What do you think?
Rate this book
The Men's Health Big Book of Exercises: Four Weeks to a Leaner, Stronger, More Muscular YOU!
Revised edition includes 100 new exercises!
The Men's Health Big Book of Exercises is the essential workout guide for anyone who wants a better body. As the most comprehensive collection of exercises ever created, this book is a body-shaping power tool for both beginners and long-time lifters alike. This book contains hundreds of useful tips, the latest findings in exercise science, and cutting-edge workouts from the world's top trainers.
Backed by the authority of Men's Health magazine, this revised edition of the bestseller will feature 100 new fat-loss exercises in 20 workouts designed by BJ Gaddour, Fitness Director of Men's Health, and 1,350 photographs, showing movements for every muscle and a training plan to match every fitness goal.
1257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2016
116 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 22, 2019
This is a very concise book with simple exercises - most of which you can do at home. The exercises are categorized based on muscle groups. There is a main technique with a whole bunch of optional variants (there are too many similar options though). There are descriptions of the muscles involved before each exercise routine is described with good photos.
A very useful book to have handy!
A very useful book to have handy!
January 27, 2024
I made sure to do every exercise in the book on my journey through learning to read.
Have you seen how huge I am now? Easy 5 stars this book got me swoll af
Have you seen how huge I am now? Easy 5 stars this book got me swoll af
June 24, 2024
Perfect for beginners and people wanting organized and plentiful information on fitness in an easy to read format.
December 29, 2011
The organization of this book is wonderful. I read Mean's Health magazine and was used to the following their workout instructions. Men's Health magazine typically has the instruction next to the action. So rather that reading bullet points of what you have to do, you look at the picture and next to each shot is a sentence describing the action. I find it more helpful. All the exercise for each muscle group are broken down and after each chapter there is a section on the ultimate workout for that particular muscle group. I was happy with the results after following those workout plans. I also thought the suggested workouts at the end of the book were creative and good. Some workouts have names specific to the result you want(looking good walking down the aisle, from scrawny to big, etc). I like to change my weight lifting routine every month and so I had a group of workouts to chose from.
My one negative comment might not be appropriate since this an exercise book not a workout companion but I am going to write it anyway. The workouts focus on the results and not where people are starting from. For example I was obese and wanted to lose the weight but also become muscular. It took a lot of reading, outside of the book, to learn that the process of losing weight and gaining muscle requires multiple steps. I wish the book would have a section on finding the right starting point for people (already athletic, obese, skinny, average, etc).
My one negative comment might not be appropriate since this an exercise book not a workout companion but I am going to write it anyway. The workouts focus on the results and not where people are starting from. For example I was obese and wanted to lose the weight but also become muscular. It took a lot of reading, outside of the book, to learn that the process of losing weight and gaining muscle requires multiple steps. I wish the book would have a section on finding the right starting point for people (already athletic, obese, skinny, average, etc).
June 17, 2017
I've been exercising consistently for years, and this book has provided me a lot of good routines to keep me going. We all know doing the same exercises can be boring and counter-productive. This book has everything! All types of exercises, eating and lifestyle tips too. Pictures are included to demonstrate form and routines. If you are into exercise or want to get started, this is the book to have.
Exercise is a lifestyle choice! - David Lucero
Exercise is a lifestyle choice! - David Lucero
November 12, 2016
Easy-to-follow photos and brief descriptions. A chapter on each muscle group, plus chapters with general info on exercise and nutrition. Tips for using equipment effectively. I've been a fan of Men's Health materials for years.
Notes
Lifting Questions
Do as many sets as you need to complete at least 25 reps for a muscle group.
Lift 3 or 4 days/week, with rest (muscle repair) between each.
Do 1 exercise per muscle group per workout.
Lift fast, lower slowly (2-3 seconds).
Chest
Do a similar number of reps for upper back as for chest, to prevent imbalance.
Arms
Save exercises that target arms for end of workout, because arms are involved in every upper-body exercise, and you don't want to tire them early.
Core
When doing Barbell Rollout (or ab wheel), start with shoulder over barbell (or wheel).
