Beyond Brawn: The Insider's Encyclopedia on How to Build Muscle & Might

by Stuart McRobert

Covers topics such as designing a personal training program, maximizing strength potential, setting up a home gym, and avoiding injuries

Genres: Fitness, Nonfiction, Health, Sports, Reference

495 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Stuart has had around 1,000 articles published in print magazines. He wrote a monthly column for the UK’s leading bodybuilding magazine for 22 consecutive years. He also authored several acclaimed books including BEYOND BRAWN and BUILD MUSCLE LOSE FAT LOOK GREAT, and published his own magazine for 15 years. But his success as a writer was born out of his efforts to survive the profound struggles he had because of his psychological challenges, which resulted in suffocating distress.

Reviews

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight Talk and Timeless Truths

McRobert has provided a way to systematically establish the building blocks to a great physique. No corners cut, no easy solutions, just discipline and hard work. Included within are also nutritional guidelines and tips for longstanding injuries or defects such as scoliosis. The exercize technique book he has written is also superb. Thank you for offering a way forward after 13 years of flawed methods and overtraining.

[Daniel Ferrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book details the theory and application of gaining strength and muscle in a well thought out and systemic way for the average non elite, drug free lifter.

[Matheus Resende · Rating 1 out of 5]

And the search for a good book on bodybuilding goes on...
Seriously, how can a serious book on bodybuilding can neglect curls, triceps extensions, shoulder exercises, and so on??? Jesus Christ, it really amazes me how these books that aim to "demolish" the fitness industry just comes up with more bullshit than ever. Yes bro, we got that some machines do be useless and sometimes pointless. But do you know the meaning of isolation of target muscle? I really don't think you do, because that's the basics of (actual) bodybuilding, and bodybuilding is a subject that you really don't understand. The childish attacks on steroids almost made me laugh. Seriously, what do you think bodybuilding even is, bro? Perhaps you should study crossfit and other ladies-friendly sports and write on that, because you're waaaay off your element here, sir.
Perhaps the only good thing in this book was the chapter that was covered form and avoidance of injury, as well as the chapter on resilience and bodybuilding. But besides that, you can throw it on the trashcan and listen to the biggest guy in the gym, that'll definitely do you more good than reading this crap

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focus on compound lifts, set deadlines, goals, and disregard the fluff and padding when programming an exercise routine. Good but highly repetitive. You'll learn all you can from this book by reading half of it. Also the included routines suck.

[Bjorn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book led me astray in my training for many years. It tells you that minimum volume and maximum intensity is the way to progress your strength. Unfortunately, that doesn't work and all modern research shows that volume is key to building muscle.

What makes this book so dangerous is that most people make good progress the first several weeks with the recommended approach. Unfortunately, that just happens because the low volume training allows them to recover from the fatigue accumulated in their previous training regimen. After two months, however, you will be dead in the water with the approach described in Beyond Brawn.

[Kishore Ssk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for some one who are in the gym for some time(can be really helpful even if you are an absolute beginner as stress is much on Form). This book opens up your knowledge on the below aspects.
1) Core/Basic/Essential exercises
2) Diet
3) Cycle
4) Programming
5) Injury

* One most important take away is the programming which I was never aware of. I am sure the very purpose of the book is to make a person prepare a program and check his progress .
It is like a guide and I am sure I will refer to this gem of a book many times .

[Jack Toothill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very in depth look at strength training and bodybuilding. An excellent book for anyone unaware of the importance of strength training in building size. The book becomes somewhat repetitive in places, I believe this is to make sure the points are really drilled home, but it gets a little tiresome in places. However it does a great job of underlining the importance of rest and recovery, and how to go about it, including recovering from injuries and preventing them occurring.

[Tom Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, I'd rate it at 2.5 stars. I'm not sure what the fuss is about it. The programming is average and not the most effective approach. There are far better results oriented barbell programs out there today. They're simpler and will give far better results. Look into Starting Strength, Tactical Barbell and Wendler 531 instead.

[Kym Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty useful for designing routines and for the mindset behind weightlifting. It’s not really an encyclopaedia though as it doesn’t contain techniques for the lifts (they’re in another book) but still I found this very useful. Recommended if you are into weightlifting at all.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great back to basics weight lifting. Shut up and squat!

[Magnus Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book if you want to know EVERYTHING about NATURAL bodybuilding, strength training and nutrition.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't really like the organization. It made it hard to quickly find useful information as I couldn't tell if I was interested in a section.

[Joshua Kemmerling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, shines in the life/general lifting advice. Some details show the age, e.g. the advice on creatine. Strongly advocates low frequency training for "hard gainers".

[Alemeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book I’ve readed years ago; i had the luck to read it when I was 18 and I’ve grown with it with my training sessions, I will always keep it and re-read it whenever I need

[Jaroslav Tuček · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painstaking in descriptions, honest and realistic in setting expectations, Beyond Brawn is one of the best introductory books on strength training for natural athletes - busy trainers especially will appreciate the abbreviated routines suggested by McRobert.

This is not the book on how to look great for the beach in three months ... not even a book on how to have a shot at being the next Mr. America. It is a book on what to do if an average guy wants to deadlift 500 pounds after a couple of years of training. Sure, that doesn't sound like much, but can you lift it? And how long have you been training? Beyond Brawn will take you there.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is highly repetitive but also a gold mine. I am going to have to re-read this quite a few times to throughly understand and appreciate all of the content. I was originally going to rate this a 4 just because how monotonous it is at times. However I am glad to have finished with a new understanding on how to properly train.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about bodybuilding for beginners and the regular Joe. Very basic advise but a lot of information that most people don't realise. Would recommend to anyone who is interested in bodybuilding or just regular health and fitness enthusiasts, also useful for more advanced gym-goers.

[Nate Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, honest, and recommended book for those getting into body building. Contains all you need in the subject of training. You don't need to read all of it through, but select pages that are useful to you. Great book.

[Darryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good teaching on building muscle for those who are natural. Abbreviated training works well for me, so McRobert's approach to training really made sense. This is one of the few books that I have read twice, back to back.

[Brett's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great introduction to safe, productive bodybuilding for the average person. Represents growth from Brawn.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!