Getting in Shape: 32 Workout Programs for Lifelong Fitness

I have two criticisms of this book. First, I felt that many of the ab excercises were not realistic for a beginning level of fitness. I felt that some of them were too stressful on the lower back so I made substitutions. The second is that although Burke is a former cycling team coach, he really didn't give much information on cycling. I choose that as my form of exercise and I would have appreciated a specific progressive program for cycling. He does have a 10 week progressive walking program for beginners though.


A great source of shaping up options!   September 6, 2001
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

For someone who is not physically fit at all, I thought I'd be intimidated by any literature that may even elude to working out. This book, with its helpful illustrations & detailed instructions, is a wonderful starting point for anyone trying to get into shape. It will take you step by step & explain why the steps are there in that order. Very helpful & valuable!


A great book for those of us who aren't naturally athletic   June 22, 2000
 33 out of 33 found this review helpful

Getting in Shape does a wonderful job of taking you gently from doing no exercise through a complete and well-explained path to being in shape. There are eight different levels of workouts, arranged in order from easiest to hardest, plus special workouts for focusing on particular areas of your body or dealing with special challenges (like traveling or having no time to work out). The easiest workouts are designed so that even people with significant health or weight problems can start exercising at a level appropriate to their current abilities.

Each workout has recommended stretches, strength training exercises, and aerobic exercises (with a number of different options presented, depending on what you enjoy doing). The instructions are clear, and the increases in difficulty gradual enough that I actually began to enjoy working out, rather than dreading it.

Everything is designed so that a minimum of equipment is required even at the most advanced levels: a weight bench, a few basic weights, and decent shoes for your aerobic workout of choice are about all it takes. This is the best book of its kind, in my opinion: it is a practical and reasonable guide to getting in shape for those of us who have lives that otherwise don't include exercise.


Well Written and Illistrated   February 16, 1998
 2 out of 6 found this review helpful

I found this book to be well written and illustrated for both the first time user and for anyone just wanting to bush up on technic. I would recommend this book to anyone


Excellent book!   August 11, 1997
 23 out of 23 found this review helpful

This book has it all. If you could only have onebook to get into shape with, this would be it. It has many excellent basic programs for all around fitness which include lifting (weight training), moving (aerobics), and stretching. In addition to the basic fitness programs, it has "fine tuning" programs which are total programs that focus on specific body areas, and it also has programs for people with special medical conditions, i.e., arthritis, pregnancy. You can also find programs for people with busy schedules, and a program to do when you're traveling. It also has information about diet, health issues, and tips for staying fit and healthy. The illustrations are great. This book is perfect for the average Joe (or Jane) who doesn't want something too overwhelming but wants to be fit and healthy. It's written in a very straightforward manner, is enjoyable to read, and is jam-packed full of totally useful information. EVERYONE could get something out of this book!