Customer Reviews

Escape Your Shape: How to Work Out Smarter, Not Harder

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I can't say enough great things about this book. Within the first couple of weeks of starting this program, I noticed big differences in my weight and how my body looked. The workouts are for your specific body type and they are not hard to do, nor do they require a gym membership. I have always gained and lost the same 10-15 pounds and could never rid myself of those "problem areas" even at a my healthiest weight. Now the weight is staying off and the problems areas are REALLY going away for the first time ever. I have lost around 8 pounds and even more inches. It is exciting and motivating to see this happening. This book definitely helps you get results that last. I feel healthy and strong and I love exercising -- and that is a first for me.

Finally, a book that offers sound, effective fitness advice. Before I had gyms, classes, and every exercise tape imaginable with no results (unless you count bulking up). Now I am losing weight and inches and look forward to my body type workout routine. Finally a great workout and RESULTS without lifting all these heavy weights. I wish I had found this sooner!

If you have been working out to no avail then you have to learn to work out according to your body type. This guy knows what he is talking about plain and simple. This is a must read and the best money I have spent on fitness.

As a former rugby player four years fom the game I was a little skeptical about some of the exercises. I very out of shape and had put on considerable weight. (I was considered an over-weight ruler at the time of purchase). When I first read the book I laughed at the idea of using a 10 to 20 lb body bar. I also did not except the idea of not doing any type of squats. After all, at the height of my rugby participation I was squating 305lbs for 8 to 12 reps. I gave it a shot anyway.

When I first started the program I was a tight 40" waist I now wear a loose 36" waist. I'm not sure of my weight because I tried not to get fixated by that figure because I have a big frame.

Don't let the title fool you. It does take effort on your part and it is a good safe work out. A little weird at first but with a little dicipline it becomes second nature.

My only beef with the book is the author's tricep exercise. I didn't get much out of it so I modified it to overhead. I also cheated and did some other exercises every once in a while to keep life interesting but mostly stuck with the program. I would recomend this book.

I started to get serious about exercising about 4 years ago. I began running on the treadmill and lifting weights a couple times a week. I became addicted to exercising after I lost 10 lbs in a month. I stuck with this workout for a few years and although I was down to my desired weight, the "problem areas" were still apparent. Frustrated, I slacked off around the holidays last year and gained 10 lbs. AHHHH! At the end of January (I'd had enough of trying to stuff my legs into my favorite jeans) 2002 I discovered Escape Your Shape. WOW! I absolutely love this book! I am an hourglass and I was doing squats and lunges as part of my routine...no wonder my legs never got any smaller. After 3 months of EYS workouts I lost 10 lbs and many inches...wearing a size 6 comfortably. I have never felt so good about myself. This is truly an amazing approach to the correct exercises for your body. I havent performed a squat in over a year! If you stick with this (its kind of tough at first) you WILL see results!

This workout makes your shape dreams come true. I have exercised aerobically and lifted weights for over 12 years, while only bulking, and this for a female! Although I have done this for only two weeks, I have lost four pounds and one dress size. My legs and arms are slimmer! Try this one! I found a 5 pound bar at Wal-Mart that breaks down into 3 parts for [price]. Other than the expensive bar and mat, the costs associated with this program are nothing compared with a Stairmaster, gym membership, or weights. Great Program!

This book is good to have overall. I have been following my shape's workout routine based on this book and I feel better than before. I still go to the gym to workout a few times a week even though this book's regimen does not require any gym equipment. One thing about this book is that it covers all body types that you may not be interested in reading about. For me that was somewhat of an inefficient use of this book. It would be better if there was a book catered for each body type categorized by this author. I also substitued dumbbells for the weight bar as that's less expensive and easier to find.

If people were exactly alike, then one type of exercise or workout would work for everyone, right? Well, we know that people are different, and so does Edward Jackowski. He classifies people into 4 different shapes: "hourglass" (gains evenly on top and bottom) "spoon" (those who are heavier on bottom than top) "cone" (top-heavy people, who are generally at higher risk for strokes and heart attacks) and "ruler" (pretty much the same measurements from chest to hips- like an hourglass but with a thicker waist). Each "shape" has exercises that are perfect for them, but there are also exercises that they should avoid. I.E. "Spoons" should never use stair climbers/steppers, walk outside or on a treadmill on an incline, do squats or lunges or rollerblade (think of those Olympic speed skaters legs!). These things will only add to the bulkiness of their bottom. Instead, they should focus on fast walking or slow jogging (without hills or incline), biking (stationery or outdoors)with light resistence only, and all variations of chin-ups, pull-ups, and push ups, just to name a few.

It's amazing how easy this program is. The "work out smarter, not harder" concept proves true- you'll see results pretty quickly without having to kill yourself in the process. Buy this book and figure out what your shape is, and also learn why jumping rope is the best cardio exercise around...

I've been utilizing Jackowski's hourglass routine for two weeks now and though it is too early to see the results I am thrilled with the workout. Though I have always done cardio, I have never consistantly weight trainned. This book made me realize that I need to be doing a total body workout, not just cardio. Be warned, the workouts are short (60 min tops) but they are intense! I really feel like I am working every muscle in my body. Can't wait to see the results!

One small annoyance; for my body type, Jackowski recommends using a 4 lb aerobic bar. Turns out that no fitness stores sell 4 lb. bars. The only way to purchase one is through his website or at Exude, his gym. This was dissapointing since the 4 lb. bar that he sells is very expensive! I have found ways to compensate though and I'm sure you will too.

I had been exercising on and off for many years but always got frustrated when I didn't get the results I was hoping for. When I first read Jackowski's profile for my body type it was like someone finally shed light on why I wasn't getting results I expected from the exercises I was doing. Like many people, I had been following the common wisdom of using high resistance to burn more calories and using heavy weights to tone my upper and lower body. But these exercises were completely wrong for my body type! This book finally showed me how to work out correctly for my body and I have been getting results faster than I ever dreamed possible.

I noticed that most of the people that gave this book bad reviews either didn't even try the program (let's face it, reading the book is only half the picture here so how could they know if it's really a good program or not?) or were fitness professionals that were put off by the fact that Jackowski challenges their approach and dares to say that they might be wrong.

If you give this book a fair chance, try the program for your body type, and stick with it for a reasonable amount of time, you will see results!

I have tried many exercise programs but none have given the results this program does. The workouts are simple but effective with little equipment needed. The workouts are also fun and challenging, giving 3 levels for each workout. There are also other suggestions in case the workouts get too routine. In the first month I lost about 6.5 inches. The best thing about this program is that you can do it anywhere. I recently went on vacation and was able to complete the workouts while out of town. This is something I can do for the rest of my life.