Probodx: Proper Body Exercise: The Path to True Fitness

I have actually read ProBodX and done the exercises (unlike the two "one star" reviewers below) and this is by far the best program I've ever done. The results are fast, the program is challenging, and the time needed is moderate (though it does take longer at first when you're learning how to do the exercises). My biggest complaint is the name "ProBodX" - it does nothing for me. The program is more of a "total" or "complete" or "comprehensive" body workout. About those "one star" reviews. Normally I would let it slide but these two are so full of it I need to respond. "Never read the book. Never did the exercises? Easy?" Need I say more. No, but I will. First, the authors have numerous examples of professional athletes who use ProBodX exclusively and get great, tangle results (without lifting more that 35 lbs.!) The authors beef with traditional weight training is simple: why only exercise 10-20 major muscles (out of 640 skeletal muscles) when we need all of them to operate optimally. And the reviewer claims that ProBodX is another "easy" program?! This is by far the most challenging program I've ever done or seen. You do all of the exercise on a unstable or uneven surface; you use your muscles on multiple planes (not just up and down or side to side); you reverse the exercise; and you use muscles that you didn't even know you had! Easy? Not unless you're just perusing. 1) Yes, the Forward is by Barry Sears, who uses the "Z" word four times - not 75% of the time. He mentions his "Z" diet because it`s part of the ProBodX program - taking up over 80 pages in the book! 2) "The bashing? The attacking?" The authors compare over 30 types of exercises/sports to ProBodX, including a very extensive comparative chart, like the ones used in Consumer Reports. The authors remind readers to continue their own exercise program if they want to - just understand that there may be some limitations not previously known. 3) "Merchandising?" There is ONE reference to purchasing ProBodX equipment in the book. Let's see, they've designed a new exercise program that requires an unusual set of equipment. How dare they tell us where we can buy it! I went online and found only one other company that sells all of the equipment needed to do ProBodX (Sissel-online.com). Personally, I shopped at both. 4) "The writing style? The attitude?" Just about everything they claim is backed by examples from real life professional and college athletes. Performance improves across the board. That's attitude? Suggestion to reviewers like these two - please spare the rest of us your distorted opinions and half-truths - save that for talk radio.

The book may make some bold statements, but give the exercises a chance. Positions in the book look graceful and easy, but I was really challenged. As a grappling instructor and competitor I consider myself in better than average physical condition (especially with strength and balance).I thought ProBodX looked challenging and rehabilitative(!) in the Men's Journal Oct 2003 article. Having trained on balance balls, rubberized medicine balls, core stuff, etc., in the past with professional fighters, I was wanted to give it a shot. "Minor" back problems, a sore shoulder and lack of flexibility were also some reasons the program appealed to me. The order of the exercises made sense only as I was performing them. I could really feel how much I had been compensating for areas of weakness in certain areas of my body. I could even feel an area of discomfort in my big toe on one side. I had been "babying" it on that side for some time (subconsciously). I could feel stabilizer muscles in my sore shoulder being worked again as I was limiting my movement on that side. Basically, many established types of exercise and stretching are combined in this workout. A bit of yoga spine elongation, a bit of iso-type contractions, rehab movements, explosive firing of many muscle groups (minor and major), balance work. Plus it is fun (especially the pipes)! I really feel great after these drills. I do not have the dumbells so I tried the first 4 exercises with 20 pound dumbells (not the best idea). I used 5 pound weights from then on, and plan on ordering the probodx soft dumbells soon (or dumbballs which look similar). I did not delve into the diet for many reasons.I bought "a.b.s." pipe instead of "pvc" for health reasons. I did not get a balance disk, or a slant board. $24 dollars for the dowells, dowell tips, and pipe, and $26 for the ball.The exercises have improved the quality of my life. There are many good "exercise ball" programs out there, but ProBodX really puts it all together. Every day tasks feel different to me, I feel like a spring. I do more - because things don't hurt. David

I read a review that made me think twice about starting ProBodX. And actually this person has written several reviews which all seem to be nit picking. It is not expensive if you use alternatives suggested by the authors. I read the Men's Journal article and I wasn't confused at all. To me some people learn by video, some learn with trianers and some learn by reading. I think that the article was saying that clubs are offering to those who want trainers. The book says you don't need a trainer. I certainly didn't. It takes a little getting used to but I feel better with each workout.I am feeling less lower back pain and no workout has left me feeling so good. I feel energetic, not exxhausted after the workout. I looked over all the reviews and for the most part they were very postive. The few that were negative starts with one by someone who hadn't even tried the program yet and they wre complaining. I think anyone who sticks with this program is NOT going to be disappointed. So far so good and I have only been doing it a short while.You don't need to use or buy all the equipment to get something from this. I don't use the disks but I love the PVC pipes which cost me $3.00 at home depot. I made my own slantboard that cost next to nothing. The balls are easy and cheap. The handweights I am buying, but in the meantime I am using half-filled ater bottles.I think the book gives you the ideal. But there is so much here to gain no matter what shape you are in. By the way I love the Chilli and the Waldorf Salad. Those who seem determined to turn people away should perhaps contact the writers directly and air his misgivings. I like to hear other people's opinions, but so far I feel good and have kept up the workout where other workouts such as "Abs on the Ball" were boring and in some ways same old same old only done on the ball. The exercises in ProBodX for the most part are very different.Everyone is entitled to thier opinion, but that is all it is. I am glad that I tried ProBodX for myself. I am not a workout junkie, but I just love the way this program makes me feel.

ProBodX is one of the best workouts I have come across in years. I tried the exercises and felt I was using muscles I had never used before and I have been working out my entire life. I am 47 and in great shape but I have never found a program that works as well as this one. I am also excited about the workout because I like to workout in the privacy of my own home. The equipment is easy to store if space is an issue. The equipment was easy to come by. I purchased a ball and made the rest of the equipment. I used a cutting board and phone book for the slantboard, closet rods for the poles, I used water bottles for weights and found pvc pipe at my local hardware store. It definately is cheaper then buying exercise machines or paying for pricey gym memberships. I would definately recommend the book and workout to everyone.

I have spent six months using Marv's training program, and it transformed me into a new person. I used to lift hard 3-4 times/week, and eat about 6000 calories/day, thinking it would make me a better athlete. I was big, stiff/inflexible, slow, and tired all the time. After 6 weeks of ballwork, I loosened up tremendously, the diet not only leaned me out to about 8% body fat, but also gave me energy all day long. The nervous system work helped me retrain my muscles to fire faster than ever before. So, naturally, when I put it together with the running program, I looked like a completely different person. I understand that I hit this program much harder than your average person will. That person isn't looking for the same results though. Simply doing the warm-up, ball-work, foot-work, and eating well will result in a level of total body fitness beyond what you've ever experienced before. Once you learn the program, you can do the warm-up, ball-work, and footwork in under 30 minutes. This makes the remaining 23.5 hrs much more enjoyable. Whoever slams the program in this book either doesn't know much about total body fitness, or doesn't have the discipline to use the program correctly. Yes there are other programs out there. However, this is the most effective, and efficient, in the realm of total body fitness.