Books is the BEST I have ever seen on showing muscles for each exercise. Hands down winner. All my workout partners use it often to review our exercises.

But we also found a book that has the workouts planned out in simple charts. Has the weights, # of reps and everything. AND THEY WORK. I have lost over 12 lbs of fat in 3 months and spend less time in the Gym.

The books.
Weight Training Workouts that Work by James Orvis.

There are 3 books in the series and they have been great addition to Strength Training Anatomy.

My recommendation -Start lifting weights - everyone/any age/right now! I am 41 and feel better than when I was 25!

If your goal is to build strength and get in better shape, this book is your personal trainer. Each chapter; Arms, Shoulders, Chest, Back, Legs, Buttock and Abdominals includes many options for working out. Each page within a chapter focuses on just one exercise which is described and illustrated along with alternate methods of execution. Both male and female figures are used in illustrations and the major muscles used are highlighted making it easy to track your overall progress. All of the exercises may be done at the gym but many can be done at home with little or no equipment. Strength building is the main goal of the book but an important added value is learning the anatomy of the human body. As a former corporate training professional, I am very impressed with the quality of instruction in this book.

this book is phenominal and i strongly suggest buying this book if you are at all serious about the gym... actually even if your not serious, this book might make you serious

I just had to leave feedback on this book because I just ordered my SECOND copy of it. I ordered it after a coworker showed me his old copy. I was amazed at how it showed you which specific muscles are used during each exercise (that it details how to do). I've been looking for a book like this for a while. After getting this and the female edition (for lower body. Has many more exercises than this book.) and showing it to my husband, he just about grabbed it and ran off with it. He is a firefighter and has the luxury of working out at work and "STOLE" our home copy to keep at work (he's there for 24 hour shifts). So here I am back buying another. THIS one stays at home. lol That should tell you how awesome this book is.

Excellent reference book for pro or layperson. For example, what muscles
are you working when you do pull ups? Watch video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N0N--gkaSg

The 16 Minute Body Sculpting Kit: Attain Your Dream Body in Just 16 Minutes a Day!

This book is incredible in its details. You get a complete picture of how each muscle is used during a certain exercise. I've never seen a book with this level of detail. Great for both men and women who lift to get a better understanding of muscles used. Includes upper and lower body diagrams!

This is a great book for anyone who is looking for a better understanding of exercise physiology.

I had hit a plato in my strength training and the CTO of my company recommended this book because it shows different way to focus on the same muscle groups. This book is very helpful and the diagrams are so detailed, also points out incorrect ways of doing exercises which helps prevent injury. I got everything that I expected out of this book! Amazing book for the value.

If your new to working out then this book is for you. If you know the basics already then you don't really need this book.

If you are looking for a no nonsense book to show you exercises that target certain areas of the body without a lot of fluff, then this is the book for you. It is a great guide if you are looking for guidance on how to properly lift weights, or target muscle groups for growth. It is set up very well. If you are working out arms, you simply turn to the "arms" section and pick the exercises you want to do. It even gives you tips on how to avoid injuries like torn rotator cuffs, back, etc. I highly recommend it if you are getting started at resis5tance and weight training.

What can i say?
It's a great book with a lot of excercises and many detailed figures of every muscles involved in every single workout.
It's a great deal.

This book gets excellent reviews. I guess I felt a little bit like the book was going to be different so that's why 4 instead of 5 stars. For example, while the squat is covered, it really doesn't detail which muscles perform which activities and various points in the lift. The squat is clearly the basis for most serious lifting programs, and I really could have used 10 pages to cover the various aspects (perhaps more). I realize this isn't a technique book, but thought to some extent it was about showing you the anatomy during proper technique. This is more of an anatomy book than something in the lifting category. There are a few good 'side bar' type notes on various injuries which did provide useful information. Also, there is no index and the book's organization is perhaps not as good as it could be. Now I have an anatomical reference book on my bookshelf.

Simply stated, this book is awesome. I just started working out this year. Everything my hired trainer is teaching me is in this book, and more. I love the way it shows you exactly what muscles are being affected by an exercise. If theres something you want to target on a certain day, just get this book out and start working! It is great!

Best book you will out there - A must have!
Book is great reference book on bodybuilding and strength training. Know the parts and work-out parts and design your own regiment.

I think this is a good book to supplement a bodybuilding book collection but is not a primary source on how to do gym exercises, but will give you additional ideas and information not found in other sources. The presentation is excellent and the design is superb. You will rarely find an exercise book that looks as amazing as this one and certainly it is a must for any bodybuilding/sport collection. You won't be disappointed.

