Feb 16
“The New Rules of Lifting for Women” preaches to the Choir!
“The New Rules of Lifting for Women” preaches to the Choir!
I have been reading Lou Schuler’s new book, called “The New Rules of Lifting for Women–Lift Like a Man!” I like it. I recommend it, for those who have already completed a challenge. There is absolutely nothing in the book, save for a few different exercise illustrations, that a woman would need to complete her transformation successfully. What it really does do, though, is to provide the hard information and the compelling arguments for why women have been selling themselves short by not training hard with weights. Unlike Body for Life, Schuler really supports the premises that you don’t need more cardio–you need more good food, and more strength training, along with what cardio you do being intense.
Other features of the book include lots of exercise suggestions using just plain old calisthenics or a fitness ball. These are not wimpy at all and they would be useful to folks who travel a lot or don’t have room for a home gym or money enough to join one. There are also lots of illustrations using machines, something that Body for Life for the most part stays away from.
There are some recipes that look good to me–but what do I know about good eating? Have you ever seen my champion’s meal plan? One person suggested that if I ever wrote a book about my experience, the chapter on Nutrition should be called “Yuck!” One thing about the recipes furnished by Cassandra Cosgroves is that they are portioned for women, and they also include detailed nutritional information.
The book contains lots of features similar to the Body for Life book, but I think it is a bit better organized, much more technical, and it has a reasonably good index, something that the BFL book totally lacks!
One last thing. The book takes a couple of shots at Body for Life for Women, and justifiably so I think. This book empowers women, and it gives excellent information.
I gave it a B+. I’m keeping this book in my library. I sent Body for Life for WOmen to someone who lived too far away to ever return it! I have not missed it a bit. You can buy this one at Amazon for well under $20 and it is in hard cover. It is not, however, very suitable for dragging to the gym. In that sense, it is much like Body for Life! When will someone produce a book that has the exercises in a separate, spiral binder, with a plasticized cover so you can take it to the gym?
I have been reading Lou Schuler’s new book, called “The New Rules of Lifting for Women–Lift Like a Man!” I like it. I recommend it, for those who have already completed a challenge. There is absolutely nothing in the book, save for a few different exercise illustrations, that a woman would need to complete her transformation successfully. What it really does do, though, is to provide the hard information and the compelling arguments for why women have been selling themselves short by not training hard with weights. Unlike Body for Life, Schuler really supports the premises that you don’t need more cardio–you need more good food, and more strength training, along with what cardio you do being intense.
Other features of the book include lots of exercise suggestions using just plain old calisthenics or a fitness ball. These are not wimpy at all and they would be useful to folks who travel a lot or don’t have room for a home gym or money enough to join one. There are also lots of illustrations using machines, something that Body for Life for the most part stays away from.
There are some recipes that look good to me–but what do I know about good eating? Have you ever seen my champion’s meal plan? One person suggested that if I ever wrote a book about my experience, the chapter on Nutrition should be called “Yuck!” One thing about the recipes furnished by Cassandra Cosgroves is that they are portioned for women, and they also include detailed nutritional information.
The book contains lots of features similar to the Body for Life book, but I think it is a bit better organized, much more technical, and it has a reasonably good index, something that the BFL book totally lacks!
One last thing. The book takes a couple of shots at Body for Life for Women, and justifiably so I think. This book empowers women, and it gives excellent information.
I gave it a B+. I’m keeping this book in my library. I sent Body for Life for WOmen to someone who lived too far away to ever return it! I have not missed it a bit. You can buy this one at Amazon for well under $20 and it is in hard cover. It is not, however, very suitable for dragging to the gym. In that sense, it is much like Body for Life! When will someone produce a book that has the exercises in a separate, spiral binder, with a plasticized cover so you can take it to the gym?
February 24th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Your take is right on, Mike. This book is comfortably close to the original BFL. The recipes are good, although nothing really new. I LOVE the way Schuler factorily dismisses so much of the mantra about “toning” and “long” muscles – Pah! I would add one thing to your B+ review: I REALLY like the combo exercises offered in this book. As a busy mom – (and what woman isn’t BUSY? Juggling work/kids/shopping/cooking/laundry et al?) – that needs to fit my workouts around my obligations, I really appreciate the doubling -up factor of Schuler’s exercise offerings – some are really tough! For anyone desiring a workable, successful nutrition and workout plan – even newbies – this is a GREAT book! I give it a solid “A”. (Plasticized ‘exercises’ insert you can take to the gym would give it an A+”!)
Thanks for a great site so far, Mike!
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Hi Uncle Mike!
I agree with you that this book is a keeper. Sallyo is right, too, that the emphasis on getting a total body workout with each weight session is excellent, and makes sense for many of us. That leads to one difference between this book and Body for Life. Schuler promotes the idea that there is no reason to train smaller muscles (biceps, triceps and calves) in isolation if one is not a body builder. His idea is to use exercises such as chin-ups or pulldowns, for example, which will develop the larger muscles – the upper back and shoulders as well as the smaller muscles – biceps simultaneously. Also, the workouts designed by Alwyn Cosgrove actually don’t use machines, other than pulldowns and a few with cables. Schuler says that machines aren’t really designed to mimic the body’s movements in real life and that their primary function is to get people in and out of the gym more efficiently. Seems to me there is a lot of common sense, along with well-researched information in The New Rules book. Reminds me a lot of Body for Life in that way!
I enjoyed your photos of the Expo, too.
Peace,
Sara