Customer Reviews

A Woman's Book of Strength

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, let me say that this book is great on the mechanics of weight-training. She explains almost everything you could want to know about it, from different approaches to working out to the difference between fast-twitch/slow-twitch. On that count, I really like this book and think it's great.

On the other hand, I often found the style of writing extremely annoying. For example: "you simply must keep going, like brave and humble knights, onward into the dragon's den, wrapping your chattering mind in a soundproof box . ." Now, visualization is all well and good, as well as attempts at inspring the reader . . . but phrases like that (sprinkled rather liberally throughout the book) just grated on my nerves after the first few times. Perhaps other people enjoy that style of writing, but I personally found it to be overly artsy and irritating, rather than inspirational.

I can get past that irritating stylistic quirk, because the book really does have great content. But I thought I should warn others who may not appreciate grand attempts at spirituality/artsiness.

Karen Andes' form is so thorough and instruction so complete, this book is even great for men. Her tips for visualization are immensely helpful; I love her "tricks of the trade." And the suggestions to make moves harder or easier mean that you may never outgrow an exercise. Clearly photographed and explained, the exercises are well-discussed and sound. Most exercises do require gym-type equipment, but many of her other suggestions will be very helpful to all exercisers. She is motivating, instructional and inspiring. She obviously finds great strength and beauty in the vast assortment of women out there, and believes all of us can find our own beauty, physical, emotional, spiritual, as well.

This book is truly a must-own for every woman who cares about her health, both spiritual and physical. The exercises are clearly described and the author's writing style is beautiful. I thought I would find the chapters on emotions would be hokey but I actually found myself wanting to read more.

Another major advantage to this book over others I've tried to use is its flexibility. Rather than give us a woman's magazine style 8-week program guaranteed to tighten your butt, she encourages you to make your own plan using your own style and needs. I've been using this book to guide my strength training for two months now and expect I'll return to it again and again. This time, thanks to Karen Andes, I think I'll actually stick to my fitness routine!

I agree with most of what the other reviewers have written. I like the book because of the different presentation of the geometry of several exercises. Andes actually draws lines on photographs to show proper body alignment, gravitational forces, and path of dumbbells during an exercise. She does it with great effectiveness. It's an idea I intend to use myself.

I, for one, am not at all bothered by the author's waxing poetic. What it is they say about attitude? I don't think the reader should feel obligated to have a spirtiual experience in every workout, but approaching training as something more than drudgery seems reasonable and healthy.

I haven't read the entire book yet. I bought it thinking it might be worth recommending to my clients (I'm still looking for a text that is error free). I checked to see what Andes had to say about the Leg Extension exercise. This is a controversial, but frequently employed exercise. It is controversial for several reasons. One is that it puts a lot of shear force on the knee and if overused or used with resistance that is too heavy, it can damage the knee. This critical fact is not mentioned. Another feature of this exercise is that the distal fibers of the vastus medialis (internus) muscle that attach to the superior medial patella are not emphasized until the leg is almost straight (the last 10 to 20 degrees according to the MANUAL OF STRUCTURAL KINESIOLOGY by R.T. Floyd and Clem W Thompson). This, unfortunately, is where the shear forces are the greatest. If the exercise does have merit, it may be that it does work the rectus femoris well. Better than squats even. According to the magnetic resonance images (MRI) in TARGET BODYBUILDING (a text I do recommend) leg extensions, old-fashioned Hack squats, and sissy squats work the rectus femoris very hard. Interestingly, all of them work the entire quadriceps really well, but have no hamstring involvement to speak of. I believe also that these exercises are all not recommended by several trainers because of the potential for knee damage. Andes does not include these facts in her discussion of the leg extension exercise.

In general, though, this appears to be one of the better resistance exercise books. I intend to read it all and flag the best parts for future reference.

Previously I had seen weightlifting as something to just get finished with- something you do according to a formula prescribed to you by a trainer in order to build muscle strength and endurance (or size). The problem with this approach is that after I reach my goal I won't have a reason for continuing! I want to plan for continuing weighttraining "for life" and needed to find the right motivation.

