Editorial Review

There's a photo of Joseph Pilates on the back cover of this book. He looks like a strapping young James Dean, with rippled abdominal muscles and defined--but not creepily large--quads, pecs, and biceps. He could pass for 30, but he was almost 60 years old when the photo was taken. Read more

Reviews (21)

An excellent reference on Pilates exercises, but not a good buy for home exercisers

Good overview, but not ideal for building a home practice
This book provides a good overview of the Pilates method for those interested in learning about performing a wide range of Pilates movements using various types of Pilates equipment.However, because the average Pilates practitioner is unlikely to purchase most of the equipment featured, this book is less effective for those looking to build a home-based Pilates practice consisting mainly of matwork.The information provided is clear and datailed, and as always, the photographs of Joseph Pilates at various ages are inspiring.Still, most casual Pilates enthusiasts are likely to derive more practical information from a book such as Brooke Siler's The Pilates Body.

Covers all aspects of a pilates workout
I really like this book.I have several other books on pilates, and this one is my favorite.It covers matwork, reformer, barrels, wall, cadillac, chair, and circle work.Most other books only focus on one aspect, such as matwork.People have complained that this book talks too much about pilates equipment, but the truth is, pilates is based on using many types of equipment, and this book discusses exercises for each apparatus.Frankly, the book would be incomplete if it didn't discuss the equipment.This book contains excellent pictures and descriptions for each exercise, along with telling you which part of the body you are working and the benefits.If you want to have a full pilates experience (not just matwork), this book is the ticket! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Exercise    3. Mind and body    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Physical fitness    6. Diet    7. Health    8. Fitness    9. Health & Fitness   

Reviews (8)

Best workout ever!
When I first heard of kettlebells a couple months ago they seemed like they were for hardcore macho-man types--commandos, Green Berets, whatever. Not for me, a plump middleaged woman trying to get into shape and lose fat.
An Evolution In Method
"From Russia With Tough Love" represents an evolution in Pavel's methods of teaching kettlebell techniques."The Russian Kettlebell Challenge" was male-oriented, taught basic exercises and then said "Have at it.""From Russia with Tough Love" is designed for women, assumes that the reader is an absolute beginner, starts from ground zero, and builds an effective workout step-by-step.I recommend "From Russia with Tough Love" for anyone, male or female, who is just starting out with kettlebells.

Ifyou can get through the clutter...
Eliminating 28 pages of advertising, 41 pages of innane comments plusthe dragondoor ad on each page(we got the message)would improve this book immensely. There are some really good techniques and principles of kettlebell training in this text, but it's almost a bother each time I open it to decipher the organization through the distracting clutter. Definitely needs some professional editing and it could be a respectable training manual. I will hesitate ordering any other of his works before physically seeing them in a bookstore first and verifying the layout first. Even with the great prices at amazon.com, I'm not interested in buying filler pages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Exercise    3. Reference    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Exercise & workout books    7. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (27)

Excellent work out for busy Moms
I just ordered a second copy of the book because the workout charts I have had taped to my wall for the last 8 years are looking tatty.
ItReallyWorks!
I have been following the workout plan for two months now.I followed her suggestions of eating a lowfat diet, aerobic activity, and the weights (dumbbells.)My arms, shoulders, thighs, and calves all look toned now.I have a little more work to do on my stomach, but it is smaller than it was two months ago.Just as it took time to get a stomach, I know it will take time to go away. Like one of the other reviewers said, it takes me longer than 20 to 30 minutes, but that'so.k. because the results are worth it.
Working Out
I had two previous copies of the book and loaned them out to friends and I loved the results so much that I had to purchase a third copy.
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Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Consumer Health    3. Exercise    4. Health/Fitness    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Weight lifting    7. Weight training    8. Exercise & workout books    9. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training    10. Weightlifting   

Reviews (2)

Excellent Training Journal
I am a personal trainer for Gold's Gym and I would recommend this to all of my clients!

