Description
Delavier’s Women’s Strength Training Anatomy Workouts delivers the exercises, programming, and advice you need for the results you want. Based on the anatomical features unique to women, this new guide sets the standard for women’s strength training.
290 full-color illustrations allow you to see inside 157 exercises and 49 programs for strengthening, sculpting, and developing your arms, chest, back, shoulders, abs, legs, and glutes.
Step-by-step instructions work in tandem with the anatomical illustrations to ensure understanding of maximizing the efficiency of each exercise. You’ll see how muscles interact with surrounding joints and skeletal structures and learn how variations of movements can isolate specific muscles and achieve targeted results.
Delavier’s Women’s Strength Training Anatomy includes proven programming for reducing fat, adding lean muscle, and sculpting every body region. Whether you’re beginning a program or enhancing an existing routine, working out at home or at the gym, it’s all here and all in the stunning detail that only Frédéric Delavier can provide.
The former editor in chief of PowerMag in France, author and illustrator Frédéric Delavier has written for Le Monde du Muscle, Men’s Health Germany, and several other publications. His previous publications, including Strength Training Anatomy and Women’s Strength Training Anatomy, have sold more than 2.5 million copies.
Ms. Tammy (verified owner) –
Great book. I utilize the workouts from this book every time I go to the gym. I was even able to ditch my trainer! Worth the buy saving me lots of money that I do not have to spend on a trainer.
Nancy (verified owner) –
Very helpful, easy to understand and follow. Was able to take book w/ me to gym start a new workout program immediately.
Don Austin (verified owner) –
my lady loves these books. Takes it to the gym with her 4 days a week. And she looks…amazing.
Andy & Ari (verified owner) –
This is by far my favorite strength training book that I have read or that I own. One of the most popular reviews of this book lambasts it for being more or less sexist and condescending. You know, as a woman who does consider herself a feminist, I actually have to respectfully disagree with that assessment. Having read the passages in question, the authors do mention that they can point you to exercises to do if the appearance of wearing high heels without actually having to do it is your goal, or to exercises that would produce a more natural spine alignment. It seemed to me more about giving options based on opinions about aesthetics.
For me, personally, I think feminism shouldn’t have to exclude any idea about wanting to be attractive to prospective or current mates. I’ve been married nearly 13 years, and I’m going to be 40 in less than 2 months, and recently my hubby told me he thought I looked stunning. I’m not going to lie, I loved that, because it matters to me that my mate finds me attractive and at my age, I don’t take those kind of compliments for granted anymore. And I believe strength training has a vital role in that. It also helps me to de-stress and maintain my health goals.
And that, if anything, would be my one criticism of this book, but I think it applies to many of the fitness books on the market. I think more of the emphasis should be on health. Looking the best a person can brings confidence, but age will usually remove one by one the things our society values as attractive. But higher levels of physical fitness are great for maintaining health and well being.
Also, other reviewers have noted that this book heavily encourages gym equipment over free weights. This is certainly true, however, it does explain in great detail how to do all of the exercises with free weights if this is your choice, as it is mine. Owing to the personal circumstances of our family, working out at a gym doesn’t work for me. Because I recognize that they recommend the gym equipment usually because it comes with a decreased risk of injury for beginners, I wasn’t personally bothered by their repeated advice on that, especially since the explanations for the free weights was quite well done.
Overall, I think this is an excellent book for women who are interested in strength training.
Laura (verified owner) –
As my interest in fitness has grown, I wanted to learn more about the different muscle groups and how to train them. This book is perfect for that. I’ve read it cover to cover and learned some really interesting things. I will be referring to this book often. Yes, there is an emphasis on training to create a certain look, but I don’t mind that. That is what a large percentage of people are doing when they work out. Including me. But that doesn’t dilute the value of the photos and in-depth description of the excercises and how to perform them without injury. All the major areas of the body are covered. I highly recommend this.
Cindy Flores (verified owner) –
Has lots of pictures and sample workouts!
Annie Oakley (verified owner) –
It’s helpful to see the muscle anatomy and design your own program..
SandraC (verified owner) –
Book has great illustrations and descriptions of the workout movements and which muscles are affected.
Retired Mom (verified owner) –
I was skeptical about buying this book but I was not disappointed. I’ve had it for a month and I chose to do the three day weekly workouts. What I changed, tho, is splitting each day in to two…lower half on one day then the upper on following day. When I’ve completed the full three days I go back to day 1 and start again. I also incorporated cardio every other day.
So after 30 days in I am 11 1/2” smaller from top of bust to thighs with biceps increasing in size. Another week or two and the heavy lifting will begin.
I am a 61 year old grandmom and as age began to set in, I was feeling depressed and just plain didn’t like myself I realized a change was needed. It is never too late to get moving.
This book is well worth it. You see what muscles are being used, the proper technique to use as well as picking which routine to use.
Serica (verified owner) –
I like this book. It helps me learn different muscles and how to effectly work them.
