The 20 Best Bodybuilding Books

Bodybuilding is an intense sport that requires dedication, hard work, and the right knowledge. While a good trainer can provide guidance, books allow you to learn at your own pace and reference information again and again. Below are 20 of the best bodybuilding books to help you improve your training, diet, and mindset.

Table of Contents

1. The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding: The Bible of Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger

As a 7-time Mr. Olympia winner, Arnold Schwarzenegger knows a thing or two about bodybuilding. This book provides encyclopedic coverage of all things bodybuilding, including training, nutrition, supplements, contest preparation, and more. With detailed training programs, nutritional guidelines, and Schwarzenegger’s own tips, it’s one of the most comprehensive resources out there.

2. Jim Stoppani’s Encyclopedia of Muscle & Strength by Jim Stoppani

From anatomy and biomechanics to workouts and supplements, Jim Stoppani covers it all in his acclaimed encyclopedia. With over 600 pages and 700 full-color illustrations, it’s full of information to take your training to the next level. Stoppani provides detailed nutrition and supplement recommendations as well.

3. Bigger Leaner Stronger by Michael Matthews

Providing straightforward bodybuilding advice, Bigger Leaner Stronger busts many training and diet myths. Michael Matthews takes a no-nonsense approach and lays out a comprehensive body transformation plan. He also offers healthy, delicious recipes to fuel your workouts.

4. The Bodybuilder’s Kitchen by Erin Stern

Fueling your body is key to sculpting an incredible physique. In The Bodybuilder’s Kitchen, IFBB Pro Erin Stern shares 100 delicious recipes optimized for bodybuilders. She also provides meal plans and nutrition advice tailored to different goals like building muscle, strength, and cutting body fat.

5. Jim Stoppani’s 12-Week Shortcut to Size by Jim Stoppani

Designed to help you gain maximum muscle in just 12 weeks, this book provides a comprehensive workout, supplement, and nutrition plan. Thorough explanations ensure you execute each exercise correctly. By following Stoppani’s shortcut, you’ll see faster strength and size gains.

6. The Lean Muscle Diet by Lou Schuler

Achieving a lean, muscular physique requires the right nutrition. In The Lean Muscle Diet, certified strength and conditioning specialist Lou Schuler offers a customizable nutrition plan tailored for lean gains. He also includes 150 tasty recipes like Chicken Saltimbocca and Fruit and Nut Energy Bars.

7. Men’s Health Natural Bodybuilding Bible by Tyler English

Featuring advice from many top natural bodybuilders, this book provides drug-free training and diet guidance. With workout routines, nutritional strategies, and preparation tips, it’s an excellent resource for natural competitors. Photos illustrate what’s possible without steroids.

8. Strength Training Anatomy by Frederic Delavier

Combining striking illustrations with clear descriptions, Strength Training Anatomy highlights the muscles worked in every exercise. With over 200 full-color images of models illustrating proper form, it helps you understand exactly which muscles you’re targeting. This allows you to develop balanced routines that hit all muscle groups.

9. The Women’s Health Big Book of Exercises by Adam Bornstein

Specifically designed for women, this book includes hundreds of exercises targeting every muscle group. With variations for beginners and advanced lifters, it caters to different fitness levels. The book also provides sample workout programs and nutritional recommendations.

10. Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding by Robert Kennedy

First published in 1960, this book remains relevant today. Covering training, nutrition, contest preparation, and more, it features advice from bodybuilding legends like Steve Reeves. While some material is outdated, it provides an interesting historical perspective.

11. The Bodybuilder’s Nutrition Book by Dr. Franco Columbu

As both a bodybuilder and chiropractor, Dr. Franco Columbu knew how nutrition impacted training. In this book, he shares expertise on eating for muscle growth, fat loss, and health. His nutritional plans are designed to complement heavy lifting.

12. The Bodybuilder’s Kitchen by Erin Stern

In this companion cookbook to The Bodybuilder’s Kitchen, IFBB Pro Erin Stern shares over 100 delicious, nutrition-packed recipes to support muscle growth and fat loss. From proteins to vegetables and snacks, the recipes are simple, satisfying, and great for meal prepping. Stern also provides helpful nutritional guidelines.

13. Arnold’s Bodybuilding for Men by Arnold Schwarzenegger

In one of his early books, Arnold Schwarzenegger offers a complete 12-week muscle-building and shaping program. Step-by-step instructions and photos guide you through workouts tailored for various body parts. Nutritional guidelines are provided as well. While a bit dated, it still offers Arnold’s core advice.

14. Bodybuilding Anatomy by Nick Evans

Combining impressive physique photos with detailed anatomical illustrations, this book highlights the muscles worked in each pose and exercise. By seeing how muscles fire during movements, you can better target them during training. Evans also includes sample workouts hitting all major muscle groups.

15. Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger by Michael Matthews

In this sequel to his popular book, Matthews provides advanced strategies to take your physique to the next level. He delves into techniques like forced reps, supersets, priority training, mechanical tension, and more. Advanced nutritional advice is also provided to support hardcore training.

16. The Bodybuilding.com Guide to Your Best Body by Kris Gethin

Gethin shares the lessons he learned transforming his physique and competing for a pro card. His 12-week plan covers training, nutrition, supplements, and mental strategies. The book also provides exercise technique guidance and recipes to fuel workouts.

17. Scientific Bodybuilding by Tim McCallan

This book provides specific, scientific guidelines on bodybuilding variables like sets, reps, rest times, frequency, volume, and intensity. By quantifying optimal training, recovery, and nutrition recommendations, McCallan removes the guesswork so you can achieve maximum muscle growth.

18. The New Hercules by Steve Reeves

As one of the world’s top bodybuilders in the 1950s, Steve Reeves perfected a training system for impressive yet proportional physique development. In this book, he shares his full workout and nutrition methodology. He also includes tips for mental focus, posing, and contest preparation.

19. Serious Strength Training by Tudor Bompa

Renowned sports scientist Tudor Bompa provides evidence-based training guidelines and principles. He covers muscle physiology, bioenergetics, workout splits, periodization, and more. The book provides a scientific approach to program design and helps you train more methodically.

20. The Bodybuilders by Fussell Sam

This fascinating book profiles top bodybuilders from the sport’s early days up through the 1960s. Vibrant photos and bios highlight legends like John Grimek, Steve Reeves, Reg Park, Jack Delinger, and more. Reading about the roots of bodybuilding provides inspiration and appreciation.

Bodybuilding books provide invaluable guidance that improves your training, nutrition, recovery, and mindset. Armed with the right knowledge, you can sculpt an incredible, balanced physique. The books above cover all essential topics for maximal muscle and strength gains. Read them thoroughly and put their tips into practice in your workouts.