Customer Reviews

ABSolution: The Practical Solution for Building Your Best Abs

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Shawn Phillips knows how to market an ab book - pull up your shirt, expose your stomach, and watch the dollars. Fortunately there is a good deal of "mind" working with the muscle in Shawn's program, and some solid explanation of exercises, food and other tangibles necessarily part of the ab-mix.
Shawn's got an incredible stomach, and it takes a lot more than crunches to develop this type of build. Fortunately, he is generous (far more generous than a lot of authors) in explaining how to achieve something vaguely resembling his core (I say vaguely - unless you are going to retire, hire a personal chef, and devote yourself to fitness 24/7, noone is going to be mistaking you for the author in the next few years).
The abdominal exercises in the book are very well detailed and explained, and the building of a program is rather methodically presented. Shawn targets each section (upper, lower, obliques, and back) with sharp focus on detail, and provides enough variations on core exercises to keep the program interesting and challenging. I also like the fact that there is a recognition that crunches alone are not getting you the "look", and there is some focus in this book on other weightlifting programs that compliment the development of an admirable core section (can you say Squats?).
Nutritional information is also presented in a thorough manner, though I have better nutritional guidelines (see my other reviews if you want some good ones). Remember, body fat percentage is also key to ab development, and repeated core exercising won't get you the look if your body fat is over 10-12 percent.
My attitude on books like "Absolution" is, if I learn a new component of exercise, or eating, or mental assistance in my program that I use for more than 2 weeks, then the book has served its purpose. I moderated my core training program with some of Shawn's exercises, and I'm pleased with the burn, and look I've gotten from them. That makes this book worthy of a reccomendation.

I'm mystified by some of the poor reviews for this book, including some rather mean spirited ones ("best as a table book for gays?" uh, yeah, there are some nice physique photos of Shawn Phillips, along with a lady friend, but oh well; they are artful, like living sculpture.) I completed one Bill Phillips' Body for Life Challenge, and am on my second one, and have nearly regained the physique of my dreams using Bill Phillips' approach. I ordered AbSolution, because my abs were still not reaching their potential. I found the book to be well written and easy to follow, and the Abs program to be very well explained in terms of the actual exercises. Sure, the exercises may SEEM simple, but they are VERY effective, when done slowly and to his specs. Shawn also wisely shares how having great abs is perhaps the final result you'll get in pursuing an all around great body. He minces no words about saying this is Hard Work, and the culmination of a lifestyle, that there is no "one thing", but the "one thing" you need to do is the "everything", the way you live your life. I highly recommend this book, as a great tool in your kit for getting into your best shape. I found it to be easy reading; I sometimes find books with tons of exercises and exhaustive explanations more difficult to follow than a simple, concise, well done book like this one. Makes a great companion to Body for Life.

I admit it. The target audience for this book eludes me. For any beginner, the advice is too general to put together a meaningful exercise and nutritional program. Intermediate and advanced readers will find its content to simply be a commonplace rehash of what nutritionists and exercise physiologists have been advocating for decades. Basically, this book is 1/3 motivational fluff, followed by 1/3 over-generalized diet and exercise common sense, then rounded off with everyday exercises found in many fitness books. Its underlying theme has been widely accepted for quite some time, namely: physical fitness and health is most likely to have lasting success through balanced nutrition, consistent aerobic/anaerobic exercise, and rational supplementation. Nothing new or original here.

Save your money on this one. Do not let the title lure you in - only 18 of the 130 pages are specifically dedicated to strength training your abdominal area. If you are new to the fitness and health arena, look for a book that actually outlines a more complete and detailed physical fitness and nutritional program, such as the "Body for Life" plan. For those who have been training for a while, ABSolution offers nothing new or insightful. When looking for up-to-date information, I recommend sticking to your favorite monthly fitness magazine, the Internet, or books that actually cover their intended topic in substantive detail.

Live well and good luck

Good news: most of the information in this book is accurate, including the dismissal of several widely held, but incorrect beliefs i.e. body fat "spot" reduction is possible, Ab devices are necessary to increase abdominal strength, etc.

