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!
The original Fitness for Dummies, published in 1996, was a real breakthrough: a book that took a reader through all the fitness basics without being offputtingly complicated or insultingly simplistic. This second edition only improves on that tough balancing act.
The authors are two of the most experienced fitness writers in the business--Suzanne Schlosberg is a longtime contributor to Shape and Liz Neporent is a veteran personal trainer, corporate fitness consultant, and contributor to Shape and The New York Times. In addition to being experienced at explaining exercise, they're both exercise junkies, and their firsthand knowledge and love of the topic is evident throughout.
Each section of the book--whether dealing with basic fitness issues, cardiovascular training, strength training, flexibility, joining a gym, or exercising at home--offers a combination of well-researched, easily understandable information, combined with informed opinion. For example, in chapters discussing exercise equipment, they're able to offer personal reactions to the gear--mentioning that Life Fitness makes great exercise bikes but a treadmill they don't care for.
New information in this second edition includes "100 Reasons to Break a Sweat," featuring the latest research on exercise benefits; sections incorporating Internet fitness resources; and beefed-up exercise-video advice. That latter section includes tips about avoiding rip-offs (older videos are sometimes repackaged, with new covers promising different benefits) and a handy guide to choosing the best video instructors for different fitness levels.
The core information, though, is the best reason to buy this edition of Fitness for Dummies. Exercise science is complicated, but this book makes it as simple--and entertaining--as it can possibly be. --Lou Schuler

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

Mixes anti-male mesage with workouts:

Suzanne Schlosberg and Liz Neporent have got to be femi-nazis. I don't normally expect to find insluting male-bashing messages in exercise books but this one had them. Consider the following from the first edition "Praise for Dummies" on page 3:
"When it comes to fitness, like most male American slugs, I'm more of a complete blathering moronic idiot."
Several male-bashing cartoons as well.
My advice is skip this book and the authors.

Very Good Book:

Good Book! On time, great shape the book was in. I loved dealing with them and I will do more business with them. As far as the book, I am a fitness and PT trainer, I have my degree and IFA cert and advancing my PT education and becoming NCFS cert and it still helped me and I felt like I learned even more. Never too old to learn or refresh your memory and this is what this bookdone for me. I do recommend it.

Thorough and straightforward.:

I like the fact that the book took me back to the basics of fitness and health.This was a good awakening, especially now that i'm dealing with some beginner exercisers.It heightened my sensitivity.
I like the book for its straightforwardness, the authors are honest and I was impressed by this.I've had other dummies books, and this one hasn't failed in delivering the information.

basic but good:

I liked this book, but found it filled with too much info I've read before. That's what makes it great for someone thast knows NOTHING about exercise, but it;s not a good book for those with about 4-6 months experience looking for something to move their workouts forward.

Accessories:

Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

Binding: Health and Beauty
Published: 2005-04-10

Features: