Body by You: The You Are Your Own Gym Guide to Total Women's Fitness

Its a great book. The exercises start right from novice level , so its easy for beginners and the progressions are great! I also like that the whole workout takes only about 30 mins! And without any additional equipment apart from some furniture around your home! SO there, No more excuses for not working out :)

The five stars are for the exercise program, the book leaves a few things to be desired. I like the exercise program so much because it is the first I have seen that is at the same time made to measure - I do exactly the exercise that corresponds to my personal fitness level - and completely pre-determined - I never have to wonder which exercise to do next. The only decision I have to make is whether the last repetition of my exercise today was done in good enough form to upgrade to the next degree of difficulty the day after tomorrow (you only work out every second day). For you have five groups of exercises (pulling, in-line pushing, perpendicular pushing, squatting, bending), in each group there's 25 exercises from easy (if you are reasonably fit) to very difficult. In each group you start with the exercise you can do for 2 x 12 repetitions, and when you feel ready you progress to the next exercise in this group. I'm now in week 4 and I haven't done the same program twice yet. And I feel great! Now for what I don't like about the book: I feel there's quite bit of superfluous blabla ("why bodyweight training is great"), I don't buy into the idea of mineral and vitamin supplements (I feel everything I need should be in the food), the proposed breakfasts sound disgusting and wasteful (I'm NOT going to throw away egg yolks to eat just the whites) and I don't want to be sent to the author's web site for information that should be contained in the book (the list of glycemic indices) - especially if the information is then not even to be found on the web site . I can also understand the reviewers who dislike the author's tone - you get the distinct impression that muscular, lean people are better people. But then, you wouldn't expect an army instructor to tell you that fat is beautiful, would you? In any case, I would recommend to not worry too much about the book's shortcomings (You Are Your Own Gym is better in some respects, but I could never have started working out with it - it's for when I am through with Body By You) but just to start the exercise program (after having read the instructions - where to start, when and how to upgrade - carefully) and find out whether it is the right one for you.

As not a complete fitness newbie, I've read several fitness books before (such as New Rules of Lifting For Women and read a kindle sample of Strong Curves), and Body By You so far is my fav! The books is thin - 138 pages of information, but it is all necessary. No blah blah for women how it is important to use weights, to use low repetition etc.. as in NROLFW. I like how it gets straight to the point, why muscles are important health-wise, why cardio is not the best solution for burning fat, how to stay motivated, what happens with the food etc. The book has short section on each small topic (motivation, cardio, training schedule etc) The book answers my questions which I had while reading from other sources. E.g. it is a known fact that where is a "window" after training which allows you to consume fast carbs. Everyone writes this, but I've never seen someone wrote how long is that "window" in minutes/hours (it is about 45 min, now I know) As mentioned in other comments, Mark provides reader with the test to evaluate your current state. I would say, that I am in the average physical state, stronger than an average women, but not as strong as someone who works out regularly. According to the evaluation test, my best result shown in the lower body, I got to the 7th exercise (out of 25), so there is plenty room where to improve. Exercises described in writing how to start, how to finish, what to aim, and how to perform overall. There is a picture of start and final and also a QR code to see it in video online. Also suggestions on how to make it a little harder or a little easier. In the food section sample menu is provided. But can't write here a lot, as haven't read till the end. Although the book is all black and white, it is easy and enjoyable to read even though English is not my native language. I bought this book instead of Bodyweight Strength Training Anatomy. That was my last minute purchase and I was in doubt will it be that good as I am expecting. And, to be honest, I love it! The book has everything you need to get you started.

This is a practical strength training workout book which clearly describes the concepts behind the workouts, and why they are beneficial. It dispels some myths about exercise. Then in words and photos, the exercises are given and the sequence in which they are to be done. There are 25 exercises in order of difficulty in each of 5 movement categories. You warm up by marching on the spot, and do four movement categories 3 days a week, following his schedule. He emphasizes to use correct form. What is unique is that there is a set duration for repetitions, eg. do 12 of a certain exercise in 2 minutes, and if you have finished doing all 12 correctly before the time is up, then rest until the end of that time, before continuing. That is actually a motivator for me, as I can catch my breath if I have to, and feel successful that I am managing to keep up. I have done the first week, 3 days at under 30 minutes each, and the first day of the second week so far. I noticed that many muscles are used and getting toned. On my weight scale, my body composition read-out shows a very slight loss of fat (.3 lb) and the same increase in muscle mass. Mark Lauren writes in his book that more muscle will increase metabolism. It is rewarding feedback to see that already I am building muscle, to rev up the burning of fat! I am an athletic female over 60 and find that I am able to do these exercises. There is a Need to take it down a notch? alternative to exercises which move up in level of difficulty to make them achievable. A simple nutritionaI guide and advice completes the book. Mark's tone is encouraging and clear. I am happy to have found this book, and plan on using it for years to improve and maintain my health.

Il libro scorre ed è di piacevole lettura, anche perchè riguarda la possibilità di sviluppare la forma e la resistenza del proprio corpo. Ho iniziato gli esercizi e mi sento meglio, progredendo immagino sempre meglio. Altro che 5 stelle!