Weight Training Made Easy: Transform Your Body in Four Simple Steps (Paperback)

by Joyce L. Vedral (Author) "You want to get in shape-but you don't want to spend all day working out..." (more)
Key Phrases: repetitions second exercise, floor pulley device, superset within body parts, Top Shape, Gut Busters, The Fat-Burning Workout (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In this fully-illustrated manual, Joyce L. Vedral guides readers through four steps to a fit body: Learning the Moves, Establishing a Muscle Base, Sculpting and Defining, and the Finishing Touch. By proceeding through these clearly defined workout levels, beginners get a safe and effective workout with weights.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446671096
• ISBN-13: 978-0446671095
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #191,061 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect book for ANYONE at ANY AGE!, February 12, 1999

By A Customer

I purchased this book about a year ago and have read it a number of times. I had gone to the gym with my husband in the past and felt intimidated by all the machines and felt self-conscious using them in front of other people. My husband, who has been lifting weight for years would set up routines for me, but he would give me so much to do, I would feel overwhelmed and would be extremely sore the following day --- never wanting to lift a weight again! I originally bought this book because it gave instructions for a workout that could be completed in the privacy of my own home. What I loved most about this book is that it assumed the reader knew absolutely nothing about strength training and went from there. The author takes the time to define common terms and explains which muscles are being worked in each exercise. This book also gives suggestions as to which gym equipment will work those same muscles if you do decide to go to a gym. The author also takes the time to explain which machines are superior to free weights and which machines are a waste of time. The book contains many pictures and explains very specifically how to do each exercise. This book even has different routine schedules depending on how much weight you have to lose from what Joyce refers to as "skinny-fat" to obese. This book gave me the knowledge and the confidence to go to the gym and set up my own routine. Thanks to this book, I know when it's best to use a machine and when I would be better off jsut using dumbells. I am 27 and only had about 10 pounds to lose. I have been working out between 3 and 4 times a week now for the past 10 weeks. For the first few weeks, I will admit, it did not come easy. I still dreaded going to the gym. After about four weeks, when I was getting frustrated with the scale showing no progress, I noticed some small muscles in my upper chest. A minor change, but nonetheless encouraging! After the 5th to 6th week, my clothes started to fit differently. After only 10 weeks, I am noticing some definate changes. I have muscle tone in my arms, shoulders, and chest that I have never had before (even when I was in high school and playing sports!) I still refer to the book weekly to give me inspiration. Thank you Joyce!

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent teach-yourself handbook., November 21, 1998

By A Customer

I have been following this program for 11 months and am very happy with the results. I started knowing nothing about strength training, but in this book Joyce Vedral "holds you by the hand" and shows (with lots of pictures as well as text) step by step how to do each exercise. She includes "don'ts" to keep you from doing a move incorrectly. You become toned and shaped, but not too muscular. I would definately strongly recommend this program to anyone of just about any age. You can start with very light weights and increase as you build strength. I've probably never been as strong as I now am after less than a year on this program. I do wonder if Joyce Vedral's estimates of the time required are realistic -- I find that if the book states you can complete a routine in 20 minutes, that it probably will take me 30-40 minutes. I now just allow twice as much time as she estimates and will stay with it because I am so pleased with the results.

54 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good beginner book, March 27, 2002

By A Customer

There are both rave and slanderous reviews on this page. I am a certified personal trainer. Let me try to help the consumers with this issue. Joyce Vedral has written a very concise and helpful book for a beginning female weight trainer who perhaps does not have the means to join a gym and/or hire a professional trainer. The book has solid information that illustrates proper form for a full-body safe workout. There are no miracle cures for weight loss. Joyce simply speaks the truth about this. Yes, cardiovasuclar exercise and calorie curbing are necessary for weight loss if weight loss is your goal. Weight loss is not the only reason for doing weight training. Adding muscle mass through weight training improves the body's toning and definition (one will not see the improvement however, if body fat reduction is the goal and the other two components for successful weight loss are eliminated from the program). You don't have to follow Joyce's advice on diet to benefit from her weight training program. Yes, you can go to Weight Watchers and do this program. There is nothing magic about weight loss. Adding muscle mass will also increase metabolism slightly. The fringe benefits include increased bone density and when done properly, reduced risk of joint or back injury. My advice would be to hire a nationally certified personal fitness trainer if you have the means. If not, I believe this book would be a useful tool for a woman beginning weight training. Yes, some of the exercises are "outdated" in the sense that the industry keeps inventing new tools and new ways to vary a workout and make it more interesting and sometimes safer. However, the exercises Joyce teaches are perfectly sound and helpful in a beginning program. Be far more cautious of books claiming miracles than one offering solid, no-BS advice. I have Joyce's book in my fitness library and have recommended it to women over 40 who cannot afford a personal trainer. Joyce's success is an inspiration to others - that in itself is quite an attribute.