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seclement's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really solid book from two experienced, intelligent, and moderate voices in the fitness industry. There are so many bad health and fitness books out there, and this book is basically a response to all of them, in the sense that it says: everything you've been told is correct. To get lean and fit, you need to eat a mostly whole foods diet, focus on your macros, and work out hard but intelligently. It is agnostic in terms of diets (finally, a book that doesn't advocate Paleo...they seem to be dominating the market), and it encourages you to make room for foods and drinks that you like to eat within your target macronutrients. The fitness plan is solid, and focuses on the most important exercises (leaving you room to do additional accessory work, should you desire).
I am sure a lot of people - particularly those not familiar with the authors - will be disappointed that this book provides no silver bullet or quick fix. The premise of the book is 'what if everything you knew was right?' in stark contrast to the gimmicky, Paleo and 'quantified self' books that pervade the market at the moment. But the book is solidly evidence based, and it illustrates just how straighforward it is to get health, while also emphasising that it's not easy.
Even though I am a big fan of Lou and Alan, I almost didn't buy this book because I am a female; and it is clearly directed toward men on the cover. Although the 'voice' is clearly directed toward men, I would absolutely encourage women to buy, read, and use this book. I read on Alan's blog that he thought women would benefit from the book (though using a smaller multiplier in calculating target calories), and I am glad I listened. There are very few things in the book that I felt didn't apply to me as a female.
I read a review somewhere where the reader said they couldn't figure out all the math. That really surprises me, as I think it is clearly explained, and it's basic arithmetic. If that happens to you, then just email the authors and I am sure they will share a spreadsheet that one of their readers made for them.
The only reasons I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 are: 1) the explanations of the exercises wouldn't be great for beginners. Some better illustrations and more extensive options would have been good (like those in 'Strong Curves', and 2) a few notes here and there about how the advice might be modified for women might be nice. I realise this isn't their target market, but their advice is good for all humans, and a hat tip to the ladies here and there would have been nice.
I am sure a lot of people - particularly those not familiar with the authors - will be disappointed that this book provides no silver bullet or quick fix. The premise of the book is 'what if everything you knew was right?' in stark contrast to the gimmicky, Paleo and 'quantified self' books that pervade the market at the moment. But the book is solidly evidence based, and it illustrates just how straighforward it is to get health, while also emphasising that it's not easy.
Even though I am a big fan of Lou and Alan, I almost didn't buy this book because I am a female; and it is clearly directed toward men on the cover. Although the 'voice' is clearly directed toward men, I would absolutely encourage women to buy, read, and use this book. I read on Alan's blog that he thought women would benefit from the book (though using a smaller multiplier in calculating target calories), and I am glad I listened. There are very few things in the book that I felt didn't apply to me as a female.
I read a review somewhere where the reader said they couldn't figure out all the math. That really surprises me, as I think it is clearly explained, and it's basic arithmetic. If that happens to you, then just email the authors and I am sure they will share a spreadsheet that one of their readers made for them.
The only reasons I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 are: 1) the explanations of the exercises wouldn't be great for beginners. Some better illustrations and more extensive options would have been good (like those in 'Strong Curves', and 2) a few notes here and there about how the advice might be modified for women might be nice. I realise this isn't their target market, but their advice is good for all humans, and a hat tip to the ladies here and there would have been nice.
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