The Truth [Hardcover]

Frank Sepe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2004

When it comes to physical fitness and nutrition, it's all so confusing. Which "experts" should you believe? What programs should you follow? What and when should you eat? Is weight training really necessary for getting in shape? The exhausting information overload in this area has never been more contradictory, confusing, and even dangerous. Well, this is the book that can clear up all that confusion and conflicting information! The training tips and philosophy presented her by world-renowned bodybuilder Frank Sepe will reveal everything you've ever needed to maximize your body's full potential. Stating the truth is harder to deliver than it may seem at first. Imagine the answers the truth will unlock: The truth about training techniques. The truth about nutritional information. The truth about women and training. The truth about cardio's effects. The truth's real power--indeed, its very effectiveness--lies in its sheer simplicity.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

To distill Frank Sepe in brief is not as easy as one may think. Sure, as one of the planet's most formidable bodybuilders and physique models of all time, Frank Sepe has graced literally hundreds of magazine covers, romance book jackets, fitness encyclopedias, and been the subject of some 500 fan Websites. But this is not nearly the full picture. Not by a long shot. Frank Sepe is also a highly respected fitness expert who's a contributing fitness/nutrition editor and monthly columnist for leading magazines (MuscleMag International, American Health and Fitness), a consultant for top women's Websites and magazines (Oxygen, Cosmopolitan) and television programs (Inside Editon, Hard Copy, etc.); and a working actor (The Devil and Daniel Webster, Carlito's Way) who's made frequent TV guest appearances (Live with Regis and Kelly, VH1, The Howard Stern Show, Conan O'Brien). He also maintains private personal training clients (including celebrities and professional athletes), a full schedule as spokesperson for fitness giant MET-RX, and promotes accredited physique and fitness shows throughout the U.S.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Hay House (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401901689
• ISBN-13: 978-1401901684
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,052,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Despite the glamour, it's filled with solid, practical advice that bears out scientifically, February 4, 2006

By 

David "I read science fiction and fantasy, bu... (LAUREL, MD, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Truth (Hardcover)

I've read lots of books on fitness and working out, and this is one of the best. After you've read a lot of books and searched online, you start to get a feel for what's genuine and useful and what's dodgy. In particular, core principles that you find being repeated by *every* reputable fitness expert start to stick as being reliable, and books that advocate those principles in a sensible manner are books you can trust.

My first impression when I saw "The Truth" and read the back cover was that it was yet another well-sculpted fashion model capitalizing on his looks to try to convince the Average Joe that you too can look like him. How many fitness models and actors can really give you solid, practical advice, and how many are just blessed with good genes and would probably look good on any halfway reasonable fitness regimen? Fortunately, I kept reading inside, and found that Frank Sepe is no pretty boy selling his own personal routine as if it's applicable to everyone. No, he's giving you good, solid advice. Don't be put off by the somewhat grandiose title, he really is telling you The Truth.

Actually, it's a bunch of truths, but they boil down to this: if you want to lose weight, get strong and lean, and look YOUR best (not like Frank Sepe, but the best that your own genetic makeup will allow), you have to work hard, change your lifestyle, make exercise a regular part of your life, and eat the right things, and you have to do this consistently, forever, no excuses. If that's disheartening, sorry, but Sepe does tell it like it is. The only other book that comes close is Tom Venuto's "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle" eBook. Basically, you need to accept the fact that there are no easy weight loss solutions that come without sacrifice.

If you're ready for The Truth, then Sepe's program takes you step by step from out-of-shape beginner to toned and buff. Like any good program, he covers weight training, cardio, and nutrition. You need to pay equal attention to all three. He gives you lots of exercises and very easy "templates" from which to build your own workout program at whatever level you're at. The program works (I've used it myself and gotten good results, I found it a good guide to switching up my own routine). I really liked the master list of primary and secondary exercises for each muscle group from which you can pick and choose the ones to use to build your own routine. The nutritional advice is also solid and consistent with what other fitness experts will tell you -- no ridiculously calorie-restricted diets or no-carb nonsense here. But you will have to accept that fast food and junk food has no place in your diet.

Finally, I have to admit that Frank Sepe's image is a great selling point, if you want someone motivational to look at while planning your own workouts. I know I'm never going to look like him, but he's practically a model of physical perfection and I like imagining that I am working my way towards that kind of body when I work out. He models all the exercises and the descriptions are good, especially the tips on good form and how to squeeze maximal effect out of each movement.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 27, 2005

By 

Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Truth (Hardcover)

This is one of the better fitness books out there. I also recommend Tom Venuto's Burn Fat, Build Muscle ebook. I like The Truth better than Body For Life. I like how Frank breaks down exercizes into what works major and minor muscle groups. This book also worked better for me over BFL as I require more than three 20 minute sessions of cardio a week being a woman over 30. A few things people need to understand:

1) Eating Healthy is not cheap. A healthy diet is 70% of a total program. If you cannot follow the regiment, don't bother with the program. Unfortunately, there are no short cuts when it comes to dieting. You must also log anything that goes into your mouth!

2)Meal preparation and planning can be a pain. I combat this by preparing my meals every Sunday for the entire week. This saves time for those of us with full work & life schedules.

3)This is a complete lifestyle change. Body builders don't eat pizza and drink beer everyday to maintain their physique. It helps if you put your entire family on the meal plan with you. Be wary of friends and family that undermine you whether it's intentional or not. You know how it goes...."it's only one piece, it's only one day....". If it isn't my official cheat meal, I take meals/snacks with me. You'll be surprised at how many people admire your discipline.

4)The book can be a little tedious in some areas to a layperson. That being said, changing your physique is truly scientific and some of the material could be confusing to a beginner. Work through it. I would be leery of anyone touting a "simple diet & work out".

5) This program is not for the half-hearted or anyone with minimal fitness goals.

Overall, this is a great, HEALTHY program. I recommend the hardback over the paperback version as it holds up better.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More than just a pretty face. Great Book. A MUST READ!!!, April 29, 2004

By 

Mark "Technology, Music and Movies" (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)   

This review is from: The Truth (Hardcover)

I'm a guy who reads a lot of books and works out a lot. I've seen plenty of diet and exercise books that have had me laughing out loud because of their inaccuracies. Usually when a book has the kind of glossy hardcover jacket and hammy pictures this one does, it fits right into that category of "written for suckers and desperate people."

This book was a surprise though. The workouts are sound! The diet info, while very basic, is accurate. And the misconceptions Sepe dispells are just that: misconceptions.

If the glossy pictures lure women into reading this book, so what. I particularly love the way Sepe dispells the myths that:
1. Weight training makes women into musclely amazons (false!!)
2. Long term weight loss can be achieved without exercise (false!!)

This book also has a healthy emphasis on limiting caloric intake, which while simple has been desperately lacking in the "Atkins" and "Southbeach" diet era.

It is true that Sepe could have devoted a little bit more time explaining the proper form of some of these weight exercises. He also could have included more up to date diet info. These are the only reasons I gave the book a 4 instead of a 5.

This is a wonderful book that should not only be read. It should be studied. Just try to focus more on the content than on the glossy photos. ;P