Review of Maran Illustrated Weight Training (Paperback)

Over the years I have read a number of books on weight training. Most give you a routine, tell you how buff you are gonna look and toss in a picture or too. And they assume you know alot including proper form and what the heck the exercise is doing for your body.

Maran's Illustrated Weight Training is different. This book will give you a firm grounding in weight training. It covers everything so you will have a solid foundation to train for best results.

The book begins with something that is often missed in others - a picture of the human body with the muscles labeled. It is hard to work your "latissimus dorsi" or your "gluteu minimus"terms I have heard video instructors shout out, when you don't have a clue what they are. Marans gives you a clearly labeled front and rear view human body illustration.

Next the book makes the case for working out at home or at the gym. If you opt to set up a home gym you will learn what to look for in barbells, a bench, rack etc. If you opt to go to a gym you will learn what to look for before signing on the dotted line.

The book also covers gym etiquette (something you wish that sweaty man next to you who never wipes down the bench would read), proper clothing, and more.

Next comes the meat of the book. In great detail Marans describes how to work each part of your body. For your triceps for example Maran describes the bench dip, tricep kickback, triceps pushdown, barbell triceps press, dumbbell overhead extension, lying barbell extension and triceps extension machine. For each exercise you will learn what it does for your body, what muscles it works, and the do's and don'ts of performing it. Each excerise also includes lots of full color photographs.
Tons of exercises are covered for upper and lower body - from chest to back to buttocks to calves. There is also a section on using an exercise ball and using tubing.
I know a girl (ok it was me) who did ab work for several months with no results because she was doing the exercises wrong..too bad I didn't have this book then.

The book also includes information on how to design a weight routine, stretching (crucial for best results and to prevent injury), cardiovascular training and nutrition.

The softcover, oversized 300+ page book is beautifully laid out and designed. Full color photographs and easy to read text.

Super book for those starting out, on their way or the seasoned pro seeking that extra information. Maran scores a winner with this book!

Lee Mellott

Product Description
Produced by the award-winning maranGraphics Group, Maran's Illustrated Guide to Weight Training is a valuable resource for all readers, regardless of age or fitness level. Clear, step-by-step instructions walk the reader through each exercise from beginning to end, while photographs and illustrations show you the targeted muscles for each exercise and how to help prevent injury. Thorough topic introductions and useful tips provide additional information and advice to enhance the readers' weight training experience and help meet their individual needs. Maran's Illustrated Guide to Weight Training is packed with information useful to readers who are just beginning to make weight training a part of their health regime. For readers who have been weight training for some time, the book is ideal as a refresher course on proper form and will present new exercises that even experienced weight trainers can add to their routines.

From the Publisher
Features a unique two-page spread, over 500 full-color photographs, and color coding that appeal to and engage visual learners and simplify the learning process.

Provides extensive coverage of weight training with a wide variety of exercises and equipment including free weights, machines, exercise balls, and tubing, making it a great reference for all skill levels.

Includes a section designed to help you use the exercises in the book to create a personalized weight-training routine that will help you meet your fitness goals.

Written using "Visual Grammar™," a proven method that combines instructions with full-color screen shots to provide the best synergistic learning experience available.

Full-color photographs are taken from a variety of different zoom settings and camera angles to maximize the impact of each photograph.

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