The Body Sculpting Bible for Women

Rating:
Summary: No, I don't know the authors!
Review: I have been using the workouts in this book for a couple of months and they are really keeping me on track.
I don't follow all the nutritional info although it is certainly influencing what I eat, however I am still seeing dramatic results that continually amaze me -- in the past I never would have called myself athletic and now I feel completely differently about my body.
Also, the discipline I am developing in my workout approach is helping me in many other aspects of my life, reinforced by my results and the authors' discussions of the mental aspect of working out.
But I felt compelled to add my review because I was annoyed to see that some people thought these reviews were made up -- if anything the people who refer to the authors by their first names probably do so because the language of the book is very approachable, and I feel after reading this book that these fellows really are interested in their readers achieving their goals.
One book cannot be all things to all people, and it is understandable that some may not take to it the way I have. However, my personal experience is that this book helped to get me out of the fluff realm of workouts for women and into a mode of exercising and living that is really result oriented.

Rating:
Summary: There's more to muscles than moves
Review: In terms of offering a structured and effective workout, this book is great. The are three types of workout options proposed, one for each of the following types of women, those who are: 1. Novices 2. Intermediate exercisers and 3. Advanced exercisers.

The book tells you exactly what muscles to work, how to work them and how many reps you should do. The book is so decriptive that I could actually function as a "Bodysculpting for Dummies Book" with all due respect. The images provided also the familiarize you with proper form. (But let me interject that nothing compares to having a competent trainer show you one-on-one how to do properly lift a weight.)

I used the program designed for the Advanced user for six weeks and acheived the results I desired.

As a figure competitor, let me assure you that there is more to sculpting your body than just doing workouts. Yes, working out properly and consistently is crucial to muscle development. But this is only 10% of the game. The other 90% is ensuring that you eat well enough so that you 1.have the energy to lift the weights and get through the workout and 2. have enough protein to ensure that your muslces recover and grow. Moreover, you must sustain the mental control that motivates you to consistently eat well and rest.

I don't feel this "difficult, self-discipline" part of training is properly covered in exercise books. It's probably because discipline is a hard sale. I have read muscle mags and exercise books for years and was mislead about how critical nutrition was to altering the appearance of the body.

There are lots of books at there that go through the motions of a "good" workout for muscle development. The "Bodysculpting Bible for Women" expertly takes you through the motions. For this I give it a rating of 4.9 stars. But please heed my advise that if you want to change your body, you have to change you other habits as well, starting with your mindset and nutritional habits.

I wish you the best.



Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but not the best.
Review: I've been working out for a long time, running almost every day and weight training 3 times a week. I picked up this book because I wanted to change up my weight training routine. I like the workouts quite well, although the authors emphasize supersets, which are great but difficult to perform at my crowded gym. Nevertheless, I've managed to put together a pretty good routine, combining what I was already doing with some new ideas I gained from this book. I like the fact that each exercise is accompanied with photos and a good description of alignment and form.

Some of the other reviewers mentioned that they liked the chapter on nutrition. I read and then chose to disregard this chapter. Some of the nutritional advice is good (drink lots of water, reduce sugar, etc.), but I couldn't get past the exceedingly low caloric intake recommendations. If I were to limit my calories to 1200 - 1500 a day, I would go homicidal. In fact, I don't know of many women who would do well on so few calories. The authors do mention that some people might need more calories than this, but I didn't feel that they adequately addressed the nutritional needs of people who are already very active and need a lot of calories to keep up the pace. I'm glad to see that some people benefitted from this chapter, but I don't think this advice is right for everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Getting results
Review: I bought this book because, after nearly a year of not working out, I'd forgotten what exercises to do and how. Plus, I needed more variety, which had been severely lacking in my previous workouts. This book gives that and is meticulous about describing form for safety and maximum results. However, the subtitle "For Physical Perfection" is also telling. Personally, I don't have time or the need for *perfection*. The diet guidelines severely restrict the joy of food (a "cheat meal" allows you to put mayo and cheese on your sandwich). I still give the book a "5" because it met my needs very well, and if you're looking for "perfection" you can achieve that, as well.

Rating:
Summary: The absolute BEST!!!!
Review: I am a fitness instructor of several years, and despite countless attempts of advice from my own supervisors I found the BSB. I started with the Body Sculpting Workout #2 and was able to see results in the first 6 weeks. I have continued the program several times over and have graduated on to the Body Definition Workout, also in the BSB. When I started I was 130lbs. and had 24% body fat. I now weigh 105lbs. and have 11% body fat and I have maintained that very easily just by doing what I have learned in the book. Not only have I expirienced great success with it, it has been a useful research tool for my job. Anyone that says this program doesn't work obviously didn't follow it very well. It takes great determination and hard work to succeed in the gym-the BSB just makes that time a little more efficient for those of us that don't have all day to work out. The bottom line is this- if you are serious about wanting results and have the drive and motivation to get in there and do it, then the program works. I guarantee it. I've seen major results in myself and friends. Trust me, the program works because I do it and I know. This is the best workout program for the beginner or advanced fitness buff! Go for it! You won't be dissappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your time and money!
Review: I bought this book based on the customer reveiws, and now I feel like a fool because they were obviously written by the authors themselves! They all read like an infomercial! I am working on my Masters Degree in Exersise Phisiology and I am always looking for books on the subject to add to my library. This book went in the trash. Athletes or people who train more than 3 times per week should NEVER be on a high protien, low carb diet. And for heavens sake we need more than 1200 calories! I believe this book will lead people to be misinformed. There are some good tips on weight training, but you can get the same information from many other books (I would recommend those that are written for women, by women) and magazines that don't need the authors to write 5-star reveiws for themselves. How pitiful.