HIGH TECH TRAINING: Exercising with Machines

A narrowly focused, poorly supported guide--and not for beginners. Dobbins sets his sights on those who have access to costly weight machines/circuits--like Nautilus or Universal--and who use weight training as their primary exercise (rather than to supplement, say, a cardiovascular training program--such as running--or to improve skills in a specific sport. He acknowledges the importance of stretching and warming up first, but his ""basic and popular"" exercises for that purpose aren't the best--some, in fact, can cause injury (thigh stretches), and others shouldn't be done until after the exerciser is already warm (back arches). He does a good job of describing circuit training (total body work involving some cardiovascular work), ""superset training"" (two exercises in a row, primarily for strength development), and bodybuilding training (for ""maximum possible change in the mass, volume and shape of your muscles""); but he doesn't provide specifics for novices on establishing the programs or graduating them with improvement. Since weight training alone is not one of the best regimens for achieving fitness, those who favor it will do better with one of the more balanced guides (Frank and Christine Zane's Super Bodies in 12 Weeks; The Mentzer Guide to Fitness) which recognize the importance of an all-around exercise program and understand how weight training can fit in.