Change your life without changing your lifestyle with this revolutionary workout that provides the benefits of cardio and strength training in one anytime, anyplace 20-minute program We all want to be fit and healthy, but few of us have the time or inclination to log the countless hours in the gym it takes to sculpt a physique on par with the Hollywood elite. Enter Jay Cardiello’s Cardio Core 4x4, which shows you that your body can be your gym. Cardiello tailored this program for his tight-on-time celebrity clients, but you don’t have to be a celebrity to get these kinds of results. Cardio Core 4x4 provides a program that requires only 20 minutes—which includes both the cardio and core workouts—and it’s equipment-free, enabling readers to train whenever and wherever they can. Cardiello offers a dynamic approach with a series of specific movements for a well-toned core. His fit tips provide readers with bite-sized takeaways for optimal nutrition and total health. Cardio Core 4x4 is an excuse proof, surefire fitness package.
Cardio Core 4x4
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Review
"The book is very well thought-out and complete plan to get you from not-so-fit to functionally fit...The advice is solid. Like [Cardiello's] abs...it's a great read for the ladies as well. And I guarantee that whether you're a seasoned exerciser or a newbie, you'll learn some new core-a-rific moves and some fun facts. Definitely worth a read. And a workout!" -- FitBottomGirls.com
About the Author
JAY CARDIELLO, a celebrity trainer, is regularly featured in the media. A spokesman for several products, including Vitaminwater, he lives in New York City. PETE WILLIAMS is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including Core Performance. He lives in Safety Harbor, FL.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining reading, great concept, but descriptions of some exercises are hard to follow
October 8, 2012
By Plato
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I ordered this book because I am a runner who tends to ignore the whole strength-training side of the exercise spectrum. Having been through a few courses of PT to fix various running-related injuries, I was intrigued by Jay's concept of "prehab" -- getting people to do strengthening/PT-like exercises BEFORE they are actually injured. Because this book promised to focus on the core and specifically on the hips and glutes (the parts I've ended up in PT for in the past), I thought it would be just what I needed. And the idea of getting it done in only 20 minutes, at home, with no equipment was appealing -- given the choice between spending an hour driving to the gym and lifting weights or an hour going for a run, I was picking the run every time (which is why I kept ending up injured!)
The pros: I was right -- this book is exactly what I needed. The exercises are like hardcore versions of the ones I learned in PT. They target just the right body parts and after doing them just a couple times, I notice a difference in the way my hips and legs feel during a run. None of the exercises require any equipment, and they give you a good workout. Though there's not a whole lot of cardio involved (there is some -- mostly jumping exercises), I am drenched in sweat by the time I finish. The background story Jay gives of his life and how he ended up coming up with this program is entertaining and easy to read, and his tone is motivational with out being overly peppy or annoying.
The cons: Let me say up front that I am not the most coordinated person on the block -- I usually need a couple times of watching an exercise video before I get the steps down and I've given up on anything that requires complicated footwork (like Tae Bo) because I'm just too klutzy. That said, I found the descriptions of some of the exercises very difficult to follow. There are pictures and text, but sometimes, even with reading and re-reading the text and studying the pictures, I still can't figure out what I am supposed to be doing. I have found that some of the descriptions aren't very well done -- for example, there's just a generic instruction at the beginning of the exercise part of the book to "repeat each exercise 10-20 times". Then the exercises are shown. But some exercises involve multiple steps (such as circling your leg one way then the other) -- I'm not sure whether you are supposed to go 10 times one way then 10 times the other or whether you are supposed to go one way then reverse and repeat that 10 times. Other places, the title of the exercise will be something like "Forward/Backward Circles" but the description only talks about going forward. There is nothing in the description, anywhere, about going backward. I assume from the header I'm supposed to do that, but it doesn't actually say. I suppose this isn't life-or-death important -- I've just been guessing and doing what I assume is the right thing. But I'm a bit anal-retentive when it comes to my workouts so I hate not knowing EXACTLY what I'm supposed to be doing.
