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Straight Talk About Strength Training

A Teen's Look at Get Strong! Body by Jake's Guide to Building Confidence, Muscles, and a Great Future for Teenage Guys
By Benjamin and C.J. Johnson

Get Strong! Body by Jake's Guide to Building Confidence, Muscles, and a Great Future for Teenage Guys by Jake Steinfeld is a complete prescription for the success of all teenage boys. After reading the first chapter, I felt he could not possibly keep all the promises he was making, but by the end of the book he did just what he set out to do.

Jake knows exactly what it takes for teenage boys to live a balanced and successful life. How to eat, train, act and think were all enforced tenfold. I have never read motivational books, but this book really made me want to get in shape, and I plan to use his workouts and nutrition plan to do so. I am not a peppy, teen spirit kind of guy, but this book really relates to me as a person and teenage boys in general.

Before I even started reading the book, I had the impression that I could really gain physically from it. I have seen Body by Jake products advertised on T.V. and my friend owns some of his workout equipment. I have only used the weights a few times, but when I did, they seemed very practical and solid. At first glance, the book looked as if it offered the techniques I needed to gain more muscle.

I was not disappointed. In the book Jake outlines the complete workout to getting fit. Every exercise is well described. The Lying Dumbbell French Press, Front Shoulder Raise and Bent-Over Row were all workouts I had never used before, but I found that each exercise reached muscles in long need of a good workout. I was pleasantly surprised by Jake's suggestions for changes in attitude, to have honesty and commitment – both areas teenage boys are commonly inconsistent with. I liked the challenges to excel where we are weak. I examined my own attitude, and I found that I needed to be more honest, understanding and loyal to those around me. I have to change how I act now, and because of this book, I have the tools to improve myself.

Altogether, I found the book to be a great motivation to get fit and healthy, starting with my attitude. Through his continuous examples of well-known stars that failed but never gave up, I felt I could relate to what he was saying, and I found it really easy to understand. The workouts are very detailed and leave no margin for error in doing them. I go to the gym almost daily, and I definitely plan on including Jake's exercises. Front to back, I strongly recommend this book to any teenage boy looking to get fit and confident.

A Word From Mom

Get Strong! by Jake Steinfeld has helped my son stay focused on fitness. Instead of rushing out the door each morning for school, he takes time to eat a hearty breakfast. At the end of each school day when he returns exhausted from Lacrosse practice he forces himself to head to the gym for weight lifting to increase his physical strength. He is doing his best to improve his body. Jake's words may end up having a huge impact on my son's attitude towards fitness.

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About the Author: Benjamin Johnson is a 16-year-old high school student. His mother, C.J., is a frequent contributor to iParenting.com.

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