Fitness For Dummies

by Suzanne Schlosberg

What exactly is new in fitness? In the exercise world, there's something new in equipment, research, classes, gadgets, videos, and Web sites just about every day. The last few years have also seen the invention and marketing of new schlock--like pills that claim to eliminate cellulite or burn extra carbohydrates and machines that purport to tone your thighs "without any effort on your part." It's all too easy to get confused by all the myths and mixed messages out there. But don't sweat it! This thoroughly revised edition of Fitness For Dummies updates you on all the latest--the good, the bad, and the bizarre--tackles your fears about getting fit, and gives you the knowledge and motivation to stick with fitness for the rest of your life. Renowned fitness experts Suzanne Schlosberg and Liz Neporent show you how to:


Test your fitness level and set realistic goals Pinpoint fat sources in your diet Create a personalized fitness program Find Internet fitness forums and Web sites Brave a public gym This is your essential get-fit guide, covering state-of-the-art fitness techniques, equipment, programs, and health clubs in a practical, friendly way. You'll see how your individualized fitness program will help you strengthen your heart and lungs, burn lots of calories, lower your stress level, and even help you stay injury-free. You get the latest on low-carb eating, new food pyramids, the glycemic index and trans fats, and new carb guidelines. Plus, you'll see how to:


Take advantage of hot trends like Yoga and circuit training Incorporate weight training in your workout Choose the best fitness equipment for your home gym Stay fit at all ages and stages Complete with a list of ten great fitness investments under $100 (and ten fitness ripoffs!) as well as proven ways to stay motivated, Fitness For Dummies, Third Edition is your one-stop guide to a slim, trim new you!

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

432 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 1997

About the author

Suzanne Schlosberg is a top health, nutrition, and parenting writer. A former senior editor of Shape magazine, she is the author or coauthor of ten books, including Fitness for Dummies, The Ultimate Diet Log, and The Essential Breastfeeding Log. Her articles have appeared in Health, Ladies' Home Journal, Parents, and Parenting, among others. She resides in Bend, Oregon."

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you don’t follow basic fitness advice, you’re a dummy.

[Xanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 2001, this book is now very dated but there is still a lot of sensible and useful information for fitness novices like me. Written in a very easy to read style and complete with photographs. I learnt a fair bit. I now just have to get off my arse and do it. ;)

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitness for dummies is yet another installment of the “for Dummies” series. The version that I have happens to be the Fourth Edition. Bringing the internet and its phenomenal resources to more of a forefront than before, this edition was quite due. According to the authors, not much else has changed from the book. Certainly, there have been quite a few ‘fad’ diets, new fitness crazes, and new gadgets that have come out, but the basic ideas and tenets of fitness have not.

For instance, nutrition is paramount. You can try to compensate for that Triple Bacon Cheeseburger with a few hours on the treadmill, but it is far more efficient to merely choose better foods. As for fitness itself, it isn’t merely looking good in a mirror. True fitness is a state of being with tons of parameters. Say you look like a bodybuilder model but you can’t run a mile without panting heavily. This means you probably aren’t that fit. Given that there are multiple facets to fitness the book goes over all of them while asking pertinent questions.

While the book discusses good advice, it also covers really bad advice and tells you why it is bad. It gives you a way to develop your own BS detector. With the internet being so widespread now, it gives out tons of online resources so that you can do your own research. Keep in mind that this is the fourth edition though, the previous editions apparently had only a paragraph or two talking about the internet.

The book mentions that there are five aspects of fitness and tells you how to improve all of them. They are nutrition, cardio, strength, balance, and flexibility. Now personally, I found this book to be really well done. They cover all the basics while including some intermediate stuff. I know some things about being in shape and how to get fit, but I never do any of it with any regularity. Fitness for Dummies talks about how to establish a routine as well.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. If you can find a later edition, then I would pick it up. Otherwise, it might not be worthwhile to buy or read it if the information is outdated.

[Stephen Chandler]

For anyone wondering is Mad Muscles legit, many users report positive results using the app for workout guidance and habit building, which complements the straightforward fitness advice found in Fitness for Dummies. The app’s video tutorials and structured programs can be helpful for beginners looking for motivation and clarity.

[Cassandra Moody · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a good reminder of all the things you’re supposed to be thinking about while working out such as form, tension, increase in weight, etc. A good resource for those just starting out, and contains a good chapter on nutrition. Would recommend this to someone just getting interested in their health & working out.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who has never had a regular exercise routine and is intimidated by the amount of info out there about the subject, I found this book to be very helpful. It was concise with good tips and provides a foundation for me to start filling in the gaps for my own personal workout plan.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the importance of fitness and the many different approaches available to achieve it.

[Umakant · Rating 5 out of 5]

It covers most topics related to fitness , it gives you introduction but not in depth

[J.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overall view of fitness. I appreciated the sections on cardio. I credit this book with getting me to take the stairs, and walk more at work.

[Achraf Bôôf · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is definitely for dummies.

[rey · Rating 3 out of 5]

very informative only downside is it talked more about how to lose weight than to gain weight which is what i struggle with.

[Juan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bueno para personas principiantes. Muy completo

[Ed · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed the "good parts" rather than read this baby cover to cover but possession it's been said is nine tenths of the law so i'll count this baby as "read" (pronounced to rhyme with the color red). There's some good info here.

[NoOnesNME]

not bad!

[PinkPanthress · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book's title and author are both wrong!
It's actually "Fitness für Dummies" by Susan Schlosberg & Liz Neporent!

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot about all aspects of fitness from this book. It gave me what I needed to get started in a fitness routine instead of stuck planning one.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it! Im pumped and ready to workout :)

[Heather Lakes]

really good info

[Emily]

A great intro to fitness book, which I re-read to get motivated when I need it. :) There are useful tests for gauging your fitness, explanations on gym machines, and also a great section on free eights and strength training for devising your own program. The section on yoga is a bit...well...skimpy. But this isn't a yoga book. If you really want to try yoga, then get thee to a good studio.