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ultimatekate's review against another edition
5.0
I have to be honest: I read this book, but I haven't put the things I learned into practice. The premise makes enough sense: lift more weight, not less. We're never gonna look like dudes. Unfortunately, I have been too lazy to put these concepts into practice; hence the 3 star rating. If I find it working, I will adjust my rating.
kuranes's review against another edition
4.0
Super interesting. I look forward to reading the NROL specifically for women.
straylight's review against another edition
3.0
Funny from time to time, but very clear in goals and methods. Planning to start the program soon, if all goes as intended.
timelordmom's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first diet/exercise book I've ever enjoyed reading. The first to make sense and recognize that the general rules of training and weight loss are just that, general; they do not apply to everyone and variations that work for you are welcome.
Today was day 1 of stage 1 to me. I needed this change in the gym. Today was the shortest workout I've had in over a year and yet I left feeling like I'd accomplished more than an hour on machines.
Thank you Lou, Cassandra, and Alwyn
Today was day 1 of stage 1 to me. I needed this change in the gym. Today was the shortest workout I've had in over a year and yet I left feeling like I'd accomplished more than an hour on machines.
Thank you Lou, Cassandra, and Alwyn
seclement's review against another edition
4.0
Even though weight lifting is one of my favourite activities, I find most fitness books off-putting, either because of the tone or because of the promise of ridiculously impossible to achieve results. I not only like Shuler's voice, but I like how humble he is about both the research and the results one can achieve with weight lifting (hint: there's no way you can promise everyone will achieve amazing results with a single generic program). The workouts in this book are solid, and though a lot of people complain about repetition, there's actually just enough repetition to ensure you progress. Sure, they could have thrown in several dozen different workouts which makes some people feel like they are optimising "muscle confusion". But then they wouldn't have given your body time to improve at the workouts you are given. All in all, I would say this is the best fitness book I have read, particularly for female weight lifting.
wrentheblurry's review against another edition
4.0
My review is based on just reading the book (although I merely skimmed the exercise descriptions), since I haven't started the program yet. I may come back and change my rating later. The program is six months long, and promises to be difficult, so we'll see!
I really appreciate Schuler's approach. He tells it like it is, isn't a rabid cheerleader, doesn't sugarcoat anything and doesn't make unrealistic promises. His laugh chapter even had me chuckling out loud. Plus, it seems he's done his research and presented the information in an easy-to-understand way. I learned things about working out, building muscle, metabolism and diet.
One of the best parts about this book is that most of the exercises are things I can do at home already. I have a dumbbell set, a barbell, some extra weights to change things up, a stability ball and a weight bench. I just hadn't found the right program for me, until now (hopefully). Schuler even offers at-home alternatives for the few exercises that utilize a machine.
I borrowed this book from the library to read it, but now I've bought a copy. I'm ready to get started on looking like a goddess!
****EDIT*** I finished the program in June of 2013, roughly on schedule from when I started (that is, I did not take many, if any, breaks). Based on that, I now give it 4.5 stars; it's truly a wonderful program to introduce women to weight lifting. I loved seeing my progress (you must track what you lift!), and watching my body change. I did not expect my shirt size to go UP...that was a bit odd. I'm a petite gal and a bunch of XS and S shirts I bought last fall became too tight in the arms by the end of the program.
Note that I did not follow the diet. It seemed like a good idea, but too much work. Some of the workouts got pretty long (several hours a week with 3 workouts), and my motivation for cooking and tracking specific foods was very low. I did, however, have a protein shake after most of the workouts. I also tried to be mindful of what I was eating.
The descriptions of the exercises are useful and easy to follow, especially the suggested adaptations for home gyms.
Great book, and I will (eventually) read and follow some of Schuler's other programs.
