The Eat-Clean Diet Workout: Quick Routines for Your Best Body Ever [ペーパーバック]

I'm a huge admirer of Tosca. I look forward to reading her column in Oxygen (the premier Women's magazine) and have her Eat-Clean book, which I love. But I gotta say I was a little dissapointed with this book. I think it will be great for beginners but for the intermediate to advanced exerciser there wasn't a whole lot of new information. The DVD (which was what intrigued me to buy the book) was not good at all. I was hoping for a good home workout that would really make me sweat. It's more of a tutorial for extreme beginners on how to do basic exerciese. This was not what I wanted. But I still think she is amazing and will buy future products of hers.

This is a very informative and easy to read book that gives you the knowledge and inspiration you need to take charge of your own workout and achieve the fitness goals YOU set.

The author assumes no prior knowledge of weight training on the part of the reader and explains the basics in a clear, concise manner. At the same time she gives to-the-point guidance for all levels of fitness and how to adjust your workout as your fitness level improves.

While the focus of the book is definitely oriented towards weight training, there is a lot more to weight training than just lifting a dumbell and Tosca addresses this. The first half of the book is chock full of excellent information. Not just proper form and how much/often to train, but things such as evaluating your current fitness level, tools and gadgets, nutrition, supplements, body proportion, mental attitude, sticking with it and more. In addition there are tons of helpful little tips throughout the book.

The second half of the book is the workout portion.
It starts with beautiful anatomical drawings clearly identifying each of the primary muscles that are the focus of weight training.
In each of the following sections (Chest, Legs, Arms, Abs, Shoulders, Back) Tosca gives a variety of exercises for each muscle group. She gives a few examples with machines but most of the exercises can be done with only dumbells or dumbells and a bench. A few, such as lat pulldowns or chin lifts, require a machine or special bit of equipment but that is simply the nature of that exercise.
Each exercise is well explained and accompanied by clear, good quality photos of Tosca performing the move.

Tosca gives you 9 sample routines to get you started, but emphasizes the fact that we are all individuals and need to tailor our routines to fit our own needs, goals and lifestyle.

The last few (short) chapters deal with scientific training principles, competition preparation and a Q&A section.

The included DVD is not a comprehensive workout. It is more a walk-through of some basic moves with good tips on performing the moves properly. It reiterates many of the principles from the book and includes a post workout stretch. I did find Tosca to be an engaging instructor and would like to have seen more actual workout content in the DVD. However, for me the book alone is worth the purchase price so the DVD was just a bonus. Also I felt the book was more about giving the reader the knowledge and tools to create his/her own dynamic fitness regime rather than just following someones else's canned workout.

The general tone of the book is encouraging without being 'gushy.' It is easy to read with an attractive layout, glossy pages and lots of photos. (mostly of Tosca of course, but it is her book!) In my opinion, there is nothing in its pages that isn't solid, sound information.

Tosca gives you good guidance, but YOU are the one IN CONTROL. I found this book to be an empowering tool to taking control of your own body, health and fitness. Well worth the money. Thank you Tosca!! !

I agree with the other 3 star reviewer. There's nothing new in this book and the DVD is not worth a thing. I, too, love Tosca Reno and her columns in Oxygen and her original Eat Clean book. If you like beautiful photographs and are new to lifting, this is a great option. But, seriously, do NOT buy it for the DVD. It's only 20 minutes long and it's not an exercise routine, merely an instructional guideline to proper form. Tosca might want to consider putting out a real exercise DVD - people would eat it up!!