The three-times-a-week weightlifting program in Body for Life is deceptively simple. If you've spent any time in the gym, you've already done all the exercises. But Phillips includes a couple of high-intensity sets at the end of each exercise that should compound the training effect on each muscle group. Same goes for the cardiovascular exercise he recommends: just 20 minutes, three times a week. But those 20 minutes are spent jacking the intensity up and down, accomplishing more in less time.

Phillips arranges all this into a 12-week program, along with nutritional and motivational tips. Be warned that the nutritional advice gets a little spacey. For example, he puts "carbohydrates" and "vegetables" into separate categories, and recommends three daily doses of a nutritional supplement called Myoplex, which his company manufactures. (Fortunately, he gives tips on how to make each dose taste different, such as by adding drops of peppermint extract.) Despite this strangeness, Body for Life still motivates because so many others have achieved astounding results in similar 12-week windows, and the pictures and testimonials are here as evidence. --Lou Schuler

There are a few caveats, however.

This is a very basic book. Don't think you're going to read this book and then know everything you need to know about fitness. It gives you a good foundation to build on but it doesn't go much beyond that. In my opinion that's a good thing given the book's target audience of fitness beginners. It gives you enough information to get started but it doesn't overwhelm you with data. Be aware that once you get into the program and have a better feel for your specific needs, you may find yourself seeking other books for more information but with the information you get from "Body for Life", you'll be able to make better selections of what type of books to look for. If you're already in good shape, chances are you already know everything that's in this book and if there is something you don't know, it won't be worth the price to find out.

Phillips owns a company which manufactures nutritional supplements. Not surprisingly he pushes the use of supplements in this book. There's nothing wrong with using supplements but they're expensive and not really necessary. They may accelerate the process but you'll still get into shape following the program without them.

Fitness is a lifelong commitment. Don't look at the title of the book and think you're going to get into perfect shape in only 12 weeks. Phillips' program is about using those 12 weeks to develop a fitness program you can stick to for the rest of your life. Ideally, when you finish one 12 week program you'll immediately begin another 12 week program and so on until it's not a 12 week program but a way of life.

If you're a fitness beginner and not certain where to begin or someone who's been working out for a little while but doesn't seem to be making any headway towards your fitness goals, this is the book for you. It offers good solid information on the basics of fitness and how to set and achieve your goals. I highly recommend this book.


Believe me, it works!   April 17, 2000
 345 out of 368 found this review helpful

This is NOT a "quick-fix" program, it is meant to be a new way of life. If you do not have the motivation or the willpower, it won't work. But for me, it has made me a new person. I have so much more confidence in myself and am so proud of myself that I have the discipline to do this and I am seeing such fantastic results. I have gone from 22% body fat to 16% in 5 weeks. My cellulite on my legs is GONE.

It is also not a "low-carb" diet. You get plenty of food, and yes, the supplements are expensive, but you don't have to use them. I usually choose to because I don't want to fix 6 meals a day, but there are times when money is tight and I don't buy them for a while. You can also use nutritional bars for people whose work schedule makes it difficult to have a shake or a meal every time. The thing is, this is how you SHOULD eat, whether you like it or not. And I have saved money, even with the cost of the supplements, by not buying any junk food and not going out to eat as often. You can have delicious meals--it's not like you are deprived at all. Just no 2nd or 3rd helpings, which you shouldn't be eating anyway if you are trying to get into shape! It has truly changed my life as I start my 6th week on the program and I could not give this book any higher recommendation. It makes the whole thing so easy to follow the way it is explained--I call it my "bible" now! The book tells you exactly what to do and will motivate you to no end. And for the people who say the pictures are fake, they are not. I have my own "before" pictures as proof compared to what I look like now. Buy this book--if you are ready to do it, it will change your life. I cannot imagine sitting on the couch and eating a bag of potato chips ever again. I don't even have any desire to. For the people who are complaining that you have to belong to a gym or buy a lot of equipment--the fact is, if you don't incorporate weight training along with aerobic activity, it is not going to work. You might lose weight, but at the expense of your muscle mass, which you will also be losing. But actually, all you really need is a few sets of dumbbells and a barbell with some weight plates. You don't have to go out and buy a treadmill and a universal gym. I have tried every diet known to man, and I used to run 3 miles every day without fail, and I have never seen results like I have with this. It is wonderful to feel the same way after doing 20 minutes of intense cardio as I did after slaving for an hour at it like I used to. 20 minutes is nothing! No, it's not really *easy* to do, but who are all these people that expect getting in shape to be easy? Although for me, it is much easier than anything else I have ever tried because for the first time in my life, I actually look forward to working out. The nutritional plan is not difficult for me because I know at the end of the week I get a "free day" when I can eat whatever I want to eat. I have not cheated one time--not even a jelly bean--and I feel perfectly satisfied. Like I said, I don't want to eat junk anymore. And I had a sweet tooth that wouldn't quit before. As a matter of fact, I don't even look forward to my free day as much as I used to because I feel so much better eating healthy the rest of the week. I also have 10 times more energy than I used to. I highly recommend this book, and this way of life, to anyone who is ready to totally commit themselves to being fit. You will not believe the results and you will be glad you did it.


