Jarrod L. Whitaker examines the ritualized poetic construction of male identity in the Rgveda, India's oldest Sanskrit text, arguing that an important aspect of early Vedic life was the sustained promotion and embodiment of what it means to be a true man. The Rgveda contains over a thousand hymns, addressed primarily to three gods: the deified ritual Fire, Agni; the war god, Indra; and Soma, who is none other than the personification of the sacred beverage sóma. The hymns were sung in day-long fire rituals in which poet-priests prepared the sacred drink to empower Indra. The dominant image of Indra is that of a highly glamorized, violent, and powerful Aryan male; the three gods represent the ideals of manhood. Whitaker finds that the Rgvedic poet-priests employed a fascinating range of poetic and performative strategies--some explicit, others very subtle--to construct their masculine ideology, while justifying it as the most valid way for men to live. Poet-priests naturalized this ideology by encoding it within a man's sense of his body and physical self. Rgvedic ritual rhetoric and practices thus encode specific male roles, especially the role of man as warrior, while embedding these roles in a complex network of social, economic, and political relationships. Strong Arms and Drinking Strength is the first book in English to examine the relationship between Rgvedic gods, ritual practices, and the identities and expectations placed on men in ancient India.

Building strong, muscular arms takes more than hard work and dedication. It also takes a plan—one rooted in science, based on the latest research, and proven to deliver results. Massive, Muscular Arms: Scientifically Proven Strategies for Bigger Biceps, Triceps, and Forearms is that plan and so much more. Massive, Muscular Arms takes an in-depth look at the underlying principles of biomechanics and anatomy to provide you with a better understanding of why your results may have stagnated and how small adjustments to the most common arm exercises can make them more effective. You will learn about the importance of training for strength and why low-rep strength work is a necessary component to building more aesthetically impressive arms. Packed with over 65 exercises designed to work deep into the muscles, you will be able to substitute selected exercises into your existing program or follow one of the six featured training programs (for novices and experienced lifters alike) that are designed to blast through plateaus and take your arm development up a notch. Author David Barr, a certified strength and conditioning coach who has over two decades of experience in strength and conditioning, also provides you with sidebars that debunk the popular myths that are associated with arm training. Safety considerations for more advanced exercises and advice on how to perform exercises correctly and reduce risk of injury are also included. Let Massive, Muscular Arms help you take your training to the next level!

For men, broad shoulders and muscular arms are the archetype for strength and power. For women, the sagging underarm is one of the most common trouble spots. For both, defined deltoids make the waist appear smaller and separate the arm from the shoulder, creating an athletic and healthy look. Body-concious modern fashions make training the shoulders and arms a priority for everyone. The Complete Book of Shoulders and Arms is the definitive resource to train these muscles safely. Each exercise is illustrated in detail, ranked for difficulty, flagged for lower-back risk and accompanied by explicit instructions and specific training tips to achieve optimal results. The exercise routines are based on the most current research in sports medicine/exercise physiology and were created by top strength coaches, athletes, personal trainers, exercise physiologists, doctors, physical therapists and nutritionists. Programs are designed for everyone from the novice to the advanced enthusiast, for the corporate executive with time-crunched schedules and for the senior concerned with wellness.

Developed by best-selling fitness author and strength and conditioning expert Mike Volkmar, Strong Arms is the comprehensive guide for developing strength and power in your upper body. These results-oriented workouts target all muscle groups from your upper body including chest, arms, and shoulders.

You have the right to bare arms! JJ Virgin, nutrition and fitness coach to the stars, and author of THE VIRGIN DIET, has created a simple, no-fail program that will trim, tone, and transform your arms into your hottest accessory. You don’t even need to go to the gym! JJ’s fun, tell-it-like-it-is method will teach you a no-fuss approach to eating that will increase your energy, help you build muscle, and get you off diets for good. She provides simple strategies for avoiding the common mistakes that can derail your progress, including how to reduce stress and how to change poor sleeping habits. JJ reveals the keys to building lean arms, and why your muscles will never get bigger from lifting weights --only smaller and more defined. And last, there are great tips for showing off your hot new assets—flattering outfits, how to pose for pictures, plus more insider secrets!

Massive, Muscular Arms will help you achieve the muscle gains you've been seeking with a new approach to arm training. Featuring proven strategies and 65 of the most effective exercises, this is the definitive guide for increasing the size and strength of the biceps, triceps, and forearms.

Two strength and conditioning authorities offer proven training programs and exercise guidelines that improve upper-body strength, power, and muscle endurance. 224 illustrations.