A Girl's Guide to Fitting in Fitness

February 15, 2013
Emphasizing a moderate approach to physical activity and balanced eating, this fitness guide for teen girls will be most useful to those who are already motivated. Easy-to-read chapters offer advice on topics such as the benefits of healthy habits, fitting activity into the regular school and weekend day, and stress relief. Sample workouts offer simple, illustrated instructions that often require little or no equipment. Likewise, tips about healthy meals suggest foods that can be eaten raw or prepared with a minimum of fuss. Beyond the basics, there is concise information offered about subjects that include organic produce, eating disorders and High Intensity Interval Training. Yet the distinctly positive tone of the guide does not always work. The authors' suggestion that a good attitude is one of the most important elements to fitness is likely true, but it's hard to imagine many teens suddenly being won over by the insistence that gym class can be fun. It's also unlikely they will thrill to some of the more didactic maxims offered here: "By being committed to making yourself the best you can be, you'll find that getting fit is empowering--not dreadful." Concluding with an annotated list of online resources and an index, this guide will be a boon for teen fitness buffs, if not couch potatoes. (Nonfiction. 12 & up)

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May 15, 2013
Grades 7-12 This informative guide aims for a whole-health perspective when it comes to fitness, focusing on nutrition, school sports, and providing flexible workouts for many different lifestyles. Readers are given a thorough overview of the components of a balanced fitness routine, including cardio, strength training, warm-ups, and cooldowns. When PE isn't available, or on weekends and school breaks, options for staying healthy include phone apps, Wii workouts, and making the most of physical summer jobs. There's a group fitness decoder for classes girls might encounter if they join a gym. Riddled throughout the text are tips and tricks from real girls who have managed to make time for exercise and proper nutrition. Girls who want to make the most of their gym class are told, GO for it and don't be afraid to look a little silly. It's a pleasant reminder that physical activity is supposed to be fun. From start to finish, this guide is a useful, well-researched resource for any young woman looking to figure out a regimen that works for her.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)