The Complete Book of ABS for Women: The Definitive Guide for Women Who Want to Get Into the Ultimate Shape

No breezy magazine article promising fab abs could possibly provide as much information as this volume offers. Brungardt (The Complete Book of Abs; The Complete Book of Butts and Legs) wants readers to understand why core strength is so important to overall fitness and wellness, and to start putting that knowledge into action with safe, effective workouts. Reading the book feels more like working out with a personal trainer than reading a boring training manual--the book opens with a""First Consultation"" and after a short chapter on""Ab Basics,"" which gives a quick anatomy lesson and reviews basic training principles, the workouts begin. This book is about much more than crunches; the author introduces overall wellness as an important theme, explaining that""abdominal development is an important part of physical wellness, but it is only one element... and exercise wellness is just one piece of your complete wellness profile."" Part five,""From Baby to Beach,"" (which includes information on working out during pregnancy and getting back into shape) is thoughtfully written by Debbie Homes, an M.S. and a mother of three, because, she says,""you don't know what you're talking about until you've tried it.""