Fitness Is Religion: Keep the Faith [Hardcover]

Ray Kybartas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 1997

Provides a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Trainer to the stars Ray Kybartas is one of those guys who has gone through the entire spectrum of the modern fitness movement: he was an overweight slug who became so motivated (by watching the movie The Jericho Mile) that he jumped into fitness with all his heart and soul. Fitness became, as he notes in the book's title and in many other places, his religion. Madonna, his most famous client, calls their workouts "church." In this book he lays out his ecclesiastical exercise philosophy, with lots of practical advice on how to eat and train, and one big motivational message: fitness, like spiritual enlightenment, is a lifelong pursuit, not a temporary fix. It's an appealing message--simple but surprisingly eloquent.

Review

Sean Penn

Here Ray Kybartas destroys, once and for all, the charm of American health and fitness as personified by such notables as Buddy Hackett and Dom DeLuise. Kybartas takes on this challenge with spirit and focused knowledge. Ray knows his stuff. -- Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1ST edition (November 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684842114
• ISBN-13: 978-0684842110
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,317,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even for seasoned fitness buffs..., October 10, 2000

By 

redmoore1127 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fitness Is Religion: Keep the Faith (Hardcover)

Eventhough my husband and I have been working out for years, after travel or illnesses it is difficult to get back into the 'religion' of working out. I saw this book and decided to give it a try. To be honest, the Madona intro didn't attract me but the photos and the easy, straightforward style did. This book motivated us to restart and re-energize our tired workout regimen. We really liked the nutrition information which motivated us to eat like we are athletes...fueling ourselves for the long-haul!! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to stay fit for a lifetime!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Have your sweats ready to go!, May 11, 2000

By 

"eibhinn" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fitness Is Religion: Keep the Faith (Hardcover)

This is a really quick read, so I'll caution you to have your sweats and sneakers ready to go when you start reading so you can take right off.

The first time I read this book was at night, and I got so pumped up I wanted to go go go right then and there. The next day was so busy I couldn't do anything and so on the excuses began.

You can't get "the faith" unless you actually begin, so start right away. This book will give you a great outlook and push in the right direction. It is beautiful, and actually gives me an adrenaline rush to read it, Ray is so excited about everything, it's infectious.

There are also some training programs to start you out, and you learn great techniques for interval training etc. and some advanced techniques for things as well. This book can keep you going for awhile.

As, a vegetarian, I don't really like the nutrition section... he goes for a "caveman" diet like "the zone." I do appreciate his points that carbs *are* overeaten, especially processed ones. I'm just not sure eating lots and lots of meat is the solution.

But I digress. If you want to make fitness a big part of your life and are tired of fitness books by phony people who have never struggled with their weight or self-esteem, this book is for you.

Ray is as down to earth and warm as a Hollywood trainer can be!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The HOLY BOOK on fitness!, December 21, 2000

By 

Kwame Ampofo (Accra Ghana West Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fitness Is Religion: Keep the Faith (Hardcover)

Ray's book is simply marvelous.I became a convert by the time I was through the first two chapters! I had never dreamt that fitness could be presented in such an appealing way.I was sedentary and 115 Kg when I started reading this epistle always dreaming that one day I might come across some fad diet which will deal with my problem. The moment of conversion came when I read that I had to make that Leap of Faith,Believe in fitness to bring me health and weight loss ,then my ears popped open and I heard that inner voice saying "You ought to be a disciple" I'm so greatful to you Ray and you have no Idea what I'll give to meet you in person or get in touch with you by email, God Bless you for blessing us (middle age sedentary unbelievers) with this epistle