My girlfriend asked me for a good workout book, but she wasn't very interested in "Infinite Intensity" which I suggested Any suggestions on a decent book for ladies? Thanks.
on a more serious note, there's no way to tell what kind of exercise book she might like, so i think you'd be better off getting her to enroll in some MA or even something like pilates or yoga to get fitter.
Find out what her goals are and then get her to train in the appropriate way to acheive them. There is no real difference in the way women should train from how men train. Make sure she understands that by training the same way men do, she won't turn into some Arnie lookalike she-man.
there is one blog she should be following on a regular basis: http://www.stumptuous.com/ Some great info on there. Seriously. I'm a bloke and I follow it on a regular basis. http://www.stumptuous.com/category/training/exercise_instruction Did you read that right... yes you did... 'don't FEAR the free weights' that right there says a lot about the mindset of the blog. I'm working my way through Infinite Intensity right now... but it's not for everyone. The way Ross writes isn't always easy for many people to get through... not nearly as dry or as awkward and Pavel... but he's an acquired taste.
Thanks for the Stumptuous link Slip. I'd completely forgotten about that site. It is a brilliant site, with great advice for women (and men)!
I always refer to Stumptuous,there are great sections on there which deal with such things as the "she hulk" myth and the bull that gym instructors spin you.
lol haven't tried suggesting this one She doesn't seem to be particularly interested in doing squats, deadlifts, cleans, etc. Her goal is to just "tone" muslces (don't flame me tho ) and just stay in shape. Thanks for the link I'm checking it now.
:bang::bang::bang::bang::bang::bang: Silly woman, squats, deads etc will 'tone' (I really hate that term!) her and help get her in shape! Have you though about getting her to do squats etc with dumbbells rather than barbells? In my experience, women seem to have less issues with dumbbell exercises than they would have with barbells. Start her with light weights doing squats, deads, OHPs, benching and rows and then gradually increase the weights to something useful. If she's done aerobics classes she may already have used dumbbells, so they won't fill her with dread. Do you have Infinite Intensity? If you do look at some of the workouts Ross uses in that and tone them down a bit for her.
you could also try to explain to her that "tone" is actually a BS fitness gimmick word that means "lose fat and build muscle," a concept I've attempted to explain to many women with minimal success.
Have a look on stumptuous at the myths concerning "tone" . That will stop her using the term ever again
She had a back injury few months ago so squats feel a bit uncomfortable, but she does (with dumbbells) lunges, step-ups, side steps,etc. Seriously doubt she'll be doing deadlifts anytime soon Yes I do have Infinite Intensity and tried going thru workouts with her, trying to make them more "female friendly". She wasn't very interested. I gave up on trying to explain tone hype to women. Just isn't worth it :Alien: Gave her the link last night. First response this morning was "how come there are no workouts with machines?" :bang:
If she's just getting over a back injury, then perhaps you should look at some pre-hab mobility work to try to prevent a re-occurance of the injury. http://www.inside-out-warm-up.com/ http://www.magnificentmobility.com/ :bang: Get a new girlfriend!
Well, I'm getting on a bit you know, can't blame a girl for trying! Tis true! Although, I have chosen a cat (its easier to throw out when it annoys me).
