Anyone NOT like the New Rules of Lifting for Women?

what i dont like about it is that the moves gets entirely too busy that it no longer becomes a strength training program. I find it very frustrating and a bit ridiculous that something like my balance or ankle stability can make me stall on increasing weights on DB rows :laugh:

I do agree with this. It frustrates me to no end when I start losing my balance doing the one-point rows and the one-legged Romanian DL!

There are benefits to working on balance, but I didn't really need to do that because I already dance and do yoga (and that also takes care of core exercises and has "power" moves in the form of jumps).

I really hadn't had a problem with balance before. I thought maybe it was my shoes. Or it could be that I'm doing it too close to when I'm supposed to be in bed and I'm over-tired. I re-do the move slower when I start to wobble just to make sure I get all the reps in. I should try it wearing my Converse. I've been told it's better to wear flatter shoes. I'll have to stop by my library and see if they have Supercharged there. The idea didn't even cross my mind. Thanks, BP!

This was great information. I fall somewhere between intermediate and advanced when it comes to strength training. I've always worked with a personal trainer, off and on as finances dictated. However, I'm looking to head out on my own. I've been reading NROLFW (2008) and I've checked out Strong Lifts online and Jaime Eason on Bodybuilding.com to see where I might be able to put together a program that I'm confident to do solo on the floor. Heck, I even have the old school Body for Life book. I still have a lot of body fat to lose, and I haven't quite gotten a complete handle on my nutrition. (I still love cookies.) So right now my goal is to lose weight and be as toned as possible in the process. I really don't know which program is right for me. I'm sort of OCD and it has to pull together in my head. I'm not sure if I'm ready for the squat rack, but I can handle most of the other equipment and moves. Any suggestions for me would be appreciated.

I wasn't going to comment because I've not read the book in question, but since others are...

I've read the sample, and I like the basic premise.

I've read New Rules, and I like the majority of what Lou Schuler says.

After the initial training plan (which is excellent that it has beginners start on a nice simple plan) it all falls apart. It's simply not possible to follow in my gym. If you have your own gym, or are a member of a gym so unpopular it practically is your own gym, this will not be an issue.


I was also friends/following Alwyn Cosgrove on facebook for several weeks, but I had to unfriend/unfollow because the stream of nonsense became infuriating.



In conclusion, Lou Schuler good, Alwyn Cosgrove bad.

It's good.
But the diet plans were practically useless for me, being vegetarian.

I bought the book and read it. Then I decided to do Stronglifts 5x5. Stronglifts is MUCH simpler, and the reason they choose the exercises they do is common sense and the movements are natural. Now, I'm not saying there is anything wrong, exactly, with NRL4W, but I wanted something simpler and easier to get into. I love it so far, and its FREE. If you do check it out, join the group:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women
They have a summary all written up so that you can skip all the over-the-top manliness in the book.

This, except I did do phase 1. I did OK there, but once I got to stage 2, it was just too complicated and I went to Stronglifts.

I prefer it, but lots of women LOVE New Rules.

I think the book is full of great information and enjoyed Stage 1, though I work out in my basemanet and think it would be complicated in a gym - it's intimidating enough for some women to even visit the weightlifting area and I dont see being able to follow the program without bringing the book with you. Stage 2 or 3 (cant remember how far I go) just became way too time consuming. When you add the intervals you need about 90 minutes in the gym. Now I follow Stronglifts and find it simple and efficient.

i didn't like it...but i think that was becuase I had already been doing intermediate lifting when I picked up the book and it was kinda, well, totally useless for me.

also, i'm a vegetarian so the meal plan stuff was also useless.

I been wanting to give my copy away to someone who will actually use it.

I bought the book and read it. Then I decided to do Stronglifts 5x5. Stronglifts is MUCH simpler, and the reason they choose the exercises they do is common sense and the movements are natural. Now, I'm not saying there is anything wrong, exactly, with NRL4W, but I wanted something simpler and easier to get into. I love it so far, and its FREE. If you do check it out, join the group:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women
They have a summary all written up so that you can skip all the over-the-top manliness in the book.

^^THIS!
I agree there is nothing wrong with NROLW but I found it to be too long and too complicated. I much prefer stronglifts over NR. I dont particulary care for lifting, I would rather go for a run, so I would much rather do 3 moves than 4 or 5 or more....

Only thing I do not like about it was I was confused what workouts went with workout A and workout B google search cleared it up for me

I skimmed through a copy of NROLFW, but it was kinda TL;DR for me.

I like to keep things really simple and my workouts short. I also don't have access to a gym, so a lot of it was out anyways. I didn't really love the looks of the "diet" plan either.

To be completely blunt (and this is purely our opinion and experience), my wife bought and read it, worked it for a few weeks, then I read the book, we discussed it, and she switched over to Wender's 5/3/1 with me. We now work a similar program together. Let me sum up her reaction as, "Oh, women should lift like men? Okay then, maybe I should actually lift like a man." That is not to say that NROLFW is not a good program but it doesn't focus on the core lifts as much as it probably should, and it changes things up a bit too quickly for my wife's taste. That said, it is a good program and if the change ups and variety of exercises work for you then go with it. If you really want to dig into it though, go read Starting Strength. And I know 5/3/1 isn't really designed for beginners but there are suggested modifications that can be made, so you may want to give that a read too.

At then end of the day, read some of these books, and start experimenting with what works FOR YOU. Good luck!

I also read starting g strength, which goes into more detail. I'm glad I have both.

Yeah, I actually don't follow the workout program in the Life book. I only use it as a guideline to build a balanced program for myself. I also use the stronglifts, and Girls gone strong, as well as other sources for guidance. I stick to the basic compound moves. The Life book was helpful to me, as a beginner, to learn form, progression, basic moves and the benefits. Also, I am still at the novice stage, so not claiming to be an expert.

I am glad to learn that I am not the only one not crazy about this book and program. I am not new to lifting, so I was more interested in the exercises and routine, but I found them too complicated and I was spending more time planning than doing.

I also use it as guidance and sometimes I borrow new routines for my workouts, to break the boredom. I am mostly doing 5x5 with modifications because I had shoulders surgeries and knee injuries.

Besides, my gym doesn't have all the equipment that seems to be needed for the program and I am not changing gyms. But I read in the forums about success stories with the program, so it must be good.

Bumping for later. Great thread.

I did not love every single exercise, but I did like that they changed regularly and I *really* loved the way my body changed!