Solid advice for unsurpassed RESULTS!
Using the information in this book, my husband and I were able to bring both of our persentage of body fat down to a really healthy, trim level. We are active, but had never been able to lose the "slightly soft" look. We figured, "If we work out and eat decently, why are we still chubby?" Cathy Sassin showed us how we were eating incorrectly (too infrequently, without balanced nutrients), and we both lost fat and gained muscle by following her advice. We also gained a lot of energy, and lost all of our hunger pangs, headaches, late-afternoon sleepiness, etc. Now when we eat or work out, we know that we are supporting our goals of lifelong fitness by getting the best results for our efforts. Changing habits takes work, but you'll be more than willing to do it when you can SEE the results immediately! This WORKS. If you're serious, buy the book and do it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Cardiovascular fitness    4. Consumer Health    5. Diet / Health / Fitness    6. Exercise    7. Medical    8. Nutrition    9. Sports    10. Sports Medicine    11. Weight training    12. Health & Fitness / Exercise    13. Sports injuries & medicine   

Reviews (3)

The best book on bodybuilding available
This book is a must have for those who want to learn how to maximize muscle mass and minimize body fat naturally. The author simplifies the whole process of building a muscular body and provides the necessary information so that the reader can customize a program that meets their specific needs. I really appreciate the way the author addresses the nutritional needs of trainees with different metabolic rates. I am an endo-mesomorph (have a slow metabolism and store fat easily) and have successfully applied his advice on diet with great results. I am training to lose body fat and have lost 10 pounds in 9 weeks and 3 inches from my waist. It may not sound like much but it looks like 20 or 30 pounds. You may not want to be a competitive bodybuilder (I don't either) but you can still benefit from all the great training and nutrition advice. Real results only come through consistency in training and proper nutrition. Almost every weight training book is geared for steroid users but the information in this book is applicable to the drug-free athlete. This may be the only reference book you need. One word of caution however. The author discusses supplements and mentions ephedrine as a good fat loss aid, but I would advise you to avoid it because it can have negative effects upon your health. Even if you don't suffer serious side effects, coming off ephedrine will leave you with very low energy levels. Other than that this book is awesome.
This book is a must have for any BodyBuilder's Library
I use to bodybuild years ago and was discouraged by the drug use that was obviously there.After ten years I'm thinking about doing something I never quite accomplished; enter a show.I have a lot of books on the subject and I've read a lot through the years.I was so happy to see a book that was all about natural bodybuilding but I was still very skeptical.I've heard and read the term, "natural" from a lot of people but few have delivered.This book is clear and to the point and provides useful comparisons on the differences of natural bodybuilders to drug users.It explains how you have different limits than someone that uses enhancers.
Get in shape without drugs (go for it withOUT flesh or soy)
John Hansen lives in Westmont, Illinois.
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Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Competitions    4. Consumer Health    5. Diet / Health / Fitness    6. Exercise    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (5)

A must read for women who are into fitness
I recentley bought this book because a friend of mine that is a trainer reccomended it to me. The instructions are easy to follow and the book is filled with beautiful pictures. I enjoy the book and I often utilize the moves from various sections to reduce some of my trouble spots. I would reccomend this to any semi-or higher experienced female weight lifter. I have loaned and reccomended this to many friends. It is a definite addition to any woman's collection of fitness material.

Highly Motivational, User-friendly Guide to Body Sculpting
Having been involved in the sport of amateur weight-training/body sculpting for ten+ years now, I've come across many "good" books and many "bad" books on the subject.This is one of the "very good" books.
For newcomers and old hands alike
This is an excellent guide to bodybuilding for women.Looking at Rachel's pics should give you some motivation.Everything is clearly explained.Highly recommended ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Bodybuilding for women    4. Consumer Health    5. Exercise    6. Exercise for women    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Massage & Reflexotherapy    10. Exercise & workout books    11. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (6)

wish i could read this!!!!!
great book wish the type was big enough for people over 45 years could read.
A must have!
As the title implies, this book discusses the mental aspect of weight training.The book contains sixty short stories that provide a theme on helping you set and achieve goals, how to set your mind to lift heavier weights, how outside sources can interfere with your training, etc.All of the suggestions provided can be used in every aspect of your life.A wonderfull read and is a must have in any weight trainee's library.

Excellent
Look, there is not much I can say except this is excellent and if you strive to achieve anything, especially physical-oriented, this is the book to get for mental aspects. Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Psychological aspects    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Training    6. Weight training   

Editorial Review

They were a talented team with a near-perfect record but areputation for choking in the crunch of the state playoffs. Finally, after five straight years of disappointments,the Amherst Lady Hurricanes found they just might have what it took to go all the way. This is a fierce, funny, and intimate look into their minds and hearts during one very special season.A finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction. ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Wonderful - but ...
I confess to being a fanatic about girls basketball.I've coached my daughters over a total of close to 9 years, and loved every minute of it.I also went to college in Amherst, as did my eldest daughter.She even knows one of the assistant coaches in the book.
A Great Story, Beautifully Written
I have read dozens of books about sports, and this one ranks up there with the best.First of all, Madeleine Blais tells a great story, start to finish, of an exciting basketball season played by high school girls at the top of their game.But Ms. Blais makes the reader care deeply about these girls by bringing them to life as full human beings.The snapshots of their home lives, academic efforts, and personal relationships brings these girls alive.Finally, this is a thoughtful book that, without ever preaching, makes you realize that girls are naturally just as competitive and spirited as boys.Indeed, in these girls hope is a muscle.May they all live long, productive, and happy lives.

