Customer Reviews

Fabulously Fit Forever Expanded

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found the routines in this book to be excellent in terms of exercise selection, technique, appropriate volume, frequency, aerobics, diet, etc. I wonder about the reviewer who said this book wasn't for the "hardcore bodybuilder"; sounds like that poor guy is more moved by mass monster pictures and hype than real content. Zane was and continues to be a pioneer in the bodybuilding world and is one of the few that can articulate his knowledge in this format. Three days after trying one of his workouts, that emphisize stretching between every set, I was still feeling that good pain that signals growth is in the making. His true mastery seems to be in exercise selection and order (his biceps exercise combinations are perfect). Not only that, but Zane outlines how bodybuilding interacts with psychological development, and outlines basic methods for using meditation to get the most out of bodybuilding and life. This from a reviewer who has read most of whats out there in bodybuilding literature, from Arnold to Mentzer, and now Zane. Zane is on par with Clarence Bass in his lack of hype and presentation of usable information; which is the highest complement I can give.

I found this book to be very informative, and took in aspects of getting in shape that most people don't even consider, like the connection your attitude, and your thoughts have on your ability to improve yourself. Mr. Zane covers many subjects from training equipment to nutritional advise that has worked for him, and training routines for a motivated kid to a senior. Mr. Zane states that he is over 50. Zane looks great over 50 or not! The photos prove it. Check it out.

Frank Zane, the author, is a 3 time "Mr. Olympia," and also had the fortune of defeating Arnold Schwarzenegger when Arnold first came to the US to compete. Zane's physique and approach towards presenting his physique and its appearance was years ahead of the competition. Now, that he's retired and is 50 years of age, his book is a more holistic book towards fitness and bodybuilding. It's not a "hardcore" book for "hardcore" bodybuilders. It's a good introductory or intermediate book for those interested in bodybuilding. The pictures are great and the psychological analysis towards life (ie stages of life) and focus that Zane discusses is very relevant for those who are getting older ( ie babyboomers). I am still waiting for him to write a "hardcore" bodybuilding book.

Frank Zane has always been one of my favorite bodybuilders. He came from the golden era --- which happened to be my era --- when bodybuilders developed a beautiful body. The bodybuilders today look like freaks because they juice.

Frank is in his sixties now and he still looks great. He has continued a life of body development. Unlike the flabby Arnold, Frank has a body to die for. Other older guys like Dave Draper and Clarence Bass still look beautiful too and I admire them greatly. They prove there is no reason older people should look like crap. (Many young people look like crap too. So you youngsters, take heed.)

This book is not a hard core bodybuilding book. Frank is into Zen and some other meditation methods. While I practice Zen myself and appreciate most of what he has to say, some of it is a bit far out even in my view.

But that doesn't take away from the beauty of the book. I was hoping it would deal a bit more with age and the needs of the aging body. I think Bass does this a bit more and I know Draper does. (Draper has an excellent newsletter for older bodybuilders.)

But Zane is a beautiful, spiritual man and he deals with the whole body. He does show some of the great exercises and gives instructions. He also tells us what works in all age groups. Since he was in his fifties when he wrote this, I expect he would add a good deal more now.

There are lots of pictures in the book. They're mixed from his teenage years to later years. His wife is also included but we only see her when she was young. She was a bit too skinny for my taste in the female body. I think women should also be muscular if possible.

I also found something about which I must warn you. In the nutrition area he advises women wanting to lose weight to take in less than 1000 calories. DON'T BELIEVE IT! This is not good advice. Frankly, it made me wonder about some of his other advice. No wonder his wife looked so skinny.

But otherwise I enjoyed the book. It's worth a read. Just don't expect a hard core bodybuilding book and if you are offended by discussion of meditation and things of that nature, you might want to find another book because this one if full of that.

I highly recommend the books of Draper and Bass to you older guys and gals.

Fabulously Fit Forever is an excellent publication for any fitness conscious individual, regardless of age or gender. Zane clearly displayed his intellect and educational background in his explanations, giving the book an academic flavor. As a social psychologist, it was interesting how Zane incorporated Jungian Psycholgy into his outlook on bodybuilding. For someone familiar with Jungian Psychology, it was truly enlightening. One could also detect the influence of Freud in the publication.

The publication clearly showed multifaceted bodybuilding is; reaching different dimensions for people with different needs. If there was one thing that Zane achieved in the publication, it was the fact that he shatterd the stereotype of bodybuilding as a "youthful" sport.

The workout routines are marvalous, and I have incorporated many of Zane's exercises into my current routine. As a bodybuilder for 20 years, Fabulously Fit Forever still teaches valuable lessons to the "veterans" in the field. This is especially true when it comes to injuries and nutrition.

