Rating: 
Summary: Who are you kidding?
Review: Both My wife and I did the 12 week challenge. We were brainwashed. We became obsessed about what foods we were eating, if it was the right portion size, counting all the water and then seeing all our money go out the door on expensive supplements. We did see results but it was the supplements. Who wants to get results that you continually have to fork out $100's per month on supplements.We also realised that if we wanted to keep this new muscle we would have to continue buying more supplements. What a lie of a life. While we may have got some results, we were in fairly good shape to start off with and this just got us focused for 12 weeks. Bill's pockets were being filled at our expense. This is a 'feel good' program for rich kids. We have also become binge eaters. On the 12 week challenge you are encouraged to eat anything you want 1 day per week, what ever your heart desires and whatever quantities you require. The reason for this they say is to speed up the metabolism and to actually fulfil the cravings you have. We would absolutely binge eat because we knew we weren't 'allowed' to eat this food on the program. We probably wouldn't have normally eaten this junk food anyway but because we were 'allowed' it on our 'free day' we ate. For those of you who are on the program, give it up, this is not a body for life, this a a jail term. Our advice to you is to exercise regularly, watch what you eat without it ruling your life. Don't worry about 12 weeks, you have a lifetime ahead of you. Be happy, get out of jail....
Rating: 
Summary: Not Snake Oil!
Review: Contrary to the first review listed, Bradley 1100, this book is is excellent, simple to understand, covers everything you need to get started building your best body, and highly motivational. Yes, Bill Phillips refers to being "on steroids" in the early 80s, in the video "Body of Work", which I highly recommend, but he has not used steroids since,as Bradley 1100 implies. In the opening of "Body of Work" he explains that he wanted to change body building from an obscure drug-enhanced competition, and bring it into the lives of the average person. He is absolutely committed to building the best body you can without steroids. If you look at the people in traditional body building magazines, you will see grotesque, monster-like men and women. Bill Phillips has a fabulous physique, but it is absolutely NOT from using steroids. Take a close look at MuscleMedia (Phillips was original editor) and you will see great bodies, and a few average bodies. None of these people look like the "roid monsters" in Flex and Muscle Mag. He never implies that we should all look like models or superstars. He says "I want people to be able to build their best body, not the perfect, perfect body, but perfect for them."
Rating: 
Summary: Anything's Better Than Nothing
Review: If you're an out of shape fat slob who's never done a hour of exercise in your life, this book may help since anything's better than nothing. If however, you think you're going to end up looking like one of the fraudulent after pictures after only 12 weeks, you're going to be sorely disappointed. How come no one else in the history of body-building has ever gotten results like this in only 12 weeks? How come for everyone else, including the professionals, it literally takes years of hard work to get a defined muscular physique? Getting in shape and being healthy is a life-long process, not a crash 12 week program. The weight-lifting routines are okay but use too much weight for a beginner and do not include any of the modern advances in weight-training techniques such as super-slow. The diet is okay as a crash weight loss program but not as a life eating program, which is probably why the book recommends so many nutritional products which the author will be glad to sell you. This book is an okay place to start for people who've never done any exercise in their life, but anyone who's serious about getting in shape and staying in shape needs a lot more information than is provided in this book. The most difficult thing about body-building is that it is lengthy process and takes years of steady work to get and maintain results, so this book that claims that you can accomplish in only 12 weeks what it takes everyone else years to accomplish will only be discouraging to everyone who does not end up looking like a championship body-builder after only 12 weeks.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: If you want to get fit, if you want to do it the RIGHT way, if you want to change you life in the most positive way, then you MUST read this book!! This book will do wonders for you and for everyone who has ever tried but failed at losing weight, well, here is your chance. Do it right, do it now!!! It it true what he says..."12 week to mental and physical health" Give it 12 weeks and you will never go back. You will feel better than you ever have before in your life. I should know. I am on my 2nd challange and I love it. I have never been so fit and happy in my life. I have my life back and it is wonderful!! Try it!!!
Rating:
Summary: Plain and simple, it works
Review: Bill Phillips is a snake-oil salesman! He's trying to get you to buy his supplements! My trainer laughed at the program! The before and after photos are fakes! This isn't enough exericse! It's a fad diet!Well, the truth is, none of this is true. BFL is a very sane combination of brief, high intensity resistance and cardio workouts and an eating style that is workable for just about anyone, even someone who eats out 2/3 of the time like me. Some truths: * if you doubt that it works, check out the websites "leanandstrong" and "bodychangers". These are club-like websites where normal people interact and post their results. If the photos are fakes, there sure are a lot of dishonest people out there. * it takes a huge leap of faith to classify this as a "fad diet" as I've seen some do. Sure is a great diet when you get to eat 6 times per day and choose from basically all lean meats, vegetables, and whole grains in balanced portions. And you don't need supplements, although I've found that meal replacements powders are convenient. * regarding that it is not "enough" exercise, if you really hit the intensity you are supposed to, you simply can't be at the gym much longer. You can workout hard or long, but not both. * "well my trainer says this doesn't work". What does your trainer look like? What do his/her client's look like? Would he/she rather have you following a book or paying $50/hour 5 times per week to work with him/her? * yes, you actually have to go to a gym and workout. A few of the reviews here listed this as a negative. What did they expect? * it doesn't take a lot of time. Weight workouts are 45 minutes long, cardio workouts are 20 minutes long. However, it does take "presence of mind" to plan your day (particularly how you are going to eat) and to really hit the intensity levels when you are in the gym. There is no free lunch. Give it twelve weeks, and watch the magic happen. This isn't the only way to get into shape, but it is one of the very effective ways. It works, plain and simple, and all of the underlying principles are well grounded. Good luck!