However this is not a primary book on how to do the exercises, but if you know how to do the exercises then this book will come as a huge bonus to your routine. What this book is really good at is illustrating muscles in action, contractions and extensions. It really is an astonishing anatomy book that covers the kinetics very well. I have often picked up this book and flicked through the pages to give me some extra pep before I go to the gym and that is really what it is for.

It is quite a thin book though in comparison to many bodybuilding books but that is because it is light on text and heavy on illustrations. I think it complements a collection perfectly but isn't a beginner's book.

The information provided in this book is not rigorously based on in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and exercise kinesiology. For example, the Bridging exercise is shown in this book to exercise only th buttock muscle. Anyone who has done this exercise will know that it works the lower back just as much if not more. It seems that the author simply assumed what is going on without much studies. The only value of this book is all the drawings. It may help some people understand their muscle better and can be used as a simple reference but should not be taken seriously. It is not really worth buying for people who just want to learn how to exercise. It doesn't really give you ideas on how to plan your workout.

I just ordered this book of Amazon and already received it. This is definatly the best Strength Training book published. It shows 100s of workouts for all parts of your body including your arms, legs, buttocks, back, chest, abdomen, and shoulders. Now, I am 13 years old and I am currently lifting weights, so since Im younger than most guys, I like to make sure I know what Im doing so I dont hurt myself, and this book gives me it all. It tells me how to do workouts, different ways of doing them, what muscles it mainly works, and it even informs you on possible injuries.

I recommend this to anyone intrested in getting a Strength Training book

Very good for those who wants to know deeper what is going on with the muscles, tendons and bones, when you do weight exercises. Which muscles works with which exercises (and its variations), and secondary muscles too.

Excellent illustrations, excellent explanations (including how the exercise is done), and how to prevent injuries.

Very interesting and useful. Several exercises included for all parts of the body!
It really worths!

Very nice book, with a lot of excersises that are availible in most fitnessrooms and group excersise classes. For all this excersises it is shown which muscles are used and how to do it correctly. Also some variations are shown if these are possible.

Good book gives a great overview of what workouts target specific body parts and how to do them.

This is the workout bible! I've been working out for fifteen years and this is the most complete and amazingly illustrated weight lifting book I have ever come across. A variety of specific exercises for each muscle group is demonstrated with easy to follow instructions and detailed pictures. The primary muscle groups in each exercise are highlighted red and all muscle groups used in the exercise are labeled. The book is well organized and grouped by category as follows:
* Arms
* Shoulders
* Chest
* Back
* Legs
* Buttocks
* Abdomen
THE BEST WORKOUT BOOK EVER!

Excellent resource for budding fitness instructors. Practical and clear. Easy to follow and understand.

The book gives a general overview and a basic information to the adults.The material is presented with detailed art work and anatomical analysis with specific information to address most all questions and problems that arise during the body building proces. I found this book as a very usful guide to building your body.

I am an ACE Personal Fitness student and this book may have ensured that I pass the exam. Absolutely wonderful for pros and those just interesting in exercise or anatomy. Do not let this one get away!

This book is an excellent tool for anybody looking to sculpt their body through weight training. The illustrations in the book are designed around specific exercises and allow the reader to plan their workouts with specific muscle groups in mind.

The book contains a comprehensive amount of exercises - ranging from beginner to advanced - and with detailed illustrations on how best to perform each exercise.

Also, below each illustration, the author provides step by step instructions on the mechanics of the exercise, and also provides tips on what to avoid and what to focus on during each repetition.

The combination of great illustrations, a comprehensive repertoire of exercises and concise, written instructions make this book a superior tool for anybody interested in learning more about strength training.

Very well written and the anatomy pictures are very well done. He brings the two together to give you a better understanding of bodybuilding!

This is a great book, back to basics has all the fundamentals. Great book for beginners

Regards
Ken

The drawings in this book are certainly some of the best I've seen in this category.

In terms of content, this book is divided into various body parts namely arms, shoulders, chest, back, legs, buttocks and abdomen. There are more than 10 exercises under each section. For each body part, a series of exercises highlighting the muscles involved are presented. All active muscles are highlighted and the passive ones are labelled as well. Note accompany the drawings to provide instructions on how each exercise should be performed.

