Bodybuilding Anatomy

Take an inside look at sculpting a winning physique.

Bodybuilding is often described as an art, but speak with any competitive bodybuilder and you’ll quickly learn that the true artistry lies in the training and preparation. The process of building, sculpting, and refining muscle is an intricate undertaking, requiring a deep understanding of how exercises affect specific muscles.

Bodybuilding Anatomy is the definitive resource for mastering this art. Visually stunning and comprehensive, this accessible manual offers unparalleled guidance on muscle development and refinement. With over 100 detailed anatomical illustrations, you’ll see exactly how each exercise engages muscles, ligaments, and tendons, helping you optimize your training for maximum results.

Created by bodybuilders for bodybuilders, this guide combines step-by-step instructions, professional insights, and expert advice to help you build, sculpt, and shape your physique. Whether you’re focusing on your chest (pectorals), shoulders (deltoids), back (trapezius, latissimus dorsi, spinal erectors), arms (forearms, triceps, biceps), torso (abdominals), or lower body (glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves), Bodybuilding Anatomy has you covered.

Here’s just some of what you’ll find inside:

• 68 exercises
• 12 competition poses to showcase your hard-earned physique
• A systematic approach for selecting and sequencing exercises based on needs, goals, and competition timing
• Common lifting errors and how to correct them
• Proven techniques to build a thick, wide back for that desired V-shaped appearance
• Guidance on using the stimulus-to-fatigue ratio (SFR) to choose exercises that maximize gains without sacrificing joint health or generating needless fatigue

If you are a serious or aspiring competitor, the technique instruction, anatomical insights, and scientifically backed methodologies within these pages will enable you to optimize your training regimen and achieve superior results. Simply put, Bodybuilding Anatomy is a must-have.

Audience

Bodybuilders looking for a straightforward approach to exercise selection for building muscle and posing for competition.

Chapter 1. Chest
Chapter 2. Shoulders
Chapter 3. Back
Chapter 4. Arms
Chapter 5. Abdominals
Chapter 6. Legs
Chapter 7. Choosing Your Exercises
Chapter 8. Posing

Michael Israetel, PhD, is the cofounder and chief content officer of RP Strength (Renaissance Periodization). With a doctorate in sport physiology from East Tennessee State University, he is also a former professor at Lehman College, Temple University, and the University of Central Missouri, where he taught a variety of exercise science courses related to nutrition as well as strength and hypertrophy.

Israetel worked as a sports nutrition consultant for the U.S. Olympic training site in Johnson City, Tennessee, and has been an invited speaker at numerous scientific and performance conferences worldwide, including nutritional seminars at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York. He has coached numerous athletes in diet and weight training and is also a competitive bodybuilder and professional Brazilian jiujitsu grappler. He is the coauthor of The Renaissance Diet 2.0, Scientific Principles of Hypertrophy Training, Scientific Principles of Strength Training, Recovering From Training, How Much Should I Train?, and The Minicut Manual.

Jared Feather is the head physique and bodybuilding specialist at RP Strength. He holds a master’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Central Missouri. With over 10 years of experience in competitive bodybuilding and coaching, he has earned esteemed titles such as IPE and NFF Professional Natural Bodybuilder. In 2020, Feather placed first in the classic physique division at NPC Nationals, earning him International Fitness and Bodybuilding (IFBB) Pro status. He is also the coauthor of The Scientific Principles of Hypertrophy Training and The Minicut Manual.

Christle Guevarra, DO, is a former champion powerlifter. She currently maintains a telemedicine private medical practice and serves as an official traveling team physician for U.S. Figure Skating. She is also the production operations manager at RP Strength.

Guevarra holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and minor in mathematics from San Francisco State University, a master’s degree in organic chemistry from University of Wisconsin at Madison, and a doctorate of osteopathic medicine from Western University of Health Sciences. Passionate about education, she was awarded a predoctoral teaching fellowship at Western University of Health Sciences, where she taught first- and second-year osteopathic medical students. She completed her family medicine residency at Crozer Health in Pennsylvania, where she was named Resident of the Year. She then completed her sports medicine fellowship at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, where she worked with Division I football players, professional athletes, and recreational athletes.

“Dr. Mike Israetel is a legend in the fitness field. There is no one better at translating science into practice and communicating the practical applications in a manner that is easily understood by all. His book, coauthored by esteemed fitness professionals Jared Feather and Dr. Christle Guevarra, comes with my highest recommendation.”
—Brad Schoenfeld, PhD, CSPS,*D, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, FNSCA, Author of The M.A.X Muscle Plan 2.0, Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy, and Women’s Home Workout Bible

“A great resource to learn how to train your muscles for maximum growth.”
—Menno Henselmans, Physique Coach, Scientific Researcher, International Public Speaker, and Author of The Science of Self-Control

“Bodybuilding Anatomy translates research and experience into muscle-building principles that can immediately be put into action. It’s a resource you’ll refer to again and again throughout your training journey.”
—Jeff Nippard, Professional Drug-Free Bodybuilder and Powerlifter

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Author interview with Dr. Mike Israetel and Dr. Christle Guevarra

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