Hardcore Bodybuilding: A Scientific Approach

by Frederick C. Hatfield

Book Overview

"If you're really into the great sport of bodybuilding, getting massively huge and 'shredded' is great. If you're an athlete from any other sport, getting as big as you need to be in order to improve... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809237288
• ISBN13: 9780809237289
• Release Date: September 1993
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 2.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.8" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

Put half inch on upper arms in 2 months

I got good results with this book. Carefully following his diet and workout plans, I increased my upper arms measurement by half an inch in just 2 months. I'm not promising it will work that well for everybody, but I am one satisfied customer. Maybe you could find all this information on the web, but because of the nature of the web, information tends to be in small articles or discussion groups and mixed in with a fair amount of misinformation, conflicting opinions, and advertising. So, I think it is best to read a few books like this one and then supplement with the internet information. This book is not just an encyclopedia of every conceivable exercise and variation (if you want that, there are other books out there), it's not just a bunch of unrelated magazine articles shoved into a book format (there are plenty of those kinds of books too), it's not just a bunch of fluff with a picture of a grunting bodybuilder on every page (although it is adequately illustrated), and it's not just the expression of one person's bodybuilding philosophy based purely on anecdotal experiences (Hatfield has tremendous experience, but also makes every effort to modify his methods based on the latest available scientific information). Hardcore Bodybuilding shows you how to cycle intensity, how often to work out, recovery time for different body parts, recommended exercises for different body parts, how to do the exercises, what to eat, how often to eat, how to cycle your diet to lose fat and gain muscle, how long it will take, how to estimate percentage body fat, what supplements to take, etc. You are expected to develop your own plan of attack to fit your schedule and goals, but all the concepts are there with examples to get you started. Hatfield's honesty may scare off some people. He makes no bones about how hard it is to be successful at bodybuilding with no drugs and does not promise over-night success. If you are not willing to put in a significant amount of time and effort, you may not be satisfied with his approach. On the other hand, he does present work out plans for beginner-to-intermediate bodybuilders too, so you can grow into it. However, that is not the focus of this book. The book could stand some updating. For example, the author promotes the use of aspirin during training, but recent studies suggest aspirin (and other similar pain killers) may inhibit protein synthesis. Also, Hatfield recommends not eating immediately before or after a workout since this supposedly inhibits growth hormone. However, more recent scientific studies seem to suggest that a post-workout meal actually has the opposite affect. (This still seems to be a controversial subject on discussion forums.) Also, I have noticed that for some reason, the book doesn't discuss neck specific exercises. I am talking about exercises using a neck harness, wrestler's bridges, or other exercises specific to the neck. I'm not talking about traps. (I think it is intere

Best Book on Bodybuilding I've seen yet.

I can't believe the people that have complained about this book. I will answer them all. First off I have owned this book for 10 years and still get new information out of it. It has been the best 15 dollars that I have ever spent. One guy said the program is too rigid. What? You are supposed to use the information to come up with your own program. Didn't you even read it. This book will tell you "how" to create a great body. It is not a simple do this type of book. No. This book is for people who want to know why they are supposed to do things, not just a simple recipe to follow. But even then, yes, the most in dept routine (as an example) is there for you to study. It is there so you will understand the concepts so you can create your own system. Why do you think there are 425 pages on information in this book? It is not so you simply follow the example routines on pages 55-60. It is so you will learn how to develop your own system depending on what your goals are. One guy said there are better books out there. Yeah right, I've been looking for ten years. I foolishly bought books from other "name" people in bodybuilding and they were almost useless. Sure they went over how to do certain exercises and had many pictures in them, but did any of them have a break down of every type of skeletal muscle fiber and the best way they respond to movement (exercise)? No, not one of the "other" books did. The only books that I saw that anything even near the amount of fundamental knowledge about bodybuilding in them were medical in nature and cost over 50 bucks. None on the market have this much vital information for only 15 dollars. That's why in ten years it's the only bodybuilding book that I still have. I gave the other ones away to people who wanted some info. I have showed my book to about 30 people but I will not lend or give this one away. If you want to work on your body and you have 15 dollars, then there is no better book out there. Period. There are certain section that you may want to get more information on, which is how the web site is helpful and why there is so much information there. Together, you can't bet it. The web site is free and the book is only 15 bucks.

The Real Stuff

I bought this book with some reluctance because there are so many titles one the subject. However, I have read a lot of Fred Hatfield's columns in the magazine's and figured he knows his stuff to be around for as long as he has.The book has been WONDERFUL! Dr. Hatfield makes a great case for his approach so I tried it. I have gained 16 pound of muscle in 8 months! I have been thrilled with the range of information presented in the book and thrilled with the results! I have used the information and found it to be right on, no nonsense and straight forward.

Super source of information

If you ever wondered whether you were maximizing your workouts, and wanted to locate a good source of information, this book is for you. One of the finest "one-book" overviews out there. Easy to read, easy to understand, and packed with useful and easy-to-understand information that you can take right to the gym. Have used the book to produce great results in the gym, and have passed it on to friends who are doing the same. Highly recommended.

His books are some of the best I've ever read.

Fred Hatfield is the man known as 'Dr Squat.' His books are some of the best I've ever read. If you seek an understanding of how your muscles work and grow his books are a must. You do not have to have a Ph.D. to understand his writings. This book covers all types of training, with good and bad points, with solid information on the how and why. He is very well researched and experienced. NBAF 'very best'.