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 enlarge | Author: Shawn Phillips
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $26.00
Buy New: $15.48
You Save: $10.52 (40%)
New (35) Used (9) from $14.60
Rating:  41 reviews
Sales Rank: 16216
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 288
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.6 x 7.5 x 1.1
ISBN: 0345498461
Dewey Decimal Number: 613.7
EAN: 9780345498465
ASIN: 0345498461
Publication Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 41
 what I needed, when I needed it August 3, 2008
Cherita L. Axel
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I want to admit that I don't usually write reviews, however, this book warranted an exception. I first heard of the book through an e-mail list from Bill Phillips that I subscribe to, and then again from my husband later that same day. A few years ago, before my now 6 year old daughter was born, my husband and I successfully completely several transformation... still after having a baby and dealing with what comes with that, I quickly slid out of fitness. I tried many unsuccessful attempts to renew my fitness efforts, but I was never able to reach the level of enthusiasm that I'd once had. So, six years later and oh so many pounds gained, I was hopeful when I'd heard about this book. Still, I was concerned, it was of course telling me about how to get fit in 12 weeks (been there, done that).
I was pleasantly surprised... this book not only spelled out for me in terms more accessible then I'd imagined, how to successfully complete a 12-week transformation. It also teaches me how to be more prepared before starting a transformation (Base Camp) and what to do once I've completed a transformation. All of this while giving me the tools needed to be more in touch with my mind and my body.
I'm so excited about this book... from cover to cover I was pleasantly surprised thoughout.
This book is not your parents fitness book; it's got depth beyond any book on fitness that I've ever read. I love this book.
 A highly motivating read, very useful information...but an incomplete workout plan July 17, 2008
James M. Herried (Fullerton, CA)
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
First of all, I found this book to be very motivating and fun to read, and I like the way the author emphasizes the anti-aging benefits of strength-training for all adults, regardless of your age or gender. I also like the fact that the author emphasizes the importance of achieving high intensity when performing any strength-training exercise. I also have no doubt that this book and workout plan is of great value to anyone who is new to weight-lifting.
But to think that this the only workout plan you'll ever need, as some reviewers here have implied, is misleading.One problem is that all of the weight-lifting exercises in this plan involve the use of dumbbells only, based upon Shawn Phillips' belief that dumbbells are safer than other free weights, such as barbells. But you'll never fully develop your muscles (either strength-wise or size-wise) if you rely on dumbbells alone. There's no way that dummbbell exercises alone can fully develop your hamstrings, or your lats, or your glutes, or your hip abductor muscles, or your quadriceps, etc. Even your biceps and triceps cannot be fully developed as a result of using dumbbells alone, surprising at that may seem! So if you limit yourself to dumbbells alone, you will never fully develop your physique. In sum, as are result of this approach, a lot of important exercises are left out of this plan.
Additionally, even though Shawn justifiably emphasizes the importance of intensity in terms of getting maximum results in minimum time, he never really provides the right definition for intensity in his book; the "right" defintion being one that works in both theory and practice, and one that can actually be applied practically in an accurate, reliable and efficient way. But then no published book (that I know of) has ever provided us with that right definition for intensity. Even Schwarzenegger doesn't provide us with the right definition for intensity in his book. The only book that I know of that provides the right definition for intensity (as it relates to strength-training)is a book that I wrote myself. But unfortunately, I've never had the book published. Bill Phillips does provide a definition for intensity in the glossary of his book "Body For Life", but the definition he provides, although not incorrect, is way too vague and inadequate for practical application. And that's the problem with virtually all of the definitions for intensity that have been given to us over the years, even by the pros. And the problem is that if you don't have the right definition for intensity to begin with, you won't know which strategies work best to maximize the intensity of every exercise that you do. And if you fail to do that, you simply will not get maximum results in minimum time,which I believe is what virtually everyone desires in the ideal strength-training plan.
In sum,I like Shawn's book,I like his positive,motivating upbeat manner. I'm sure that this book and the workout plan is of great value to many people, especially beginners, who may not know any of the information contained within.But the workout plan is incomplete, which is why I gave it three stars instead of four or five. That doesn't mean that it isn't a good book or workout plan. It just doesn't provide you all that you need to know to get the body that you desire.
Right On! July 14, 2008
Pema (Colorado)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a wonderfully written book with humor and intelligence that really motivates you to get connected to your workout and keep going. Strength for Life has helped me to focus on strengthening my body, my mind and my life.
I highly recommend this book to both men and women who want to live each moment in their lives with strength and intention.
Thank you Shawn Phillips!
 Not as good as all the great reviews! July 11, 2008
W. Green
11 out of 15 found this review helpful
First, I must say that this book has a lot of good information and good advice. However, there is nothing new in the Strength For Life plan. What you will learn from this book has already been published by others for years. The author just puts his personal twist on things. We all know we should get at least 7 hours of sleep,eat balanced meals,and have a positive attitude in life and this is basically what the author is saying.
There are a couple of areas where this book goes against years of proven science and this is where the readers should do themselves a favor and research nutrition and exercise in depth.
It is proven science that aerobic exercise is the best bet for disease prevention and fat burning but the author seems to have some kind of issue here. Don't get me wrong because strength training is very important to overall health in its proper place.
The author also believes in eating 5 meals a day instead of 3 but just to make things easier for you he pushes his very own nutrition drink almost as if he is the one that came up with nutritional drinks. Excuse me if I am wrong but SlimFast has been around for decades.
There are Billions of dollars spent year after year on products that offer the answer to all lifes weight and nutrition problems. This book is another one of those products that will be used for a few months and then just collect dusk.
Save your money.
UPDATE- I just checked out Shawn Phillips website and found out the cost of his "Full Strength" nutritional drink is $3.89 per serving. Thats almost $8.00 a day. Folks please don't allow these kind of people to take your hardearned money. RESEARCH is your key to fitness. This key is free and I pray that you will use it instead of falling for any more scams.
 Body,mind and spirit July 7, 2008
Sandra K. Cole (Ventura,CA)
Very helpful tools in keeping focused mentally on goals as well as helpful in working out physically.
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