One of my favorites
I first read this book while I was still a member of a high school girls' basketball team.While my teams never reached nearly the pinnacle that the Amherst team did, I think that this book captures the dynamics and ongoing relationships in sports, especially on a girls' team.Each character comes vividly to life after reading it just once, and after a few times, they seem like good friends.This book is a must for anyone who plays sports, watches sports, or is a sports parent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amherst Regional High School (    2. Amherst Regional High School (Amherst, Mass.)    3. Basketball    4. Basketball - General    5. Basketball for girls    6. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    7. Case studies    8. General    9. Massachusetts    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Women's Studies - General    13. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training   

Reviews (6)

A very focused guide on Nautilus weight training
Ellington Darden worked for Nautilus for a number of years. I believe his Ph.D. is in nutrition. I found this book to be far superior to most other weight training books. The book explains the research behind Nautilus machines and performing only one set of each movement to exhaustion. Here are things this book will teach you: 1. One method of scientifically based weight training; 2. Proper form; 3. A lesson in anatomy and physiology as it applies to weight training. You might think this is not a lot but it's a lot if you've been wasting your time with fad training methods. One thing I remember in this book is how Darden describes how some football players get so strong that they may only need one weight training session per week. Some years ago, I cut back my weight training as he described and the strength gains I achieved still amaze me.

Disappointing
The book was far more of a sales brochure for Nautilus equipment than I had expected. Perhaps even more disappointing was the mediocre quality of the instructions in Part II. I found the instructions no more detailed thanthose affixed to the sides of Nautilus machines at the gym.

Good reference, but a little one sided
I am new to Nautilus equipment and this book has been a big help.It explains how to use all of the machines and provides sample workouts.My only complaint about the book is that it gives the impression that Nautilustraining is the only valid form of strength training.Many pages aredevoted to explaining why other forms of exercise are not as good asNautilus.This makes the book feel like one big commercial for Nautilus. If you are just starting an exercise program (like myself), this book ishelpful, but read some other books to get less biased perspective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Boating - General    3. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Exercise    6. Nautilus weight training equip    7. Nautilus weight training equipment    8. Physical Fitness    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Weight lifting    12. Weight training    13. Fitness training    14. Public health & preventive medicine   

Reviews (45)

Disappointed - it says do it, but doesn't say how to do it.
I bought this book recently and I'm disappointed at it. It only has one page with the exercise plan just listing the exercises you should do in the beginning phase. But, IT DOES NOT EXPLAIN HOW TO PERFORM THEM. It only shows pictures of just some of the exercises he lists. All in all, buy this book for advice and stories about the weight training life rather than how to do it.

5 stars?You gotta be kidding me..
How is it that Wolff's books get such great reviews?I'm not going to rehash the negative points.Search the reviews for the scant few that gave less than 4 or 5 stars.I think there is some kind of "circle of friends" going around giving 5-star reviews and then going back saying that they found each other's reviews to be helpful.The books certainly are not helpful. Reviewer SBJ400, while having some good reviews on other products, has basically cut and pasted reviews from one Wolff book to another and given them all 5 stars.If you want to get started-out in weight training I'd suggest anything from the "Men's Health" line of products or anything that Lou Schuler has been associated with (even though he is no longer with Men's Health).As far as I'm concerned, "The Book of Muscle" has been pretty much the seminal treatise on weight training for the past couple of years.I've read probably 50 other books on the subject, and none of them has any information that one doesn't have in it.

Dr. Wolff is the man !!!
Read my other reviews of Dr. Wolff's books because I have read several of his books and I am proud to have them in my collection. Truthfully, they are all I need since they cover everything you need to know!Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Exercise    4. Health/Fitness    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (2)

Good advice from one of bodybuilding's greats.
Good advice for the bodybuilding enthusiast complete with pictures and nutritional advice.