Missy (verified owner) –
I really like this. Pictures are very helpful to understand what muscles are being trained. Good beginner guide.
Jessie Lee (verified owner) –
YO GIRL IS IN LOVE PEOPLE. I live and work in China, and also began my exercise journey there. This book has been invaluable information for me, and I can’t rave about it enough. What information is broken down, how its broken down, the illustrations, the tips, I could go on for a super long time. This book is amazing. It’s really helping me be so much more intentional in my workouts. and to actually know what is going on with my earth suit!! This is the only layout of an anatomy book that I can read from front to back. LOVE. SO HAPPY I found this <3
david p brandt (verified owner) –
Ask my wife….It’s for her .
Brunnhilde (verified owner) –
Wish I’d had this when first starting strength training several years ago. The authors give a very thorough description of strength training exercises for all areas of the body, along with *lots* of training program options to enable you to find one that suits your needs. I particularly like the “pros and cons” comments that are provided, since most of the exercises give options for working specific areas using minimal equipment or making use of the machines and other equipment you find in a typical gym, along with potential problems to avoid. One of the personal trainers at my gym noticed I was referring to the book periodically during a recent workout, and when she saw Delavier’s name on it said it was a great choice!
Tamra D. (verified owner) –
Love this book! Direct, easy to understand and very well illustrated. I have trained in a variety of different programs over the years but I will, hands down, always choose weightlifting. This book can facilitate that whether you are a beginner or advanced. It has enhanced my knowledge and experience in fitness! Good health peeps
Sunshine (verified owner) –
Book is well written and very easy to understand. I like that Delavier explains a woman’s body versus a man’s and the types of exercises that work well for women. I follow the 4 times a week regimen. It works well for now, but eventually I’ll get bored with it and would have to create my own weekly regimen.
paola montes de oca (verified owner) –
Besides the wonderful pictures, this book has the essential information you need to get started. I paid for personal trainer for 4 months and really wish i found this book before I started weight training. It has very detailed information regarding the planning and execution of a weight training which allows you to build your own routine. You get a solid understanding of the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry behind weight training. You can definitely adapt to whatever your goals are but I suggests for any beginner this is an absolute must read.
BeattieBaby (verified owner) –
So, I saw a review before I bought that book that referenced the book being condescending to women, and I have to say I agree. It’s in serious need of a consult and edit from a modern woman. Some representation of diversity would be nice. But—that said—it’s an incredibly informative and thorough book and will be a useful tool for me as I focus on building my strength routine. The exercises represent a nice mix of no-equipment on up to gym machines with levels and variations for all. Illustrations are informative and make sense if you’ve had any experience with weight training. There’s room to grow with the routines and programs provided, so I’m happy with the purchase. Just need to overlook the writing about women wanting to have beautiful bodies with arched backs that make their chests stick out, and rounded derrières, and how we don’t want too much definition because it’s not aesthetically pleasing if we get too toned or defined. To the author, I’d be delighted to consult with you on how to make this book a true resource for healthy women! In the meantime, ignore the chauvinist commentary and you’ll find this useful.
AH (verified owner) –
This is an excellent resource if you are prepared to read it thoroughly and tailor your workout to your own needs. I already had some weight training experience and this book helped me take it to the next level, but did require multiple in-depth readings. If you are new to weight training, you might want a book that is shorter and simpler to get started such as Holly Perkins’s “Lift to Get Lean”. This book goes into great detail about how to develop the right training program to fit your needs and delves into the biomechanics of each exercise and the pros and cons of an exercise’s different variations, and provides excellent tips on technique. There is a lot of discussion of free weights versus machines for various muscle groups. I enjoy the anatomical illustrations because they help me understand which muscles I am targeting and what results I will get from a particular exercise. In the back are some workouts that are useful, but you will get more variety by using the information to put together your own workouts. It is true what some reviewers have said about silly, sexist comments and some strange ideas the author has about how women want to look, but I just ignore those.
Lila (verified owner) –
I am very happy with this book. I am learning all the basics of weight training and it is explained so simply and easily for me to get a good picture of how all the information applies to learning to weight train properly. I am over 50 and have already put my body through enough. This book explains how to weight train safely. I love the photos and how it shows the the muscles and ligatures and explains and show how each exercise works and what it works. Love my purchase and looking forward to my new workout schedule.
JennF (verified owner) –
Great book! Very informative and useful. It compliments my other fitness literature very well. I find it’s better to have multiple sources and apply what works best for you.
Tamia (verified owner) –
What I love about this book is the workout plans . There are pros and cons to every work type – machine or lack thereof and the authors are extremely detailed.
Ann D. (verified owner) –
I have several books on WL for women, one by this author, an earlier one. It shows techniques, the many different exercises, etc. But, it didn’t have a suggested plan for those of us who want to DIY. I have lifted weights with a trainer since 2011 until 2018 when I could no longer afford the trainer. Alas, I was not able to figure out a plan myself. I truly now know the value of a trainer. I knew to balance the upper and lower body, some of the exercises to use, but not when to switch to another plan. Boy, are trainers valuable.
