Customer Reviews

3-Minute Abs: Achieving the Look You've Always Wanted in Only 3 Minutes a Day

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wow - I actually bought this based on other readers' reviews. This was the BEST money I've spent on a workout guide. I was up to 300 stomach crunches a day on a slant board and still not getting the results I wanted (plus it took so long!).

Not 5 weeks later and the difference is unbelievable! I still have a way to go to look like Kurt's cover shot, but I am so much tighter and better defined than I have ever been. 36 years and I'm finally happy with the way my abs look - and they'll only get better. This is great!

When you include stretching time you're looking at around 10 minutes or so a day - still chump change when you think of the time you've wasted in the past. The exercises themselves really do only go for three minutes, and as stupid as it may sound, it works. Buy this book - you will not be sorry.

I have strong abs and was attracted to this book by all of the testimonals about how others who have being exercising for years found that that could barely complete just part of this intense workout. I thought that this was something totally different and I would learn new ways of quickly and efficiently fatiguing my abs. This was not the case. All of the exercises are standard ab exercise, most of which, if not all, will be familiar to the experienced exerciser. Despite the claims, anyone who has been CORRECTLY performing the sort of ab routines you find at the end of class at the gym or on video tapes will have little difficulty completing these 3 minute routines.

This very slim volume spends most of its space on debunking myths about perfect abs and how to get them. It also stresses the importance of focus. A short chapter addresses nutrition, for as the author points out you may have the strongest abs around, but no one will notice it if it is concealed behind a thick layer of fat. There is also some space given to stretching and warming up. Everything the author has to say is accurate and honest. The only real problem with the book is the tiny section on the actual abdominal workout. He provides 3 workouts, one each for lower, side and upper abs. He advocates doing each one on sequential days and then taking the 4th day off and repeating the cycle. This is the only novel idea in the book and it is not a bad one. Of course you didn't need this book to try it. The only real problem is that it will cause the days of the week you do a particuliar routine or rest to shift constantly, thus making it difficult to remember. Also, if you actually follow his advise you will first do a warm-up and stretch, which will turn your 3 minute workout into a 10-15 workout.

The first workout is for the lower abs and only provides two exercises. I didn't think this was enough and added a couple of my favorits to it.

The second workout for the obliques provides 3 exercise and I also found it lacking, and added some others.

The third workout for the upper abs (which is really the center abs that run from below the ribs to the stomach and are the source of the "six packs") is excellent. It offers six exercises that move from the top to the bottom of abs. I liked this combination a lot and wished that the other routines had been as thoughtful and complete.

I would also have liked to see several alternate routines and a discussion of changing tempo, arm position and leg position for changing the difficulty. Some of these exercise will be too difficult for the out-of-shape beginner, but also way too easy for the more advanced exerciser.The advice to do less won't help someone who can't even do one rep. I would also like to have seen a lot more photographs, he only shows one per exercise.

If you are new to doing abs or at least new to doing them correctly, you will be likely thrilled with the results if you follow his careful directions but eventually will grow bored or at least hit the end of the road in progress. If you already have strong abs and are looking for new ideas on how to continue to challange yourself, this is not it. The only new idea is split your ab workout in separate lower, upper, and side workouts so that you can really focus in on them. For those who want a complete reference, I recommend Stronger Abs and Back : 165 Exercises to Build Your Center of Power by Greg Brittenham (Contributor)& Dean Brittenham which will provide you with enough exercises and knowledge to keep you challanged for years to come.

I have never been a great fan of abdominal exercises. It always was a lot of grunt work with little results no matter what the routine or piece of equipment. Undeterred, in the past two months, I picked up a Abs Yoga video (see my review of that if interested) and shortly thereafter this book.

Simply put with "3-Minute Abs," you work the lower abs on day one (with two exercises), obliques on day two (up to three exercises), and upper abs on day three (up to five different exercises). Take the next day off and start again. Each day you attempt to get through three "rounds" which consist of two different exercises of 15-20 reps apiece. Each round is timed out for a minute, but that is something you have to work up to over time. These exercises ARE intense. In the beginning, I was lucky to get through 1.5 rounds in the allotted 3 minutes (which the author suggests you stick to). These days, I keep the total workout to under 5 minutes a day - figuring maintaining good form is better than trying to "beat the clock."

