Customer Reviews

Weight Training Workouts that Work:Volume II. What exactly to do at every workout to lose weight forever!

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am a 44 yr old woman, and I went through the 12-week plan in Volume I twice, and then bought Volume II. Still trying to get my husband to try it! The ONLY reason that I did not give it 5 stars was because the new book is not spiral bound like the first volume. Use it at the gym, but where do you keep your pen? I love both books; they got me into a consistent workout routine. The workouts are definitely progressive (they get a little tougher and they vary each week) as they should to keep you improving.
This is not an all-encompassing health and well-being book (as it sounds some other reviewers were looking for)it is a simple straight-forward workout book. Follow it exactly, as you would a trainer standing there coaching you - don't cut corners! There is no math to figure, no advance planning, no complicated formulas. JUST DO IT! And then record your progress and watch yourself become sculpted and strong! Then keep the book, because in the future you will want to go back and select a weeks-worth of workouts to repeat.

I never really went to the gym in high school or college, so I never learned how to work out. Later, when I got to be around 26, I started working out and gained some muscle, but then hit a plateau for the next five years, never really changing. Well, I'm on Week 8 of the 12-week workout plan, and I'm finally seeing some muscle gain after five years. It's a good feeling.

The book has two very important things going for it. First, the description of the weight exercises are very clear and illustrated by at least one picture each (often more than one picture). I feel confident doing the exercise from reading the book. Second, the week-by-week workouts are very good for keeping your muscles guessing. It's also good because it keeps you guessing. Each week in the gym is different, which makes it more interesting.

The other nice thing about this book is that most of the exercises use free weights, which makes it easier to go to the gym during peak times because you don't need to "wait" for a weight machine.

Overall, I love this book and tell my friends about it.

This is an excellent, concise workout book. I had lifted for many years, but never really had a formulized approach. That was fine in college, but as I'm approaching 30 I decided I need some structure and a total body workout. This does both.

The workouts are very well laid out in detail and it allows you to track them. It's not filled with a bunch of garbage like so many workout books are.

The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because it really should be spiral bound. As it is now, I ended up photo-copying most of the pages because the book would never stay open on its own.

My husband and I have searched for years to find the right weight training book and workouts for both of us. We have both volume 1 and volume 2 and are in the middle of week 11 of volume 2.. We have learned so much from these books and seen a tremendous change in our bodies. James tells you exactly what exercises to do, it's never the same workout so there is no boredom. One thing you will find with these books that you won't find with others is help with any question you have!! I have e-mailed James with questions and suggestions and he is always there to help and I believe he really wants to hear how we're doing. I would recommend this book to anyone; beginner or experienced in weight training. We can't wait for the next book!

I am in week 5 of this program and I like both the program and the book. The book contains a day-by-day exercise program in the front and the back of the book contains photos and text to describe the exercise. I'd recommend that the publisher add the page numbers for the exercises in the tables (I write them in so I can easily refer to the description of the execrise).

Results? My strength has definately increased from week 1. My muscle tone is improving. I am seeing more definition. Week 5 starts "super sets", which is 2 sets of exercises in rapid succession. I will definately buy the second book.

I was lucky enough to have Jimmy Orvis as my personal trainer for 2 years. He was working on this book at that time. With him as my trainer I lost 78lbs. and Finally was in the best shape of my life.
Sadly Jim moved away or as I like to say "broke up with me!!!!" But I have been able to maintain my weight loss with this new book.I find it is easy to use even if I don't have Jim pushing me (and believe me somedays he ran me ragged). I am following the 12 weeks and I really enjoy the tips and nutrional info. (Who knows what the previous reviewer is reading, this book is far from complicated.)
Way to go Jim....when are ya moving back???

The first volume was spiral bound, why oh why wasn't the second. I know that the book claims to be able to stay open on its own, but that is just not true in my experience.

The binding is the only downside to this book. If you have ever been intimidated about walking into the free weight area of your gym, buy Volume One. When you're done with that you will be thrilled there is a volume two.

Do I hear Volume three anywhere??????????

