The Core Program: Fifteen Minutes a Day That Can Change Your Life

by Gerald Secor Couzens and Peggy W. Brill

Book Overview

Introducing the fitness program designed by a physical therapist exclusively for women - proven to increase strength, tone muscles and reduce aches and pains in just 15 minutes a day! Few women realize that most popular fitness regimens are designed for men. Yet women have their own unique fitness needs - and using a program developed with men's bodies in mind is not only ineffective, but can actually result in injury. Renowned physical therapist...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553380842
• ISBN13: 9780553380842
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A firmer reader

Wow! I can't belive how much better I feel after only three weeks. When I was growing up, my dad was always pulling my shoulders back and telling me to sit up straight. After the first week of the Core, three co-workers complimented me on my posture. Two of them are now reading the book.There are clear instructions and good photographs of each exercise. I had to refer to the book the first two or three times I performed the program (which was annoying), but quickly got the hang of it without refering back to the book. There are modifications for every exercise to match your current abilities.Just so you know, I'm no altheltic, small thing. I'm 30 lbs overweight and was not exercising at all before I began this program. After the second week, I started on the next level, the Intermediate Core. The third and final level is the Ultimate Core with progressively 'harder' exercises. For those who know yoga, Peggy Brill recommends and shows the moves for the sun saluation. For those not familiar with yoga, don't be afraid.Peggy explains her life experience and physical therapy training. She talks about injuries: how to avoid them, and how to recuperate from them. She walks you through a self-test to determine your own core areas of weakness. One of the last chapters covers weight training (free weights and gym equipment). My only complaint about that chapter was that she did not include alternatives to using gym equipment. She, ever so briefly, recommends healthy eating, sleeping positions, sitting posture, and the standard 20-30 min 3x/wk cardiovascular workout.One thing that I noted right away with her introduction was that she didn't say you "should" or "might" feel better, but that you "will" feel better. I cannot deny that, for me, that is so true.I took my body measurements at the end of the second week and then again at the end of the third. I've lost 3/4" in my waste and 1" in my hips in one week. That's all the motivation I need to do this for 15 mins 5x/wk. I'm actually doing it closer to 7x/wk because I've felt so much better since I started.I don't know you or your lifestyle, but I'm recommending some of these exercises to my 85 year old grandma who is hunched over from osteoporosis. She'll be so thrilled that I am activly seeking a way to prevent that disease from affecting my future!Good health!

Finally, a program that delivers what it advertises!

I was very pleased with the content of this book. I've spent quite a bit of hard-earned money on fitness books and videos that boast of amazing results.I've tried it all: weights, yoga, pilates, & various forms of cardio workouts, but haven't been able to stay consistant due to time constraints. As a busy women, I usually don't have time to spend on hour plus videos and books with long, complicated instructions. Before this book, I was racking my brain trying to incorporate yoga, pilates, and strength training. I just became stressed out instead.The Core program mixes some yoga & pilates with strength work, so I experience well being in addition to toned muscles. I also walk regularly, go for a spin on my bike/inline skates, and do some extra yoga. I find this combination fits easily into my schedule; I don't have to stress about when to do it.In short, I would suggest this book to anyone. Also, for those readers who find Peggy Brill's explanations complicated, I recommend taking a look at Pilates Body by Brooke Siler. Lots of people LOVE this book, but I found it very time consuming; I've owned it for two years and haven't used it much for this reason. Peggy Brill's Core Program is much easier to comprehend, & the participant can't become injured (I think that if someone wants to learn pilates, a certified instructor is the only way to go!)

The Core Program

As an orthopedic physical therapist, I found Peggy Brill's program to be sound and complete.Most importantly, focus is paid to balancing the body's muscle strength and flexibility while strengthening muscles most important to good health and wellness. Her asides are excellent and the pictures of her exercises look great. I have already used some of her examples ie posture and correct ergonomics while at the computer for home exercises for my patients. She has pulled some of the best Pilates based exercises and Yoga postures to make her program current, unique and fun. She is a great advocate for the physical therapy profession, and I will highly recommend this book to my own patients.

WHAT A PLEASURE

AT LAST A BOOK THAT ACTUALLY HELPS ME. EVERYONE SAYS THEIR PROGRAM WORKS, BUT I'VE ACTUALLY FOUND SOMETHING THAT REALLY DOES WORK. PEGGY SPEAKS MY LANGUAGE, I CAN RELATE TO HER STORIES. HER EXERCIES ARE EASY AND NOT BORING, THE PICTURES OF EACH EXERCISE REALLY HELPED TO DO THEM CORRECTLY. SHE KNOWS HER STUFF. I'M SO PLEASED I FOUND THIS BOOK. I THINK OTHER WOMEN WILL BENEFIT FROM IT ALSO.