And perhaps it's just because I'm still unsure about the exercises but it is taking me way longer than 20 minutes to do each workout -- I'm hoping I'll get faster as it becomes more second-nature. But still - the 4x4 workout is a series of several exercises -- first 21 exercises performed on hands and knees, then 5 performed on hands and feet facing up at the ceiling (like crab postion) then 6 more (plus a cooldown) done while sitting/lying on the ground. That's 32 separate exercises (more than half of which have to be done twice, once for each leg) at 10-20 reps each -- I just don't see any way that's going to fit into 20 minutes.
Jay Cardiello now has a series of exercise videos called jcore that I believe is based on this book. I am tempted to order them because 1) I could see a video demonstration of some of these confusing exercises and 2) since they are limited by video runtime, the workouts would actually stick to the 20 minute promise. Alas, the video set costs over $100, which is why I decided to start with this book. I just wish that the descriptions of the exercises were clearer and also that there was some sense of progression -- a "beginners should do 5 reps of this exercise, 10 reps of this one, skip this one while intermediate/advanced exercises should do X" sort of thing. I enjoyed reading the first part of the book so much and was so inspired to try the exercises and then I just found myself utterly flummoxed by the poorly written descriptions and lack of overall guidance when it came to the workout part. I think this could be a great exercise book if only the exercise part was easier to follow! I'm still going to keep up with the workouts as best I can because I can see that they are benefiting me -- I just wish I knew exactly what I was supposed to be doing. Perhaps I'll be asking Santa for the jcore videos for Christmas!
The pros: I was right -- this book is exactly what I needed. The exercises are like hardcore versions of the ones I learned in PT. They target just the right body parts and after doing them just a couple times, I notice a difference in the way my hips and legs feel during a run. None of the exercises require any equipment, and they give you a good workout. Though there's not a whole lot of cardio involved (there is some -- mostly jumping exercises), I am drenched in sweat by the time I finish. The background story Jay gives of his life and how he ended up coming up with this program is entertaining and easy to read, and his tone is motivational with out being overly peppy or annoying.
The cons: Let me say up front that I am not the most coordinated person on the block -- I usually need a couple times of watching an exercise video before I get the steps down and I've given up on anything that requires complicated footwork (like Tae Bo) because I'm just too klutzy. That said, I found the descriptions of some of the exercises very difficult to follow. There are pictures and text, but sometimes, even with reading and re-reading the text and studying the pictures, I still can't figure out what I am supposed to be doing. I have found that some of the descriptions aren't very well done -- for example, there's just a generic instruction at the beginning of the exercise part of the book to "repeat each exercise 10-20 times". Then the exercises are shown. But some exercises involve multiple steps (such as circling your leg one way then the other) -- I'm not sure whether you are supposed to go 10 times one way then 10 times the other or whether you are supposed to go one way then reverse and repeat that 10 times. Other places, the title of the exercise will be something like "Forward/Backward Circles" but the description only talks about going forward. There is nothing in the description, anywhere, about going backward. I assume from the header I'm supposed to do that, but it doesn't actually say. I suppose this isn't life-or-death important -- I've just been guessing and doing what I assume is the right thing. But I'm a bit anal-retentive when it comes to my workouts so I hate not knowing EXACTLY what I'm supposed to be doing.
And perhaps it's just because I'm still unsure about the exercises but it is taking me way longer than 20 minutes to do each workout -- I'm hoping I'll get faster as it becomes more second-nature. But still - the 4x4 workout is a series of several exercises -- first 21 exercises performed on hands and knees, then 5 performed on hands and feet facing up at the ceiling (like crab postion) then 6 more (plus a cooldown) done while sitting/lying on the ground. That's 32 separate exercises (more than half of which have to be done twice, once for each leg) at 10-20 reps each -- I just don't see any way that's going to fit into 20 minutes.