Zane's philosophy is excellent, and one could tell a Buddhist influence in Zane. Though many readers may not embrace the philosophical aspects of the publication, Zane clearly showed the power of the mind in relation to the sport. As a psychologist, Zane clearly applied his academic knowledge to something empirical.

If you are looking for bodybuilding hype, this is not the book for you. In terms of substance, it truly brings essence to the sport of bodybuilding. Zane is an excellent example of an intellectual bodybuilder.

I would recommend Fabulously Fit Forever to anyone without reservation.

Frank Zane (Mr. Olympia 1977-78-79) wrote a great book!
The book revolves around four major concepts: Exercise, Attitude, Rest and Nutrition. They are all equally important. No one should expect meaningful results excelling in one area and neglecting the others.
I found the book inspiring and extremely useful for people of all walks of life (both men and women) I understand the reviewers that states that this not a "hardcore bodybuilder" book. Zane was a pioneer athlete that focused his entire and remarkable career in getting a proportionate body versus a huge one. This is a holistic approach to the sport. Zane still train hard and looks impressive beyond his fifties. Nevertheless, advanced and extremely demanding techniques are also available.
I highly recommended this book if you want to be fit and healthy!

I found the routines in this book to be excellent in terms of exercise selection, technique, appropriate volume, frequency, aerobics, diet, etc. I wonder about the reviewer who said this book wasn't for the "hardcore bodybuilder"; sounds like that poor guy is more moved by mass monster pictures and hype than real content. Zane was and continues to be a pioneer in the bodybuilding world and is one of the few that can articulate his knowledge in this format. Three days after trying one of his workouts, that emphisize stretching between every set, I was still feeling that good pain that signals growth is in the making. His true mastery seems to be in exercise selection and order (his biceps exercise combinations are perfect). Not only that, but Zane outlines how bodybuilding interacts with psychological development, and outlines basic methods for using meditation to get the most out of bodybuilding and life. This from a reviewer who has read most of whats out there in bodybuilding literature, from Arnold to Mentzer, and now Zane. Zane is on par with Clarence Bass in his lack of hype and presentation of usable information; which is the highest complement I can give.

I am a huge Frank Zane fan. Ever since I got into bodybuilding at the age of 15 I've been crazy about the guy. He is one of the very few people that beat out Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Mr. Universe title. What was amazing that he did it at the bodyweight of about 185lbs. and Arnold weighed about 245-250 at the time.

This book is a great read and offers many valuable suggestions. He does, I admit, go overboard promomting certain products and I wish that he wouldn't do that because it kind of takes away from the overall impact of the book. He also throws in a lot of psychology, philosophy, and other things that may or may not be appealing to the "average" musclehead. Because I, also like philosophy, psychology, meditation, and visualization techniques I enjoyed those parts but for the guy who just goes into the gym, loads up the bar with outrageous amounts of weight and doesn't care about the mental/spiritual aspects of bodybuilding it probably wouldn't be appealing. But, I would also assume that they wouldn't be too impressed with Mr. Zane because he is not the 280lb + roid-ranger that seems to be very popular now. Why, I don't know because they are just huge for the sake of being huge. He is an articulate, thoughtful man with a very powerful message that we are not just bodies, we are mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical beings and ALL of these aspects need to be covered if one is to be a well-rounded individual.

I used to go into the gym and really had no sense of purpose or direction. I didn't even enjoy my workouts. But after reading this book I started looking at why I love to be a bodybuilder. Sure, it's to get a beautiful body but when I incorporate my spirituality into my training I receive a deeper kind of reward. The gym is not just a "sweatlodge", it becomes a Temple of Transformation. It becomes a place where I work on all aspects of my being and not just my body.

This book is for people just beginning as well as for people who have been training for a long time. His routines really do work and if you begin to add a few of his visualization and meditation techniques you will quickly find that not only will your physique improve dramatically, but you will also feel more relaxed and enjoy the overall quality of your life.

May you become the person you were meant to become!

This is a better book than most of Frank's writings, mainly because it has some good information... but let's face it... there are dozens of books on bodybuilding that are better on the subject and WITHOUT all the "new age" ramblings and commercial "plugs" about Frank's favorite products. If you are a serious bodybuilder and own a library of books on the subject, then feel free to add this one to it. If you are looking for 3 or 4 books solid books on musclebuilding without all the silliness squeezed in between the real information, then save your money on this volume.

This book is an excellant guide to getting in shape, written by a man with over 30 years experiance as a bodybuilder and personal trainer. Chapter 6, which focuses on an excellant 3-way split training routine, is especially good. Chapter 9, which focuses on nutrition, is good, but would have been much better if the authour's advice on nutritional supplements had been clearer.