Weight Lifting & Bodybuilding: Total Fitness for Men and Women

Macchia, an associate professor of pharmacology at Indiana Univ. School of Medicine, concentrates on the physiology of developing muscle strength and bulk, as well as the inner discipline that should accompany weight training: an entire chapter is devoted to the use of biofeedback and visual imagery for reducing the considerable stress of weight training and for building the positive mental attitude needed to sustain the long process of muscle development. Macchia includes a timely chapter on drug use in sports, debunking the myths that drugs improve athletic performance and that anabolic steroids help to build muscle tissue. This book will appeal to serious athletes; several chapters of exercises are included, but a beginner would require the help of a trainer to plan a cohesive program and to learn correct form. Illustrations not seen by PW. (January 15)