Take Charge: Fitness at the Edge of Science

Clarence Bass is a Classic. Everything he writes is a contribution to physical culture. For anyone who has read his other books, they will sure want this one as well.

It is a pleasure for me to write this review of ``Take Charge'' by Clarence Bass. I have known the author for over 15 years since having purchased his famous ``Ripped'' series of books. In the present book the author reviews a number of studies that illustrate, for example, the changing understanding of strength (anaerobic) and aerobic training. He also addresses other topics such as interval training, exercise and aging and brain function. In each case, the author reviews the pertinent literature whilst also explaining how he incorporates the latest scientific research into his own personal training that has enabled him to have a physique that is nothing short of phenomenal in his age group. The author concludes with stories of people who, having been inspired by the author, have decided to ``Take Charge'' of their lives and formulate a healthy lifestyle incorporating many of the training and dietary practices that the author implements himself.I write this review from the viewpoint of Nanotechnology that is my field of expertise. What this entails is that to a nanotechnologist any phenomenon ought to be conceptualized at the nano-scale molecular level. As a case in point, I will critique on a major topic in the book, namely, that there exists a Strength-Aerobic Alliance. In other words, that strength and aerobic training may complement each other instead of being considered mutually exclusive in terms of their respective training stimulus. An example of this is the evidence illustrating that (a degree of) aerobic training may improve strength. For example, weight training using high repetitions with light weights, previously thought to be more aerobic in nature, may actually cause a significant improvement in strength.In order to conceptualize how this may be true from the point of view of nanotechnology we need to consider that muscle fibres increase in size due to the mechanism of overcompensation. That is, classical low repetition strength training using heavy weights causes micro-scale damage to muscle fibres to which the muscles respond by overcompensating and thereby growing in size (hypertrophy) and number (hyperplasia). However, at the nano-scale molecular level what is actually occurring is that the training stimulus has caused nano-scale molecular patterns (disruptions) to occur within the muscle fibres that engender the muscle fibres to respond as described above. This response takes place at the nano-scale molecular level where all chemical reactions, such as muscle protein synthesis in the muscle fibres, actually occurs.Thus, if doing resistance exercise with a high number of reps using light weights results in the same nano-scale molecular patterns (disruptions) occurring within the muscle fibres then the response of the muscle fibres at the nano-scale molecular level will be the same. In other words, the muscle fibres do not care how the nano-scale molecular patterns due to the training stimulus occurred: the muscle fibres will respond in exactly the same way and it cannot be otherwise.As the author astutely comments, this opens the way for people to choose from a vast variety of types of exercise to achieve their own personal objectives. People now have evidence-based science that enables them to ``Take Charge'' and formulate an exercise protocol that will be personalized and ultimately successful for them. This is the key to achieving objectives in the field of health and fitness in a sustainable fashion in the long term.In conclusion, ``Take Charge'' is another excellent book from Clarence Bass, a person who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of excellence in training, diet and health. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone wishing to gain further knowledge from the latest evidence in sports science.

I am not a lifelong or years and years long fan of Clarence Bass, to clarify. Actually about two years back I was happy to think the only weight I'd lift was my butt out of bed. Things changed after I read Great Expectations and watching my 80+ year old fathers health and mind decline. Now at 59 yrs old I'm turning back my biological clock and doing HIT (High Intensity Training) strength training once a week for about 20 min thanks to getting encouragement from Clarence's books and website. While some readers may feel like there's a wee bit too much about his medical issues or how he eats remember these books are his journey. We're seeing what's possible from a very motivated and fit man who's takes on his path to show us what our paths could look like. Maybe we're not going to have 3% body fat but going from 35% to 15% means you WILL look better, feel better, act better. Moreover Clarence takes pains in his writings to give us the latest info from science, experience and other sources on how everyone can do something that works for them. I very much appreciate that he is not trying to create or market the "Get Lean with Clarence" diet plan or workout plan. He is a voice from our possible futures, albeit a vigorous, clear headed one leading the way into his longer years (not later). Take Charge has great insights and updates for anyone who is on the wagon of getting fit, staying fit. For anyone who is not but interested this is a good source book too. Additions of the other folks success stories are really nice and shows how average folks have made a difference in their own lives.We are a generation of Boomers who have sown seeds of our own health problems for years and now are fearing our aging. Clarence Bass is proof that you don't need to fear that future or live lives dependent on medications and doctors to get out of bed each day.

