Customer Reviews

The Action Hero Body: The Complete Workout Secrets from Hollywood's Top Trainer

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book does not disappoint. It is beyond the hype.

I've been going to the gym for years and nothing is more discouraging that seeing the same people, day after day, doing the typical cardio and weight regime, putting in their time, working their butts off, and knowing that it will never, never translate into real results.

You can have all the desire and devotion in the world, but without `good - useful information' you'll just be spinning your wheels which inevitably leads to burnout or what De Mey calls a "Depletion State". I spent years in this "Depletion State", by doing too much! All the while thinking that with just a bit more piss and vinegar I'd get the results I was after. I never did.

I read this book because I wanted the best information possible to get the results I was after. Jorgen De Mey has a reputation for getting people (men and women) lean, not skinny or body builder bulky, but lean and fit. He's the guy people go to because he gets results. A guy who gets results - that's the kind of information I was interested in.

This is what I found when I started applying the principals in this book. Not only did I drop 37 lbs, I became leaner, stronger, and more athletic than I've ever been. It changed my whole approach to fitness. It refined it completely. Quite simply, it changed the quality of my life.

While this is not about having the perfect body - although many of the people we associate with having the `perfect body' got and stay that way using The De Mey Training System - it is about having the best body "you" can have, and consequently, the best life as well. Even the title "Action Hero Body" implies that there is something "heroic" in the desire to be a better man (woman). That health and fitness are not detached from that goal. This book was the first to show me "how" to get there.

How? By what the author describes as "honoring you genetics" - this approach includes keeping a "clean diet", valuing rest and recovery and engaging in the "proper amount" of weight and cardiovascular training - all of which he explains in detail.

"The CART" - which is his take on cardio - is worth the price of the book alone! It is one of the main keys to getting lean.

I am reviewing this book - recommending that you check it out - because I believe that the information in it, when combined with some piss and vinegar - will get you the results you've been after. At least that's what it did for me.

Jorgen de Mey's book has been amazing for me. I am a 48 year old women and
I have been diligently following Jorgen's book since it came out. I follow the 3
day workout plan Monday, Wednesday and Friday and I have accomplished exactly
what I wanted. I have toned my muscles to the point where people have stopped
me and asked me how I got this body. I am not kidding-this book is
amazing- it's easy to follow and if you are consistent with your workouts you
will see a major improvement in your body. Any woman who says this book is
not for them is somebody who doesn't want to workout. I can see why Jorgen is so admired by all these stars-it's because he really knows what he is talking about
when it comes to working out and the proof is in how his workout plan makes you
look so great. I would recommend this book to anyone-men AND women who want
to improve their fitness level.

Great book that is well written and easy to read, hard to put down. I'm now in the third week of the program and I've lost 7lbs., (from 186 to 179) and I'm already beginning feel healthier and more energenic, and beginning to see results in terms of muscle growth. This book is best for people who like me are beginners at exercising, I'm 23 but never worked out a day in my life until I read this. A few things you should know though is that you'll need to buy a calorie counting book (about $7) and join a gym ($50 a month), and you'll probably want to invest in some supplements after a few weeks in order to get the best results of muscle growth. The book asks alot of you in terms of commitment, its not some fad diet that will give you results for a month and then watch as the results disappear, it is a lifestyle change, but its definitely worth it as long as you can be serious about it.

I admit to being frustrated with my progress as of late (I've been training for about a year, 38 yo male, not overweight, but was unfit and looked it). I admit to researching like mad while still going to the gym to find programs, or elements of programs to which my body might be responsive. I also admit to not entertaining the cleanest diet as of the last few weeks (but my frustration has been longer lasting than that!). I'm a perfect target for bad marketing!

Or a target for a good program.

Anyway, I was searching for information about a different book at this site when (how embarrassing!) I was lulled by one of the site's many little ads for this book (repeat to self: "I am NOT susceptible to marketing . . . I am not susceptible to marketing . . .). I read the reviews, but then went to the bookstore, looking for another book. I tripped across Mr. de Mey's book and sat down and started reading. It was inspiring. If I wasn't on my lunch break, I would've read the whole book there and then, sitting on the floor at the bookstore.

Mr. de Mey has a very friendly -- and sincere --way of writing. It's the sincerity that gets me the most. While he certainly has every right to be an egotistical jerk(he has trained famous actors, male and female), he seems to be grateful for the way his life has turned out (of course, who knows what he's like behind closed doors, but I'm not inclined to think he is otherwise). There is some spin in his book (which fitness book doesn't suffer from that?), but it's a lot less than I'm used to, and the vast majority of it is on the flaps (written by his publisher, undoubtedly).

I've decided to become his guinea pig. I am following his recommendations and program (starting at level 2) until at least Christmas Eve (December 24, 2005). Hopefully my Christmas present to myself will be an improved guinea pig . . . er, physique. I'll report later. :)

Why? Because his programs are different but seem free of the usual hype; they also seem reasonable; his success stories deal with the genetically gifted to the genetically cursed, and, my God, he looks great too. (note that a few extra pounds of fat on me would be ok -- I'd be quite the happy camper at 10% instead of 7% bodyfat, which is what he is in the photo on the back cover)

Yeah, I know he's not "big," but I don't think that is his goal. His brother, on the other hand, is big (and a successful bodybuilding competitor), and Mr. de Mey has been his "trainer" since the beginning.

