I was recently sent the book Core Performance Women, by Mark Verstegen and Pete Williams, who are the co-authors of several other Core Performance books. This one, specifically tailored for women, is hot off the presses and full of good information about eating right, putting yourself first and best of all, workouts.What I liked about the book:
- It promotes a "non-diet" philosophy with simple nutrition rules to give you more energy throughout the day;
- It promotes strengthening your core to reduce your risk of injury, while building lean muscle.
- There was a short summary at the end of each chapter.
- It spent far too much time in each chapter telling you what they were going to do for you - my short attention span really just wanted them to get to the point. I get it, I get it...now tell me what to do already!
- The last third of it was filled with photographs of stretching and recovery exercises, along with a lot of movement, strength and power exercises.
Burpees...you know I had to show this!
Very clear pictures and instructions for each exercise are included.As I've mentioned a time or two, I have a horrible memory and usually can't remember exactly how to do a certain exercise once I've left the gym. These detailed photographs not only show you what to do, they tell you where you should be feeling it, so you know if you are doing the exercise correctly.
Plus, at the very end of the book they put together a set of workouts based on whether you are doing a strength day, endurance day, or regeneration day, all according to what level you are at.
If I were doing workouts on my own (without my trainer), this is exactly what I would use to get the right variety in each day.My recommendation? While I found myself skimming the beginning of the book, if you are looking for a detailed workout book, this one is worth purchasing just for the last third. As I was looking through the pictures I recognized a lot of what I've been doing with my trainer, and since I know how well these work with me, I think the authors are right on target with what they are showing to do.
I have a copy of Core Performance Women to give to one lucky reader...to enter, just leave me a comment telling me what exercise you dislike the most. For me, it's the dreaded burpee! Contest is open to U.S. residents only and will close at 10:00 pm on Thursday, January 21. I'll use random.org to draw the winner who will be announced on Friday, January 22. Good luck!
FCC Disclaimer: I was given a copy of Core Performance Women to read by the publisher, who will also be fulfilling the giveaway.
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