Customer Reviews

Dump Your Trainer

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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Constantly badgering myself about losing weight and getting in shape, well, better shape, I was seriously considering joining a gym and hiring a personal trainer. Speaking with a friend, he recommended Dump Your Trainer. Wow, what an eye opener. The racket of personal training, especially the thought that trainers don't really want you to achieve your goals because then they will lose a client made so much sense.

This book is interesting, entertaining, fun, sensible and best of all, doable. The "fitness test" was easy and provided me with some valuable information. I was very strong in my legs but very weak in my stomach. I won't tell you that how many sit ups I couldn't do, but I have my work cut out for me, big time. I am excited to be joining this program because it seems like something that is possible to do. I am not a big fan of gyms so I was really glad the excercises were also things I can do at home, much more convenient for me. The recipes sound really good and not too hard.

If I could look 1/64th as good as the author, Ashley Marriott, I will be thrilled. Thanks for the encouragement and the great ideas. This book is absolutely worth the price.

This is a great little book and the program simple and effective. It starts out irreverently bashing the media hyped fad of personal training and slamming the boot camp type TV shows as risking permanent damage that will only backfire later. The authors then go into several very simple and easy to follow diet and fitness programs that can be integrated into almost any lifestyle. Does it work? Well, I bought the book less than a month ago and I'm already down 12 pounds. Not encyclopedic, but hey, my goal was to lose weight, not do a lot of reading. They're emphasis is obviously on simplicity and this book gets the job done quick and easy.

Dump Your Trainer is a clear, concise guide on how to get fit. The book begins with an overview of why using a personal trainer may not be the best use of your time and money if you are looking to get fit. The authors feel a cardio intensive program is what will help you lose the most weight. Trainers however, tend to focus more on strength training than cardio because a trainer isn't needed for cardio and thus can't make money. To lose weight a session should be about 40-60 minutes of aerobics with 10-15 minutes of strength training. But a trainer won't make $ that way as not many people will pay a trainer to watch them run laps.
Trainers, according to the authors, also waste time on chit chat, may not have proper certification themselves and may recommend food and supplement products such as diuretics, steroids etc. that may be harmful.

Instead of a trainer the authors outline a program to take you from flab to fab for the price of the book. You begin with a fitness assessment. You will take a step test, push up test, etc. to evaluate your current level. Next you select your primary aerobic device. This could be a stepper, bicycle, treadmill, cardio or the author's video. The video is offered up as a choice but not pushed. The author then takes you through an aerobic plan that will get you in the desired heart/fat burning zone.
Toning is up next and the author includes a full program with photographs. A program with gym membership and one without.

You can't get in shape without diet and the authors diet is a disciplined one but not over the top. Typical day might include: Breakfast - egg whites and veggie juice. Lunch - chicken breast tacos and iced tea. Snack - protein smoothie. Dinner - rock cornish hen, salad, tea. The diet focuses on real food not faux food and some simple recipes are included

The book lays everything out one day at a time. Thumb to day 11 for example and you will get the action step (positive steps for the day), a meal plan, and what exercise to do. Easily laid out for 21 days.
The action steps are nice. They give you ideas to think about such as focus on what you have to be thankful for, getting in enough sleep etc.
The book also gives adjustments for length of time to exercise depending on your weight loss goals. At the end of the 21 days the authors explain what to do to keep on moving with your fitness goals.

Overall I think the 227 page softcover book is an excellent value for the individual who is ready to kick [...] and get it done. However, many of us just aren't ready to make this kind of commitment all at one time and may need babysteps. The biggest drawback to me with the book is that exercise takes place twice a day. Once in the morning and again in the evening. I want to do it once a day and be done with it. Also the food is pretty restrictive. However, if you are ready to commit to fit, and want to jump right in the book is a great step by step road map for what to do!