I have read all of Clarence's books and in many ways this is his best.It's been fun over the years to watch his progress. He is no ordinary bodybuilder. While he has won a number of physique contests, the proof of the pudding is the way he has maintained himself for at least 60 years. Truly amazing! He is an attorney who practiced for many years and his education clearly honed his talent for research and ability to write clear and convincing prose.This book differs from his previous books in several ways. There is less emphasis on his personal routines and more summaries of the widely varied studies he reads. There is a lot of surprising and new material. For instance, he tells how a number of researchers have identified why exercise improves cognitive brain function, especially in older critters like us - by increasing the connections between neurons among other things. The reasons are surprising and knowing them helpful. Also, there is interesting material on the synergies from doing cardio and resistance training on the same days. Overall, this book emphasizes the value of "interval" training for both physique building and fitness. In some respects this book has more useful, and certainly more current, material than his others.But, it is not a dry summary of interesting facts. Like his other books, it still has a lot of material on what he does and what he has changed over the years. He uses these studies to experiment on himself quite a bit. And, being an obsessive-compulsive record keeper, he knows the results quite accurately.Although not a compendium of exercise routines, like many of the books in this field, it is the most valuable addition to his previous books, which comprise the most valuable library of physique-building and fitness advice I have ever found. I should add that the pictures are truly inspiring. Thank you Mr. Bass.

As those like myself who have followed Clarence Bass over the decades, will know, he is carrying out a long term experiment, with himself as the subject, on the effects of exercise and diet on his health fitness, and body-composition, monitored by health and fitness experts. Clarence is now 75 and is still totally dedicated to his project, and as his aim goes from trying to improve to staving off decline, he brings together a summary of the extensive research and findings in this area of health and fitness. The book is inspirational and the message is that exercise and diet are more important for seniors than at any other time time of life. The only reason I didn't give the book five stars, is because, as he acknowledges himself, he doesn't include enough about his own regimen, or how well he is managing to defy the years, which is essential for Bass watchers like myself.

I think this is brilliant. There's so much hype about exercise, muscle training and aerobics, that it is almost impossible to work out what is right and what is not. Clarence Bass is a life long fitness enthusiast, and he "walks the talk". Basically, you need strength training, but you have to find ways of exerting yourself that fits you! Weight lifting, running, cycling - he goes through the studies and the science, extracts the basic important bits and makes it possible for you to start working out what you like and what works for you. There is no one right way - as long as you understand the concept of pushing yourself you can try out different exercise regimes.And reap the benefits - feel better, look better, keep your brain young for longer, keep dementia at bay ... you name it!

I hate to be critical. Clarence is amazing, and if I'm in half the condition he's in at his age... man, if I was in half the condtion he's in now at my age... I'll be extremely happy. Much of the book is new data that is exceptional. I love that. Some of it still seems to be bro-science. That being said, I have nothing but respect for this guy. An amazing man.

Estoy muy impresionado con el trabajo de Clarence. Él es una gran inspiración. Ahora tengo 55 años y me encantaría llegar a los 75 luciendo la mitad de bien que luce él, y con el mismo entusiasmo. Pero no es cómo luce lo más importante, pero el hecho de que personas como Clarence están redefiniendo nuestra idea del envejecimiento. Es algo muy positivo que la ciencia descubra y explique los hechos, pero es sólo cuando el conocimiento toma vida a través de personas como Clarence, que tiene el poder de transformer nuestras vidas.

Eternal youth may be some way off, but this is the next best thing. The message is clear; you only have to be old if you want to be. And that is not hype, it is backed by vast amounts of solid scientific research, you can check out for yourself.The recipe for success is surprisingly simple. Hard work. But not much of it. Brief but intense weight training, and brief intense aerobics. Don't believe it? Try it! You'll be glad you did!