19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An EXCELLENT user guide for fitness balls, February 11, 2005
This review is from: PowerSculpt For Men: The Complete Body Sculpting and Weight Training Workout Using the Exercise Ball (Includes Bonus DVD) (Paperback)
I like to exercise at least five times a week. I do weightlifting and cardio on alternate days. I'm always looking for new exercises to keep variety in my workout routine.
One of the new exercises was the use of fitness / stability / exercise / Swiss balls. The gym that I workout at has a wall chart with about 15 fitness ball exercises. I wasn't too impressed with the wall chart and I became skeptical about the ball. I thought it would be another exercise fad that would soon fade until I met an incredible kayak paddler who told me that he's a faithful fitness ball user and he credits its use to his current success as a paddler.
I looked through Amazon and I found this book. There's one marketed for women and one for men. I purchased the one for men. After getting the book and reviewing it, I'm not exactly sure why it's only marketed to men. It looks like it would be suitable for most women. I would consider this book suitable for men and women who are already in or serious about getting into good physical condition. If you're a couch potato or out-of-shape, I would recommend you NOT get this book. I'd recommend you get a more basic book.
The exercises in the book are different than those on the chart that hangs in the gym. I had concerns about safety in using dumbbells with the fitness balls. For this reason, I don't use heavy weights. Instead, I use lighter weights but trying to maintain stability while using the weights really gives a good core body workout. I still primarily use heavier weights on a bench, but for variety, I will switch to the lighter weights and the ball. I truly enjoy the change of routine and I look forward to those days when I use the ball especially when I get into a "rut" or "bored."
The daily exercises that I really like to use with the ball are those for the ABS. The reverse crunch and pike crunch are my favorites. I also daily use the stretch exercises with the ball.
There are several "advance" exercises in the book. I haven't been able to do the "advance" exercises just yet, but it's a goal of mine.
There is a DVD that comes with this book. It contains a few exercises. I wasn't too impress with it. The book (and a fitness ball) is all that you'll need.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book, Useless DVD, September 9, 2007
This review is from: PowerSculpt For Men: The Complete Body Sculpting and Weight Training Workout Using the Exercise Ball (Includes Bonus DVD) (Paperback)
The book has some really good information, great ideas for firming up and strengthening through the utilization of the excercise ball. The DVD on the otherhand (the fact that it had a DVD was partly why I purchased this book) was absolutely worthless. Paul has no personality. He looks lost throughout the video. A couple times I noticed the two people behind him almost look embarrassed. The DVD shows you how to do a few of the exercises from the book, but ONLY the basic ones. Blah blah blah. If I had known the DVD was such a joke, I most likely would not have bought this product.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a book for everyone, August 6, 2005
This review is from: PowerSculpt For Men: The Complete Body Sculpting and Weight Training Workout Using the Exercise Ball (Includes Bonus DVD) (Paperback)
I was looking for a exercise book that would combine my requirements for balance, flexibility and strength.Powersculpt for men fits the bill! As a rear leg above amputee I needed the challenge that a program like powersculpt provides. I have started with the simplest exercises and they provide penty of challenge for me but I am seeing improvements daily. The structure of the exercises are from beginner to advanced so it meets the needs of everyone. You can follow their structured dvd program or create your own. Some of the exercises actually involve messaging your body with the ball which provides the benefits of that type of therapy.Get on the ball and have some fun!
Dave
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