Bad news: most of the valuable information in this book could have (and already has) been published in a condensed form (10 pages) in a bodybuilding magazine. Former six-time Mr. Olympia (the SuperBowl of bodybuilding) winner Dorian Yates spent a grand total of maybe 4 pages in his excellent book, "A Warrior's Story", describing the same salient points that Shawn lists. The rest is filler 'n' fluff, with plenty of inspirational pictures of the author posing w/very attractive young women in various stages of undress.

Typically (for bodybuilding books), Shawn downplays the role of genetics (unlike Yates). Muscle belly lengths, where the muscles attach, the length of the muscles relative to the tendons, etc., all are predetermined and cannot be altered by either diet, exercise, or (gulp!) enhancement drugs. The same holds true of the abdominal muscles. Diet rigorously, include cardio, and engage in High Intensity Training (HIT), and if the reader's are lucky, they might be surprised to find that their abs look nothing at all like Shawn's. Example: the delineation between the muscle sections of the abdominal wall where the tendons attach (the infamous six-pack) may/may not be exaggerated for many people, no matter how much exercise or dietary control is included.

All in all, a good book, but please be advised that even if you follow all of Shawn's nostrums, you may still not find what you're looking for.

Knowing this book was from the Phillips' brothers (Shawn and Bill), I was a little skeptical to pick it up. But after reading and hearing some reviews firsthand, I had to give it a read and see what Shawn had to say about "how he built those incredible abs!" Quit simply, I was amazed!! Not only was this book a pleasant, honest, and easy read; it had so many "aha's" contained in it -- the type of revelations that have only occured once or twice in my 15 plus years of weight-training -- that I learned more about exercise and nutrition from him [Shawn] than in all of the books and magazines of past. Shawn reveals very small distinctions that can have a very profound impact on your training. Which translates into better results, faster, in the gym. After only one week into the ABSolution Program, I've completely altered my training, eating and supplementation to fit my lifestyle needs, and can literally see and feel the difference it's making in my body.
~ From a once-time skeptic, to a firm believer. FIVE STARS all the way for ABSolution. Thanks for giving me hope once again. New York's Body-Trainer of the Stars.

Absolution is a good book. It has some good tips but many things aren't so well explained. Shawn focus a lot on his diet and he has a reason to do it (70% of your fitness results comes from diet/supplements).

Workouts are very similar to Body For Life Program.
6 days a week - 3 cardios and 3 weight trains.
The differences are: - he recommends doing abs 03 times a week after cardio exercises (03 exercises, 3 sets 15 reps each)

Meals - Same as Body for Life
06 a day (03 regular meals / 02 Myoplex and the last meal is 02 scoops of Designer Protein with no carb).
Supplements include: MRP, protein, Betagen (HMB and Creatine), Flaxseed Oil, Anti Oxidants, Multivitamins and a fat loss product called 07 Lean System.

The book has 130 pages but you can easily read in 2-3 hours. Great pictures (Shawn has a great an incredible shape). He repeats a lot what he says. The letters are huge and phrases ends in the middle of the page.

If you are expecting to learn new theories or didn't like Body for Life, forget this book and save your money. Everything you'll read has already been writen in magazines and other books.

I asked few questions more than a month and hadn't have them answered. He promises "frequently updating information and answering even more question about ABSlution Program" but he doesn't do it !!!! I wonder why ...

Don't be wrong, if are not a full time fitness professional and have great genetics you won't achieve Shawn's look. Shawn spends all day from morning to night taking pills (it's not his falt but almost impossible for an average guy). Forget also social life and your wife (who would merry a guy that can't eat an ice cream, drink a glass of beer or wine sometimes, go to that nice restaurant and keep more than 03 hours without nourishing his body). Plus, he doesn't tell you but it's impossible to have this ripped look during the whole year ! Of course he prepared to each photo, probably taking diuretics, drinking little water the day before and photos I believe were taken with an empty stomach. That's my opinion, I'm not a fitness expert or a personal trainer but I am a fanatic reader and I've been working out for 06 years achieving great results. I don't believe either, he just perform 02 exercises a week for each body part (even lifting a lot of weight you can't stress a muscle that lasts 07 days until the next weight train). Recovery is important but too much recovery isn't that beneficial. He doesn't mention advanced techniques that I'm sure he does (super set, extended sets, ...) What I'm trying to say is don't forget Shawn is a PROFESSIONAL, it might be possible achieve his great shape but you are gonna have to sacrifice your life and worst, you are not going to be the next cover of Men's Health (unless you are lucky), earn money (like Shawn do)and will have to buy all the supplements needed spending lot's of money.

