The Slow Burn Fitness Revolution : The Slow Motion Exercise That Will Change Your Body in 30 Minutes a Week

Rating:
Summary: Best fitness book I have ever read.
Review: This book is by far the best fitness book that exists. I picked up the book thinking I might get some benefit but quickly discovered that this one is a real gem. First of all, the science behind the workout is astounding along with the low carb concept that has finally taken over as standard common sense. The workout is only 30 minutes a week and very powerful. At first thought, there was no way this workout could possibly benefit me but I was woefully mistaken. I have been working out with weights for 20 years and have never come across a workout this intense in such a short period of time. I have only worked out three times after reading the book and I feel like I did when I worked out when I was 20 years old. The concepts seem so simple now but this way of working out is definitely the next fitness revolution.

Rating:
Summary: Slow Burn makes sense.
Review: This book simply states how and why a strength training program is the best way to get in shape and stay in shape. I have been investigating other ways to get in shape through diet and exercise and I found this book to be the most clearly written and well argued. The book explains why my other attempts at exercise and diet never seemed to work out well and why slow speed strength training will work best. I just started the routines laid out in the book and so far they are easy to follow and understand. I recommend this book to anyone who has trouble staying in shape, especially the 40+ crowd who want the most efficient and SAFE exercise method.

Rating:
Summary: Slow Burn, tough work-out
Review: Using laymen terms, the book does a good job in explaining the muscular physiological changes that take place during and after this exercise "revolution" program that promotes good muscular strenghening and increased overall stamina.
I, being impatient, immediately went to the section that defines the 11 separate exercises and illustrates the proper technique to use. The program can be achieved with a minimal of equipment and cost. Even some home made devices such as gallon water jugs filled with water (approx 8.2 lbs)can be used for the proper weight lifting requirements. This made the book valuable to me, since I travel 6-8 months out of each year and can therefore easily pack everything I need. An option of exercises using typical fitness center equipment is also illustrated. The in-home and fitness center equipment is illustrated clearly with step by step instructions for each of the 11 separate exercises.
Using this book, and maybe one visit with a trainer to review your technique, is all you would need to strike out on your own. After going through one sessions, believe me when I say, you feel like you worked out in the gym for 3 hours. For an example: Try doing a typical pushup using 7 seconds to touch your chest to the floor and about 7 seconds to return to the starting position. WOW!
I eventually went back and read every page. It makes sense not to beat your body up with jogging, impact aerobics and other potential muscle damaging exercise du jour, especially at my age of 60. Thank you, both my husband (age 65) and I feel confident that the technique recommended in this book will be safe. We will be coaching each other.

Rating:
Summary: Didn't work for me or my friends!
Review: I got this book for Christmas last year and I followed the guidelines religiously for 4 months - the results? Nothing! In fact, not only did I not lose weight and feel better, but I felt worse! The book got me off the foods I love and that gave me energy, and the exercise routine was less than I was previously doing! The guidelines in this book caused a real drop in my energy and my desire to eat right or exercise. I followed this routine with several of my friends and all of us exerienced the same disappointing results. I can't imagine why anyone would want to do it. I consulted about my results with my doctor and he told me to go back to my old routine regular daily cardio and weights. I have slowly been losing weight since then, believe it or not, and I feel much better with higher energy levels. I don't recommend this book at all!!

Rating:
Summary: It works, just do it...
Review: I have this book and Power of 10.

Although some have stated that the claims in the books are outrageous, this system of weightlifting works, and gives results.

Like any other exercise program, the key is what you are stuffing in your mouth on a daily basis. If you hit the drive-thru on a daily basis, don't bother, but, if you stick to the "low glycemic" eating strategies that are recommended, weight loss and increased muscle tonus will follow.

Again, as with Power of 10, you aren't going to do this program, and then go out and run a marathon. You won't be climbing K2 either. But, as a skier and hiker, I have noticed that I have not lost any of my abilities while using Slowburn strategies.

This will add energy and a sense of well being to your over all self. If you are looking to be a young Arnold Schwarzenegger or Ronnie Coleman, you probably want to look at something else. But, if you are an "average" guy or gal, looking to get into better shape, and look better physically, without getting injured or spending your life in the gym listening to someone else's rap CD, then use the principles in this book and get stronger, a better physique, and feel better.