Rating:
Summary: Simple and effective
Review: Bill Phillips put together one of the easiest to follow fitness and nutrition books on the market. His plan is near fool proof! If you do NOT want to succeed, do NOT read his book, as he clearly defines the pararmeters for effective exercise and proper nutrition. This is a must read for all of those individuals interested in good health. Everyone from the next door neighbor to a serious bodybuilder can learn something about fitness and nutrition from this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Synthesis of the Bodybuilder Secrets
Review: I've read the book and done the 12weeks program. Although I personally didn't feel I've reach the top of my shape during this time, I think the results were very good. Several of my friends came to ask me what I was doing to get so in-shape. I think the book could be better written, Bill Philips is not exactly a writer. Also, he should not stress so much to push his product (Mioplex) for selling w/ the program.. it should be implicit. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed to read a book that put together all the pieces of the puzzle of "how to get in a better shape" turning down myths such as the one that we need to work-out for hours to get in shape... 45 minutes 3xWeek is all it's necessary! It's true that everybody has it's own limit, determined mostly by its own genetics, and it's also true that the pictures in the book are from people genetically prepared to achieve such impressive changes. Anyway, I think that doesn't matter the limitations we may have in terms of genetics, this book can help the reader to reach a better shape in a easy way, as it has helped me.
Rating:
Summary: Worthless nonsense
Review: Phillips has established, at least in many people's minds, a great deal of credibility through his association with professional sports teams such as the Denver Broncos and a worthwhile charity, the Make-a-wish foundation. How could anyone not like him? Well, I'll tell you why I don't: By his own admission, Phillips built his own impressive physique not by following the program in this book but by using anabolic steroids. Throughout this book, Phillips places enormous emphasis on physical appearance, tying success in all areas of life to our bodies, and repeatedly implies that any man who does not look like Mr. Universe or any woman who does not look like a fashion supermodel cannot really be happy or successful in any other area of their lives. Phillips' writing style is laughably amateurish and extremely long-winded. By the third sentence beginning with "You see, ..." in as many pages, I was ready to scream. Reading this is nearly as painful as the most intense workout.
What little useful nutritional information and descriptions of exercises there are in this book could easily have been condensed into a single magazine article. Better yet, anyone with a sincere interest in fitness could learn far more in a single consultation with a personal trainer. Phillips claims to have touched many lives, and this must be true: This book has sold extremely well, which underscores the number of people who are interested in getting in shape. But that there are so few people walking around with amazing physiques only proves the limited effectiveness of the program. I know many people who OWN the book and have followed this program religiously -- some for much longer than the prescribed twelve weeks -- and not one person I know has the body of Arnold Schwarzenneger or Cindy Crawford. For most of us, that's not a realistic expectation. Not in twelve weeks, not in twelve months, and probably not ever. Personally, I followed this program for twelve weeks and gained a few pounds while reducing my body fat slightly. My biceps certainly didn't swell to the 32" that the guys in the "after" photos exhibit! Nothing that this book tells you will enable you to achieve anything that any program of regular exercise and decent nutrition couldn't. The before-and-after pictures are entirely unbelievable. Nature simply does not make people with the genetic potential to achieve what Phillips claims, no matter how they work out, no matter what they eat, no matter how much snake oil and magic beans they buy from Phillips' company or anyone else. I recommend you DON'T read this book if you don't like what you look like now. The glittering claims and the dubious before and after pictures will only make you feel like a bigger failure. Phillips' revenue source depends on his customers' failure so that he can keep on selling us "information" and supplements. Instead, sign up at your local health club or gym, go regularly, and eat right. Get a personal trainer if you need advice and help with exercises, and get a friend to join you on your diet if you don't feel comfortable going it alone. It IS possible to change your body, but why beat yourself up staring at artificially enhanced people with physiques that 99% of us could never achieve? In my original review of this book, I challenged those who have achieved the spectacular success that the people in the photos and inspirational stories claim to send me an e-mail because I'd like to meet them in person. No one came forward; the offer still stands. Save your money, and tell Bill Phillips, We just ain't buyin' it!
Rating:
Summary: Get in shape for Summer with "Body for Life"
Review: I've been using Bill Phillips "Body for Life" for almost two years now.I've stopped taking the Supplements,but use the workout routines Bill shows you with pictures, and the foods he tells you to eat.You even get to cheat once a week,and eat like a pig.I've kept the 50 pounds that I lost off since that time,and never felt better.I've paid over 20bucks for "Body for Life" when it came out two years ago.You can get it now for under ten dollars.If anyone wants to know about my weight problems over the years,write,and I'll send you my web-site.I use to weigh over 350,but now I'm down to 195.I starved to death getting most of the weight off,and almost killed myself.This book tells you the right way to lose weight,and gain muscle.
Rating:
Summary: Body for Life
Review: This program is the best thing I have ever tried. It has improved my life both physically and mentally. Some of the other reviews claim that the program MUST be done in a gym--not true, and Bill tells you how to handle it at home in the book. I have been on the program for 10 weeks and have lost 12 lbs and many, many inches. Since you definitely put on muscle, weight loss is different and more remarkable than what the scale says. Diets don't work, gimmick exercisers don't work, socializing at a gym doesn't work, this isn't easy but it really works. TURN OFF THE INFOMERCIALS AND BUY THIS BOOK--IT IS ALL YOU NEED!
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