Top notch advice.
This is as good a book as I have seen on the subject.Bob Paris is asintelligent as he is well-built, and he knows how to assist others who needsound advice to improve their health and physiques. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Massage & Reflexotherapy    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Exercise & workout books    7. Fitness training    8. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training   

Reviews (7)

Great book
Any book from Phil Capelle on pool is a great book.Try "Play your best nine ball"
A mind for pool - and life
This is such a comprehensive book about the role of the mind in pool that much of its advice and lessons could be applied to any difficult endeavor that involves siginificant behavior change.In other words, people could apply the knowledge imparted in this book to dieting, stopping smoking and so on.The information is so universal and valuable that it could help anyone - not just pool players.
putting things in perspective
a great analysis of the mental side of pool.Lots of information on the competitve side of pool: how to gear up, dealing with slumps and streaks, etc.Just as important, he emphasizes that pool should be enjoyable, whatever one's manner of enjoyment might be, from very leisurely to ultra-serious.To sum it up, "There is so much to love about pool that it is simply foolish to waste any time on the negatives." I have to second this; browsing this book alot lately has made me want to play, learn and enjoy the game again, after several months of hardly playing at all.Capelle certainly does not dissappoint. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sports & Recreation    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Snooker, billiards, pool    4. Psychology    5. Mental Health   

Reviews (2)

New Edition is Way Better
I'm a multi sport athlete who trains all year round regardless of what sport I play. I bought a few of these Ultimate Guide to Weight Training books, and they definitely helped me train specifically for the different sports that I play. Then about a year later I received an email from amazon that there was a new edition out.These upgraded editions are even better than the originals, with more articles and a lot more sport-specific information. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who plays a lot of sports or wants to specifically focus on training for one sport in particular.

This book is a MUST-BUY for serious hockey players
Use it in the summer - Use it in the winter -Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Hockey - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training    6. Sports & Recreation / Hockey    7. Sports & Recreation / Training    8. Training    9. Athletic Training And Conditioning    10. Exercise    11. Health & Fitness    12. Hockey    13. Physical education and training   

Reviews (10)

DON'T KNOCK IT TILL YOU'VE TRIED IT !!!!
I'm no scientist or nutritionist nor have I consulted one so take this for what it is worth.
outstanding technical/scientific reference
This is an excellent reference to the science behind and beyond THE WARRIOR DIET, not that you have to have that book to read this one, but it is more of a clear application guide to the concepts in this book. This book can be a great resource to the serious athlete but because it gives no specific plan to use the information in it, it is not for the weekend health recreationalist. Be warned it is a very complex book, the information is all there, but the average reader will likely have trouble understanding much of the information without some background or previous interest in the technical functions of chemicals and hormones in the body. A lot of scientific talk here. Excellent book, but be ready to do more research to get a full understanding of all the knowledge in here.

Complicated
-This book is not written for the average caveman.While reading it, and I did read the whole thing, I found myself blah blah blahing in my head until I hit an interesting point or two.
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Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Consumer Health    3. Exercise    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Healthy Living    7. Physical Fitness    8. Weight Loss   

Reviews (6)

Great book for beginner but...
I agree with other reviewers that this is a great starting place for beginners. Some of the highlights that others didnot mentioned are: Learn To Design Your Own Weight Training Programs
I'm fortunate to have a brother with a master's degree in exercise science and a lot of experience in strength training, as he's always designed my weight training programs for me. But being the self-reliant kind of person that I am, and not wanting to impose too much on my brother's time, I asked him to tell me what one book he would recommend to someone who wanted to learn how to design their own weight training program. He immediately recommended Weight Training Steps to Success. After reading this book, I understand why he recommended it so highly. Excellent book!
After digging through piles of books at the library about weight lifting we finally come upon this one and immediately went out and purchased our own copy...Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Physical fitness    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Weight training    6. Fitness training   

Reviews (2)

New Edition is Way Better
I'm a multi sport athlete who trains all year round regardless of what sport I play. I bought a few of these Ultimate Guide to Weight Training books, and they definitely helped me train specifically for the different sports that I play. Then about a year later I received an email from amazon that there was a new edition out.These upgraded editions are even better than the originals, with more articles and a lot more sport-specific information. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who plays a lot of sports or wants to specifically focus on training for one sport in particular.