I really appreciate Schuler's approach. He tells it like it is, isn't a rabid cheerleader, doesn't sugarcoat anything and doesn't make unrealistic promises. His laugh chapter even had me chuckling out loud. Plus, it seems he's done his research and presented the information in an easy-to-understand way. I learned things about working out, building muscle, metabolism and diet.
One of the best parts about this book is that most of the exercises are things I can do at home already. I have a dumbbell set, a barbell, some extra weights to change things up, a stability ball and a weight bench. I just hadn't found the right program for me, until now (hopefully). Schuler even offers at-home alternatives for the few exercises that utilize a machine.
I borrowed this book from the library to read it, but now I've bought a copy. I'm ready to get started on looking like a goddess!
****EDIT*** I finished the program in June of 2013, roughly on schedule from when I started (that is, I did not take many, if any, breaks). Based on that, I now give it 4.5 stars; it's truly a wonderful program to introduce women to weight lifting. I loved seeing my progress (you must track what you lift!), and watching my body change. I did not expect my shirt size to go UP...that was a bit odd. I'm a petite gal and a bunch of XS and S shirts I bought last fall became too tight in the arms by the end of the program.
Note that I did not follow the diet. It seemed like a good idea, but too much work. Some of the workouts got pretty long (several hours a week with 3 workouts), and my motivation for cooking and tracking specific foods was very low. I did, however, have a protein shake after most of the workouts. I also tried to be mindful of what I was eating.
The descriptions of the exercises are useful and easy to follow, especially the suggested adaptations for home gyms.
Great book, and I will (eventually) read and follow some of Schuler's other programs.
paws_pages's review against another edition
3.0
This book has a very particular set of skills. If you are looking for a fiction book that will make you giggle or blush, umm.. you are shopping in the wrong place. Adult fiction is in the far corner.
BUT if you are looking for a health and fitness book that will help you get a start in the gym, this is a fantastic place to start! He explains so much and regardless of whether you are starting with 10 lbs (please don't do that, you can definitely do more than 10 lbs!! I promise) or 50 lbs, this book walks you through step by step and helps you feel comfortable in the gym, like you totally at least sort of, know what you are doing.
You will probably have to google some of the techniques and do a bit of research about proper positions. But it is a really quick, really good read :)
Go for you. the only thing you have to lose is weight.
BUT if you are looking for a health and fitness book that will help you get a start in the gym, this is a fantastic place to start! He explains so much and regardless of whether you are starting with 10 lbs (please don't do that, you can definitely do more than 10 lbs!! I promise) or 50 lbs, this book walks you through step by step and helps you feel comfortable in the gym, like you totally at least sort of, know what you are doing.
You will probably have to google some of the techniques and do a bit of research about proper positions. But it is a really quick, really good read :)
Go for you. the only thing you have to lose is weight.
snowblu3's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't get this book for the recipes, which is just as well because they include such ingredients as Slim Fast shakes and whey powder. I understand the need for protein but do we need to add powder to our food and make it totally unpalatable to get it? One "recipe" actually calls for a can of Healthy Choice soup, which you then add chicken and fish to. Are you kidding me? Also uses the BMI for some reason, even though women who lift are likely to be heavier than women who don't. The advice to lift heavy: Good. Instruction for how to do that: Good. Reading advice aimed at me using feminine pronouns? Refreshing. Not sure they couldn't have found a woman to write this, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was supposed to take it more seriously because it was coming from a man. Overall, a resounding meh. It was a library loaner and I'm unlikely to buy a copy.
phst's review
4.0
Very good workouts and good explanation of what to do and what not to do. A bit too much rambling by Lou Schuler.
jillwrigley's review against another edition
4.0
The book was interesting and informative. Utilized humour to keep me reading (cause seriously who wants to read about the proper way to do a plank?). The workouts themselves seem to be realistic and not as impossible as I expected. The diet plans don't make me salivate - but clearly I've been eating the wrong foods! Hence why I need this book now.
I guess the next step is to see if it all works!
I guess the next step is to see if it all works!