Popular Programs

[bkred]

A topic that's probably been raised before. I've been reading about the Body For Life program and the Testosterone Advantage Plan. I was in a bookstore yesterday and noticed there are all these other programs/plans for losing weight/getting in shape. Are any of these plans any good? Do any of you have any experience with the Body For Life program or the Texosterone Advantage Plan you can relate.

[betty1]

I have been wondering the same thing. Just bought Eating for Life and would like to believe those pictures are real. Just don't want to take supplements with aspartame in them. Hope someone replies who knows.

[bkred]

Well Betty, it looks like we are on our own. Let me know how Eating For Life works for you. I've seen the book.

[pooky1976]

Well, I can say that "Mom's enchilada recipe" is very, very good. I too would like any other stories that others might have about Body-For-Life.

[Adam Campbell]

I co-authored the Testosterone Advantage Plan and I can tell you that it's very effective if followed to the "T". The diet principles in Body for Life are fine, too, although I find the exercise program to be outdated. (But overall it's decent for a beginner.)

Body Rx is a very good diet plan and a suitable weight training plan. (I don't like the design of the lifting program as well as Testosterone, but it's a solid, useful book--better than Body for Life.)

The Zone and most of the low-carb diet plans (Atkins, South Beach) are also effective. There are lots of workout plans on the internet that can be accessed for free if you decide to get one of those.

If you haven't tried a diet plan before, you'll have great success on any of them.

There's no magic to any of it, and if a photo looks too good be true in a given timeframe, it probably is.

[pooky1976]

Where can we view the Testosterone Advantage Plan and what it is all about?

[Adam Campbell]

You can search for it on Amazon and there will be some reviews and a description. I don't get royalties on the book, so I'm not trying to sell it. But I do think it's pretty good, so I recommend it.

Like I said, though, any of the books mentioned will benefit you because they give you a plan to follow. For most people, having dietary guidelines for the first time is the fastest way they see results. Plus, you'll learn the basic principles which you can tweak as you go in order find out what works best for you.

[bkred]

Adam, Thanks for the response. I'm heading out for Barnes & Noble and I'll look for your book.

[FishrCutB8]

You might also want to take a look at Homegrown Muscle/Iron Manual: http://www.menshealth.com/cda/articl...-0-199,00.html

[Maria77]

Hey guys, I'm doing the BFL program and I'm
loving it!
Please check out these links before you
criticize this program.

www.bodyforlife.com
www.bodyforlifers.com
www.jerrybraam.com/jerrybraam. html
www.leanandstrong.com

Enjoy!

[Jean-Paul]

There is nothing wrong with the BFL program if you are comparing it to doing absolutely nothing, which, judging by the before and after photos, seems to be the target audience. But is it the right program for everyone? Or even a majority? I have a few problems with the design of the program. There are so many programs out there that I prefer. I don't think the point of the point of the thread was to say that BFL is bad, but which program was overall better, if applied to a population. And of course, on an individual level, all results will vary tremendously. Have you read any of the other programs mentioned in this thread?

BTW, welcome to the forum! [img]smile.gif[/img]

You are also my 700th registered poster! You win a NEW CAR! Okay, kidding... but glad to have you here nonetheless.

[poopy pants]

BFL is what I started with. Who gives a crap if it's not perfect, if gets your ass motivated and in the gym, then by all means do it and don't let anyone talk you out of it. You will learn what programs fit your needs and likes as time goes on.

[quixotic1974]

I'm new to this forum. I have the BFL book and plan to use this as my guide through the first months of my program. I agree with the last post. Of course it's not perfect for everyone but who cares if it gets you out there working out.
Thanks for this forum!! I am in much need of help.

[FlyinM]

I did the TAP plan for a while and really liked it. It was one of the first books I got that not only talked about exercise programs, it talked about diet. Some of the starter recipies are really simple and good (like the chili).
I don't mean to sound like a commercial for Adam's book, but it came along at the right time for me. I look at it as part of the foundation that I still adhere to today.

[Dean Szilvasy]

Superfit and the Gracie diet was my first. I basically just built on it with a lot of other stuff or got thw wisdom out of it or whatever. Have a pretty nice home gym going now. I'm thinking a shorter 'thick bar' for deadlifts and oly lifts and a trap bar, of course.

[BeachHead]

wow, how many pages back did you have to read to find this thread? Its only a year and a half old

[Chris Correia]

Hell, let's throw in another post just to make it exciting, eighteen months later.

[Marykaa]

well.. I could add one too.. though it's not a "popular" program...

I don't know much about regular programs but the most popular program for ME is the one ODBSGIRL is doing.. and that I'll be doing in January.. I still have to set up my version of it.. but it comes from the book
Conditioning for Outdoo Fitness

There are some things in the book I don't 100% agree with.. <FONT COLOR="BLUE"> like the 220-age is way off for people over 30 who are in shape.. I like the 210-age/2 better.. and say it every time I have a chance to </FONT>

But the section on cross-referencing which exercise is good for which sport is a treasure!
and the fact that every exercise has a picture-code of which sports it is realted to is extremely interesting and useful..

[djhaycock]

So many books, so many programs...

Here are my experiences and what I think so far.

The Testosterone Advantage Plan
By: Lou Schuler

This is what started it all for me. I thought the book was easy to read and entertaining while backing up the arguments with good references. The "meal" plans were awesome. Not because of the break down, but because it truly showed you that you can eat good food that is good for you and probably more than you imagined. Next came the workouts. I communicated with Mike Mejia and Lou Schuler and they actually had me expand phase 2 of the workouts by 3 weeks and I saw great results. The first 2 weeks were brutal because of the repetitiveness of the exercises, but Phases 2 & 3 really provided some variety. I probably lost around 25 - 30 lbs on this.

I have yet to do the Advanced Program, but I did start it and it was tough.

The ABS Diet
By: Zinczenko

Good information, good but boring (read repetitive) workouts. The book itself is tough to read, but the content is great. I myself don't like doing the same workout 3x a week, but definitely saw results in a short time from this. I didn't stick to it for the full 6 weeks, but like I said, I could see visible results.

Get Buffed
By: Ian King

Great book by Ian King. Ian really believes in "time under tension" and really kicks your arse with some very "simplistic" workouts. Very good training information, not much on nutrition. Couple the workouts in this book with good solid nutrition and you should see some awesome results.

***** For more killer Ian King workouts check out T-Mag for 12 weeks to super strength, limping, and awesome Abs.

The Book of Muscle
By: Lou Schuler (The Testosterone Advantage Plan) and Ian King (Get Buffed.)

I am currently reading this. I skipped ahead and looked at the workouts and they look awesome as usual. The information looks pretty solid and really begins to break information on muscles and muscle building down to a whole other level for someone not familiar with how the body works. I am impressed thus far.

Strength Training Anatomy
By: Fredric Delavier

Not exactly a program or guide. It just breaks the body parts down into different chapters that shows you what muscles are being worked by different
exercises. Very good resource if you're not sure what exercises to put into a self made program or if you're not sure if the exercise you're doing is working the right muscles. This is a must have for your library/collection.

Now regarding programs, there are thousands to choose from. I'm sure you will find some great ones on here to help you along or at least a link or reference as to where to get the programs.