Comments on: The New Rules of Lifting: A book review

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 06:50:31 +0000

I got the book, New Rules of Lifting for Women, and I really like the book for several reasons. First of all, they don’t treat women like men, but they do not let women “wimp out” with dumb moves and feather – weights. Like the previous reviewer Bob said, you feel it the next day. Well, I totally agree because I cycle and do stair-mill (mimics stairs almost exactly) and do some running so I am in fairly decent shape and I did the dead-lift squat and lunges and I had to wait a full week to even be able to think about lifting again I was so sore in my A – -!!! So, it pinpoints the areas you didn’t realize you were weak in, and I got a bench, and a chin-up bar to add to my free weights and pilates ball and I can now kiss my club membership goodbye if I want!! I have fooled myself before thinking that tons of running/cycling/etc could wittle my weight problem (10-13 lbs over) and now I remember why 5 yrs ago I looked so good and slim. I was doing resistance training! The book is overall very good because it shoots straight, but you have to take some time to figure out the workouts and at 45, my eyes cannot focus too well, so I suggest having the pages enlarged at a Kinkos, so you can concentrate on your form (be in front of a mirror — big plus) rather than struggling and squinting and wrestling w/ the hardcover book on where to stick your butt or putt your arm. Form is very important so until you get in the groove of the basic movements, you need a good way to reference it while your working out.
The moves make sense and they are for the big muscle groups rather than the “bicept curl” stuff that the author rightly dumbs down. You basically should be able to lift your kid up from a cliff along with your own body weight if your in a survivalist mode and that’s what being strong really boils down to…life is unpredictable, don’t regret being able to do what needs to be done when you may not have help around, or for that matter, kick some A – - if the situation should call for it. I have a feeling the author would wholeheartedly agree!! Enjoy.

By: Ted

Ted — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:01:08 +0000

I, too, have read the book and am in my sixth week of the beginner’s program. I have lifted weights all my life, off and on, sadly more off than on. This is the best weight training book I have ever read and I have read a bunch of them. The book is definitely not just for beginners. It is comprehensive. Let me tell you that Bulgarian split squats are something else. Wonderful explanation of the deadlift. The authors do the best job of explaining the necessity for weight training that I have ever read. I use Excel to prepare my progress sheets. I maintain records. Progress? Yes indeedy! Documented progress! Homemade protein shakes? Just finished one! Sixty years old and feeling good! Thanks to Lou and Alwyn.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:56:34 +0000

I’ve read the book from cover to cover and am using the programs exactly as described. I’ve seen terrific results in a short period of time. One thing that places this book above many others is the fact that it provides an entire year’s worth of programs using the concept of periodization. The workouts take about 30-45 minutes and work your entire body (and you definetly feel it the next day!) The theory and research behind the programs are clearly explained in the first part of the book.
I highy recommend this book!

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:10:27 +0000

Losing weight and getting stronger, leaner, etc is not some proprietary secret known to but a few self-annointed fitness cognoscenti. Overall calorie reduction is the only factor that counts in the long term. Scientists can argue about what causes you to lose weight fastest and what will make you feel least hungry in the meantime and all sorts of seemingly relevant issues, but these are mostly besides the point. The best diet for you is the one you like well enough to stick with. This differs from person to person. That’s why the “experts” will always disagree on dieting. No diet will take pounds off unless you consume fewer calories than you need to maintain your weight. And any diet will work for that purpose as long as you eat less for long enough. The science of this fact is undeniable, no matter who you consult. As far as lifting, free weights, machines, body weight, rocks, it doesn’t matter. I could save millions of people millions of dollars on worthless crap. And I could do it in one paragraph or less on one sheet of paper!

By: A book on Bending « Run to Win »

A book on Bending « Run to Win » — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:42:16 +0000

[...] If you are looking for a more conventional weight lifting book, you can read my review of The New Rules of Lifting. The programs in that book are forming the basis of my workouts these [...]

By: How you can get R.I.D. of injuries « Run to Win »

How you can get R.I.D. of injuries « Run to Win » — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 01:05:39 +0000

[...] A proper weight lifting routine should be a part of your regular training to make sure that you have a good balance in your body and that every major muscle group gets a good workout. If you are a beginner weight lifter, I recommend that you check out The New Rules of Lifting. [...]

By: “The New Rules of Lifting” disected « Run to Win »

“The New Rules of Lifting” disected « Run to Win » — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 17:12:28 +0000

[...] Recently, I reviewed The New Rules of Lifting. In all, there are 20 “new rules” laid out in the book, as well as descriptions on how to do many different exercises and some sample weight programs that can be put together using those exercises. I am going to dissect the new rules and tell you what I think of each one. The New Rules of Lifting [...]

By: Women and “The New Rules of Lifting” « Run to Win »

Women and “The New Rules of Lifting” « Run to Win » — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 22:20:51 +0000

[...] In my correspondance with one of the authors, Alwyn Cosgrove, I asked him whether there really was a bias and how to account for gender differences. This is his response [...]

By: Run to Win » Alwyn Cosgrove Responds to “New Rules of Lifting” Review

Sat, 18 Feb 2006 01:09:59 +0000

[...] I emailed the authors to let them know about the review I wrote yesterday about The New Rules of Lifting, and both of them have been very friendly and appreciative of my having put it up. [...]

By: Blaine Moore

Blaine Moore — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 18:09:57 +0000

Well, as I recommended a few months ago, that one is well worth reading. I’ll try to get the review up for next Thursday. Now that I have said I will, I am more likely to.