Customer Reviews

Punk Rock Aerobics: 75 Killer Moves, 50 Punk Classics, And 25 Reasons To Get Off Your Ass And Exercise

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a funny, well written book. The exercise advice is sound. I've been a gym-goer on and off most of my life, and steadily for the past two and a half years. I love the bricks for weightlifting. I'm going to stick with dumbbells, but that's mostly because bricks are too light for me now.

I have to take an mp3 player to the gym so that I can do cardio to Siouxsie & the Banshees and the Replacements. How cool it must be to have a whole class of dancing to the Ramones and Television! I'm dying to start my own class, although I'm not sure the attendance will be very high in the deep south.

And if you buy this book for no other reason, J Mascis demonstrating one of the butt exercises is worth the price. Buy this book.

This book is "fists in the air" all the way! Hilken and Maura perfectly depict the "rock-on" mindset we all need to spur and motivate ourselves into working out to feel our best. The concept is phenomenal: having so much fun you don't realize you are exercising! The photos complement the easy-to-follow exercise instructions for a high intensity workout. Love all the background information as well, and the outfits say punk is here to stay --- Can't wait for the video!

Traditional aerobics classes annoyed and intimidated me. The thought of being surrounded by gym bunny types while listening to bad music for an hour or so horrified me. Then came PRA. I *heart* PRA. It's weird and fun and kicks your ass everytime in a good way.

While there's nothing like going to a real PRA class, the book does a good job of demonstrating the moves used in class. The stories and pictures in the book are hilarious too. More importantly, the sound exercise advice they give is realistic. They don't expect you to become a hardbody, but they do encourage you to get moving in your own way. Can't get more DIY than that.

...and undoubtedly the funniest. I've heard about these chicks for a while and couldn't resist impulse-buying this when I first spotted it. The humor/rock & roll factor caused the initial purchase, but I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be well-written and "unputdownable" until finished. Sound exercise advice, moving personal stories, side-splitting hilarity, super-cool music suggestions, killer layout and photography--it's got just about everything the rock & roll fitness freak could want. I also dig the page of "hate mail" the gals received from clueless punk nazis who just don't get it. I've got only one minor gripe myself...the gals wisely advise against working out in Doc Martens or Chuck Taylors, but then are shown wearing Chucks and Keds skippies in some of the exercise photos. Clearly it was done just for fun--you're not meant to work out in the wacky outfits they're sporting, unless you really want to--but still, this was a contradictory display. Nevertheless, the photos alone are worth the price of the book--the facial expressions and overall unintimidating d.i.y. attitude are totally fun and refreshing. Now, what would really be cool is a companion exercise video! Music licensing fees would probably prohibit this, but a gal can dream.

This is a totally enjoyable book. The music is 'core, and the exercise stuff is perfect for the impatient and out-of-shape. Check out the photos. They show off easy moves that even a spazz (like me) can do, but they are also HILARIOUS (go ahead, try and find ONE straight face). "Punk Rock Aerobics" screams FREEDOM, from health clubs, from annoying money-beat dance grooves, but mostly from your own heaving lungs and lazy ass. These sisters ROCK!

Punk Rock Aerobics is a "bizarre union violating the natural and godly order of things" by combining the nonconformist underdog with the spandex-clad squeaky clean. The concept is completely DIY--no gym or special equipment required. And of course, the authors have compiled a hundred-plus discography to make your workout rock out. The Boston-based authors obtained their instructor certifications and opened an aerobics studio in 2001, and now their bring attitude and moves to you in paperback format. They make their studio mercifully dark (like a good rock clubs) and welcome guests of all ages and interests.

In addition to all the punk rock posturing, this is a good workout book. The program includes warm-up and cool-down phases. Individual moves have photo illustrations (with punk rock fashion ideas galore), detailed instructions, and tips for optimal performance. Moves are rated by difficulty and include advanced techniques for further exploration.

You gotta check these girls out! This book is so original, with a true punk rock spirit, and hysterically funny photos. The moves really kicked my (newly toned) butt and I loved the punk rock histories. I've given this book as a gift to some friends because it's truly inspiring in a real life way.
Having fun while exercising, who would have thought it possible?

As a kid I used to do the Jane Fonda Workout with the sound turned down and New Order cranked up on my stereo, so when I discovered Maura & Hilken's class, it was a dream come true (albeit a sweaty dream where my butt hurts and I can't breathe...). This book distills their aerobics routines, enabling the reader to mix and match moves to whatever music you like, so you can send Kathy Austin and her dance muzak packing! It's also a really fun and informative read, and the photography is great. If you can make it to the classes in Cambridge, MA, it's definitely worth seeing these ladies in action, but the book does a solid job of communicating the PRA principles.

Why hasn't someone thought of this before? What an amazing concept. An aerobic workout to really great music! No more techno musak and bimbos in thongs. Grab your crusty punk T-shirt and turn up the music.... really loud! The only thing better than doing the work out in the book is joining Maura and Hilken at an actual Punk Rock Aerobics class!

This book was hard to put down. The pictures are adorable (especially of Clint Conley!) and the interviews kept me reading ahead. It made me want to start doing aerobic exercises again, having shunned them for years due to the creepy workout culture. Big credits to Hilken and Maura for spreading the word that you don't have to spend a pile of money to be fit or buy into a bulls**t philosophy about punk or a choke down a corporate spin on health. I am also relieved to know that there is a class I can take that plays the music I like where I won't feel like a Bally's reject. I will recommend this book to all my friends.