Women's Strength Training Anatomy

by Frédéric Delavier

With information on strengthening and toning the legs, buttocks, abs, and back, Women's Strength Training Anatomy provides full-color, detailed anatomical illustrations of exercises for these hard-to-shape areas. What makes this book unique is that readers can see the muscles at work during each exercise, like an X ray of the body in motion. Are there definite anatomical differences in the way men and women should build their bodies? According to the best-selling author and illustrator of Strength Training Anatomy , the answer is an overwhelming yes! Exercise variations based on a woman's unique anatomical features are also covered, helping to isolate muscles and make each exercise more effective. Make your workouts work harder for you! If you work out to strengthen and shape your body or if you help women get stronger and more defined, this is one book you need for understanding the female form and getting the most from your exercises.

Genres: Fitness, Health, Nonfiction, Sports, Reference, Self Help, Science

136 pages, Paperback

First published December 30, 2002

About the author

Frédéric Delavier is a gifted artist with an exceptional knowledge of human anatomy. He studied morphology and anatomy for five years at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and studied dissection for three years at the Paris Faculté de Médecine.

The former editor in chief of the French magazine PowerMag, Delavier is currently a journalist for the French magazine Le Monde du Muscle and a contributor to several other muscle publications, including Men's Health Germany. He is the author of the best-selling Strength Training Anatomy and Women’s Strength Training Anatomy.

Delavier won the French powerlifting title in 1988 and makes annual presentations on the sport applications of biomechanics at conferences in Switzerland. His teaching efforts have earned him the Grand Prix de Techniques et de Pédagogie Sportive. Delavier lives in Paris, France.

Reviews

[Kelli J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and insanely informative (mostly). I initially borrowed this from the library but I truly believe it to be a great resource for anyone actively involved in strength training, so I will be buying it. My only issue is one that many other readers have mentioned--absolutely no mention of any upper body work. I realize that one big reason is because the author states that the BIGGEST difference between women and men is in the lower half of the body, and in fact not much difference in the arm/shoulder muscles and even pectorals (aside from the obvious fatty tissue women have). I completely understand that, however it would be nice to have the entire anatomy accounted for instead of me needing to get the other book for reference for arms. And that's the only reason this book with its gorgeous illustrations and in-depth material does NOT get 5 stars.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more drawings than text (although there's a fair amount of text as well). I'm a novice at strength training and this helped me to learn about muscle groups and using the correct form for exercise. Another reviewer mentioned that there isn't enough about upper body work outs for women and I agree 100% with that.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book! It is one thing to buy a book that helps you learn different lifting exercises, but the drawings of the muscles and their groups that you are effecting is outstanding. It makes it all the better for me to visualize what parts I am working on.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful compendium of weight-training moves accompanied by illustrations of the muscles involved in each move. The illustrations make me wonder, though, about the people who put this book together -- it seems to be heavily geared towards celebrating partially-flayed nekkid women, especially the keesters of said women -- there are hardly any moves for the upper body or back in here.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book for ecercise ideas and form, but it doesn't include upper body.. women should lift total body, not just lower!

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good information -- now just, y'know, to implement it.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Arwa Nour · Rating 5 out of 5]

💪💪

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonder why it’s missing upper body (biceps, triceps, chest, and shoulders)

[Diana T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't include arms or workouts like he includes in his other strength training books.

[Hamed Sanati · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

[Hannah Persyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star illustrations

Content… meh

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately this male perspective on Women's strength training focuses entirely on areas where women stereo-typically may want to tone and lose fat. It has no upper body exercises. Meanwhile for myself anyway I find upper body is where I need the most work.

I haven't read through the text of the book in too much detail but I am wary of a book written by a man that emphasizes appearance over strength and fitness.

In a follow-up book by the same author called Women's Strength Training Anatomy Workouts (2014) , the author states that “Wearing high heels will alter your posture, rendering your silhouette more attractive.” and then goes on to say that working out can also help you achieve the same silhouette. Actually wearing high heels throws the body out of alignment and causes a number of health problems (Read anything by Katy Bowman for more on this.)



Sadly most books with strength training programs for women, are much like this one. They are mostly written by men and have subtitles that indicate training is about being lean and sexy.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of a series of books that give great detailed information on proper physical fitness, as well as the anatomical structure of muscles.

I suggest all artists and anyone interested in physical fitness to have this on their shelves.

[lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better work out books I've read. It gives s a good complete description of the exercises and clearly illustrates what muscles you are working. The only thing missing is a section on the upper body.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of basic muscle anatomy and how the muscles are used in various strength training exercises.

[Rebecka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it all the time. Great book for the gym.

[Kristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series of books by Delavier!

[Tina Milledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

One I will dip into again and again. Fab.

[George Dorsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I use this information to help educate and train my female clients.

[Caiti_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational, easy to understand and implement. Beautiful drawings that aid in understanding.