It's not often you find a book that breaks things down in a way that is easy to follow. Weightlifting can be intimidating (especially for a beginner) but this book was the perfect guide! Made me wish there was an accompanying app or something as I don't want to take a book with me to the gym.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This exercise program is developed for women, who may have fears of looking too masculine from lifting to much. It's the perfect program for someone who wants to truly be strong.

I've read several books about strength training for women, and this is definitely one of the best. Not only does each exercise have really great clear pictures, but the customized 12 week programs based on your fitness level tell you exactly how to use them. However, I'm not wild about the small nutrition section at the front. It gives very basic explanation of protein, fat and carbs, and suggests macro breakdown based on body type. I find this to be overly simplistic and misleading. It is only a couple of pages though, so I can easily ignore that section while I make use of the remaining great information.

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More great workouts with step-by-step instructions on how to do them. Well-designed programs with different levels. The full color illustrations are great.

Thank you to Netgalley, Alex Silver-Fagan, and DK Publishing for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So it's no secret that I'm a bit of a fitness nut, and that I'm into building muscle. For me, it was a no-brainer to request this from NetGalley. Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly what I expected. This is basically a beginners guide to getting strong. While there is a lot of great advice, there are also a few outdated concepts at least in my opinion. These concepts were more along the nutrition and diet advice than the workouts. I felt the workouts were comprehensive and easy to follow.
Each workout tells you what muscle groups your working and how to do it. I liked how everything was laid out in a way that is point by point. The book even gives variations, cautions, and tips on each workout.
I would recommend this book to beginners and anyone wanting to improve their form.

This is a great reference book for targeting those areas that you want to work on and keep working on. It involves your core, upper and lower body, and building strength. It includes workout programs to take the stress off and get you started. I really enjoyed that each step is laid out really well and I could read and follow along with everything that was said. So pick up the book, gather your equipment, read up on the nutrition part, and get started on a stronger you.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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As someone who used to lift, (had to stop due to an injury [not due to lifting]), this book was really good and written well for someone who knows what they're doing. If they're beginners, I wouldn't recommend a book, until they know how to properly do the exercises.

Thank you to Dorling Kinsley and Netgally for providing me with an advanced copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

I received a PDF version of this book, and I can tell you the e-book is very attractive, beautiful geography and very effective page layout and so easy to read. This book is a very comprehensive “how to get strong” book for women. The book covers the basics of exercise such as the advantages of getting strong and how to get strong and required nutrition for the body identifies the different diets for different body types; ratios of carb and proteins. I find this very helpful.
The book also has annotated photographs of various exercise equipment and their use. One of the things I really like about the book, is that they provide a self -test to assess your fitness. On the basis of your own self-assessment, you will find out your level of fitness and consequently can follow the prescribed fitness program for your level of fitness. The book distinguishes 3 levels of fitness and provides a three 4-week phases to “Get Strong for each fitness level. That is 36 weeks of exercise that you can follow and progress into.
The weekly schedule are easy to read and follow and the author provides instructions on how to follow the work out programs and how to track your progress.
More importantly, this book provides detailed descriptions of all the exercises with annotated photographs to show you proper form. Each exercise has its own profile with descriptions such as required equipment, primary and secondary muscles targeted. The annotations are really helpful, as are the tips and options for easier variations on the exercises. The exercises are grouped by warm up, cool down , core, upper body, lower body and power.

I am someone who enjoys cardio, but never got into weight lifting or strength training, despite knowing I should. What I liked most about this book was that it works for a newbie like me, as well as someone more experienced with the three different programs. It's also a useful reference for both home & gym workouts so there's no need to leave routine if you're away from your normal. I think I might have done better with this in paper copy vs. digital as I'd like to have as an on-the-go reference. Well written and laid out.

I was drawn to this book primarily because it says "lift heavy" -- something I think may be a huge misconception for women. This book is one of the most simply and beautifully laid out exercise books I've read -- and I've read a few. In my 3rd year of weightlifting/strength-training, I've encountered obstacles in lifting heavier. There's a lot of commonsense information within the book (eating healthier, cleaner, etc.), but it also gives definitions of equipment to use which is useful to a beginner. There's an assessment for you to do before identifying the level of workout you should try. The step-by-step photos are amazing, and the workouts challenging, even after I've been lifting for a while. It's also great to see different models at different levels of fitness. I'm a huge fan of this book and will be checking out books by this same author.

An easy to follow guide for women of all ages. In-depth descriptions and photographs make this edition a standout.

Awesome overview of strength training moves and workout plans.

If you are like me and have a home gym that you actually use, I find the hardest thing to overcome is the same routine, day in and day out. When you go to the gym or an exercise class, you are surrounded by those who will push, encourage and/or motivate you to work harder, move faster and get better results. At home, well for me at least, the only one who occasionally follows me to the gym is my cat and believe me, she doesn't stay for long once she realizes I am otherwise occupied. So it's just me, my dedication to my workout and I'll admit it, I don't "change up" my routine as often as I should. 30 minutes of cardio, 30 minutes lifting weights and warm up and cool down stretches. It works. I sweat and am challenged, but honestly, slightly bored.
This book came just when I needed a motivation boost. There are three different 12- week workout routines, graphically depicted with instructions that do not require a Ph.D. to understand. The exercises are broken into sections for your core, upper body, lower body and power, and while I don't have all the equipment required to complete every exercise, I am able to do about 80% with what I currently own. If I did belong to a gym, I don't believe I would have any issue finding the equipment the author recommends.
My fitness goals don't revolve around a number on the scale but do revolve around being strong and healthy, so this book really appealed to me. Am I well into my first 12-week program? Yes, I am. Am I loving my workout? Yes, I am. Would I recommend this book? Yes, I will.
Thank you, Alex Silver-Fagan, DK, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is great! There are tons of workouts with great instructions to make sure you don't injure yourself. My only issue is that it didn't come in Kindle format. If you need clearcut instruction and want to get fit, pick up this book.