At last! a 'how to', 'what to', 'when to' and 'why' guide to a safe, effective, and satisfying workout. I've been teaching in an academic certification program for fitness instructors for 12 years and have finally found a fact-based guide to recommend to my friends, students and all my private clients even with their varying levels of fitness. The feedback has been enthusiastic.
The book is so well-organized, cross referenced, and beautifully illustrated - and therefore, easy to use to achieve the desired benefits. Thank you, Joan Pagano, for writing Strength Training for Women.
Each exercise is depicted with clear step-by-step directions and accompanying photos that illustrate the targeted muscles being worked in both the programs offered: 1) the shaping and toning program and 2) the bone-building program. There are basic and advanced variations for most of the exercises.
The “4 Exercises for Life” in the beginning of the book teach you how to handle your own body weight before you begin adding resistance. The complete repertoire of exercises includes a variety of types of resistance - free weights, stretch bands and tubes, stability and medicine balls – as well as gym-based options. It’s the perfect book for someone to use at home, but will cover you at the gym as well.
The book includes a good balance of exercises for full-body conditioning – upper body, lower body and core – as well as a broad selection of appropriate stretches. Because the book is structured to provide a good progression for both building and advancing an exercise program, you don’t need another book when you are ready for more. This book has it all!