The Nautilus Bodybuilding Book

by Ellington Darden, Mike Mentzer (Foreword By), Scott LeGear (Photography)

The following is from the Forward by Mike Mentzer, Former Mr. America and Mr. "You don’t have to understand why Nautilus equipment works. But I urge you to try it; try it exactly according to the guidelines in this book. You may not understand then, either, but that’s not essential. Try the equipment with a tape measure in hand and see what happens. If you work 40 hours a week and attend a university full time and have only worked out for two 20-minute sessions a week for three weeks, would you settle for a 12-pound body weight increase? This is what is happening to trainees I know who are using Nautilus equipment properly. As could be expected, the Nautilus machines are being misused by some people. They do too many sets and reps and work out too many days per week. They don’t understand or can’t accept what a productive took they have to work with. In essence, they’re hitching a team of horses to an automobile and letting the animals pull the car. The object of Nautilus equipment is to enable to user to activate muscles completely, intensely, severely, thoroughly, and quickly. It isn’t easier, it’s just finished sooner. I know that it is difficult to accept ideas that are new, especially if they happen to challenge that which is near and dear to you. But remember—if you want to lead the orchestra, you have to turn your back on the crowd."

306 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982