The 90-Second Fitness Solution!
June 17, 2009 by Jenn
The full title of The 90-Second Fitness Solution: The Most Time-Efficient Workout Ever for a Healthier, Stronger, Younger You isn’t exactly catchy, but the idea of it is tempting. A 90-second get-fit promise? Most would say “sign me up, NOW.” But not so quick FBGers…like anything that sounds too good to be true, it usually is. And although this book has some good tips, it also has some things that I’d call “suspect.”
Don’t get me wrong. Author Pete Cerqua seems to know his stuff, and, despite being a dude, seems to get women pretty darn well. The book’s premise is that women today don’t have enough time to raise the kids, work, have a life, sleep, breathe…you get the gist…let alone work out. And they feel guilty for not working out because they know they should. Sound familiar? I only have a dog and a husband, and Pete’s message got me enthusiastically nodding my head “yes, yes, YES.” What the book is great at emphasizing is how you can fit in a good strength workout without spending a lot of time.
The title is a little misleading because the workouts are longer than 90 seconds—90 seconds is actually the time per strength exercise repetition, not the workout time—but honestly, they’re not much longer. There are three at-home workouts to do that vary in intensity and length, and three in-the-gym workouts that also progress in difficulty. Every workout is based on exercises that effectively target multiple muscles to get more workout bang for your second, such as planks and wall sits. Then, and here’s the kicker: you hold those exercises for 90 seconds. Sounds easy, huh? It’s not. Go ahead. I’ll wait. Do a wall sit or plank for 90 seconds. I guarantee it’ll be the longest one-and-a-half minutes of your life.
I tried the level two at-home workout, which included 90 seconds of each: superwoman, plank, wall sit, sit-up and leg raise. The only one I didn’t try was “Hangin’ Out,” which required hanging from a pull-up bar, and I don’t have a pull-up bar in my home nor do I particularly want one. (If you can’t tell, being required to have this bar for the “at-home” workout kind of annoyed me, as you need NO OTHER equipment. Really, who has one of these at home?) Even though my strength session only lasted 10 minutes (including rest between exercises), it sufficiently kicked my arse. I even weenied out on the plank and leg raise after only 60 seconds. I blame that on a super long run the day before, but even if I was rested, doing the full 90 seconds would be a challenge. I’ll admit, the long run is really just a cop out.
- Addresses issues that women face every darn day.
- Gives effective workouts that take more than 90 seconds, but less than your normal 30-minute weight circuit at the gym.
- Says a glass of wine is good for weight-loss!
- Advanced workouts are overly complicated (and occasionally include math).
- Wants you to install a pull-up bar in your home.
- Recommends a short-term, get-skinny-quick liquid diet. Ick.
I'd like to try this book because I'm always on the lookout for quick, effective workouts that I can do at home. This sort of thing takes away my "I don't have time to exercise today" excuse!
I'd love to read this book because I'm a huge fan of fitting in a quick workout when I don't have much time. Something is better than nothing
I think the concept of an entire book devoted to quick fitness is kinda funny, esp. if the instructions are as complicated as you describe them. But hey, I'd love to be able to hold a 90 second plank!
I'd like to read this book for myself because I like efficient workouts that employ maximum muscle groups in a smaller amount of time. Also, I saw this book reviewed in Health magazine and was sort of skeptical, and so would enjoy the opportunity to review it for myself.
Wow! I just started reading your blog and its great! This book still sounds like its worth reading, but its great to know your honest, thoughtful opinion about it!
This book sounds great- I'd love to read it!
hmm. This does sound interesting. I'd be curious to read it just for their justifications with the liquid diet etc
I'd love to win this! Thanks!
This is awesome giveaway!
Thank you for this
hyangdanc@ucla.edu
wow, I hope i win!
aznangel520@hotmail.com
I think my comment got lost so I'm giving it another go. Hope I'm not repeating myself.
I'd love to read this. No doubt I will agree with your review, but it sounds like there is enough good in there that I'll probably learn a few things.
I could even install a pull up bar in my finished basement. There are a few things I won't do at the gym. Other members shouldn't have to witness someone my age doing certain things. lol!!
I'm a pretty new reader of this blog but I'm loving it. I've been slowly making the right choices and have been losing weight (the right way, by eating smarter) but am at a point where I want to add exercise but I don't know if I have the time. This sounds like the book for me to read. 90 seconds? Really? I would definitely read this book and try it out to boot! I would love to win it so that I could try it out!
I'd love to read this book! I would pass it along after reading.
full time employee +
full time student = no free time!
I need a 90 second fitness solution!
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