If You Like Exercise Chances Are You re Doing It Wrong: Proper Strength Training for Maximum Results

by Gary Bannister

In If You Like Exercise… Chances Are You’re Doing It Wrong , author Gary Bannister tells us that “the power-to-be have all but destroyed the value of muscle isolation, discredited the use of machines in general, ignored everything related to the work of Arthur Jones and replaced it with a ten-cent solution.” He claims that until the field of exercise defines what is true and what is not, it will never have the impact that it could. Muscle strength, the only factor that can produce human movement and the only factor that performs work, is disappearing from today’s training regimens. This study and guide analyzes current concepts and training systems-such as Pilates, “functional” training TRX, cross-training, kettlebells, and more-and compares their benefits to those of proper strength training to provide a clear picture for everyone. If You Like Exercise… Chances Are You’re Doing It Wrong rekindles the high intensity strength-training principles of Arthur Jones, the founder of Nautilus. Bannister focuses on the concepts of intensity, form, frequency, duration, number of repetition, speed if movement, and muscle fatigue, supporting them with current research. Logically applied, proper strength training is the only system capable of satisfying all five potential benefits of exercise-an increase in strength, flexibility, cardiovascular condition, body-composition, and injury prevention.

Genres: Fitness

282 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2013

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bannister's book suffers in that his slavish devotion to all things Arthur Jones touched, said, or looked at makes for a highly biased work. Bannister does offer some insights that are not along the lines of "Arthur Jones knew how to do everything perfectly, do what he said and everything was stupid" however these insights are far and few between.

[Alan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full of mythology of high intensity — like a pound of muscle burning 50 to 100 more daily calories than fat. Good luck with that. And cardio of course is bad.

Smacks of idolatry and I haven’t found much that is useful. Yes, I was excited by the Nautilus machines of the 70s and read Darden’s books in those days. But I’m not convinced it met it’s promise. The fact that it isn’t so prevalent may not mean anything. Fitness fads are like hemlines and it colors, marketing requires the new new thing.