Strength Training for Women

Rating:
Summary: Best for its illustrations and sensible introductions
Review: The illustations and directions for doing individual exercises across a variety of different kinds of equipment are excellent, as is the discussion of the pros and cons of the alternatives. However information targeted for the development of strength training programs is elementary and not enough is provided for you to make intelligent variations on the sample programs. So, for example, what is the objective of a strength training program: Should you try to include exercise which tap all the muscles illustrated (in their excellent diagram)? If the goal is to simply include those used in daily living, what are they exactly? Is anything gained by exercising a given muscle in multiple exercises? What is the philosphy behind the selection of exercises in the sample programs? What accounts for the differences between workouts organized by equipment type (eg free weights vs machines) and those organized by program style (eg single vs multiple sets)? In addition, and frustrating for a training novice, there are a number of cross-referencing failures and inconsistencies in vocabulary: for example, are leg and hip adduction and abduction the same thing? How do 'hamstrings' map to the muscles named in the anatomical illustration? It would also have been useful to have a table relating the exercises to the muscles exercised to help the reader think more clearly about how to put an exercise program together.

Rating:
Summary: Best for its illustrations and sensible introductions
Review: This guide will help you design your own program to fit your needs and wants. Well illustrated with photos, it's also clearly written. The book gives descriptions of free-weight work-outs along with multi-station and Nautilus-type machines, and even has a section on working with a partner. Complete and easy to read, it's perfect for me, a person who likes to work out but isn't an athlete. A chart of major muscle groups and corresponding exercises also helps define what's going on in your body. My only complaint: the human body illustration used to identify muscles is clearly a *guy*, which, though it doesn't take away from the book's effectiveness, seems a bit silly.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Guide to Strength Training
Review: This guide will help you design your own program to fit your needs and wants. Well illustrated with photos, it's also clearly written. The book gives descriptions of free-weight work-outs along with multi-station and Nautilus-type machines, and even has a section on working with a partner. Complete and easy to read, it's perfect for me, a person who likes to work out but isn't an athlete. A chart of major muscle groups and corresponding exercises also helps define what's going on in your body. My only complaint: the human body illustration used to identify muscles is clearly a *guy*, which, though it doesn't take away from the book's effectiveness, seems a bit silly.