Unleashing the Wild Physique Paperback – December 31, 1899

Note: there are several versions of this book on amazon at widely varying prices from used book dealers. Buy the cheapest version...they're all the same. if the title says "unavailable", then search amazon for another version by another seller...it's worth the trouble. Now for why i think this book is worth your reading (I only review excellent books...a small percentage of the books i read...why waste more time even talking about something that's not excellent?)...Mr. Gironda had some ideas that were ahead of his time and a few places where i think he may have been incorrect. Here's the part you should study...1. Go for symmetry instead of bulk. Unless you're into a professional sport or occupation that requires great stregth (example...have friend who's the first ATF agent through the door when making bust on crack house...he needs to be capable of brutality)..unless you need to be huge...extra weight can require more time in sleep and eating and slow you down. You can look plain fat in your clothes and most women are more attracted to the lean tarzan sort of look.Don't believe me? Get a copy of Men's health and a copy of muscle and fitness...now ask the women you know which group of men (out of which magazine) would they want to choose their next vacation partner.So if huge muscles make you more sleepy, less likely to get laid, less healthy, and require more time to maintain...I'd say a more lean tarzan look just works better all around.Vince teaches this strategy (tarzan over hulk) and gives practical suggestions for pulling it off.A let down was the fact that most of the photos in his book show people hulked out on steroids (not consistent with his philosophy). But if you look at photos of the author himself...he lived what he preached. In the photos in his clothes, he looks lean and not huge. With his clothes off he looks strong but not too bulky and the symmetry and vascualrity give him the "wild [and healthy] physique" of a Tarzan.2. A few more extras...he gives a leaning up diet that is basically Atkins made better with it's suggestion of a high carb meal every 3 to 5 days to reload the muscles with glycogen and avoid weakness. When i do this diet, i make friday and monday carb days and stay with raw eggs (mix 6 in blender with scoop of whey and a tablespoon of diet jello and handful of ice), sushi or steak for supper, occasional atkins bar, and a teaspoon of metamucil per day (to avoid the constipation of all meat/egg diet).I can't officially reocmmend the raw eggs (ask your own doctor...and don't have your lawyer even think of calling me if you get a stomach ache), but the way i do it is buy fresh eggs and just keep them cold until i'm ready to eat them. I've been eating raw eggs almost daily for about 30 years and never got sick from them (and keep a total cholesterol around 160...but i eat very very few sweets, don't drink any alcohol at all, and i exercise once almost every day and most days two times a day).Then on carb loading days i have a salad, fruit, and even some pizza or something crazy to reload.Anyway, sorry, don't won't to write a book just telling you a way to apply his all egg and meat diet (which he wrote way before atkins wrote his book).3. The other ideas about training after 40 are excellent (i'll soon be 47 so i'm relating more to these chapters).***What to ignore...he's not a fan of aerobic exercise. DEAD WRONG. Weights will not substitute the health benefits of walking. Do both..or do you not think you're worth it?*** on my website and read my reviews and get healthy (guess what the people you're taking care of and using as an exuse for not working out...like your family and friends and customers...remember them? Guess what? you'll take better care of them if you're healthy).Buy this book, throw away the sugary poison that's in your pantry...the stuff that you wouldn't feed to your dog, and go workout. Vince is right...it's 85% diet but the diet becomes easier if you're doing the workouts...it takes both.Peace & health to you. Read more

I think this is a great book for bodybuilding enthusiasts who have never heard of Vince Gironda and his methods. Of course if you are a bodybuilding enthusiast, then you should already be familiar with Vince and his methods. A lot of his stuff is out there on the net in bits and pieces, so what I expected from this book was a complete compilation of all of his training techniques, exercises and dietary strategies.It is NOT a complete compilation of his life's work. The only training program discussed is his famous 8x8. Vince developed a multitude of training programs, and most them are not mentioned in this book.I will say that the book does show other aspects of Vince's dietary philosophy. Most people are familiar with his dietary recommendations (high fat, low carb), but I was surprised to find other diet plans (such as fasting and vegetarian) in this book.The greatest strength of this book are the exercises shown for each body part. Vince knew the art of the physique, and he provides a variety of unconventional exercises designed for muscle symmetry and balance.Overall, an excellent book for the bodybuilder looking to refine his physique.

Want muscles? Willing to work for it? Get this book.Then adjust your diet and start lifting....It sound easy but it is in fact an exploration. No body is the same. Because Vince Gironda's spirit already left his own perfectly proportionally sculpted body a book is what is left to guide you. If you need more advice, then Dave Draper's IOL online forum is a superb place to visit. Some members trained in Vince's gym and you'll have a chance to ask their advice, too.But mind you, no empty words will do, muscle growth equals action. Read and practice. Nothing else will do. That was Gironda's genius the way I see it, he knew what was needed and what had to be done. Gironda suggested 'the how' of the process. This is a great help on your way to a perfect body.A perfect body in my opinion is about health, proportions and function. Vince Gironda knew it and he lived that. I'd say, be inspired until you expire. Good luck on your own journey. It's a body building jungle out there This book is a valid map of the tricky body territory. I am glad I've got hold of it (original edition).

I read quite a lot about Gironda's course and most information is not contained in this book. What about not mixing carbs and protein, what about short rest intervals, low carbs etc. This book is rather vague. I wonder if Gironda changed his views/opinion on many things regarding training and nutrition in the 1980s because you don't find many of his recommendations in this book.UPDATE:The section on ectomorph training is where the book really shines. This chapter shows that Vince Gironda truly knew what he was talking about. Excellent info. Read this! He makes an important point to take the endocrinal system into account when planning workouts (never to failure, variety in both nutrition and exercise). There is so much misinformation out there regarding ectomorph training, which does not make any sense. But Vince really knew his stuff.

The Author was truly a Guru with workout routines that were ahead of it's times. This is a must have book to further your workouts to the next level.