Hold It! You're Exercising Wrong: Your Prescription for First-Class Fitness Fast!

Hold It! You should know that:

• Walking is not one of the best exercises and will never get you fit
• For certain body types, stair climbers will not trim your thighs and buttocks or give you slim hips
• You do not need expensive health club memberships to become fit
• You do not need to exercise for more than an hour a day to lose weight or increase your fitness level

Jackowski's tips sometimes motivate you to get moving ("If you don't find time for fitness, sooner or later you'll have to find time to stay home and be sick"), and sometimes educate you about an effective program ("When starting out, it's more important to increase your time than increasing intensity"). He recommends different exercise programs for different body types, which he renames "cone" (big on top, slim hips), "ruler" (hip and shoulder width are similar, few curves), "spoon" (small on top, wide hips), and "hourglass" (solid and thick in upper and lower body, smaller waist). Each type requires different exercises to shape up and slim down, which he describes. --Joan Price

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Good common sense advice - but be wary of hype, 2005-05-28
This book is oddly structured - it seems to have no organization other than what the author was thinking of at the time. Lots of his tips are good common sense advice and could serve as a wake up call to anyone stuck in a fitness rut.

However, the author contradicts himself occasionally (mostly on the effectiveness of certain aerobic workouts like bicycling) and at other times gives outdated advice (he thinks stretching out after a workout is unnecessary). Odd, considering he says earlier in the book that everything in it is "true."

My recommendation? Read this book like you would take advice from your really athletic friends: Good, common sense, practical advice. Just realize you don't have to accept it, use it, or believe in it all. Use what works and reject the rest.






9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

One of the best exercise books ever, and I should know, 2004-10-20
As an editor and writer for major men's fitness magazines, I have seen it all in exercise books. I don't write many reviews here on Amazon.com of these books. There are just too many that are the same.

This one is truly different. A concise guide that is well-designed, it lists a series of tips under various categories, such as cardio exercise, back pain, home fitness equipment, fat, fitness after 50, etc. I still refer to it from time to time.

It is a no-nonsense, no-fluff guide with no particular angle to push. Just good, real-world information from a pro who knows what he's talking about. I don't like books with lots of photos on how to do the exercise, because I've been to the gym for years and know how to do them all. But if I want to remember how many calories are burned per hour playing racquetball, or specifically how to distinguish muscle pain from soreness, it's here. The book is good to read through when you get it, then keep handy as a reference book when you need it.

This is a timeless book for both men and women, at any level of exercise experience.


6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

A complete, non-boring routine that tones the entire body, 2003-08-01
Finally an exercise routine that isn't boring and truly gets you fit. Both my husband and I equally enjoy the variety and scope of the exercises. Each set of exercises is broken up by a jump rope segment - and don't underestimate the power of the jump rope! It truly is the most efficient and effective aerobic exercise ever! I completely changed by body shape. I was never overweight, but had fat deposits on my hips and buttocks. Within 2 weeks I lost 4 pounds, but more importantly went from a "spoon" shape to a slender,toned,and proportioned body. My husband also lost weight and his muscles are tight and toned. I credit this book for extending our lives and keeping us "fit for life"! Jackowski may be overly zealous regarding the jumprope, but having tried it, I'd have to agree. It may not be for everyone, but you should give it a try because it works!!


4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

This, 2002-08-01
This book was only written for the author's self-promotion, and that of his company. His theories often make no sense, and are never supported with scientific or documented empirical proof. Of course certain pieces make (common) sense, but you can find many much better fitness and weight-control books. Don't bother about this one.


11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

I wonder what kind of PHD does Mr. Jackowski have?, 2002-04-15
As a Physical trainer with an advanced degree in Exercise Science and several national certifications I find this book egregiously misleading. The author spewes out 'fact' after 'fact' with no scientific basis (except for his own practical experience!). If you buy this book please take his word with a grain of salt. In addition, there are several exercises depicted in this book that will cause more harm then help.
The only reason I give this book 2 stars is for his body type descriptions....they are easy to understand and extremely marketable.

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