The Complete Book of Abs: Revised and Expanded Edition

The Complete Book of Abs: Revised and Expanded Edition

Kurt Brungardt was at the front end of the abdominal obsession. His <I>Abs of Steel</I> video was a bestseller, and the original <I>Complete Book of Abs</I>, published in 1993, was considered the bible of midsection exercises for trainers and fitness enthusiasts. The obsession has only grown since then, manifested by dubious infomercial products, a burgeoning fitness-magazine industry promising readers great abs with almost no investment of time and effort, and (perhaps because of the shortcomings of the first two phenomena) a boom in the demand for legitimate nutritionists and personal trainers. Even Brungardt himself came out with a 1998 book, <i>3-Minute Abs</I>, to take advantage of the craze.<p> With all that going on, it seems hard to believe that there's anything new to say about abdominal exercise. Indeed, this revised version of <I>The Complete Book of Abs</I> doesn't really try. There is a new prebeginner midsection routine, which leads into the more advanced exercise regimens described in the original book, and a handful of new exercises. But other than that, the expanded sections are in nutrition (several new pages of recipes) and total-body fitness (new photos demonstrating exercises for body parts other than abs).<p> Still, the original package is a terrific deal: more than 100 exercises, numerous training routines, and lots of basic information about exercise and diet. Each abdominal exercise is rated for difficulty on a scale of 1 to 3 and how risky it is to the lower back. The routines are complete and thoughtfully compiled, and there's not a bit of advice in the entire book that isn't scientifically legitimate. That's why this book--in either edition--remains indispensable for those serious enough about fitness to need information that goes beyond the basics. <I>--Lou Schuler</I> END