Customer Reviews

Look Great Naked: Slim Down, Shape Up and Tone Your Trouble Zones in Just 15 Minutes a Day

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I was very disappointed with this book. I first read his other book, "Sculpting Her Body Perfect", which is a excellent and realistic approach to women's weight training. Because of that book, and because of the additional information on his website, I was really looking forward to reading "Look Great Naked." Weight training for "problem areas" plus diet - sounds perfect, right? Unfortunately, I really felt the book was well below the standard set by "Sculpting." It almost seemed like it was written very quickly with a marketable title and fitness magazine-type promises ("only 15 minutes a day!") to get it out in stores as soon as possible and make a quick profit.

Here is what I did not like (besides the almost embarrassing title):

(1) it does not lay out an exact program to follow. I think it is fair to say that when one buys a book titled "Look Great Naked," she is looking for something quick, easy to follow and effective. The book is just not set up in that way. Should you train 3 times per week or less? All muscle groups on the same day or spread them out? 15 reps or 10 reps? While the book provides some general principles (e.g. "a minimum of 48 to 72 hours is necessary for adequate recovery"), one has to look hard for them, and make a lot of choices. If you want everything laid out nice and neat for you, like in Joyce Vedral's books, you are out of luck.

(2) the diet section was pretty basic - really broad principles, but as with the weight section, he does not put it together into a program. A much better book is "Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition."

(3) one-third of the book is taken up with recipes. Now, some people enjoy this in a book, but I personally never follow such recipes, so it is a waste of space for me. If you like recipes for things like "fat-free tuna melt" or protein shake meals, you will like it.

(4) there is a lot of information that Schoenfeld has on his website that is not in the book - e.g. sample menus, frequent questions. So the book provided nothing new.

Overall, I expected the book to focus the information from "Sculpting" and the website to the lower body, provide workout and diet programs, and be written in a very user-friendly way. It did not accomplish it. On its own (without reading the website or "Sculpting"), I think it still would rate as a mediocre book. But knowing his other work, this book is a real disappointment. I suggest buying his other book instead.

I'll admit, I bought the book because I was intrigued by the title. But boy was I glad I did! Make no mistake, this is a serious fitness book with a lot of substance. It's NOT for those who just want to take it easy in their workout.

The first few chapters are very inspirational. It begins with some interesting info on why women store fat more easily than men, why quick fix programs don't work, and what it really takes to get your body into shape. The author doesn't pull any punches and says flat out that you have to put in the effort, but he does it in a way that really makes you want to start working out. It then describes in detail the specific exercise program for working each of the three women's trouble zones (abs, butt and thighs). The organization here is excellent. It's very thorough and covers everything from sets to reps and everything in between (and yes, the workout does only take about 15 minutes!). It even describes the exact equipment needed to do the workout at home (you can do the routine either in the gym or at home). But what's really cool is that the routine is designed in a way that makes it simple to create perfect workouts every time you train--even if you don't have any background in exercise. I've never seen anything like this before (and I've read a lot of fitness books) and it's a real help.

The last part of the book deals with nutrition. I was extremely impressed with the straightforward approach taken. There is an indepth discussion of carbs, protein and fat, with specific recommendations for apportioning each in the right amount as well as a formula for figuring out how many calories to take in. But it doesn't get overly technical with diet and it's again laid out in a very easy to understand way. The section on tips for losing those last few pounds was especially helpful. The book ends with about fifty or so healthy recipes, many of them contributed by top fitness models.

All in all, I'd say this is a must-read for any woman who is looking to get into shape. It's motivating, well written, easy to read and, best of all, has lots of great information that you can really apply to your workout. I would have given it six stars if I could have!

I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it would have given equal time to the upper body. There was no mention of arms or back in this entire book. I borrowed his first book, and he did mention those body parts in it. I would have been more pleased with his first book -- which I plan to buy. By not mentioning arms and back in his second book "Look Great Naked", the author contradicted himself by his comments in his first book of making sure all muscle groups are worked equally to prevent a misshaped and unballanced look. I'm looking forward to owning his first book so I can incorporate my upper body into my workouts. All in all, the content and information in "Look Great Naked" is very valuable. His books are definitaly geared for people who have access to a Gym -- so if you don't, skim the book first before buying to make sure you're happy with it. I learned some new exercises with some of the machines that can target my muscles in a different way. I'm looking forward to trying some of his suggested moves.

Mr. Schoenfeld has written an excellent book that is totally results-oriented. My entire body has changed since starting this program several months ago. No matter what anyone else says, the way you look influences how you feel. My clothes now fit great and I feel much better about myself and my body.

Also, some of the reviewers who say you need a gym are off base. Maybe they are commenting without reading the book. There are substitute home-based exercises for all the machine exercises that are fully demonstrated. I do this routine at home three days a week just using dumbbells and strength bands. It works fantastic.

I am a pretty serious weight trainer but many women are intimidated by going into a weight room and using weights. There are two things I like about this book; one, the title is terrific if not realistic for most of us; and two, this book gives many alternative exercises for weight machines so you don't have to go into the weight room if you feel funny about it.

You will not get big bulky muscles if you follow this workout because you do not use very heavy weights. Instead you will get leaned, toned muscles which is what most women want and it targets the trouble zones, the abs, butt, and thighs. He also talks about the importance of diet (not dieting) and consistancy (it doesn't happen overnight, you have to keep at it).

My biggest criticism of this book is that he does not include exercises for the upper body, though he does mention that it is important to work the upper body as well as the lower body. Therefore, I find it to be incomplete for an overall training manual, but I do think it is a good place to start. Just don't forget to work your upper body every other day as well.

Over the years I have tried virtually everything to shape up including books, tapes, supplements and thigh creams. But this book is the best for losing inches and toning up. For the first time, I can really feel my muscles working. It doesn't take long to do the exercises and the nutrition is easy to follow. The author is also very motivational. He shows how to set realistic goals no matter how out of shape or overweight you are. I felt that he was talking directly to me and was encouraged to keep going on when I really didn't feel like it. I've learned to put things in perspective and am very happy with the weight that I've lost and the shape my body is taking. Over all, an excellent book for any woman regardless of her present shape. I bought one for my mom and she has gotten very good results too.

As a 30-something woman with two children, I am so pleased to have found this book. After my last child, I haven't been able to lose the weight I had gained amounting to about 20 pounds. My stomach was also stretched and all the ab exercises that I did never helped. I have been staying with Brad's program for a little over a month now and have already dropped a dress size and feel much more firm and toned. My stomach is finally tightening up and I don't have that terrible loose skin look. The program is very easy to follow and the explanations of the exercises are fantastic. I am looking forward to being in a bikini by the summer for the first time in years.

I think it would better serve your customers to inform potential buyers that this book is for women who go to the gym on a regular basis, and not for those who were expecting to use this book to work out at home. I would not have wasted time and money had this IMPORTANT information been provided.

I am extremely pleased with the results that I've achieved on this program. In two months I've lost 13 pounds and everyone is noticing my muscle tone. Unlike other programs, the diet is easy to follow. Be advised that each trouble zone takes fifteen minutes so the workout can actually take longer depending on how many areas you train each day. But this is only a small quibble. The results are well worth it!

I ordered this book based on reviews from health and fitness websites and the online reviews. The reviews indicated (or I assumed) I could do these exercises at home! I am very interested in weight Training exercises. Perhaps it was my wrong assumption, but I assumed the exercises used free weights and floor exercises. 90% of the exercises were based on going to a gym or having gym equipment (I do own an elliptical). I was disappointed and returned the book! So the motto is, if you don't have access to gym equipment don't waste your time!