Lee Mellott

As an Ophthalmologist with a busy practice, I, like many professionals have very little free time and finding an exercise program that fits my schedule has typically proven to be very difficult. I've tried various exercise manuals and have found many of the routines confusing and at times even silly. I've also tried working with a Personal Trainer only to end up discouraged by sore muscles from exercises that paradoxically burned little if any calories. Recently I came across "Dump Your Trainer" and was surprised at how simple it all seemed - perhaps too simple, I wondered? So I tried the program. I was amazed. The program starts you out light - emphasizing that the worst thing you can do is overtax yourself and cause an injury (a lesson the Personal Trainer I worked with should learn!). I've incorporated the aerobic routine into my morning schedule and, as instructed, allocated the toning component to a reasonably short but comprehensive evening component at my local gym. Now I start my day invigorated and my body feels toned (not bulked) all over. Throw in the realistic diet program and I'm really starting to see the results I'm after. What's most impressive about the program is how simple it is to follow and how it can be fit so easily into a tight schedule. I encourage anyone looking for a fitness and weight loss program that is simple and realistic to seriously consider "Dump Your Trainer." BTW: The cartoons are absolutely hilarious. Good job!

Addendum February 1, 2007: Thought I'd update my review because I'm really happy with this program. Just over 8 weeks now on the program and already down over 20 pounds - impressive! Love this program, try it. - Bob

I've read tons of books on fitness and weight loss. Most have some good but a lot of bad. This unique book is very refreshing. I liked it all.

First it tells you all about the myths of having a personal trainer. They have a vested interest in seeing that you DO NOT lose weight and get in shape. Why? Simply put, when you're in good shape, they lose a client.

The book is short but very complete. It gives you an idea of what you should weigh. I think it might have been a bit more considerate of age. But it did take into account your frame.

It also talks about monitoring your heart rate and other areas of importance.

All of the exercises in the book can be done in your own home and with cheap equipment that you may already have. There are different programs for different people who need to lose different amounts of weight.

The book includes lots of recipes and information about healthy eating.

I found this a very good book and well worth being in your library.

Highly recommended.

As a model, being physically fit is not only a desire but a requirement. I have been working out with various trainers on both the East and West Coast for years. It has required me to work around not only my schedule but also theirs. As the model in this book; I was required to perform every exercise. I must say as fit as I am the next day I could feel the effects on muscles that I was sure were as toned as they could get. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who has a desire to have a toned, fit body. Now, I have actually dumped my trainer and perform these exercises every day, which allows me a lot more free time, and money.

Dump Your Trainer tells it like it is and provides the tools necessary to make long-term changes. I like the motivational techniques and the 21-Day Quotes.
Unlike other books on fitness that I've read this book tells you that you do have to exercise and watch what you eat- there is no "miracle", but it empowers you to take charge and achieve your goal.

In the beginning, this book debunks myths about Personal trainers. After spending years in my local gym and seeing exactly what Ashley Marriott portrayed about such trainers, I knew the book was going to be good.
Unlike a self-help book I recently reviewed where the author was not technically capable of writing for the book, in this case, both authors are, with Ashley Marriott being a certified trainer and Mark L. Paulsen, M.D., sharing sound medical advice. You feel your in good hands from the start. The author's brutal honesty on everything from diets that won't work to the retouching of photos that slim down celebrities for marketing purposes is appreciated, especially from a reviewer who struggles to keep in shape.
The cartoons add a little wit to a typically stiff presentation of black and white photos, fitness programs, and diet plans. With what appears to have been written on a modest budget, the author did the best she could.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to following the diet plan. We'll see how it goes.

This book is good to read if you are thinking of hiring a trainer. At my gym it's $60 an hour for a trainer and I've watched some of the trainers just talk and walk around with their person never sweating. This book is good for beginners, basic stuff to get you going. Fun cartoons.

Dump Your Trainer provides an informative and common sense approach to fitness. What I really appreciated about the book was the underlying message that ultimately we are our own best trainer and are responsible for our health. The information provides the reader with a step by step approach to taking control of our health. I also really liked the cartoons and the icons that showed when the message come from the trainer (Ashley) or the doctor (Marc). You can tell the authors care and have the interest in the reader in mind. The Putting it All Together 21 day plan is inspiring and a great way to begin taking steps to a healthier life. I would definetly share this empowing book with others.