The 90-Second Fitness Solution: The Most Time-Efficient Workout Ever for a Healthier, Stronger, Younger You

When I received Pete Cerqua's book The 90-Second Fitness Solution in the mail, I have to be honest, I snickered. I thought, `Here is another gimmick that doesn't work.' Frankly, if you have been reading my blog, you know I'm not into the `quick fix` mentality of health. So, the title `The 90-Second Fitness Solution` was a bit of a turn-off. Pete Cerqua, a NYC based Personal Trainer, attempts to get us to do the unthinkable...be fit in 90 seconds. Look, the reality is, everyone needs a gimmick to get people's attention. And the title of the book, in this case, is a bit of a gimmick. You are NOT going to be fit in 90 seconds alone. However, the principle behind the book, does revolve around a 90 second concept. This is the scoop: 1. What 90 Seconds Really Means: In short, Pete Cerqua's The 90-Second Fitness Solution is to take strength training's conventional 2 to 3 sets of 8 to 15 repetitions of a single exercise, and convert them into a single 90 second exercise. The exercises require you to either hold a position for 90 seconds, to do one repetition in steps within 90 seconds or to do no more that three repetitions within 90 seconds. Essentially, this concept adopts the isometric approach to exercise. Isometric exercises rely on your larger muscles becoming tired, and as a result, engages other muscles to keep you in a position. Basically, you are killing a few muscles with one exercise. 2. The Workouts: Pete Cerqua provides four different workouts. Home routines Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, and a Gym routine. Truth be told, the efficacy of these routines is completely dependent on your current level of fitness. If you are in good shape, have been strength training and have been doing so regularly, Home Levels 1 and 2, more likely than not, are not going to challenge you. If, however, you are at a low fitness level, and find exercise to be extremely distasteful, these Levels will definitely kick your butt, and will do so in a short amount of time. Home routine Level 3 and the Gym routine, however, will most likely challenge a person who is already in good shape. This is how long each routine takes: * Home Routine Level 1: 3 minutes / 5 days a week / 15 weekly minutes * Home Routine Level 2: 9 minutes / 3 days a week / 27 weekly minutes * Home Routine Level 3: 10 1/2 minutes / 2 days a week / 21 weekly minutes * Gym Routine: 12 minutes / 2 days a week / 24 weekly minutes 3. What Else?: Pete also provides a few other pieces of the health puzzle. He couches them in `The Four Secrets of Success'. The secrets include nutrition advice, along with recipes to help individuals eat right. I'm a big fan of the recipe: Nicholas's Apple-Banana Shake. Additionally, he touches on nutritional supplements and stress management. 4. Voice: Although, at times, Pete can sound a little salesy in his book, it is understandable as to why. His method is a bit unconventional; and just like I

For the past 5 years I have bought and tried almost every diet and fitness book available. I have worked with trainers, doctors, nutritionists, support groups and despite my best efforts I continued to gain about 4 pounds per year. Since I began Pete's program a week ago I have lost 4.5 lbs. Everything I needed I bought at my local grocery store, I have not been hungry and I have not spent hours working out. Pete does outline a liquid diet which some other reviewer's have had a problem with. I didn't for a couple of reasons, first you don't have to do it and second honestly 3 smoothies a day made from yogurt, fruit and a little honey is way healthier then what you are probably eating. Pete gives you parameters or guidelines to follow. There are no crazy supplements or "diet" foods. The workouts are quick and easy and almost all of them can be done anywhere, anytime. And the ones that can't just skip or if an exercise doesn't feel right to you don't do it. All you have to lose is the price of the book, oh and the extra weight.

I was extremely skeptical that a 90 second exercise could make a difference until I tried to do a squat up against the wall for 30 seconds. This book has completely changed by workout routing and with much more productive results than I have ever achieved. I feel stronger, have greater stamina, spend less time on my workout, and look better. Cathy

I have been working out with Pete for the past year and a half. This is the longest period of time I have stuck with an exercise program ever and I am 46 years old, so I have certainly tried many other approaches! I started working out with Pete because I wanted to lose ten pounds. However, I have lost 20 pounds! Pete's philosophy is twofold. People need to eat sensibly and exercise sensibly. Very few people have the luxury of working out for hours everyday and really, would you want to if you could? I work out with Pete twice a week for 15 minutes each session. When I first started, I lied to family and friends and told them it was 45 minutes because I knew they just wouldn't get it! In the book, Pete explains how this can be achieved at home, so you don't need to work out with a trainer. You can easily do the exercises in a hotel room if you travel frequently. The nutritional advise Pete gives in his book applies to everyone, whether or not you want to lose weight. There are no foods or equipment that you don't already have or at least have easy access to. In order for a nutritional and/or exerise plan to work, it needs to work for the long haul. It needs to work when you don't feel great, have a bad day at work or a fight with one of your loved ones. (Quite franky, I am experiencing at least one of those scenarios at all times!) Anyone can eat well and workout when everything is going great. However, what sets Pete's fitness/nutrition plan apart from the rest, is that you can do this even during difficult times. We all experience stress and the way we choose to eat and exercise needs to continue to work during stressful times. The reason this works for me is because it takes very little time out of my day. I have so much more physical energy, and even more importantly, I no longer have to think about how I need to lose weight or join a gym.

This book engaged me immediately! It is very clearly written and presents the author's fitness and diet ideas in a smooth flow. Best of all, these ideas are practical and designed for people to integrate in their very busy lives.There is extensive research and shared experiences. I found the book to be very efficient and I am getting stronger!!!!!!!!