Jay Cardiello now has a series of exercise videos called jcore that I believe is based on this book. I am tempted to order them because 1) I could see a video demonstration of some of these confusing exercises and 2) since they are limited by video runtime, the workouts would actually stick to the 20 minute promise. Alas, the video set costs over $100, which is why I decided to start with this book. I just wish that the descriptions of the exercises were clearer and also that there was some sense of progression -- a "beginners should do 5 reps of this exercise, 10 reps of this one, skip this one while intermediate/advanced exercises should do X" sort of thing. I enjoyed reading the first part of the book so much and was so inspired to try the exercises and then I just found myself utterly flummoxed by the poorly written descriptions and lack of overall guidance when it came to the workout part. I think this could be a great exercise book if only the exercise part was easier to follow! I'm still going to keep up with the workouts as best I can because I can see that they are benefiting me -- I just wish I knew exactly what I was supposed to be doing. Perhaps I'll be asking Santa for the jcore videos for Christmas!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By LD
Format:Paperback
I have followed numerous workout routines over the years, trying to find the 'right one' that I can do at home to make a seriuos difference in the way I look. Jay's routine worked like a charm - my hips slimmed down, my abs became literally ROCK solid, my arms developed the long lean cuts I always wanted, my back got a LOT stronger and my back pain disappeared for good, and my legs leaned out perfectly (hello skinny jeans!). The exercises in this book are genious, and I was able to start out very easy and progress the level of difficulty as I needed. I saw results literally within a few days of following his entire plan. My clothes started to feel big on me and I felt so much stronger. The results have only because more noticeable ever since, for the first summer ever I felt confident on the beach. Now I know how to fit the most effective workout in to my schedule no matter where I happen to be. My daily tasks no longer seem as difficult as they once did, my core is rock solid, and I'm so happy I finally look the that I want! I HIGHLY recommend this book for everyone.... you won't be disappointed.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By P. Vanaria
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I LOVE this workout and have never felt better. I don't get to all the exercises in the 20 minutes, but I just set the timer and get to work. When the timer goes off, I stop. My core has never felt better and it's helped me immensely in my voice class (yes, breath support!). I combine this w/ walking 5 days a week for 20 minutes and I'm in the best shape of my life (at 52)!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
good, but initially difficult BW routine for small spaces
Jay C. has here written a manifesto on fitness. Without being preachy, nor demanding any specific religion or denomination the chapter on "spiritual" fitness is right on the mark. Read more
Published 5 months ago by gt surber
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nice core workout, not so much cardio
This is a decent book. I was expecting a killer cardio workout and this wasnt it. Perhaps, thats a gig on me, but the title does say cardio. Read more
Published 6 months ago by ranger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jay Core's 4X4 Book
I have read many many books on fitness and training. This book stands out as a Must Have. The approach of this book is perfect and is just what the industry needs. Read more
Published 12 months ago by FLO Fitness
5.0 out of 5 stars
PERFECT BOOK FOR EVERYONE!!!!!!
I HAVE BEEN INTO FITNESS FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I AM TO SEE A BOOK THAT IS NOT SO DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW. Read more
Published 12 months ago by FitnessJunkie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very insightful and revolutionary workout!
This book is shear genius. Jay Cardiello has developed a workout that anyone can do - only 20 minutes, no equipment and you'll be dripping with sweat! Read more
Published 12 months ago by KP
5.0 out of 5 stars
Felt the Burn
While Jay's program is catered towards simplicity, he does not go easy on you. You will sweat and burn. Read more
Published 12 months ago by DPNJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
PERFECT FOR MOMS!!!!!!
I AM A NEW MOTHER AND IT IS HARD FOR ME TO FIND TIME TO WORKOUT AND TAKE OFF THE WEIGHT THAT I GAINED, WHILE I WAS PREGNANT. Read more
Published 12 months ago by paula