Do ab exercises fast. Do as many reps as possible in 20 sec.
Nutrition
Cut back on starch. Limit to 2 servings/day (1 serving is 1 slice of bread; 1 cup of cereal; half potato; half cup cooked pasta, rice, beans). Among produce, limit potatoes, beans, corn, peas (all starchy).
Choose a full-fat salad dressing made with olive or canola oil, or balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Fat-free dressings are often loaded with sugar. Also, fat helps the body absorb the salad's vitamins.
Eat most of your day's starch and sugar immediately before or after workout.
Protein: eggs, beef, turkey, pork, chicken, fish, milk, yogurt, cheese (including cottage), nut butter, nuts, seeds, protein powder.
You can eat 2 handfuls of almonds per day without gaining weight.
Best protein powder ingredients: whey and casein. Whey is best for after workout; casein for other times. Try a blend.
Protein concentrate is cheapest, less pure, but same benefits. Isolate more pure (lower fat and carbs).
Notes
Lifting Questions
Do as many sets as you need to complete at least 25 reps for a muscle group.
Lift 3 or 4 days/week, with rest (muscle repair) between each.
Do 1 exercise per muscle group per workout.
Lift fast, lower slowly (2-3 seconds).
Chest
Do a similar number of reps for upper back as for chest, to prevent imbalance.
Arms
Save exercises that target arms for end of workout, because arms are involved in every upper-body exercise, and you don't want to tire them early.
Core
When doing Barbell Rollout (or ab wheel), start with shoulder over barbell (or wheel).
Do ab exercises fast. Do as many reps as possible in 20 sec.
Nutrition
Cut back on starch. Limit to 2 servings/day (1 serving is 1 slice of bread; 1 cup of cereal; half potato; half cup cooked pasta, rice, beans). Among produce, limit potatoes, beans, corn, peas (all starchy).
Choose a full-fat salad dressing made with olive or canola oil, or balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Fat-free dressings are often loaded with sugar. Also, fat helps the body absorb the salad's vitamins.
Eat most of your day's starch and sugar immediately before or after workout.
Protein: eggs, beef, turkey, pork, chicken, fish, milk, yogurt, cheese (including cottage), nut butter, nuts, seeds, protein powder.
You can eat 2 handfuls of almonds per day without gaining weight.
Best protein powder ingredients: whey and casein. Whey is best for after workout; casein for other times. Try a blend.
Protein concentrate is cheapest, less pure, but same benefits. Isolate more pure (lower fat and carbs).
November 19, 2021
Phenomenal book. Full of illustrations, tips, and a broad range of workouts.
Gave my first copy to my father, and now buying a second.
It's a great book to have laying around too, like a coffee table book.
You can always pick it up and find an interesting exercise to possibly add to your routine or at least try out.
Gave my first copy to my father, and now buying a second.
It's a great book to have laying around too, like a coffee table book.
You can always pick it up and find an interesting exercise to possibly add to your routine or at least try out.
November 5, 2023
This one feels a little like cheating on my reading challenge as it's mostly pictures. But I did read it and I am doing workouts in this book. So I am counting it.😊Plus I am currently reading a 750-page book and that more than makes up for it.
In any event, I really like this book. There are lot of great programs to try and tons of exercises. I know will be using this quite a bit...
In any event, I really like this book. There are lot of great programs to try and tons of exercises. I know will be using this quite a bit...
November 26, 2018
Very good book to set up the correct exercise program to reach your goals.
May 31, 2019
Focused, handy size, superbly illustrated so the exercises can be understood with ease. Don't insist on following the plans slavishly but use the ideas to set up your own exercise routines.
February 8, 2020
I bought it for my husband a few years ago and ended up, that I always use it. Love switching up my work out routine and the visuals help me to also get the correct form down! Love it :)
July 25, 2023
This is a solid book of a variety of exercises and how to do them that I have used to separate my workouts by muscle groups in order to shorten the time exercising.
February 25, 2025
Nice written book..i would prefer more detailed meal plans though.
January 6, 2023
Perfect, exactly what I was looking for. Just a big book of exercises organized by muscle group.