Best Weight Training Product I have ever used......
The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training is by far the best product on the market.I have tried everything from a personal trainer to those basketball strengh shoes, but nothing increased my strength, speed and vertical jump like the Ultimate Guide.This is the real thing people.See for yourself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Basketball - General    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Training    6. Basketball   

Reviews (70)

entertaining but not quite accurate
The author tells his story in a very entertaining way.If you are a bodybuilder, which I am, several of his accounts can be related to.There are several parts where I do believe he exaggerated a bit.I have been around the bodybuilding game for years and have not seen some of the things, nor experienced some of the things he claims to have experienced.taken with a grain of salt the book is worth reading.taken as 100% factual would be a mistake. I would give it 4 stars just from his writing style and humor. I would give it 2 stars on how he deals with the facts of bodybuilding.

Dishonest and fraudulent
MUSCLE is the most fraudulent novel about California since LESS THAN ZERO. Both books sought to curry favor with the eastern literary establishment by bashing the Golden State as a brain-dead hell on earth, and both books succeeded in flattering and delighting their target readership.
Understand where the author is coming from
This biography of Sam Fussell's experimentation (serious experimentation) with bodybuilding is a truly great read.I highly recommend it.However, you have to understand the perspective from which the book is written.Fussell writes this after having quit bodybuilding, as an effort to reestablish himself among the intelligentsia who fear/despise bodybuilding.Fussell's tone is thus appropriately apologetic and confessional, and he describes bodybuilding as "the disease."Remarkably, he has nothing good to say about the lifestyle that consumed him for several years.The child of literary parents, this is Fussell's literary mea culpa for straying from the fold.It is not, therefore, an even-handed description of bodybuilding.I think it does contain a lot of good material, and makes some great points, but its perspective should be understood up front. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Bodybuilders    4. Bodybuilding    5. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    6. Fussell, Samuel Wilson    7. Massage & Reflexotherapy    8. Sports & Recreation    9. United States    10. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (64)

Laughable Reviews for what is Common sense
Some of the reviews here are just laughable. The goal for using this program isn't just about "looking good." For some, its actually about developing strength and power that can be translated into specific sports. Common sense dicates that there is a direct correlation between this squat program and the caloric intake recommended. If you are actually dedicated to this program, and grind out those reps with increasing poundages, you have no choice but to eat because they will make you brutally hungry. If you aren't hungry from doing them, well then you aren't putting in the work necessary. Its that simple.

You'' get big but you'll get Fat too
all the milk this guy advocates and the heavy eating will get you big and strong if you train the way he says but it will likely also get you fat with all the extra calories. His 30 pounds of muscle in 6 weeks would be more like 5 pounds of muscle and 25 pounds of fat. I advise you get a book by Stuart McRobert and look into the training methods of Vince Gironda or Larry Scott and you will be on your way to looking good. also make sure you do something for conditioning which this book advocates very little.Do some sled dragging, running, cicuit calisthenics, burpees but do some cardio.
A little Overzealous
I liked the book, it has some good ideas, but nothing works forever.If you've never worked out with weights before, you can definitely gain on this program, but thirty pounds is an exaggeration.If you want 30 muscular pounds in six weeks you are dreaming.I do like the documentation of goals, weights and size based on joint measurements.Some cool ideas, but nothing is bible and this book sure isn't.References to the strongmen of old are cool, but if your looking for great references, pick up Brad Gillingham's DVD, Westside barbell articles by Louie Simmons, and Ed Coan's book.Nuff said. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Muscle strength    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Training   

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Weight Training    6. Biography: general   

Reviews (3)

No-nonsense, old fashion Weightlifting
My first impression when I opened a light and skinny envelop of the delivered book was that of opening some business correspondence letter. The book is only 132 pages, of black and weight print that could be produced on a home printer, the era preceding of hp-laser or inkjet. Though the first edition came in 1997, it immediately revived my memory of the struggle to print and publish my own book on those days. It is a painful experience for authors to meddle with so many hurdles in order to get their information to the reader.Then, there is my bias in favor of a fellow weightlifter attempting to maintain a dying sport form retiring to history archives.
Solid info.
Cissik did a very thorough job researching Olympic-style weightlifting - in fact, this text reads like a research paper/thesis.Having said that, the text might be a little too formal for some.

Excellent Book!
This book is MUCH better than the first edition.The beginning of the book is a concise description of the Olympic exercises and associated assistance exercises.This is good for the beginning lifter.The secondhalf of the book is on workout design.It is EXCELLENT and draws heavilyon EASTERN EUROPEAN texts (They always have the best lifters!).The bookis worth buying for this section.Powerlifters and fitness buffs can usethe principles outlined here to greatly improve their progress.Everychapter is heavily referenced for those who are interested in learningmore. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Education / Teaching    3. Physical Education    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training    7. Weightlifting