41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
By comparing over 10 abs books, I concluded..., January 30, 2008
I purchased about 10 books from Amazon on abs in order to compare them. This one is a rather simplistic book. It's like an enlarged Men's Health magazine article. If all you want is a book that tells you exactly what to do for a specific time period, you'll be better off with The Body Sculpting Bible for Abs, which has more information as well as a DVD. Here's my conclusion from comparing books...
If You Want to Trim Your Waistline: You can't trim your waistline without losing fat, and you can't lose fat around your waist without losing it everywhere (focusing on a muscle group like the abdominal muscles doesn't burn fat in that location, just a little bit of fat from everywhere on the body). So, if you want to trim your waistline, skip the ab workout books and go with a good, proven overall weight loss and fitness book like Bill Phillips' Body for Life. The Abs Diet is a similar program, but like all the Men's Health publications, it advertises a 6-week transformation, which is just a little unrealistic. Plan on more like 12-24 weeks to see really noticeable changes if you are fat.
If You Want Sculpted Six-Pack Abs: If you are overweight at all, see above--you can't get a six pack while you're overweight, and you can't lose abdominal fat by doing an ab workout, so go for overall fitness. However, if you are already lean, see below.
If You Want to Strengthen or Build Your Ab Muscles: If you're trying to improve for work, play, or rehab, you might consider the following books: The Body Sculpting Bible for Abs Deluxe DVD Edition contains decently up-to-date information and tells you exactly what to do and when to do it, based on a six-week fitness course. If you're looking for a similar book with more information, you can choose from The Complete Book of Abs or The Complete Book of Core Training. The Complete Book of Abs (1998) is a little out of date in terms of its dietary/nutritional recommendations, but it focuses more on exercises that develop the external abdominal muscles (the ones you see in a six-pack), including lots of variations on leg lifts, bicycle motion, and sit-ups. It will also give you more resources for creating your own program, and, if that's what you want to do, go with this one instead of The Body Sculpting Bible. The Complete Book of Core Training (2006) focuses more on the functional body core, including internal abdominal muscles, legs, etc., and includes more trendy exercises using medicine balls, exercise balls, yoga, etc. A different sort of book is Stronger Abs and Back (1997), which was written before the current fad of selling "core training," but contains the elements of core training because it gives good functional sports-focused advice. Its dietary recommendations are out of date, but it recommends a 24-week workout plan, which is much more realistic than the 6-week plans advocated by many of the other books.
If You Have Back Pain: See your doctor, and if he prescribes abdominal/core strengthening, see above.
My one-book recommendation: Body for Life.
My two-book recommendation: Body for Life + Stronger Abs and Back.
My three-book recommendation: Body for Life + Stronger Abs and Back + The Complete Book of Abs.
My four-book recommendation: Body for Life + Stronger Abs and Back + The Complete Book of Abs + The Abs Diet.
Hope this helps!!
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Guide for the Beginner, June 9, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Essential Abs: An Intense 6-Week Program (Men's Health Peak Conditioning Guides) (Paperback)
Although a tad overpriced, this book is an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to develop their mid-section. If you're serious about the exercises, you will see results. There's additional information on a basic weight-training routine, diet, and cardiovascular workouts. The layout is simple and the language is straightforward, nothing intimidating here.
If you already have pretty good abdominal shape, go straight for Kurt Brungardt's The Complete Books of Abs.
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35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Program Works, February 7, 2004
This review is from: Essential Abs: An Intense 6-Week Program (Men's Health Peak Conditioning Guides) (Paperback)
I am 5'9" 200, not a thin guy. Used a low carb diet to lose 10 pounds along with this program and in 2 weeks could see real results. My waist is smaller and I see definition in my abdominal area for the first time since my military college days, 35 years ago. The exercises are very well-described, not unusually difficult, and can be done on a living room floor with no equipment. You feel and see the results immediately. I usually complete the third level in 15 minutes. I have never written an online review before but was so pleased with this book and the results I felt that I should. For me it was money well-spent.
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