The Women's Health Big Book of 15-Minute Workouts: A Leaner, Sexier, Healthier You--In 15 Minutes a

I've had mixed reactions to Selene Yeager's books before (some I like, some are just okay). This one is just okay. Yes, there's a lot of variety, and they're definitely 15 minutes, but there's a few things I wasn't as crazy about...

1. Most (not all, but nearly all) use at least 2 pieces of equipment and often 3: dumbbells, a step, a bench, a stability ball, a pull-up bar (have one of those handy?), a resistance band, a kettlebell, a medicine ball, a foam roller, a BOSU, and and for one medicine ball workout: a partner! I'd have liked it better if there were more workouts using just one piece of equipment for the entire 15 minutes particularly since these are circuit workouts.

2. Names of routines were too cute by half, such as "Mood Lifting" and "Cowgirl." When I'm flipping through the book, I'd rather not have to use some of that 15 minutes to decipher what body parts a routine actually works. It seems they could have been categorized in way that could be accessed faster.

3. Circuits, circuits, and more circuits, and "15 minutes" is more a matter of approach. You get to 15 minutes by running through most of these routines 3 to 4 times. So I'm guessing that if I leave out a circuit, it's 10 minutes and if I add one it's 20. In that case, these aren't *necessarily* 15 minutes, depending on whether you complete the number of circuits as prescribed.

(NOTE: I would NOT recommend performing the classic kettlebell 'halo' as it's shown in this book! You could seriously strain your lower back.)

Generally, it's no worse than any other workout book, but it's not among my favorites. There's variety and most routines can be adapted to be more challenging. However, I can't past the fact that I really liked the The Women's Health Big Book of Exercises by Adam Campbell, and it's too bad more of those moves (and a little less equipment) didn't show up in this book. I think this would've been a better book.

This big book shows dozens of quick workouts. Many of the workouts are basically about 15 minutes of circuit training. These exercises are designed to get a lean, fit and toned body as pictured by the lady on the cover, as opposed to buiding up.

Here's how the workouts go. In general, a few specific exercises are performed intensely and then repeated in a cycle or circuit. The key to getting the workout down to 15 minutes is that there is minimal rest between the exercises. The rest between the circuits is minimal too.

In terms of layout, color photos are large and clear, illustrating the exercises well.

I liked the range of workouts, including bodyweight exercises with no equipment required. Some workouts use dumbbells. If you are at a gym or have workout equipment, you may make use of the workouts that use a barbell, a step, a large (Swiss) ball, a medicine ball, tubing, a bench and a few other tools.

There are 77 workouts.

(71) 15-minute workouts

(2) 1-minute workouts

(1) 4-minute workout

(3) 5-minute workouts

Here is a list of some of the 15-minute workouts. Exercises are listed for a few workouts.

High school reunion workout 1: Here are the exercises for this workout.

-Test the water squat and biceps curl

-Take a walk

-Rotational lunge and shoulder press

-Warrior 3 triceps extension

-Plank with front raise

-Sumo squat side knee raise and side crunch

-Lying 1-2 punch

High school reunion workout 2

Bikini workout 1

Get my body back workout 1

Stress Busting workout 1

-Runner's lunge to knee skip

-Plie jumping jacks

-quarter-turn squat jump

-donkey kick

Mood-lifting workout

Tighter tush workout

I need some lift in my Levis workout

So long, saddlebags workout

Jiggle free triceps workout

Pushup bra workout

Belly blast workout

Pear body workout

Hourglass body workout

-Tai chi lunge

-Side planks with moving knee

-Lateral stepups

-Glute bridge with triceps extension

Kettlebell workout 1

Exercise band workout 1

Exercise band workout 2

-Squat

-Standing incline fly

-Resisted supine crunch

-Rubber band sidesteps

Medicine ball workout 2

Hotel room workout 2

Cowgirl workout

Post partum workout

Age eraser workout

Golf workout

-Windmill

-Leaning hamstring curl

-Lawn mower

-Low cross chop

Tennis workout

Triathlon workout

Yoga metabolism workout

Fat burning flow workout

Ballet workout

Pilates workout

Perfect posture workout

~~~

Besides this book, there is a men's version. It offers more use of different tools or equipment. If you liked this book, I suggest you get the men's version.

Another fine book is, "You Are Your Own Gym: The Bible of Bodyweight Exercises" by Mark Lauren and Joshua Clark. This is excellent for exercises which do not require equipment. All you need is your own bodyweight.

Buy The Women's Health Big Book of 15-Minute Workouts: A Leaner, Sexier, Healthier You--In 15 Minutes a Now

This book is a great resource for quick and easy workouts when you just can't get to the gym. The only real negative is that you have to own about $500 in home gym equipment to do the workouts (i.e. Bosu, step, yoga ball, mat, kettle bells...etc) for this reason I wouldn't recommend the book for someone new to working out. Also it does require some knowledge of proper form (although the book does describe how each exercise should be done properly). All in all for me and my fitness level it was an excellent find.

Read Best Reviews of The Women's Health Big Book of 15-Minute Workouts: A Leaner, Sexier, Healthier You--In 15 Minutes a Here

I love this book! I use it every single day! The excersises in this book keep you entertained and challenged all at the same time. I have been obsessed with Women's Health ever since I first pick up the magazine. Many other books will require alot of equipment and even recommend machines (which I do not have at home.) I have a gym membership so access to the equipment is easy. However, if you do not have a membership to a local gym, in the back of the book are excersises for specific pieces of equipment (ex. Medicine Ball, Kettlebell.)

This book alone has helped me changed my mind set of eating habits, work out schedules and so much more. It's like having a personal trainer with me everyday!! Just be sure to pay attention to your form or the excersizes will obviously not be as affective.

The only downfall to the book, is that because it is so big, it is not as easy to carry around the gym as the magazine. But I guess thats why they call it "The Women's Health BIG Book of 15 Minute Workouts."

All in all, I LOVE this book!!! I recommend it to anyone and everyone!

Want The Women's Health Big Book of 15-Minute Workouts: A Leaner, Sexier, Healthier You--In 15 Minutes a Discount?

Great investment...I started this yesterday (Total Body Workout) + 1 mile on treadmill feel greater results than I did with 10 mi on bicycle + 2 miles on treadmill, and it took about 20% of the time! Not only does it cover total body, but target areas (tummy, arms, butt, etc.), and meal suggestions. Educational, too. I *highly* recommend this to anyone ditch the gym and save your money; buy this instead and do it all at home or on the road!

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