I am seeing results after only a few weeks. I have a slim build and never had much muscle tone, but I am seeing the signs of the elusive six-pack for the first time in my 30-something years. Perhaps the "secret" is concentrating on only one area of the abs each day... and hitting each area with a variety of positions/angles. This program has made me realize just doing traditional crunches (and ignoring the obliques and lower abs) would never give me "the look" that most people strive for. So be patient, stay motivated (some of the exercises are difficult -- particularly the day one, first exercise "hip raises"), and just do what you can. I am confident you will see results. And with the minimal time commitment it is difficult not to find the time.

I have always had a hard time developing my abs. For one thing, I HATE abdominal exercises. For another, I inherited a "kangaroo" body type that has a little abdominal pouch. When a co-worker recommended this book I thought, "Hmmm, three minutes a day doesn't sound bad, but how much good can it do?" Well, a lot, as it turns out. I've been doing the program for about three months and here is the result: My paunch is gone. My handles are gone. And for the first time in my life I have developed the "six-pack." Plus, I like doing the exercises. And even when I'm not in the mood, it's not hard to motivate myself to do three minutes (although they're three pretty intense minutes). Buy this book, follow the program, and you will see great results.

I've been working out steadily for the last few years, and my abs have always been the most disappointing of all my body parts. It is true, it does not matter how tone or lean or muscular the rest of your body is, your abs often set the impression of how healthy or fit you look.

I've gone through at least a dozen different routines or devices for ab workouts, but i never stick to any for long because they never felt right or because they were just too repetitive for me. But this, 3 mins a day, and what a burn! It has been only two weeks, but I've already started to see the difference. I have no doubt that this truly is the best ab workout, and IT ONLY TAKES 3 MINS A DAY! I didn't believe the title when I first bought it, but believe me, that's all it takes. And the 3 mins a day is not referring to beginners, I consider myself pretty advance and the burn is still there (actually, beginners probably wouldn't even last 3 mins).

This is the best book on abs I have ever seen. The program is short, simple, and easy to incorporate into your everyday life. I have been following the program for 1 year now and have obtained wonderful results by slimming down, losing 3 inches off my waist, and losing between 15-20 pounds. :o) I have a pretty healthy diet and am fit otherwise, however needed some form of ab training. I hate gyms and all the other boring programs out there. I must say, I have not hit burn out on this program. I even bought Kurt's Ab Video a year ago when I purchased this book, however, have no need of it. This is the Ab work-out program for me! For the results obtained, the price of the book is worth tenfold (or more?). Go for it! You won't be disappointed.

If you want to get definition and build your abs this is the book to get. It's worked for me. The only problem is you have to wait a long time and be patient. You have to wait at least four to six weeks before you see any results. You also have to maintain some sort of cardio workout of your choice to help this program work. It will take a few months to start seeing really noticeable results but if you are determined enough it will be worth it.

A few years ago I bought his video. And now I read his book. Both are really good ways to improve the abdominal region. After reviewing both, the book is much better. Although the video has a much more to offer in the routine, the book offers dietary information and a better way to an abdominal workout.

The book sticks to the three minute theory. And after doing enough sets, three minutes is enough. His exercises take into consideration people with lower back pain, and I truely appreciated that.

Even if you never get the six pack, this book will definetly lead you into the right direction. No gimmick in the world can provide the intensity and portability that this routine provides.

Three minutes to great abs? Sounds impossible, right? Wrong! Check out this heavy duty workout -- it STARTS with one of the toughest exercises I've ever tried and man, if you stick with it, you really will build a six pack in three minutes a day. By the way, guys, I'm a gal.

I was a little Skeptical about getting a decent workout in 3 minutes a day, but i've been pleasantly surprised. I have been doing the workouts for a couple of months and have really gotten positive results. I was doing ab workouts before, but I have stopped doing those and now I only do the ones from this book. It does take more than 3 minutes with the stretches and back exercises in the book, but it still is a quick and effective workout.