Perfect Parts: A World Champions Guide to Spot Slimming Shaping and Strengthening Your Body

I bought this book when it first came out, mainly because I am a big fan of Rachel (I fell in love with her in Pumping Iron 2 The Women). I started looking at the exercises that she presents and I realized that many of them can work for me (I am a male). Now it is close to 20 years that this book came out and it is still relevent providing a fundamentally sound work-out regimen that anyone can use to attain or maintain a strong lean physique. Joyce Vedral has an understanding of the human body that few "self-proclaimed" experts (ex. John Beisdow) seem to have. Don't waste your money on some of the overpriced newer books that promise alot with their beautiful models and deliver very little. Try this book instead!

This is one of the few books out there that actually tells women to lift as much weight as they can handle comfortably, and that's a great thing! Most books only tell women to lift three to five pound dumbells and omit barbells all together. They are simply playing into many women's fear that they'll turn into a steriod freak naturally by lifting weights for an hour a day. It literally can't happen, ladies. This book is great in that regard. The diet is a bit sparse, through (I didn't see any mention of dairy, and as we know now, dairy actually helps to fight fat as well as building the bones which women, esepcially weight training women need). I also didn't care for Ms. McLish's proselytizing (can you imagine Shakira dedicating a sexy video to the "only perfect person who has ever lived Mohammed"? Ms. McLish basically does this when she dedicated a book where she bends over in a barely there bikini to Jesus. Nice, Rach.), but you can always roll your eyes and ignore. All in all, one of Ms. Vedral's best workout books, although for nutrition I would reccommend another book (perhaps "You on a Diet). I just don't feel that the meals will supply enough fuel to help ward off the sweet tooth and sustain one through the gruelling (and they are, that's why they work!) workouts.

I recentley bought this book because a friend of mine that is a trainer reccomended it to me. The instructions are easy to follow and the book is filled with beautiful pictures. I enjoy the book and I often utilize the moves from various sections to reduce some of my trouble spots. I would reccomend this to any semi-or higher experienced female weight lifter. I have loaned and reccomended this to many friends. It is a definite addition to any woman's collection of fitness material.

This is an excellent guide to bodybuilding for women.Looking at Rachel's pics should give you some motivation.Everything is clearly explained.Highly recommended

An exhaustive guide for building the perfect body, complete with photographs demonstrating each excercise technique. Joyce Verdal's unique insight on training and nutrition along with Rachel McLish's flawless workout routine make for the fitness program for anyone, regardless of beginner or expert level. This book made me physically fit for my martial arts competition in several weeks and it was just enough to help me attain a first place ranking.