Rating: 
Summary: informative, and gives good details hits every subject.
Review: I LIKED THIS BOOK, I FELT IT WAS FULL OF VALUABLE INFORMATION. I REFER TO IT ALL THE TIME WHEN I NEED A QUESTION ANSWERED. THE ONLY THING I WONDER ABOUT IS THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE OTHER AUTHER SUZANNE SCHLOSBERG. LIZ IS OBVIOUSLY VERY FIT AND CAN SELL THE BOOK WITH HER BACKROUND AND DAILY FITNESS ROUTINE, EXPERIENCE ETC. HOWEVER, SUZANNNE SEEMS TO BE OVER WEIGHT HER SELF WHICH MAKES ME WONDER ABOUT HER QUALIFICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE. SAME AS THE QUESTIONS IN HER SHAPE MAGAZINE.OTHERWISE I THINK THE BOOK IS HUMOROUS AND FUN.
Rating: 
Summary: Idiots 4, Dummies 3
Review: I need an intro book on fitness that covers all the basis well, and in the bookstore it quickly came down to the Dummies book vs. the Idiots. Similar quality contents on both sides, and the Dummies has a cleaner layout. But I ultimately chose the Idiots for the following reasons: * The Idiots has a whole chapter on Martial Arts, where Dummies has no coverage at all. It also goes over jazz and a few other dance forms. This is very important to me as I consider the usual machine-based workout too soulless. * I did not notice this myself, but the editorial pointed out a very important area - how to prevent injuries. The topic is not addressed in the Dummies as far as I can tell from the online TOC.
Rating:
Summary: Dummies 3 - Idiots 4 (First Half)
Review: I need one intro book on exercising and was juggling the "Dummies" and the "Idiots". I liked the organization and the clean layout of the Dummies book, but ultimately decided to go with the Idiots. The main deal breaker was Martial Arts. The Dummies have no coverage at all (except Tai Chi, which doesn't really count), while the Idiots have a whole chapter. There is also some coverage of other "artistic" aerobic activities like dance. This is very important for me as I personally see the traditional machine-based workouts as too soulless. The Amazon editorial for Idiots points out the other discrepancy - lack of coverage about injuries. Amazon does not provide sample pages for Idiots, so I couldn't verify just how much it is covered. But it's definitely missing from the Dummies.
Rating:
Summary: Dummies 3 - Idiots 4 (First Half)
Review: I need one intro book on exercising and was juggling the "Dummies" and the "Idiots". I liked the organization and the clean layout of the Dummies book, but ultimately decided to go with the Idiots. The main deal breaker was Martial Arts. The Dummies have no coverage at all (except Tai Chi, which doesn't really count), while the Idiots have a whole chapter. There is also some coverage of other "artistic" aerobic activities like dance. This is very important for me as I personally see the traditional machine-based workouts as too soulless. The Amazon editorial for Idiots points out the other discrepancy - lack of coverage about injuries. Amazon does not provide sample pages for Idiots, so I couldn't verify just how much it is covered. But it's definitely missing from the Dummies.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must-Read for anyone wanting to get fit
Review: I really liked this book. It'll be a great resource for years to come. I have lots of pages dog-earred. Buy it for a friend who's struggling!
Rating:
Summary: Good overall fitness book for beginners.
Review: I used to think that I knew everything that I needed to know about working out until I bought this book. They gave me alot of ideas in a humorous way. This book definitely changed my overall fitness routine and the way I think about nutrition.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best beginner fitness book.
Review: I've read several beginner fitness books and I feel this is the most complete and best organized of them all. This has gotten me motivated and started on the right fitness program for me (I've since confirmed with a personal trainer). Honest and accurate fitness information is laid out in an easily understood way (without any questionable product endorsements). No "summary" style book is going to have everything, but they have enough information that you feel like everything else is fine tuning. To address the concerns of another reviewer, the 2nd edition of this book does discuss common fitness injuries.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best beginner fitness book.
Review: I've read several beginner fitness books and I feel this is the most complete and best organized of them all. This has gotten me motivated and started on the right fitness program for me (I've since confirmed with a personal trainer). Honest and accurate fitness information is laid out in an easily understood way (without any questionable product endorsements). No "summary" style book is going to have everything, but they have enough information that you feel like everything else is fine tuning. To address the concerns of another reviewer, the 2nd edition of this book does discuss common fitness injuries.
Rating:
Summary: Exemplary fitness book
Review: If only all Dummies books were as good as this one. Extremely well-written with the most clear language one could ever hope for. Full of anecdotes, definitions, and plenty of myth busters. The personalization from the authors gets tiring ("Suzanne thinks that...", "Liz's grandmother once..."), but it is tolerable. Many, many aspects of fitness are covered in remarkable thoroughness. General weight lifting (both at home and the gym), supplements, gym etiquette, trainer tips, aerobic machines and classes, and fitness video buying are all covered with impressive detail. (If buying this book used, be sure to get the 2nd edition as it covers many topics that didn't exist with the first edition: Pilates, Physio balls, elliptical trainers, Bikram Yoga, and more.)
Rating:
Summary: A great book for weight training beginners
Review: If you are considering weight training, but you've never picked up a dumbbell before -- OK, maybe you've dropped one on your foot -- this book is for you. It's written in a fun, yet informative, style and providers a ton of excellent advice, tips, how-tos and really funny true-life stories on weight lifting equipment, exercises, routines and jargon. The best part is you'll read it as a beginner, but feel like a pro by the time you reach the end. Better yet, you'll still be sticking to your weight lifting program. If you're looking the the best introductory, get-yourself-started, book on weight training, this is for you.
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