And, until I bought this book, I figured it would be hit and miss with me. But, this book is brilliant, in last section has plans for beginners, one day a week, two days a week, etc. Explains everything. It’s all in the book! I now have a viable plan, my book trainer! Thanks so much to the author.
Gwyn Sellers (verified owner) –
This book is nothing short of amazing! I was working with a trainer at the gym, but when I went for my third breakdown of body weight, I saw I had lost five pounds of muscle mass. I couldn’t believe it as I had been really hitting it hard at the gym. I bought this book to give me some tips for routines I could do at home (with this virus going around). It not only explained why I lost muscle mass, it showed me the difference between male and female training. It is great for women!! It has so much useful information about different muscles, different exercises, and even about cardio. I was doing it all wrong. I cannot wait to see my results next time I go for weigh in!! I highly recommend it for any woman looking to reshape!!
Tara_LSUTiger (verified owner) –
Required reading if you want to teach yourself how to weight train and also if you want to work out at home. Some reviewers were offended by a couple of assumptions made by the author about women (enhancing chest, attractive posture). Didn’t bother me a bit. I’m not that sensitive. I appreciated all of the weight training wisdom this book offered especially the guidance on preventing joint injury. I refer back to it often.
Wisdom Seeking Sue (verified owner) –
At 71, I am new to exercise because of having been “driven from my body” by early trauma. It has taken me all these years to heal and reconnect. But now, while I am still in pretty good health, I want finally to experience the pleasure of being in the best shape of my life, relative, of course, to my age.
Anyhow, whether necessary or not, I have started with a different book’s beginner routine. But I leave this book on the dining table, where I read a page or two while enjoying a meal or snack, and I am finding it a thrill! The illustrations themselves make the lessons about different muscle groups so vivid, and the written explanations of the exercises, as well as the additional pointers, are clear, concise, useful, and downright inspiring!
Ashley w (verified owner) –
I liked that it had a variety of weight training works. So I do not have to think of my own exercises.
Melissa Miller (verified owner) –
I went from a complete n00b to actually knowing what I was doing with this book. I could carry it around in the gym with a notebook to write down my sets. I got results a lot quicker than I had previously and I weather you can afford to go to the gym or have to work out at home this book has a whole wealth of information, even about building a routine and working with your cycle.
Y. Sun (verified owner) –
It’s a wonderful book, helping me understand the theories behind the training thus making training more effective. It would be great if the book can cover some newer machines and more diversified training moves without machine.
Lee (verified owner) –
I’ve been lifting weights for a long time. This book has taught me things that are beneficial and how to do stretching that really helps.
Would highly recommend to any female who wants to help themselves and to strengthen their muscles.
Blue Bomber (verified owner) –
I needed a book to better help me understand an injury I sustained to my hamstring. Not only did it provide that information, but it also provided exercise to target and fix the issue. So far so good, but not before over six months of suffering. If you are looking for quicker relief, get this book!
Michele Hurtubise (verified owner) –
I’ve been working out for over 40 years (yikes-I’m a 65 year old woman!) and have had several personal trainers. This book has excellent content. Im keeping it as the only one in my library.
Jan Andrejco (verified owner) –
Contrary to what others have said, I find the author very thorough and the book is written in good tone. I was looking for workout routines and this book has plenty and more detail than I ever could have hoped for. Now I can write out my workout before I leave home and have a planned, full-body workout in two sessions a week. I recently had a hip replaced and this gives me a variety of exercises to help strengthen my glute and hip flexor muscles. I will probably wear this book out. I love the suggestion someone had about having it spiral bound once you start bending the spine too much.
I originally was looking for a chart or cards that I could use as a guide. For the price, this has so much more information!!
adriana almanza (verified owner) –
it has lots of information and exercises, i love it!
Melyce (verified owner) –
This book is well explained. It give name details of the muscles and recommendations for work each part of the muscles. Comes with routines since beginner to advanced.
Bobbie J Robertson (verified owner) –
If you are looking for a book to help understand strength training, this is the book for you! It explains weightlifting and strength training, it gives sample workouts and pictures.
DLynn (verified owner) –
290 full color illustrations show you what muscles you are using when you do 157 different exercises. This is the best book of its kind!
john j. fleming (verified owner) –
A good reference book, But the 1 st. edition is a better book.
Allie (verified owner) –
Very helpful for beginners and for someone who doesn’t know where to start.
C. Brown (verified owner) –
I really like this author, he is very detailed in all the subjects and the correct way to lift weights.
Stephanie (verified owner) –
I’ve learned so much from this book. It’s great for beginners and intermediate trainers. The information is easy to understand and it comes with lots of illustrations on how to do the proper forms. If you’re starting with weight training this book is a must. Worth every penny!