Includes the main lifts, lots of variations, some suggested stretches and warmups too.
Has some good suggested exercise routines, some nutritional recommendations - I see those as just a bonus. I didn't look into all the extra stuff like "Fat-burning exercises", I'm just here for the basics.
I have this book in the gym to reference if I feel like trying a new variation or just want to get a primer on proper form.
Recommended for people wanting a book on weight-lifting.
Includes the main lifts, lots of variations, some suggested stretches and warmups too.
Has some good suggested exercise routines, some nutritional recommendations - I see those as just a bonus. I didn't look into all the extra stuff like "Fat-burning exercises", I'm just here for the basics.
I have this book in the gym to reference if I feel like trying a new variation or just want to get a primer on proper form.
Recommended for people wanting a book on weight-lifting.
July 23, 2017
Saying I read this is actually a bit of a misnomer since the book is 90% pictures with captions. The introductory information was extremely useful and the exercises clearly depicted. It could use a bit more annotation and explanation to help guide one's choice of exercises. I followed the advice given in the preamable to good effect. Nothing extreme, just cut carbs to 50-75 grams per day, work one muscle group per session or do whole body workouts. Advice about pacing, intervals, what weights to use etc. The exercises refered to in the title are all weight lifting based exercises. Arms, shoulders, back, chest, gluts/quads, etc. I've been on the suggested plans for four months, have lost 12 pounds and feel great. Clothes fit better and I feel that tightness in my muscles. A recommended exercise reference resource. Nothing extreme and easy to follow.
October 2, 2014
For a couple months now, I've felt like I'm in a rut with my weight lifting routine. Injuring my foot a couple weeks ago forced me to look for new ways to work out, and kind of hit the reset button on something that had become a little too routine for me. I thought, if I just had a big book of every exercise for every body part, I could make so many different workouts that I would never get bored and at the same time would be more effective than doing the same leg workout every Friday or whatever. This book was a godsend; I feel like there is nothing related to weight training that you couldn't find in here, and now I'm feeling so inspired! For real, I'm about to try a new workout right now.
August 14, 2010
This book is very well organized into exercises by muscle group and gives you a wide variety of exercises per group. It also includes lot of information on diet and nutrition as well as various workouts that give you prescribed number of sets and reps. Some of this information I believe is pulled straight from their site and magazine pretty much word for word from previous articles, but it's all good stuff. I know I'll always have a reference to go to in case I need some new exercises or workouts to do.
February 5, 2012
Отличная книга, содержащая в себе практически все возможные упражнения, а также массу рекомендаций, как правильно заниматься в зависимости от желаемого результата. Также есть подготовленные планы тренировок, например "Get ready to beach workout", "Get back in shape workout". Всячески советую всем, кто занимается в тренажерных залах или у себя дома.
January 28, 2017
This book is helpful for targeting individual muscles, muscle groups, whole-body exercises as well as for suggesting workouts that build muscle everywhere. Written in an easy style and complete with a lot of photos, it's accessible to nearly anyone, including someone like me who does not take easily to physical exertion.
February 5, 2013
Organized really well, decent diet tips, really awesome exercises and lots of different workout programs for different people with different fitness goals. Now if I just stick with it a little more closely maybe I can look like the dude on the front...
August 29, 2016
It works.
For who? Anyone looking to kick start the rest of their life. I've used the recommendations with variations that suit my needs. Grab this Kindle version so you reference it if needed during your workout.
For who? Anyone looking to kick start the rest of their life. I've used the recommendations with variations that suit my needs. Grab this Kindle version so you reference it if needed during your workout.
April 16, 2010
Good reference book just for different exercises. It gives you lots of alternatives, such as what to do when the gym is too crowded or there are only free weights
August 29, 2010
This book has a ton of exercises. Your workouts never have to be the same. I recommend this book. I might even by it instead of just checking it out of the library.
October 25, 2011
Excellent resource for workouts, technique, and some decent nutritional instruction.
January 25, 2013
Asa trainer, I sometimes get stuck on the same twenty-or-so exercises, and it's nice to have a book to remind me of all of the possibilities, to better train my clients.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews