This is what I sought to find out when I read  the Book Fifteen Minutes to Fit. I’ve been following Zuzka Light since I started personal training  4.5 years ago.

 

 

Back then she was affiliated  with Bodyrocktv,  and she has definitely come a long way since those days when she  filmed  workout videos in her living room.  As a loyal Z-gymer,  of course I followed her transition to her present site. Furthermore,  she’s the only program that I’ve followed for years, and that says a lot.

Related: My Break From Weightlifting

 

I found that Zuzka’s personality provides just the right amount of direction and motivation for me, since as a fitness professional, I don’t really need much motivation. Just like with most, its nice for me to just go to a workout class or watch a workout video, without having to worry about planning or thinking. So Yes, I follow other fitness platforms and trainers not only for ideas, but also to get my own workout on.  More recently, I have been checking them out as part of my trainer/workout review series.

 

 

There are a lot of   resources out there for those who are looking for ideas, but just like with anything else you can really hurt yourself if you aren’t doing it correctly. As a seasoned fitness junkie & personal trainer I rarely need someone to correct my form or make sure I’m doing things correctly , so workout videos are my go-to when I need a break from the gym.  As a result of my wi-fi being out recently, due  to island problems (insert eye roll) I ended up  reading  Zuzka Light’s book – 15 Minutes to Fit.

 

 

 

 

I must add that this book isn’t really directed for my audience. Rewind  to 8 years ago I would’ve devoured this book and  had a total epiphany, complete with “OMG this is how I am going to get rid of my belly.” Just like with a lot of people out there,  I would’ve treated her book as a Bible that would’ve solved all of my problems.

 

But, It’s 2016 and that did NOT happen.

 

 

There are many fitness approaches that simply will not be appropriate for your fitness level, body composition or fitness goals.

Zuzka Light’s fitness career is based off the notion,  that you can get fit in 15 minutes per day. Although I agree, that HIIT training is very effective and can get you results, however I  do NOT think that fifteen minutes is enough for the masses of individuals  who have sedentary jobs and lifestyles. 15 mins? PLEEEEASSSSEEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four things I liked about “Fifteen Minutes to Fit”:

 

 

1. She speaks the  Truth

 

“Nearly every single fitness magazine and product on the market catches our eye with toned abs or a tight butt, laced together with promises on how to achieve such perfection. We look at these images with envy..”-Zuzka Light

 

 

There’s more to that amazing quote but I’ll save it for those who want to read the book.

 

Fitness magazines and ads can be really deceiving for those who are seeking to get into shape.

A lot of what you see on Instagram, TV, magazines, etc. are not how people look regularly. Those on the cover of magazines are photographed on days that they look their best (due to fasting, strict dieting, and monitoring water intake etc,) but they are airbrushed. As someone who has aspired to look like these girls on the cover of magazines, I’m here to tell you that what you see on there is fake. Those people don’t look like that, no one looks that perfect.

Related: Instagram and the Fitness Industry

 

 

 

 

2. Exercise should be hard

I’m sorry no one in the world has ever gotten abs from taking a pill or drinking a detox tea. Keep dreaming. There is no avoiding hard work.

 

 

 

3. Working out is more than just on the outside (extrinsic motivation)

 

I appreciate her mentioning, that the gym is a “repair shop for poor self-esteem, subpar health, and other issues”. It’s not stressed enough by fitness professionals.  I have heard countless stories from clients about nightmare trainers who made them feel like shit. That’s not motivating or how you build rapport.

 

Trainers need to have  sensitivity training. Most people who seek our services are not in shape and  have dealt with and are presently dealing with a myriad of physical, mental and emotional issues. It’s tough being unhealthy.   It is unacceptable for trainers to  degrade someone that has walked through those doors seeking us.  Trainers and fitness professionals please be advised that : many  of your clients are in the process of putting themselves back together and getting their ish right.

 

 

 

 

4. Recipes

Because I like eating.

 

There are way more Pros but I don’t want to give away the book too much.

 

 

As for cons I would say that the book obviously isn’t catered to (experienced) fitness professionals, but we can read it to gain some insight, on what’s out there and what works or not. In addition, as previously mentioned I’m skeptical about whether or not 15 minutes of working out a day is seriously enough. We live in a world where people sit and stare at screens for a living. I highly doubt that 15 minutes is the  be all and  end all  and would personally like to hear  what a doctor would say about that.

 

Furthermore, I would  like to  mention that as someone who’s been doing her workouts for a while,  that I usually don’t just do one of her workouts per day, and neither do the people on her website.

 

 

 

What are your thoughts? Have you seen results from doing short quick workouts? Let me know in the comments

 

 

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