Strength Training Anatomy Paperback – January 1, 2001

I've completely looked through about 40 artist anatomy books in book stores and owned 4 total. Overtime I've given them all away as they just were not what I needed. In the end they always have a semi-athletic body drawn in a variety of poses and invariably show the muscles etc. Even "Anatomy For Fantasy Artists" does the same thing, basic break down of a healthy athlete and then later on there is 4 whole drawings of a muscle bound weightlifter.This book however is chock full of every angle you need to reference muscle bound comic characters like the Incredible Hulk. Flexing, stretching, hunching, standing, it has it all. The quality of the art on the front of this book is replicated on every single page throughout. It also explains muscle groups, names, the whole nine yards like typical artists anatomy books.This book won't teach you facial expressions, or dynamic hand and foot anatomy. If you want that buy Burne Hogarth's books. This just has tons of heavily muscled ripped anatomy from any and all reference points you need.I've been searching for a book like this forever, collected weight lifting photo's and more exagerated artists work such as Staples, Bisley, Keown, Bonner and gobs more. For the first time I feel that I am satisfied in a book for my heavier muscled artistic references.I was wondering if I should get Women's Strength Training Anatomy as a companion guide to this book but their is actually a totally adequate section towards the end greatly detailing women's anatomy. Perfect really.Highly recommended if you are into drawing comic book style muscled figures and more.

This book has been very helpful to me in free weight training to validate if I am concentrating on the correct muscles in an exercise. The presentation is colorful, rich and engaging. This is the only exercise book I have seen that approaches the weightlifting body from the inside-out. In addition to the terrific musculature and skeletal diagrams on each page, the exercises are explained briefly but in sufficient detail with pointers for what to do and not do. The most popular exercises are presented here, organized by major and minor muscle groups.This is not another encyclopedia full of exercises (though I find those helpful too). This book helps make you more aware of your muscles so you have another way of visualizing correct form in an exercise. The diagrams depict both men and women in a realistic way so both genders can benefit from the book. However, Delavier has another edition of this book showing other exercises popular with women.I work out at home so without the benefit of trainers or other experienced lifters around me, I have found this kind of info invaluable. Make yourself a smarter lifter and get this book for education and reference into the future.

I buy lots of fitness and strength training books, and this one is by far the best I've purchased. The book may look small, but it provides an extensive listing of exercises and includes tips about variations that will change how you work each muscle. This is important for a couple of reasons.To maximize your gains in the gym, you have to constantly change your program so that your body doesn't hit a plateau. Regularly incorporating new exercises will also keep you from becoming bored with your workout. This book will show you how using a rope attachment with the pulley works a different part of the triceps as opposed to doing bench dips or doing a kickback. Also, the illustrations show you the auxiliary muscles that are recruited during compound movements like presses and deadlifts.At first I was worried that the book might be too much for me to absorb, but it's not because the author does not get overly-technical with the explanations. The text is concise, yet thorough, and the pictures are highly detailed.This is a wonderful reference book, and I highly recommend it.

Using a simple color-coded schema, Delavier combines sound anatomy with bodybuilding exercises to give a unique perspective that will improve your workouts and expand your mind as well as your muscle size. Even though the models for the illustrations have the bulky, engorged muscles that accompany chronic steroid supplementation, and are sometimes depicted in the ludicrous pin-striped, post-Flashdance thongwear popular in California gyms in the early 90s, the illustrations are amazing. The selective use of color makes anatomically relevant highlights leap out. For example, the reverse wrist curl comes to life as the humerus and extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, extensor ulnaris, ane extensor indicus all are labeled in the context of the lift, so you know exactly what muscles are working while you're doing the movement.

"Strength Training Anatomy" covers all the exercises for every significant muscle group in the body with color illustrations showing proper form and which muscles are used with each exercise. It also covers free weights and most of the more popular Nautilus/Hammer machines. For many exercises, it also includes the subtle variations that can be done with certain exercises (for example, using a wide/narrow grip or stance) and tells how the muscles being worked are differently impacted by these variations.Note that this book does not provide a workout or diet plan. It's main purpose is to serve as an illustrated reference guide so you can map out which muscle groups you'd like to target with which exercises. If you actually need a roadmap to setting up a routine, I'd personally recommend "Weight Training Workouts that Work" by Orvis or some other lifting guide in addition to this book. But the Delavier book is a great reference and can give some ideas of different lifts to try if you find yourself growing bored with your current routine.