Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Weight Training for Dummies by Liz Neporent, Suzanne Schlosberg ISBN: 0-7645-5168-X Publisher: For Dummies Pub. Date: 14 September, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.94 (47 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Valuable, but often too true to its title
Comment: At most times this book is a clear and valuable guide for the novice weightlifter. But there are others when it bogs down in condescending simplicity and reveals the petty contentiousness of the co-authors.
They explain that free weights are not the gift of philanthropists and that dumbbells can come in many configurations and materials. They give two examples -- shiny chrome and gray steel. Ok ladies, I think I'm getting it now.
Co-authors Liz and Suzanne are not the patient sort and it doesn't take much for others at their gym to get under their muscular skin. In an anecdotal chapter on gym etiquette, they advise to share equipment with others, a common and expected courtesy. But they tell us that Liz physically removed a woman from a bench who refused to share with another member, an uncommon and hostile act that they present as humor. I don't get it. They also advise that if you find gum in the fountain, remove it yourself and if winded and taking awhile at a crowded fountain, take a drink and go to the back of the line. They offer no advice if you're lingering on the gym's toilet.
There is at least one significant error in editing. In one chapter they provide a list of exercises they'll cover, but fail to provide any information whatever on the last exercise.
How did I feel after buying the book and reading this kind of material? Like a dummy. I'm sure you will too. But I also think you'll agree with me that there's enough worthwhile material to redeem this book and make it one of the better books of its kind.
The chapters describing the exercises are where the co-authors shine. Before dealing with individual exercises, they provide simple line drawings depicting the muscles involved and explain the role these muscles play in everyday life and sports, as well as why their development is important. Each exercise description begins with cautions against performing the exercise if you suffer from certain conditions, such as back or elbow problems.
The exercise descriptions are complete and easy to follow. They are accompanied by two photos, usually showing the start and finish of the exercise. A do's and don't section helps you fine tune the exercises and avoid common mistakes.
Each exercise, laid out in a neat two-page spread, concludes with variations on the exercise and often alternative exercises to work essentially the same muscles. After reading this, I felt more self-assured in performing exercises I was already doing and confident in attempting new exercises.
Early chapters help you choose a gym and better know your way around it, or buy equipment for the home. Later chapters bring the exercises together into a beginner's program, as well as a periodization schedule that facilitates workout changes as you grow stronger and more experienced. The book is indexed, a useful feature that's often omitted in books of this type.
If it weren't for the condescension and the dreadful and insulting chapter on etiquette, this book would make for more pleasant reading. As it is, there's still plenty of useful advice from the usually lucid and knowledgeable co-authors. But here's one more bit of advice from them to mull before entering a gym or buying this book: "Don't dress like a porn star". Now what will we do with our g-strings and leather collars?
Rating: 3
Summary: Geared toward women. Men look elsewhere.
Comment: The book was fairly decent, but it is primiraly geared toward women. If you are a man looking for a weight training primer, look elsewhere.
Rating: 3
Summary: Great for beginners...
Comment: but I really needed the next level. Don't get me wrong, it's a great book and is loaded with information. Unfortunately, the first third of the book was basic, like "this is a weight" and "these are barbells." The last third didn't really involve weight training at all, but talked about yoga and Pilates.
The sections that covered actual weight training and exercise routines was very good, but not as in-depth as I would have liked. I seems to me that "Fitness for Dummies" should have covered the stretching and yoga. I would have liked to seen more on just weight training.
But, if you've never - and I do mean never - been exposed to weight training, then this book is for you.
 |
Title: Fitness for Dummies by Suzanne Schlosberg, Liz Neporent ISBN: 0764551671 Publisher: For Dummies Pub. Date: 07 December, 1999 List Price(USD): $21.99 |
 |
Title: Weight Training Workouts that Work by James Orvis ISBN: 0967518822 Publisher: Ideal Publishing Pub. Date: 01 April, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
 |
Title: Weight Training Diary for Dummies by Allen St. John ISBN: 0764553364 Publisher: For Dummies Pub. Date: 12 February, 2001 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
 |
Title: Workouts for Dummies by Tamilee Webb, Lori Seeger ISBN: 0764551248 Publisher: For Dummies Pub. Date: 09 December, 1998 List Price(USD): $21.99 |
 |
Title: Nutrition for Dummies by Carol Ann Rinzler ISBN: 0764551809 Publisher: For Dummies Pub. Date: 12 July, 1999 List Price(USD): $21.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