In any case, I'm less concerned with size than just looking damn good in shorts and without a shirt.

I've completed the first week of "Level Two" before writing this review, and I can say that I'm feeling great and I'm not fearing overtraining like I have had in the past. The diet is improving but it's not there yet -- but as he counsels, if you fall of the wagon, brush yourself off, get back on, and stay on longer next time! I can't wait to see what starts happening in three weeks (which he counsels as the time period to where some results may start appearing--he makes no claims of "5 days to a perfect body!"

An excellent read in any case that is inspiring, at the least.

While this book is an excellent place to start if you've never worked out and have no knowledge of nutrition, even old dogs like me can find a few new tricks in it's pages.
I've been in and out of gyms for almost 25 years and I found Jorgy's takes on cardio (The Cart), protien shakes and workout rotation unique and refreshing.
Work the arms twice a week, they're a smaller muscle and require less time to recover? Treat the shoulders as a major muscle group and dedicate an entire workout to them? Try upright rows with dumbells to reduce pain in elbow and shoulder joints? It's all news to me. But after a couple of months, whaddaya know, I've got cuts in my front delts, I've got traps and my arms (while no bigger) are noticeably denser.

If you've spent any significant time lifting, then you'll no doubt be a little frustrated at all the pages burned showing exercise technique. You already know what a dumbell curl looks like, right? And the pages on diet, although these are minimal for the genre. But there are definately gems to be uncovered here. It's a decent investment at used prices or, better yet, borrow it from the library and just jot down those tweaks and tricks that apply specifically to you in a notebook.

If you're just starting out, then this is a great book for you. Not just because of the aforementioned technique pics. It's also easy to understand and even has a system for you to start building your own routines and cycles. And after a couple of years you're going to need to start doing that as you evolve into "instinctive" training. Or as you get older and your body destroys itself trying to grind out another Champion's workout you saw in a Wieder publication.

I began training with Jorgy about 5 months ago. My husband said, "Why are you getting a trainer, your body doesn't change when you work out." Within 1 to 2 months, he changed his tune.
He was in shock of the way my body was beginning to change.

Jorgen has taught me to think at all times, I.E., when I eat and when I workout. Don't just go through your workout. Focus on your muscles that you are training. It makes all the difference in the world.

After training for about 4 months with him, I read "The Action Hero Body." I was so inspired after I read it that not only did my body change beyond what I ever thought was possible, but also how I looked at training and dieting.

Chapter 4 explains fuel for the body. Whatever you put in your mouth is what your body is going to be using to make it through the day. That made so much sense to me and has changed my whole thought process from the moment I wake up in the morning to when I go to bed at night. The great thing about his diet is that it is really easy and simple. By the way, it is not really a diet. I was never able to stay on a diet. It is eating the right foods and feeling clean. You are also allowed to cheat sometimes without feeling totally guilty. I eat very well during the week and eat some of my favorite foods on the weekends.

Another helpful hint in the book is to plan your meals the night before, just like you plan your day out. It helps you from not just grabbing something that is bad for you because you are hungry and you don't have time to make something healthy.

"The Action Hero Body" has been an amazing guide to feeling great and looking better for me. It is simple reading and it makes complete sense. Thanks Jorgen for the knowledge and education to a better way of life.
Jilleen Hansen

The diet and workout routine are extremely realistic. I am not looking to lose weight, just gain muscle. This book has helped me eat healthier and create a workout routine suitable for my age, weight, and goals.

de Mey's book supplied me with the education I needed to really understand how my body responds to food and exercise. It's not about some new fad, but rather a refined lifestyle that the author has developed over a career of trial and error. The book is inspiring, insightful, straight forward and entertaining. It's refreshing to know that all the movie stars he trains weren't born with "action hero bodies," they had to earn them through healthy eating habits and dedication to a lifestyle that includes regular exercise done thoughtfully and purposefully. I don't know if I will ever have an "Action Hero Body," but now I certainly don't have any excuses, just choices.

Jorgen's book is very informative and written in a style that doesn't patronize the reader. He's laid out in black and white what you should be doing for optimal results. If you want to see for yourself what Jorgen is capable of, do a Google search for his brother, Berry. Look at any picture of him and know that Jorgen was the one behind that physique.

I would like J to write another book that focuses on how you train your female clients. It's a great book!

I really enjoyed this book and I'm a woman. It's written with men in mind but hey, we all want our men to look and feel as good as they can AND we can learn a few things too.

Even though Jorgen clients are Hollywood celebs, Jorgen writes to the everyman--it's a way of life not a diet. He's motivating, clear and a bit funny.

It's a good gift for every guy you know--high school teenage boys can benefit from the book too, they can learn the right way to live and train at an early age.