A Woman's Book of Strength (Paperback)

~ (Author) "EVERY DAY IN THE GYM, I see more of them..." (more)
Key Phrases: one joint move, rear delts, narrow grip, Visualization Imagine, Variation Try, Weight Watchers (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Strength is as much an emotional and psychological quality as it is physical. This meld of mind and body is the foundation upon which this intelligent guide to sensible bodybuilding and overall fitness for women is built. Andes' qualifications for writing this book are sound on two fronts. Not only is she co-owner of Gold's Gym in Marin County, California, and Cher's personal trainer, she has also studied writing with the likes of John Irving and John Gardner. Andes spends ample time on such factors as nutrition, overcoming fear, and achieving a balance between hard-core workouts and relaxation techniques. She cautions readers to be careful about posture and to pay attention to their breathe, two keys to safe and effective workouts. Bodybuilding equipment is described and explained, gym "etiquette" discussed, and issues such as obsession and discouragement are analyzed with a trainer's understanding of the pitfalls women encounter in the early phases of training. The exercises are presented in detail with good visual support, and suggestions for sequences and sets are clearly explained. The "exercise anatomy chart" will help readers identify aching muscles, while Andes' pep talks about self-esteem establish a positive mind-set. Donna Seaman

Product Description

A unique book that offers a new treatment of female empowerment, blending spiritual and physical strength in the tradition of Deepak Chopra's New York Times bestseller, Ageless Body, Timeless Mind. It is the first book to combine the best of successful self-esteem books such as Gloria Steinem's Revolution from Within and fitness books such as those by Joyce Vedral.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1st edition (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399518991
• ISBN-13: 978-0399518997
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #496,173 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but style annoyed me, July 15, 2000

By	Grace (Southern CA) - See all my reviews

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.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars even great for men, December 23, 1999

By	leeba antares "the chic geek" (ohio) - See all my reviews

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.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the price is right, January 13, 2003

By A Customer

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.