Weight Training and Bodybuilding.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been gradually reading through my dad’s collection of fitness books. Amongst them I came across this gem; reinforcing just how much the weight-training mentality has strayed (in many cases) from a simple, highly effective approach.
This book is an excellent resource for anyone new to weight training – regardless of their reasons for doing this training. It contains simple program outlines for beginner, intermediate and advanced lifters; and details each exercise showing techniques and benefits.
Columbu’s credentials – even if you don’t remember him in his bodybuilding heyday (and his career was certainly nothing to sneeze at) – are found in a line near the end of the book :

To me, the most important thing is to be as strong as you look.

As the book is filled with photos showing Columbu bending iron bars, lifting a car, pulling over 700lb, benching 475lb etc it is clear that he stands behind this statement.
The book also features a brief look into Columbu’s thinking on nutrition (see something like The Bodybuilder’s Nutrition Book for a more complete view), as well as various stories covering everything from old-time strongmen to contemporary arm-wrestling competitions. For those leaning toward bodybuilding, a few thoughts on posing are offered.
Overall it’s a great read – and worth looking at for the numerous photos alone; as well as the beautifully simple advice from someone who has certainly ‘walked the walk‘.