Both male and female bodies are featured. Exercises featured include those using free weights and machines. After reading this book, anyone interested in strength training (not necessarily serious bodybuilding) should be able to choose a few exercises that will suit his/her needs. No need for expensive gym equipment or memberships. The book shows us that some highly effective exercises can be performed at home or the children's playground.

Once again, the drawings are simply awesome. A great reference book for anyone who is intrested in strength training.

This is an excelent book to have in mind and not only on your book shelf,i strongly recommend it for those who really intersted in bodybuilding. But the only thing that i didn't enjoy is that it doesnt tell you the muscle that does most of the work for an excercise. For instance in bench press, it highlights all the chest muscle and doesnt specify the middle one.

This is one of the best weight training guides that I've found. The art illustrations are beautiful and very educational and it is an excellent technique guide as well. I refer to it several times a week for tips and ideas about my workouts. There is a significant amount of detailed information that will help weight lifters and fitness buffs no matter their skill or fitness goals. I highly recommend it for technique, variety and injury avoidance.

Sometimes, I get frustrated when exercising. I know that a little strength training is supposed to be good for my bones while promoting weight loss. Unfortunately, I usually only have half a clue about what I'm doing. Thus, much of my workout is spent worrying whether I'm doing the movements correctly, hoping I don't hurt myself, and wishing I had a personal trainer to tell me what to do.

Strength Training Anatomy is definitely a better alternative. This book includes 15 different strength training exercises (free weights and resistance), focusing on the arms, shoulders, chest, back, legs, and buttocks. The proper range of motion is illustrated for each exercise (including variations) with the particular muscle groups highlighted in full colour. Both male and female body types are shown. The text also includes special features about common injuries: what causes these problems and how to avoid them.

Now, when working out, I am far more confident. I know which muscle groups are supposed to be in motion. I know how to avoid potential injury dangers. I even have an understanding of how to adapt these exercises to best suit my body form and abilities.

A must have for body builders or for someone who is looking to learn more about the anatomy of muscle building and proper exercice. I use this book as a regular reference while working out to help me remain focused on the muscles i am working out. And helps to depict what muscles i am trying to work. EXCELLENT! 10*'s

If you work out at a fitness center, this book is a must. It has wonderful illustrations on what fitness equipment and exercises will assist you in working on the various muscle groups in order to get the most out of your workout and strength building sessions. In addition, this book contains many creative exercises with weights that would assist fitness trainers in developing their training programs. I found it to be very innovative, informative and it has excellcent color photos of the anatomy- in case you forget where your gluteus maximus is located!

Good book for technique but needs to be used with knowlege of some program of selected excercises.

This book makes it easy to learn specific muscle groups and how they work. Anyone involved in body-building or body-toning work will benefit from owning it. After reviewing the book, it is easy to devise a workout routine that will accomplish your individual goals.

This book has a lot of useful information!! This book is arguably one of the best book of its kind. What's it useful for? Mainly to help the reader, from the weekend athlete to the athletic trainer to the professional bodybuilder figure out what exercises work what muscles. As a Personal trainer I would highly recommend this book for anyone, newbie to lifting or serious about lifting the right way for the right muscle groups. It's neatly divided up into sections (arms, shoulders, chest, back, etc.), so all you really have to do...Great book!

I have some muscle imbalances I've been trying to correct and found this book very helpful. I know I need to strengthen some muscles and not others, but finding books on what specific exercises to do was difficult. With this book you can take one look at the pictures and see which exercises strengthen various muscle groups. I keep this book handy and refer to it all of the time for planning exercise routines.

This book is fantastic. I'm a former pro triathlete and I always get people asking me about working out and fitness and I always recommend this book. The illustrations are amazing, the book demonstrates exactly what muscules each excersise uses, and its shows the correct way of doing the motion and the proper use of equitment. The book points out how easily injuries can happen and how not to do excersises. Every day I see people working out incorrectly and getting so little out of their work out, they just strain and sweat for nothing, they are lucky if this is the only outcome and they dont actually hurt themselves. This book is not that expensive and it's value for working out far outpaces the expense of the book itself. I could not recommend this book more, it is by far my favorite work out guide.

The illustrations in the book are great, maybe a little too good for the younger crowd as there are some nude sketches. Aside from that, the book is indexed for each major muscle group and has caution page for each muscle group explaining possible injuries and how to avoid them. Good book for the beginning weight lifter!

It's more than just workout tips, it's also an Anatomy 101 lesson. The tips about form improved my workouts. I also gained a better understanding of muscles and joints and the human form. Best of all, there's little reading to do, it's all expressed very clearly through the illustrations.