I like this book because it helped me to think about weightlifting/strength training in a new way. I can now see how strength training can fit into my life long after I've reached my fitness goals. Andes helped me to see the PROCESS of weightlifting as being just as important as (if not more important than) the goals I want to achieve and maintain. Armed with this new way of thinking, I now lift weights much more mindfully; I no longer just try to get through my sets. Instead, I pay attention to what is happening with my body as I lift, and I focus on the muscle groups involved. The sessions are so much more enjoyable and meaningful this way. I really had never thought I'd enjoy weightlifting for the sake of weightlifting.

Another thing I really appreciated is the section in the back that explains how the weight machines function. I'd still recommend having a trainer physically show you how the machines are used if it's your first time, but the book is a great reminder of why I'm using a machine in the first place, and what my exact goals are for the muscle group in question

The book is written in a passionate manner that gave me a new respect for strength training and for fitness in general. I've recommended this book to many people who have expressed an interest in toning up!

Excellent book! I bought it to learn about body building to help my wife out and I learned alot! I have never read a book on fitness that went into such detail about how to workout. Karen explains how to do the exercises including information about how to do a rep, how your body should feel durning and afterwards, how to tell good pain for bad pain. She also goes into many of the whys of bodybuilding. For anyone interested in getting thier questions answered this is for you! I only wish I could find a book like this written for men. Not that the information isn't helpful for men. But this book is centered on womens body building. Karen your book is refreshing and you are a gifted teacher.

The best thing about this book is that it was written by a woman for women. It is not just a re-hash of weight training exercises with a woman demonstrating instead of a man. This book truly addresses a woman's program and needs. This is a great book for both beginner and experienced strength trainers. The moves are well defined, and the form is excellent. Each move is explained in depth with helpful hints about form and making the most of the move. THis book addresses all aspects of strength training, the mental, physical, and the spiritual. I recommend this book to women that I develop strength training programs for. I have used this book for the last 4 years as both a reference guide on the technigues and exercises and as a motivating tool to keep me focused.

I would recommend this book to any woman interested in weight lifting. It is the best book I have ever read on posture and form in weight lifting. Thanks to this book, I have improved my posture and the problems I had from scoliosis. After I had been weight lifting for 9 months, I went to a party and ran into friends who hadn't seen me in since I started the program. They couldn't believe it was me because my posture had changed so dramatically. They thought I had become taller! Even though I'm still the same size I used to be, my clothes fit better than they used to. And the pain caused by my scoliosis has improved to the point where it doesn't affect my everyday life. Karen's book is THE basic book for any woman to read who wants to begin weight lifting. Although only basic exercises are covered in the book, they are described well with tips on form and posture. The author does a good job of making weight lifting seem accessible to the average person. Reading this book helped me navigate the gym at my local health club with ease.

I'm thrilled with this book and have recommended it to many strength-training friends and clients.

I've turned to this book countless times since it first came out for concrete information on anatomy, proper form, technique, and how-to's. However, the best part of Ms Andes writing is her spiritual insight into the changes a woman can experience through strength training!

I recently pulled the book back out to re-read the chapter on "Working Out With Difficult Emotions" while I was going through a hectic time. Her words encouraged me to continue with my workouts, be gentle and nuturing with myself, and feel proud of what I was able to do, rather than focus on what wasn't getting done.

Ms Andes combines the best of being a physically strong woman and an emotionally healthy one. Give this to a woman you love!!

Overall, this book has a lot of valuable information to offer. I've been working out consistently now for over a year and would recommend this book to those in search of understanding the basics. The author does a great job addressing the proper form to utilize during each workout. Furthermore, there are plenty of workout routines for all major muscle groups so you don't have to worry about getting bored with the workouts. Karen even lays out workout routines for beginners, intermediates, and even the advanced audience. This was perhaps my favorite feature of the book. The book also discusses the importance of a balance meal and offers a few example recipes, also an excellent feature. Perhaps the most annoying element of this book was the flowery word usage. Karen has a strong understanding of fitness and does not need to resort to "flaky" words. But if you can get past this, the book's a great read!