Opinions of a Wolf

Summary:
In this book Linguvic seeks to lay out multiple strength training routines for women that can be done within your own home with minimal equipment.  The routines are divided into core, lower body, and upper body.  Each of these have beginner, intermediate, and advanced options.  The routines are designed to be combined in various ways to either fat-blast or target core, lower body, or upper body.  The book includes a nutrition guide.

Review:
This is one of those times where I really wish I hadn’t trusted the reviews on Amazon and instead borrowed the book from the library.  Granted, I got it for only $3 from Better World Books, but it proved to be utterly useless for me.

Linguvic is definitely a strong woman in all of her pictures, but there is NO WAY she got that strong doing these wimpy routines.  I’d been strength training for nine months prior to getting this book hoping to expand my routine, and they were all simply way too easy for me.  There is nothing intermediate or advanced about this book.  It is beginner all the way.

Almost all of the moves include using an exercise ball and a towel and maybe a set of hand-weights.  Personally I find exercise balls to be more trouble than they’re worth you can just bench press or use a Roman chair.  They’re rolly and annoying.  However, I suppose if you’re the timid type wanting to start to work out and not join a gym just yet, it could work for you.

That said, a solid half of the moves are stretches.  Stretching is not going to give you muscles, so I have no idea why she dedicates so much space to them.

The nutrition section is disappointing, but that’s not surprising given that I’m veg, and she’s an omnivore.  It gives good basic tips, but they’re ones you could get on the internet for free, (such as eat breakfast, don’t eat processed food, etc…)

I think this book suffers a bit from false marketing.  It is not a book that will work for any woman at any strength training level.  It is clearly a book designed for women who are going from doing nothing physical to attempting to begin building some muscle.  It is a beginner’s book.   Even as a beginner’s book, though, it is lacking in variety and truly challenging moves.

Overall, there is some value in this book in that it consists of non-threatening, quick routines that women who have never exercised before may find simple enough to stick with.  If it will get them off the couch, then it has done something.  If you have any experience with strength training at all, though, don’t waste your time with it.

2 out of 5 stars

Source:  Better World Books

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