bodies are built. At the end of the day, this book won't suddenly give you some esoteric knowledge to add inches to your arm. In fact, doing basic triceps and biceps exercises and other exercises where upper arm is involved as secondary muscle, will take you 95 percent of the way to make your arms as big as your genetic potential permits. This book will give you intricate knowledge on how to target arms with advanced contemplated approach. Moreover, much of its utility lies in information on things like injury prevention and other aspects of iron game. Long story short, if you think this book, or any book for that matter, will unlock some treasure to building diesel arms, you're confused. If you are intermediate or better weightlifter then this info packed book is useful in framing your mental approach on training arms and a very useful reference/study aid at that. Lastly, you gotta have muscular foundation and low body fat to make comparisons with diagrams - otherwise no sense in reading how to target short biceps head when your arms resemble some jello doing hula hoops around a pole. No hard feelings.