Weight Training For Dummies

by Liz Neporent, Suzanne Schlosberg

Owning Weight Training for Dummies is like having two knowledgeable and entertaining personal trainers into your home. The authors, Liz Neporent and Suzanne Schlosberg, authors of the popular Fitness for Dummies, are both fitness professionals who walk (lift, run, bicycle) their talk. They explain the basics of weight training simply, then take you through every step to setting up your own program and doing it properly. Whether you have free weights (dumbbells and barbells), a home machine, or access to a gym with many machines, you'll get an introduction to safe and effective weight training, plus descriptions, technique, and illustrations of dozens of exercises designed to target all major muscle groups. And just in case this is the only fitness book you buy, the authors include some information on cardio exercise, stretching, and other exercise options. Best of all, the book is motivating, easy to understand, and fun to read.

This updated edition of Weight Training for Dummies includes a few new chapters: "Yoga and Pilates" and "Improving Your Balance and Coordination," both in the "Beyond the Barbell" section; "Advanced Weight Training Exercises"; and a few snippets of new material (such as the addition of "Don't dress like a porn star" in the "Weight Training Etiquette" chapter). Otherwise, it's pretty much the same book. If you own the first edition, there's probably no need to buy the updated version. But if you don't own the first edition of this handy and cheery guide already, and weight training is not yet a part of your fitness program, the second edition of Weight Training for Dummies will teach you exactly what to do and how to do it. --Joan Price

Genres: Health, Fitness, Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help

432 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 1997

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sensible advice. Unnecessarily repetitive. Irritating jolly-hockey-sticks tone.

[Not_Your_Typical_Lannister (Leslie) · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was not a lot of inforation here that I didn't already know.

[Levent Bayindir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview on weight training. It has enough information to start your own home workout (both for planning and implementation). Additionally, it touches topics like nutrition and yoga in relation to weight training very lightly.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good comprehensive guide for the beginner. This book covers free weights as well as weight machines and even includes a chapter (too brief, I thought) on pilates and yoga. The book cannot take the place of working with an experienced trainer but would be a great supplement.

[Ben Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent beginners guide. Filled in a lot of holes left by advisers at all the gyms I've been to. No matter how many questions you think to ask, there will always be plenty more you don't know to ask - this book really helps with that!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I refer back to it often. My husband is now using it. Good pictures for clarification.

[Zelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly just found this lying around the house. Picked it up because I am currently learning to strength train. Really is a ref handbook for noobs and 'dummies' like me who simply want to get on the journey informed and on the right track. Book is really reader-friendly and somehow engaging since the writing style is simple and direct to the point. There are fun little anecdotes and creative writing in there too that somehow can entertain and give you imagery as a bonus! You are given tips and info on how to educate yourself about fitness and exercise. I really appreciate all the reference to gym science. You sure can tell the authors know their stuff.

This has been published for a while now and probably might need some updating, yet Thank you to everyone behind this book💜

[Julio R. Ra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it offers some exercises but did not give 5 stars because the exercise routines are not well explained. In other words, this book will not substitute the knowledge that a personal trainer or nutritionist can share. If this is your sole interest, you may need to research other books/videos. However, this book places importance on resting and good form as a dummy proof way to avoid injuries, and this is very important, hence the 4 stars. Also, lots of information on equipment and anatomy.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was written in an easy to follow way. However if you are experienced in weight training, most of the information is not new. I was looking for proper form and how to tell if I am ready to move up in weights. Both were addressed in this book so I do recommend it to beginners.

[Jeff Shnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good tips on how to weight train safely. Routines to avoid in order to prevent injury. Good illustrations. Clearly written.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I confused "for Dummies" with "for skinnies" and thought I'd need this. It was helpful to learn that my grading system for myself can have a sliding scale of what exactly "fitness" means.

[Sigrid Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a practical book giving the basics of working out with weights. If you want to do that, this is a good book to get you started or provide guidance to various machines and routines.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful for a beginner.

[Atti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the title, a very good introduction into weight training and fitness. Recommended for anyone who is thinking of lifting weights.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this in December and by mid-January had injured my shoulder joints, and am still getting physiotherapy 9 months later. Dummy is the truth, I should never have considered lifting weights!

[Amy Sjoquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

on page 89, will finish later

[Laura Bechard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for anyone who has never lifted weights before and/or was not an athlete in high school. Easy to understand, simple instructions. However, for someone (like me) who wanted more detailed instructions about correct form, it was lacking. Great for weight training beginners though!