Pumped: Straight Facts for Athletes about Drugs, Supplements, and Training

by Wilkie Wilson, Cynthia M. Kuhn, Scott Swartzwelder

What's safe? What works? What's a waste of money? "Pumped" offers research-based information. It explains the body basics that every athlete must know for optimum performance. It also offers the reader straight information about drugs and supplements for weight control, muscle building, and endurance training. What an athlete uses in the off-training time is important too, and this text covers recreational drugs - from alcohol to speed - how they...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393321290
• ISBN13: 9780393321296
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Pretty much what you would expect

I enjoyed the book. This book is exactly what you would expect, an account of drugs used by athletes.

Totally Awesome!

I was doing a research paper on steroids, so i asked a friend of mine to get me some books out of the library. So one of the books he got me was "Pumped". I planned only to take a few notes and put it away, but when i started reading i just couldn't stop. The book is very informative. Like one of the reviewers said, it doesn't go into much detail, but its short and straight to the point. This book isn't only about steroids, it goes into things like alcohol, weed, cigarretes. So, if you have a couple of hours to spare, i suggest you pick this one up!

For Health's Sake

This is a useful, readable description and summary of drug and supplement use and the body's functioning especially written for athletes and those interested in physical fitness. It seems to make an honest effort to give the facts about drug and supplement use and sort out the truth from all the training ads that bombard anyone who uses fitness media. The problem is what most everyone suspects- there are no shortcuts and anything that does effect the body's functioning is a potential health risk. However, those who want all the drugs and supplements to work will be critical of this book because it doesn't tell them what they want to hear and unfortunately will probably continue to use what they want. The authors did a good job of describing the efficiency of the human body. It is such a remarkable machine that it adjusts to any "shortcut" and the effects become counter-productive. The well-known fact that the body starts to store fat when a person diets too quickly is a good example. I know the information in this book will not be accepted by some teens and exercising adults but it is worth knowing and hopefully the recommendations will be followed for health's sake.

Just the facts, mam.

This is quite a remarkable book. It is short, to the point, knowledgable and readable. It tells the truth about performance enhancing drugs and is clear about the downside even for those that work. At the same time, it does not preach and I don't think would be a turn-off for teenagers.If you have a child who is an athlete, or if you are in competetive athletics yourself, you should read this book. As a physician, I think these drugs are available in most every high school in the country. They are a giant temptation. This book is most helpful to parents, coaches and athletes themselves.

A book no serious body builder should be without

Finally, a book that provides non-judgmental information about the biology and pharmacology of body-building. This is not just one of those "just say no" books - it provides the reader with factual information so he or she can make informed choices. Take my word for it: trust the information in this book more than the layman's advice you get at the gym.

Good overview of a variety of topics

Book provides a good detailed overview of a wide variety of supplements and drugs and their impact on athletes. All findings in the book are backed by scientific fact. Only negative is that it doesn't go into great depth on any one topic, but instead keeps it fairly short and to the point.