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Rating: 
Summary: Dumbbell book that hits home
Review: After reading some of the reviews, I went ahead and ordered this book since it hit on what I needed - a guide for dumbbell exercises. After receiving the book, I was overjoyed how well it was designed and laid out, the index color-coded by muscle group, and even the muscle reference guide. I have to say this is a wonderful book for a very good price. It may be small in size, but comes across mighty in message delivery how dumbbells can make a difference.
Rating:
Summary: a superb introduction to dumbbell strength training
Review: For the person who wants to get back into shape and has neither the time, budget, nor inclination to go to the local gym, but wants to do something at home, this book cannot be too strongly recommended. It is especially suited for novices and is full of excellent information and suggestions. I tried the author's advice to start with 2 1/2 pound weights in each hand and am now up to 10 pounds each after about 5 weeks. I have had no injuries, excessive soreness or fatigue or any other problems. His recommendations on duration, pacing, lifting techniques, frequency and intensity are very sensible. If you follow his program, you have a very good chance of excellent results. He rightly points out that any exercise program should have the prior input of a physician.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fantastic
Review: I am a housewife with little chance of making it to the gym (we share one vehicle and my husband commutes)- this book has been such a treasure. It has a great muscle chart and easy directions with bold, clear illustrations of each exercise. Extra equipment is kept at the bare minimum- they use only dumbbells and a simple bench- you could adjust this around a chair if you don't want to go garage saling for a used exercise bench (this is what I am going to do- you can get them for $20-50 sometimes used!). The bench is not used but for a few of the exercises, so you can just use the stand alones!
This is simply the best purchase I have made this year in regards to learning a new way to fitness.
Rating: 
Summary: For true beginners only
Review: I bought the book hoping to find additional dumbbell exercises to complement the ones that I was already doing. This book offers only the basic exercises. If you are hoping to get started with dumbbell exercises, this book meets that need quite well. However, if you already have a dumbbell routine and hope to add to it, this is not the book you need.
Rating:
Summary: good for beginners and people who want to get back in shape
Review: I bought this little book a few weeks ago and have used it to design a workout program to get back in shape. To my mind, dumbbells, in conjunction with some cardiovascular exercise, are the way to go, and this book tells you how to do it. It tells you everything you need to get started--dumbbells, a bench, a mat, and a calf stand (which you can make by nailing a 4x4 to a 1x10). It has photos of, and directions for, 11 shoulder, 4 rotator cuff, 3 chest, 3 back, 5 bicep, 3 tricep, 2 forearm, 9 leg, and 5 core (abdomen) exercises. All you do is choose 1 or 2 exercises from each section and do 3 sets of 12 reps every other day. Add weight when it gets easy, and try a new exercise when you get bored. You can do a complete dumbbell workout in an hour to an hour and a half. Skip the expensive machines and health clubs and do it yourself with the help of this book. I highly recommend it for beginners or for people like me who have had some weight training experience in the past but want to learn a few new exercises to get a well-rounded workout. Appropriate for men and women of any age.
Rating:
Summary: good for beginners and people who want to get back in shape
Review: I bought this little book a few weeks ago and have used it to design a workout program to get back in shape. To my mind, dumbells, in conjunction with cardiovascular exercise, are the way to go, and this book tells you everything you need to get started--dumbells, a bench, a mat, and a calf stand (which you can make by nailing a 4x4 to a 1x10). It has photos and directions for 11 shoulder, 4 rotator cuff, 3 chest, 3 back, 5 bicep, 3 tricep, 2 forearm, 9 leg, and 5 core exercises. All you do is choose 1 or 2 exercises from each section and do 3 sets of 12 reps every other day. Add weight when it gets easy, and try a new exercise when you get bored. You can do a complete dumbell workout in an hour to an hour and a half. I highly recommend this handbook for beginners or for people like me who have had some weight training experience in the past but want to learn a few new exercises to get a well-rounded workout. Appropriate for men and women of any age. Small enough to take with you to the gym.Update: I've now used this book for 6 months as the basis for developing a dumbbell workout routine. I definitely increased muscle mass and strength over the first four months, but didn't lose any weight. However, in the last two months, since I've increased my cardio workout from 3 to 6 days a week and limited my carb intake, I've been losing about 2 pounds a week. Weightlifting is a key component in this weightloss because it increases lean body mass, which in turn increases metabolism and burns fat. Briefly, then, I'd still recommend this book for beginners, but I'd say it's only going to help you with one part of a comprehensive lifestyle change. You don't have to change your diet or do cardio exercise to build muscle, but if you want to lose excess fat too, you'll have to do it all and stick to it over the long haul. This handbook has served me well, but recently I've sought out other books to help me get ideas to help me vary my routine a little. I have not abandoned this book, though; rather, I'm now using it in conjunction with another one, Basic Weight Training for Men and Women (McGraw-Hill, 2004).
Rating: 
Summary: A very functional and useful book
Review: Simple, and to the point. This book demonstrates various exercises using dumbbells and there benefits. It was exactly what I wa looking for, and offered at a great price.
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Summary: Useful pocketbook
Review: This is NOT a thick box. Just 64 pages of clear, well defined illustrations. Simple exercises which can be easily done. This book is meant for beginners. Very useful book to have.
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