James Orvis has done it again by providing the people with what they want....expert advice, instruction, and a functional manual to take it all with you anywhere!!!! In short he does what evey other exercise book doesn't or won't......he tells you exactly what to do!!!!! That includes; how many sets, reps, and proper form hints. Best of all, once again, NO NO NO NO NO math, funky tables, or guesswork!!!! The only thing better than this or book one is to have a trainer right there with you to do the exact same thing....tell you what to do, how to do it, and for how long. The difference? James Orvis gives it to you for alot less money! Face it he is the King and no one beats him. I've read em all and still do and while every book out there tries to put a new spin on weight training they still won't ever never ever tell you this is it! This is what you do for the next 8-12 weeks period!!!!! Instead they fill their books with options, charts, graphs personal philosophies, and the biggest charletains of all.....supplement company recommendations?????!!!!!!!!!! At that point I really toss the other books against the wall, good and hard, before they land in the dumpster!!!! I mean come on! In todays fast paced world everyone everyhwere is getting back into the resurgence of the total body 15 or 20 or 30 minute workout in local gyms across America. James Orvis did it for you before, for any gym at a much lower price and now he is doing it again!!!!! I cannot tell you how many personal trainers have seen me with Book 1, getting results, and tried to not only sneak a peak but sell me on the idea they could do better.....FAT CHANCE and even if they could not at this price!!!!!!!! I've even purposely left it on lunch tables at my job for 10-20 min only to have the "discoverers" beg me to lend them the book or make copies on a daily basis...NO WAY! Jimmy JAMES Orvis Congratulations! Again!!! on providing myself and millions of others with exactly what we always wanted........A DEFINITIVE BLUEPRINT OF WHAT TO DO WHEN WE GET TO THE GYM WITHOUT ANY INTERFERENCE OR COSTLY HELP OR, IF YOU WILL, THE CURE FOR THE MOST BASIC FUNDAMENTAL REASON PEOPLE HAVE FOR NOT GOING TO THE GYM.....WHAT WILL I DO WHEN I GET THERE? HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? HOW MANY SETS/REPS? AM I DOING THIS RIGHT?
IT'S ALL HERE!!!!!!
PS
For those people who prefer to collect or follow books that are shall we say "more flexible"=wishywashy. Contain tons of data on building the perfect abs or biceps, supplements, philosophies, scientific studies, tons of pictures, personal interviews with competitive pros, posters, dieting tricks, etc. In short all you gym rats with no life outside of the gym, gobbling down supplements (or worse)dreaming of a flawless image you saw in a magazine or the aforementioned books ...Don't read this book! It's too simplistic or basic for you. It would only shatter your idea that fitness should always be a part of your lifestyle and not your whole life! Plus worst of all gym rat fears....You'd only be outside in the real world among the rest of us alot faster with terrific results to boot if you did! No mad science here! Just like the title says.....these are simply "WEIGHT TRAINING WORKOUTS THAT WORK"!!!!!!!

I've been working out for years, but my weight training workouts were something I worked out by trial and error and centered on machines available in my gym. I started with Volume 1 of this series and found it an excellent guide to using many free weights, as well as some machines. I like the variety of routines and the explanations -- just enough detail without excess text. I worked through Vol. 1 twice, then purchased Vol. 2. The lack of spiral binding in Vol. 2 was a major handicap, so I took it to Staples and spent a few $ for spiral binding, which makes it much easier to use. There are enough new exercises to make the voume a worthy sequel to Vol. 1 -- a lot of the illustrations are recyled from Vol. 1, but it's very handy to be able to quickly review an exercise when you need reminding. For the money, this is an excellent guide to working with a combination of free weights and machines, but I'd start with Vol. 1 first.

I am so excited that Volume II has arrived! I found out while showing a friend Volume I online. I am a 42 year old woman and this book has changed my fitness life. It is simple, straightforward, unintimidating...and it works! People are commenting about how "sculpted" I am becoming. The workouts are not too long, (45 minutes or so) which makes it easy for a busy mom to pop into the gym for an hour 3 times a week and accomplish. I love James Orvis' approach and tell everyone I can about it. I am buying Volume II right now!