It isn’t perfect, however, there is certainly room for improvement. When discussing individual exercises I wish they did a better job of showing how the variations affect what parts of the muscle are exercised. For instance, I think that hammer curls are supposed to work your biceps differently than standard curls but there is no mention of that kind of thing in most exercises. That inclusion would make constructing your own work out routines even easier.

The structure of the book leaves a little to be desired as well. It felt that some things — like whether to work to failure — aren’t introduced as early as they should be. The result is you really should read (or at least skim) the book from cover to cover before setting out. A little bit tighter structure would make it easier to just skip to the section you care about.

There is also not much mention of supplements although given the somewhat controversial nature of their efficacy and the target of the book (I would guess that people who workout at home are somewhat less hard-core than those who go to a gym) it is understandable.

Overall, though, this is an excellent resource. It has both breadth and depth, making it a great single-volume resource on working out.

When I first got the book 6 months ago, I read through the descriptions of muscle development and the comparative benefits of different types of exercise, ie: Dumbbells, barbells, cable machines and I found the basic information amazingly useful. My lifting routine became much different than the other regulars at the gym and I found that for the first time in a LONG time, I was beginning to notice results. Eventually, I began to notice other lifters drifting away from the machines and towards the dumbbells – they began to do routines similar to mine.

Although all of the above made me happy, it was not what prompted me to write this review. Recently, I began to do the exact routines for muscle development that the book recommends. I feel like I have had a shot in the arm. My workouts have suddenly become dramatically more effective. I felt sore in places I had not felt sore in almost a year. My core is intensely stronger and my shoulders, legs and arms are beginning to grow again – even at my age and with my busy work and family schedule.

If you are one of those guys who hangs out in the gym talking to your buddies and maybe doing a single set of bench press, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for an intense, full body, healthy workout that builds solid muscle, but is devoid of hype, this is the book for you.

Get ready to move up a shirt size.

What I did: set up a miniature gym in my small house, focusing on dumbbells. I have a Body Solid bench and rack for the weights and a Swiss Ball, that’s it. My whole set-up ran me $800, which is what I spent each year on gym membership. I love all the time I save; no travel, no gym bag, lock, checking in, waiting in line, avoiding the sight of other naked men in the showers, etc.

Results: I am a typical white guy, aged 48. I will never compete for Mr. Universe, but I remain trim [6'2" / 175lbs] and strong enough to get up at 5:30 each morning for a full, challenging day. I have no heart disease, despite the fact that every other man in my family has had it by this age. Rock on.

The book tells you all you need to know to make an effective workout. You will need to test different techniques and see what works for you; everyone is different.

I find the criticisms of the book rather funny. Some guys think they need more specific techniques or one exercise to work one muscle, by name. I had no idea so many elite body builders lived in America. Where are these guys? When I look around me at the airport or the shopping mall, it’s hard to find a man over 40 with a trim waist. Many of these old hogs look like they are pregnant. Don’t let it happen to you! Follow the Home Workout Bible plan, and you’ll stand out like a giraffe in the pig pen.

The book have beginner, intermediate, and advanced full-body workouts for each type of equipment. You can build a workout program adapted to the equipment that you have available at home.