Rating:
Summary: Don't take my business
Review: From the examples that I have seen it works, and it works well. By examples I mean people on the program. This program is like most any program, if you do it correctly it will work, if you do it according to your own methode you get disappointed.

It is amazing that 30 to 40 minutes a week is all I need to get the most out of my workouts. But don't be fooled, it isn't easy. The workouts are very intense. I'd recommend a training partner for most people because it forces you to do your best and your partner can also help you time your workout and tell you if you're losing your form. Which is important especially near failure. When it's getting tough, and it will if you're doing the workout correctly, just remember that you only have to do this once a week.


Rating:
Summary: Highly unlikely you'll stick with this program
Review: For most people, exercise isn't fun. People do it for energy, health, and to be fit. People cringe at the thought of an intense muscle burn, or going to absolute failure. Well, with this program, you will receive the most intense muscle burns, and expend the most effort you ever have before in your life, guaranteed.

The workouts are brief, but they are TOUGH. Even though you may have 2-3 more reps in you, you'll want to quit because the burn is so intense. When you finally succumb to exhaustion after your set, your brain says, "No way!" and you associate working out with pain. I just can't see how someone will stick with this kind of workout long term.

Now... does this workout save time? Yes. Sure does. Does it work as well as standard exercise routines? I'm not sure. It works, yes, but as well as standard routines? The jury is still out on that one. One thing is for sure, it doesn't work BETTER, but you invest much less time. If you're strapped for time, have tremendous will power, and don't care about intense pain, then you should give this workout a whirl. If not, don't even bother.


Rating:
Summary: Looks worth a try but some niggling doubts
Review: I've just read through the book and I'm trying to decide whether to try the advice out seriously.

Reading reviews here on Amazon it's fairly clear that many reviewers fall into one of two categories:

1) People who were already exercising a lot. These reviewers generally think the Slow Burn workouts are not enough and prefer to go back to 3 hours plus of weight training and cardio workouts. Many of these reviewers know a lot about fitness training and the controversial aspects of the book's medical background are much discussed.

2) People who were not exercising previously, or not much. These reviewers are generally optimistic or satisfied but provide less knowledgeable reviews.

It looks to me as if the benefits of this programme depend on two things:

a) Where you start from. People who are already spending 3 hours in the gym each week do not notice gains (and frequently see losses) when they reduce their effort to 30 minutes a week. Surely no surprises there. People who are spending no time on strength exercises and start them will usually see improvements in muscle performance, if not always in mass, and less often still in overall body weight.

b) How trainable your body is. My understanding is that there are great differences between people in their body's response to physical exercise. Consequently, anecdotal evidence is little use in comparing exercise regimes. Also, the impact of exercise for an individual can only be discovered by trying it.

There is also disagreement over two other fundamental aspects of the regime. Firstly, is it or is it not easier to stick to? Secondly, does it or does it not reduce the risk of injury?

I suppose that, in the absence of proper research on these points, I will have to try it for a while myself. At least it's quick enough that I can.


Rating:
Summary: Good boook, good motivation - no excuses
Review: Fredrick Hahn's book on slow motion exercise is a well-written and well-organized book as opposed to Zickerman's Power of Ten.
Hahn included a whole section devoted to at home routines, while Zickerman is convinced you will sooner or later join the gym anyway.
I have just started; so far I can't vouch for the results. Nonetheless, they sound promising and the whole approach makes sense.


Rating:
Summary: Didn't work for me or my friends!
Review: I got this book for Christmas last year and I followed the guidelines religiously for 4 months - the results? Nothing! In fact, not only did I not lose weight and feel better, but I felt worse! The book got me off the foods I love and that gave me energy, and the exercise routine was less than I was previously doing! The guidelines in this book caused a real drop in my energy and my desire to eat right or exercise. I followed this routine with several of my friends and all of us exerienced the same disappointing results. I can't imagine why anyone would want to do it. I consulted about my results with my doctor and he told me to go back to my old routine regular daily cardio and weights. I have slowly been losing weight since then, believe it or not, and I feel much better with higher energy levels. I don't recommend this book at all!!