Core Strength: Build Your Strongest Body Ever with Australia's Body Coach

by Paul Collins

Instead of using heavy weights, this volume provides over 100 exercises that use the body's own weight for strengthening, toning and reshaping every major muscle group. The exercises can be performed anywhere and by anyone.

197 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Paul Collins is an Australian fitness coach and author.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of exercises by Australian fitness guru Paul Collins. I’ve never been particularly sporty, but as I get older, I’m well aware of the necessity to maintain good physical condition to prevent or slow the onset of age-related illnesses. Although I do basic light exercise regularly, I get bored easily and I was hoping that this book would provide some variety. In that mission, I feel I’ve succeeded. I’d been doing several of these exercises already so it was nice to see I was doing something right, while at the same time expanding my repertoire.

However, author Collins uses home gym equipment in at least 50% of his book, and in the limited space of my current home environment, this is not really practical. I was also hoping for a routine for general fitness, but he outlines workouts that focus on particular muscles for specific sports, of which I play none (except running in the summer), so it’s hard to choose what to do in the off-season. Finally, he notes that every reader is different, so he recommends working with a coach, yet that seems to diminish the usefulness of the book as the hired expert will create their own exercise program anyway.

I’ve read several exercise books over the years, and they’re all quite similar in the information they present. What’s different with this book is that it eschews the jokey or glamorous approach of others and simply lays out some suggestions with clear photographs and explanations. If that’s all you need, then it’s ideal.