Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helped me get more out of my weight training, October 18, 2003
This review is from: Teach Yourself Visually Weight Training (Paperback)
I cross country ski race and have been lifting weights for years without any instruction - I've just learned by watching others and seeing pictures in some of the XC ski racing books I've purchased over the years. But I always knew I was missing something: proper form. I'd looked at some of the body building books, but their focus on massive muscle building was not for me - I want fast, small muscles. Excessive bulk just makes it harder to climb hills in a race! It was with great pleasure that I stumbled on to "Teach Yourself Visual: Weight Training." From my perspective, there are several major benefits to this book: First, the book has sections for weight machines, free weights, exercise balls, and stretch tubes. I've used all in my training, and it's really valuable to have examples of each in one book. Obviously, the book can't show you every machine out there, but it does provide hints on how you can utilize other equipment. Second, the book provides clear examples of what to do and - more importantly - what not to do. I found out after all these years that you really need to tighten your abs when you lift. I found that some of the back problems I had been experiencing disapeared as soon as I followed that tip. That simple hint alone was worth the cost of the book. Third, it clearly shows what muscles are being exercised and tells you ways to make the various exercise easier or harder to fit your conditioning level. For people who may feel a little imtimidated by books showing muscle-bound, high testosterone men and women, this book is very non-threatening. It provides simple, straight-forward examples using people who look "normal." There's lots of other info that's useful, too. Overall: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Get the most out of your gym membership, July 29, 2004
This review is from: Teach Yourself Visually Weight Training (Paperback)
I am a student, so I have a small budget when it comes to exercise. Personal training is out of the question, and at most gyms that I have belonged to over the years, staff and/or trainers rarely offer advice when they spot a member grossly misusing a piece of equipment.
I purchased this book used from Amazon, and it really opened my eyes. I am not intimidated by any piece of equipment anymore, and I have seen more results in terms of weight loss and muscle tone than I have previously.
The book has sections on each muscle group, and it includes sections on stability balls, exercise tubing, and stretching. The stability ball is a great addition to my training!
For me, the least useful section is the nutrition section. It is based on the Food Pyramid, which is a little outdated. I also wish there were a little more on sample routines and circuit traning.
The pictorial lessons on what not to do are invaluable. I read this guide every week to make sure my form is good before I begin. This is the single best exercise book in my library, and I recommend it for anyone who cannot afford a personal trainer.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cheaper than 1hr personal training. Maybe even better???, May 29, 2004
This review is from: Teach Yourself Visually Weight Training (Paperback)
I signed up with a gym and stayed away from the floor for five months. Lifting weights seemed so intimidating. I went through many weight-training books (including specifically said for women) and finally decided on this one and boy, am I glad! The gym gave me two free personal training sessions, but when you are new, you don't remember whole lot. Watching people work out doesn't always help, either. In my opinion, this is a perfect book if you choose to go to a gym and a very good book if you decide to set up a home gym. Most machines in my gym are covered and now I am learning more free weight options. I carry it to the gym often and just watch people exercise and read the portion while doing cardio. Then I read it carefully when I am learning the exercise. Several people asked me to show the book, too. It is no nonsense, straightforward, but very through book. It thought of everything by covering exercise ball and exercise tube. I actually found stretching part better than any stretching books, so I photocopied pictures and laminated and carry it with my log. My book is almost fallen apart!
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