Take what works, throw the rest back.   May 30, 1999
 227 out of 250 found this review helpful

In 1998 I entered EAS's Physique Transformation contest and followed Bill Phillips' recommendations for fitness living. The results were incredible! Friends of mine were unable to recognize me after my transformation; however, in my opinion the change in lifestyle had some negative aspects. My social life dwindled because 1). I was always in the gym, or 2). I couldn't go here or there with friends because they didn't have food at those places I could eat. My budget dwindled due to spending $1000 every 10 weeks on supplements, and that one cheat meal a week thing just doesn't cut it for someone who loves food. Since that time, I have discovered that I can make the same gains using only one supplement. A 100% whey protein drink which is available by other manufacturers cheaper than EAS's Myoplex line. The rest (like creatine, and HmB) you get through eating natural foods. I liked Phillips' advice on cardiovascular training. Getting up that early takes some time to get used to but it gets results. As for the weightlifting, well... after six weeks of this and no growth or improvement I abandoned it for more exercises and sets per muscle group. I'm not about to sit here and say Bill Phillips doesn't know what he's talking about. Just look at the guy. I think he's an expert in his field. I just think it's important to remember that his is just one voice in a chorus, and a lot of those voices are out just to make a buck. The underlying theme of this book is a good one. No miracle pill, or diet is going to make the difference (even though he pushes his supplements pretty hard). What makes the difference is hard work, and consistency. As for the rest of the book, take what you like or what works and don't feel bad about throwing the rest back.


Seven weeks down, hundreds to go   February 25, 2000
 156 out of 160 found this review helpful

I have been on the program for seven weeks now and results are good; 10 pounds lost, body fat down from 22.5% to 19%. The beer barrel is on its way to becoming a six pack. That was my primary motivation.

The book has changed my life and perspective on health and nutrition. I'm sixty now. I plan to continue with the daily workouts and small (but frequent) well balanced meals for the rest of my life. I don't see any point in stopping when 12 weeks are up. I don't think I'm going to win any prize from the EAS folk, but I have won already. I don't cringe when I look in the mirror anymore.

When I hear people lament about their lack of success with diets, I want to tell them to drop the "diet" stuff. Change your eating habits and exercise pattern ala Bill Phillips advice and you will lose weight. But more importantly, you'll just plain feel better.

By the way, Myoplex is not expensive. It can be purchased at nutrition stores (brick & morter and on-line) for approximately 60% of what EAS charges. That makes it about $1.50 per serving. I challenge you to show me where you can get 42 grams of protein, 24 grams of Carbohydrates and only 2 grams of fat for only $1.50. I think it's the cheapest way to get that amount of nutrition.


Less is More!   August 9, 2000
 150 out of 154 found this review helpful

Let's be honest. Every one of us wants to look like somebody else. But seasons of failed programs, both diet and exercise regimens, have convinced most of us that we'll never do it--and we'll never hang on to whatever meager results we get.

So, I, like most of you will, approached this book and program with a healthy dose of skepticism--which was about the only healthy thing left in my life after thirty years or so of alternating between overeating and starving myself, between laying around all day, and frenetic exercise activity which wore me out.

One thing made me a believer, encountering a guy in my home town who had won a grand prize as a result of just twelve weeks of working the Body for Life regimen. So, I tried it. And here's what it did for me.

Transformed my cholesterol level in eight weeks from 200 to 133. Changed my body fat level in eight weeks from about 24% to 14.5%. Gave me an exercise program that is safe, not time-consuming, and that can be done at home with minimal equipment. And that exercise program has given me a body that is materially different from the one I started with.

Yeh, I know. All I've talked about is the plan--not the book. But the book is the plan, and the plan is the book. The book is well-written for the most part. (A few too many "you see" phrases in there for me)The exercise illustrations and the "tips" are absolutely excellent. Worth the price of the book by themselves. The stories of the changed lives are good too, though they all begin to sound alike after awhile. Read them and you'll find yourself in there somewhere.

A great read, a simple program (though certainly not easy) and tremendous results are in store for everyone who picks up the book, picks up themselves, and picks up the weights and gets to work.