Rating: 
Summary: This is not for us
Review: My wife and I heard about this book and decided to give it a try. We previously exercised so we weren't couch potatoes or anything. We played tennis 2 days per week, walked on most days, and exercised in the community fitness center with weights for 2 days working with a trainer.We told our trainer we were going to do this routine and he read the book and told us that it wasn't enough. Sure enough he was right. After 12 weeks of following this program both my wife and I felt no better. In fact, we our joints started aching soon after switching to the heavy weights recommended in this book. Our trainer always used functional exercises with us, with a nominal amount of weight, but nothing as intense as this book describes. Our trainer said that the type of training in the book is not for everyone, particularly people of our age (I am 56 and my wife is 53). He said we need to follow a program more suited to our age, abilities, and lifestyle. Giving up the tennis and walking was not great for us either because we really enjoyed this time together. It was more than just exercise, but a social activity that is excellent in our lives. The book says only 30 minutes of exercise so we really missed out by cutting out the tennis and walking. Also, personally my tennis game seems to have suffered because my friends beat me now, so I have to get back and it and start winning again! We're also back with out trainer and we feel much better about it. We also told our doctor about our experience with this program and he explained that we should never give up the walking since it helps our heart health so much. He since read the book and wasn't crazy about the advice offered.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful! I learned so much!
Review: The book was great. I use to spend so much time working out before and achieving fewer results. I used to spend 45 minutes on the bike then 25 on the Stairmaster killing myself before weight training. The book convinced me (at least to try) how you can get all the aerobic activity you need by strength training, and it works. I only wish there were gyms in my area that taught the slow burn method so I could have someone watch me from time to time making sure I am doing everything right. But, I know I am on the right track because I have lost weight, have become tone and have a lot of energy.
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Summary: TRY IT AND YOU WON'T BE SORRY
Review: I just completed my 12th week and I have to say that the results are amazing! I took my before photos and compare them to my after photos and the results are astonishing. I have muscle definition and have lost body fat in places that I thought only liposuction would have worked. I also have two small children and if it has worked for me, it can work for anyone. If you are serious about changing your overall shape, gain strength and overall physical appeal, this is the program for you. I get complimented every day about my results from people who haven't seen me in 6 months. I also feel much younger and stronger and can fit into clothes from high school. This really works. I kid you not.
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Summary: Back pain gone!
Review: Note I sent to Fred Hanh. This stuff works!
I am a 52 year old man who has suffered from low back pain for about 10 years. I could just lay down for a few minutes and my back would seize up on me. The pain was so severe that some mornings I could hardly get out of bed. I remember one time having to roll out of bed and land on the floor the pain was so powerful. Usually after being awake a while the pain would ease up. Every activity I planned was effected by my back pain. Depending on how strong the pain was that day. I have tried everything short of surgery to solve this problem. First I tried chiropractors for several years. I can remember one session where I screamed in pain so loud they heard me in the waiting room. But the pain never went away. Then I read various books on exercises for back pain. All these different exercises and positions, but the pain still persisted. Then I tried Yoga for 2 years I suffered through all the various positions that I could do when my back wasn't hurting me too much. One session I noticed we had a substitute Yoga instructor. Later I found out our regular instructor was having low back pain and couldn't teach that week. I thought: here is a teacher of Yoga, teaching 5 or so classes a day, and even she has low back pain. Maybe yoga doesn't work? DUH! Nothing I did, even OTC pain pills stopped the pain. I had heard surgery was too dangerous, so I had pretty much resigned myself to living with this the rest of my life, since I didn't want to get hooked on pain killers. One day in a Barnes and Noble book store I saw your book and remembered seeing you on a morning talk show. At the time I had looked for your information but could find none and soon forgot. I tried the work out method from what I learned on the talk show but didn't stick with it. So I decided to try your book. As I read what you said made sense. When I got to the part about the back machine, I knew from your description the one I was using at the Y was set up wrong. It wasn't working out the right part of my muscles in my lower back. I brought in your book and discussed it with the staff at (...). They I'm pretty sure, thought I was crazy. But I set the machine to work with stops more like you display in the book. Rather than exercising the butt muscles I was now working the lower back. Immediately I felt that burn you mentioned in a different part of my back. My first thought was, 'this might be my answer'. Within about 2 weeks the pain was virtually gone. Well now it's November and I started in June. No more pain. None. How is this possible? In the past, I've had a few weeks where the pain diminished and was moderate (...)I am 52 and now feel 22. Thank you so much.
