Buy together...

I bought this book after having read the original "biggest loser" book. and i STRONGLY recommend buying them together. especially if you are just starting out. this book is as it says a "fitness book." it does not provide all the inspiring stories of the people on the show, and all the helpful information to start you out like the other one does. This book does provide you with several new exercises to add to your circuit to provide you with variety so you don't get bored. I have lost 51 pounds since september following their exercise program (not even following it exactly, but closely) and following the nutritional guidelines and suggestions they give. i feel great, and i have been able to try several new activities and been surprised by my ability to do them. These two books are the best purchases i have made for myself in years. Bob is such an inspirational trainer. and i can't wait to see what the next 12 weeks brings :o)

Better than all the other "Biggest Loser Books"

This book is great. It was much more detailed than the others. I felt like I was reading exactly how the contestants on "The Biggest Loser" was losing all that weight. The book was detailed enough that as a Gym Manager, I am going to have a biggest loser contest of our own following this book to the letter! If you are looking for a complete program, or are someone whose fitness program has stalled, this book is for you! I look forward to posting our gym results in the near future to motivate even more of you!

Excellent for Beginner Exercisers

As a certified personal trainer (NASM, ACSM and AFFA), with over 2000 hours of training, I thought I'd provide an industry professional's assessment. Since I'm not a registered dietician, I will leave the comments on the nuitrition part of the progam to those more qualified than myself.

The exercise program is based on a Circuit Training format. Circuit training excels at burning calories and increasing muscle endurance. It is NOT the best program for building muscle mass. Also, be aware that according the General Law of Adaptation, the human body will adapt to the program in 6-to-8 weeks and start burning less calories. In other words, when a reader has plateaued, the reader will need to change his or her exercise program.

Also, in order to build muscle mass a person needs to ingest more calories than that person is burning off. Muscle cannot be built on negative calories!

With those observations aside, the book does an excellent job of explaining and illustrating thier fitness program. I especially liked photos of the exercises in the program section of the book. When I'm working with a new client, especially one with little or no experience in weight training, I spend a lot of time coaching and explaining exercises.