My advice: get information (from this book or other source), write down a reasonable plan that fits your needs, try to keep a health life style, eat clean, take supplements like MRP, flaxseed oil and multi vitamins/minerals and exercise regularly. Every fitness book claim the importance of drink water, eating protein, etc. Join all the info and make your own treasure map. Results will come but don't torture yourself trying to be Shawn Phillips or you will be disapointed and quit a health life.

After reading Body-For-Life several times over, I was very excited upon hearing that Shawn Phillips was releasing ABSolution. Body-For-Life is by far one of the best motivational tools that I own. I am a personal trainer and group exercise instructor (part-time), and BFL is very accurate in its description of exercise protocol and techniques. Overall, the fitness and nutrition program it recommends are good, especially for those new to exercise or simply trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I had the same expectations for ABSolution. I waited for many months for the book to be released, hoping that the book would inspire me much as BFL has. However, upon receiving the book in June 2002 and immediately reading it, I can honestly say that I wish I hadn't wasted my money. I acknowledge the time and dedication it takes to write a book, but it lacks so much in terms of detail, and it offers very little new material. To be quite honest, this book seemed like a tool for Shawn Phillips and an unnamed female model to take beautiful pictures together. The book has an air of arrogance and conceit conveyed by the author. I definitely would not recommend this book to others, unless you are a collector of fitness photography.

Let me start off by saying that from quality-of-production, and quality-of-information standpoints, there is nothing wrong with this book. The two-star review is reflective of its value, not necessarily its quality.

Let me state that another way. If you know the first thing about fitness, this book will offer you nothing. Zero. Zilch. Most of you already know how to get that six-pack: resistance training to create lean body mass, cardio work, proper diet, and ab work. Congratulations, you've just saved your hard earned money. There is nothing these or any Ab-gurus can teach you. In defense of this book, the authors are honest. They don't offer shortcuts, they tell you what to do, honestly. It's precisely what you already knew you'd have to do. Nothing new under the sun; hard work and discipline.

If, and only if, a nicely packaged manual with some motivational photos and words will help you to finally say, "Ok, if that's really the only way, then I'll do it," then for you, this is a 5-star volume. If you already know your exercise basics, as most people who are far enough along the path to fitness for a tight midsection to be a realistic goal are, you're in for a 2-star disappointment.

This book may be written by a PHILLIPS, but he ain't no Bill! This book by Shawn Phillips is outstanding. I have bought and read hundreds of books and magazines (including Body For Life) and have found no information of value to the "regular" person just trying to get that 20 year old look again - or close to it! This book brought it all together, nutrition, warm up (something Bill Phillips forgot about), work out, and stretching (another thing Bill forgot). Shawn Phillips did an excellent job at making the "average Joe" see that they can do it too.

Inspiring! That is the first word that comes to mind when I think about this book. "ABSolution" is a great book for showing us how we can get in shape. By the time you reach the end of the book you will understand that building abs is not just about exercising those "trouble" spots, it is a way of life.

The book gives complete instructions on how to build perfect abdominal muscles. It doesn't give you just abdominal exercises, it also shows you other exercises, discusses supplements, and has a great section on nutrition. The text does not go into detail about what every meal should consist of, but instead it describes how your eating patterns should be developed. This helps you focus on a lifestyle change and not a "diet". It also highlights reasons why we should not just do sit-ups for our abdominal muscles. Instead, it shows you exercises that have been proven to build those perfect abdominal muscles.

Whether you are a person with perfect "six-pack" abs or a person that could use a little workout, this book was created with you in mind. Don't hesitate to buy and read this book. I believe it holds the key to building the perfect body, as well as a great set of "abs".