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Rating: 
Summary: A Fun Read, But ...
Review: I bought this book hoping to expand on the strength training program I do at home. I'm a competitive track athlete and am dependent on strength exercises to prevent injury. This book was a hoot to read. I read the whole thing, all of the exercises and all of the sports discussions at the back. The Whartons are fun and entertaining writers. BUT. Truth be told, the only thing I changed about my exercise routine was that I now hold my leg extensions for 5 seconds instead of three. That's it. The Whartons would have you believe that it takes only twenty minutes or so to do their list of exercises for each sport, but I didn't find this to be true. Exercising one little muscle at a time is time consuming and pain staking. I find myself doing the same old squats and push-ups that I've always done -- exercises that, frankly, give you the many muscle group workout that the Whartons discourage.
Rating: 
Summary: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Review: That's what I said after I realized I PAID MONEY for this book. The problem with this book is that it doesn't communicate: they literally spend 1 page talking about professional equipment, and 3 pages talking about how much kitchen supplies weigh, leaving the reader COMPLETELY confused as what to do. I never could figure out if I was supposed to use my normal weights or start pumping Crisco (tm). Um, yeah . . . I think I'll put down my 40-pounders for an 8 pound milk jug . . . Someone new to fitness and lifting will be completely confused by this book and WILL (not might, will) hurt themselves. Someone who is new to fitness and lifting and is already out of shape will be in WORSE shape if they follow the Wharton's nutrition advice. These guys DO NOT communicate and DO NOTHING for someone who isn't already qualified to be a strength instructor. Maybe this is a great book for the professional athlete. But for a newbie, and especially a fat newbie, this book will do nothing but confuse you and waste your time. If you followed the "lifts" in this book for a year, you'd be limber and would have toned muscles, but they'd be so tiny you'd be hard pressed to do anything other than go grocery shopping. This is one of the worst books I've ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: i recommend this book to many clients
Review: the whartons are very experienced and knowledgeable, and i found their descriptions of the exercises totally clear and understandable. This book gave me the ability to feel completely confident that i could work out at home, where i wanted to be. The lifts are for the whole body, with the emphasis on balance rather that just looking good. for the person who wants to work out at home, i haven't seen anything better. I found the sports discussions pretty vague and they definitely should delete the horsebackriding section!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: This book is a complete watse of time for the educated strength and conditioning coach. This book does not apply the latest theories and conditioning drills that will aid in your athlete's performance. Programs are not periodized and relay on outdated principles of reps/sets schemes. If your a beginner to weight training and conditioning then this book may be for you.
Rating: 
Summary: the best book for the work-out-at-home person
Review: This book is not for anyone planning on being the next Mr/Ms Olympia. It is for the person who wants to work out at home, without a lot of fuss, space, money, or complicated routines. The exercises are very simple and easy to follow. I have seen these same moves and techniques at gym classes, such as aerobic circuit training. They will not make you an instant athlete, but the exercises will help tone you up on a very low budget. The exercises also include ways to modify them if you have an injury (such as a back injury) that limits your mobility. For people who want to stay in shape and didn't think they had the time, money or ability, this book is the best.
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