The Complete Book of ABS: Revised and Expanded Edition

by Kurt Brungardt

Book Overview

Anyone who works out knows that abdominal exercises have progressed light-years beyond the basic sit-up. In fact, a whole new generation of ab exercises and machines have advanced abdominal workouts... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375751432
• ISBN13: 9780375751431
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Villard Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.5" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Great for beginners, helped me build confidence

I purchased this when my baby was nine months and I wanted to rebuild muscle tone in my back and abs. I hadn't done any exercise for years but this book helped me ease into it. It is organized a little strangely but as the author explains, it suits people who just want the workout as well as people who want to learn a little physiology too. The first time I tried the level one workout, I couldn't even touch my toes. After doing the routines four days per week for two weeks, they were a breeze- then I moved on to level two. By that point I could complete the exercises but felt the burn. Now, two months later, they feel simple. Now I'm ready for level three. I've recently added aerobics to my routine, per the request of this books author, and in just two months, I feel better, I look great (from size 12 to my pre-marriage size 8) and the routines aren't boring, so I don't dread my fifteen minute workouts each day!

Very clear and thorough

I have several books on abs, and this one is very complete. The background and anatomy information help the reader understand why the exercises work and where to focus your attention. Also, each exercise description states the difficulty level, risk to lower back, and muscle groups working. This makes it very easy to create your own routines once you've completed the 3 given as part of the program. I bought this book for two of my friends who have heard me talking about it . . . great for beginners (like I was), or more advanced fitness enthusiasts (like my friends).

I Finally Got Rid of My Little Bulge!

I have been thin all my life but I have always had a little bulge in my lower ab region that I thought I had to just live with. I even considered having a tummy tuck. But as one last resort I ordered this book and for the past 6 weeks I have been doing the lower ab exercises for 10 minutes, 6 days a week. After 3 weeks I saw some serious changes happening. Not only were my lower abs started to flatten but I saw that the rest of my stomach was toning up as well. Now after 6 weeks my stomach is almost completely flat. Just a few more weeks of doing these workouts should make my abs completely flat. Thanks so much for writing this book. You helped me avoid painful and expensive surgery!

Essential Book for Fitness Enthuasists

The first book in the three-part Brungardt brothers' series, "The Complete Book of Abs" is an essential must-have for any fitness enthusiast. The difficulty of working the abdominal muscles is one of the most challenging routines anyone who works out faces everytime. With a combination of a good, low carbohydrate diet and plenty of abdominal exercises, it usually becomes an easy task of obtaining six-pack abs within a period of time."The Complete Book of Abs" divides exercises accordingly to the three main abdominal regions: lower abs, obliques, and upper abs. Using a rating system of 1-3, (1 being the easiest, 3 being the most intensive) the author teaches readers of how to use a mind-body connection where the person focuses their mind on the abdominal muscles whenever they are working them out. This method, which has been successful in my case, works the abdominals to their fullest.With a this book, a great diet, and maybe even a workout video to use from time to time, you'll be able to reach your desired goals within a matter of time. The newly revised edition is great since it adds to the original 244-page edition released back in 1993. If you liked this book, then I recommend that you also try the other two books in the Brungardt brothers series: "The Complete Book of Shoulders and Arms," and "The Complete Book of Butt and Legs." Overall, an excellent book to reach your fitness goals.

ABS-solutely a MUST!

Many bodybuilding enthusiasts hate working out their abs. The abs are arguably the least fun to work out. Having said that, the abs are the first part that catches the eye - whether washboard-ripped or flabby. More importantly, from the point of wellness, the abs are the most important part that needs to be kept strong. The abs are the centre of the human body and hold up the entire skeletal structure. If you have only time to work out one part daily, make it your abs.I have been using The Complete Book of Abs for 2 years now. It was a fabulous gift from a friend, a fitness buff. Let me just say that this is THE book on working out the abs! This book tells you why one should work out the abs; describes the muscular and skeletal anatomy in respect of the abs; the nutritional aspects; warm-up, stretching and other support exercises; the specific exercises in respect of the abs, and the different systems and routines one can incorporate for various purposes. In other words, this book is truly "The COMPLETE Book of Abs".There are lots of photographs illustrating the various specific exercises for the various parts of the abs. I found this to be highly helpful and definitely of great assistance to the newcomer to working out.My favourite part of this book is Chapter 4 which discusses The Mind. The Mind is where all success in life begins. Success in working out is no different. To succeed, it takes planning, mental focus, self-motivation, visualisation and mental-programming.I supplement my reading of this book with Antonio Sabato Jr's No Excuses: Workout for Life, which I would also highly recommend to the workout enthusiast.