Rating: 
Summary: Not enough exercise for me
Review: I read this book and tried the routine for a while. I've always lifted weights so this part of the routine was nothing new for me. The book recommends 30 minutes maximum in one week, which I found to be not enough at all for me. I did 15 minutes one day and then 3 days later did another 15 minutes. I hardly felt like I was doing anything, even when pushing myself with the heavy weights as they recommend. Then, after the 30 minutes there was no time left for cardio, even though they don't recommend it. I was really disappointed in this book because I was hoping that 30 minutes would be the quick fix I need. I guess we could all use the extra time by having such a short workout but I found that my fitness level and energy level was compromised. I switched back to my old routine of 5 days a week and prefer it.
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Summary: Instant Results - Can't complain about that.
Review: I am one of those people that read every review and spent a lot of time before I chose a book to get me started. I picked this book and from the first week I had instant success. I sit at a desk all day and have become quite - unfit - with the new job. I am on the phone a lot and didn't have a head set (leading to shoulder pain), my thighs were spreading, and my hip hurt from a broken toe (trying not to walk so my foot hurt, left me with a sore hip.) I finished my first session thinking, "That's it? No sweat, no pain? How can that work? Within one week, I was at good form, sitting better at work, little to no hip pain, energized and ready to move on. I am taking it slowly, as I have little time. But I also love the fact that I can do the exercises in the morning and/or at night. I use to hate getting my body in motion and not being able to fall asleep, because I was hyped up. Using that an excuse to not work out. Now I can either run off to work or hit the sack, feeling better either way. This is the first time I have felt that I can work towards my fitness goals whenever I get the time, and focus on me. The book teaches that it isn't about putting in your time, or even about how many reps, it is about quality. And if you focus on the quality you will see the results.
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Summary: My energy was not diminished
Review: I don't know what this person is talking about? Reducing your exercise is not going to diminish your energy; not eating properly will do that. I do two 30+ minute sessions a week and been working very hard to eat more protein and less carbs (although it is very difficult at times) and I feel energetic (because of the fat loss) and more importantly, I feel fit!
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Summary: My energy diminished
Review: I followed the program in this book and found it less than satisfactory. Basically, I cut back my exercise from 5-6 days a week to 2 days a week, as recommended. I found that my energy levels on the days I didn't exercise were low. I like to exercise in the mornings because it gives me an energy boost for the day and I feel great all day. This still occurred on the 2 days that I did exercise, but barely, since my exercise was only 15 minutes (twice per week), as outlined in the book. I felt dragged out on the days I didn't exercise, so I believe there is a shortfall in the exercise guidelines in this book. I have now switched back to exercising daily, and I feel great. I plan on running a marathon soon as well, so I joined a running group which teaches you how to schedule proper run times to be able to do well in the marathon. I dare say that stopping to run, or even reducing my running would never allow me to complete this marvelous feat.
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Summary: The book DOES NOT say to eliminate cardio
Review: I bought this book 6 months ago, have read it at least three times and refer to it almost on a daily basis. First, let me say that the program is wonderful and you will see great results with it. Second, it doesn't say to eliminate cardio, the book explains how you don't need to kill yourself running, spending hours on a bike...etc. The book explains how you can get all the cardio you need from strength training properly, and you can. Remember, running, stationary bike, Stairmaster and yes, strength training are all forms of cardiovascular activity. I love the program, I feel great and would recommend it to anyone
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I LOVE THIS BOOK and the methodology. I have been doing the program for 3 months now and I have lost 25lbs, I am much leaner and stronger and I got this done in a quarter of the time I used to spend in the gym. I go to the gym twice a week for 30-45 minutes and have stuck to the more protein less carb plan and it has worked out great. I don't understand these other reviews where they say the book claims that you should eliminate cardio...I didn't read that anywhere.
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