cover image A Woman's Book of Strength

A Woman's Book of Strength

Karen Andes. Perigee Books, $15.95 (288pp) ISBN 978-0-399-51899-7

Darden (The Nautilus Diet), the former director of research at Nautilus, and the author of many books on fitness, here challenges his readers: follow his routines, and you'll be able to reshape your physique by losing 21 pounds of body fat within six weeks, he promises. But this is more than another quick weight-loss scheme or a pep-talk and guide to body-building. Chapters consider the benefits of exercise and how it can prevent men from aging prematurely. The author believes it is important to develop muscles for performance--leanness, as well as fitness. The good news: this can be done while simultaneously losing fat. So the book discusses equipment and how to use it. Darden also reconsiders the best strength-training exercises. But this is not enough in the battle of the bulge. So he provides sensible guidelines for healthier eating and living, making a point of distinguishing nutrition fallacies from facts, and insisting that it's unnecessary to waste money on protein supplements or free-form amino acids, which many body-building gurus have been known to promote. Although strength training and body-building may not be for everyone, those interested in learning more about the concepts, exercises and routines may find Darden's strategies exactly right. (Jan.)