I wish there were a page or two of in depth examination for each muscle group, instead every page is only devoted to either an exercise or an injury, with no general information offered.

The table of contents was not really designed for quick reference.

Well illustrated. Makes it clear how to strengthen and build specific muscles or muscle groups. I know the humas anatomy but find the illustrations better than a standard medical anatomy text.

Quite complete, nice to shuffle, very clear book. It's a good campanion for an Encyclopedia of bodybuilding and fitness.

With over 450,000 copies sold, this book is arguably the best book of its kind. What's it useful for? Mainly to help the reader (from the weekend athlete to the athletic trainer to the professional bodybuilder) figure out what exercises work what muscles.

It's neatly divided up into sections (arms, shoulders, chest, back, etc.), so all you really have to do is flip to one of these sections and it will have detailed pictures of various exercises and exactly which muscles are involved.

A great reference to keep have around, I give it five stars easy. Readers who lift weights regularly might also be interested Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff to avoid shoulder problems a lot of lifters eventually get.

Well, this book is great, arguably the best of its kind.

People who think that De-Vinci's illustrations of anatomy are incredible would be blown away from what the author, Frederic Delavier, was capable of achieving with this piece of work.

Delavier sure knows what he's talking about. The most detailed information you'll ever need regarding most of the modern exercises involved in weight training programs. Free weights, Bodyweight, Machines - it's all there. Starting with proper executions, right to performance at different angels, and some really useful medical advice along the way, which addresses common injuries and risks of weight training and how to avoid them. The author takes everything down to the smallest details, making sure you know what you're doing, from large to small, long to short. Reading this book can provide far greater understanding of the human body mechanics during workout and in everyday life for anyone who's willing to pick it up. All written and shown simply and efficiently, and masterfully illustrated as I mentioned before.

Take note that this book is not intended to provide or expand knowledge of weight training programs and workouts. The book only addresses what's in the exercises themselves and how to correctly perform each one, understand its anatomy and learn to avoid unnecessary injury. It is meant for the use of people who already engage with some kind of training program, which should be tailor-suited for the individual by a certified professional, or at least someone who knows what he/she are doing.

My only complaint could come from my disagreement of some of the author's advices on how much reps are recommended for X results. People should be aware that the number of X reps per Y sets for Z results depends much on individual genetics and anatomy, and varies greatly. Thus, it is somewhat irresponsible to suggest that for some exercise, working at 20 reps should provide "best results" for everyone. I mean, c'mon. "Best results" has an entirely different meaning from person to person, and each person's muscles react in a different manner to the same workout. Luckily, these sort of recommendations by the author are not all that common.

Apart from that issue, I can't spare praises from Mr. Delavier for creating such a great book, that should be read, and used as reference, by anyone taking his weight training seriously.

I have several copies of this book because I keep loaning to people who keep it forever! A great resource...a must have to go along with Strength Training Anatomy for Women, which focuses primarily on lower body. This one, however, covers the gamut. Definitely worth it.

This is a great tool. I've been working out for years & training others for a few years now; what a great resource. The pictures are wonderful and the highlight on possible injuries for certain exercises was great to see. I would happily purchase this book again and have recommended to others already.

This book is simple to understand and the illustartions are great. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

great, detailed pictures!
(stop wining about naked people - it's an anatomy book!!!)

although, some comments to some exercises should probably be treated as an opinion rather than absolute truth.

This is a great book for anyone with a basic knowledge of weight training. It doesn't go into details of how to build a program, how much weight one should lift, how many reps vs. sets one should do, etc. It is merely a book of strength training exercises broken down by muscle group. It highlights which muscles are used per exercise, and goes into some detail about injuries one may incur while working various muscle groups. I have been lifting for over two years now, and this book gave me a multitude of different exercises to shake up my routines. It has a variety of types of equipment to use (free weights, cables, machines) which provides readers with many options based off what you like to do and what is available for you. I thoroughly enjoy the cable exercises. I hardly used cables before this book, but now they are some of my favorite exercises. I have shown this book to fellow weight lifters, and everyone has liked it. Some people have even ordered their own copy. I have to mention that I am in the military, so many people around me value new training ideas.

The book is so simple but at the same time very informative! Whether you are an advanced weight lifter or just new to the world of weight lifting then this book is a must. The graphics are very detailed and the book incorporates training techniques as well as common injuries associated with certain techniques.