by Negrita Jayde
In this strength training book, Negrita Jayde outlines several different plans for sculpting the body that you want through the use of weights - becoming what she calls a Supervixen. The Supervixen ideal is to create balanced proportions by de-emphasizing certain "problem areas" while emphasizing others. Negrita, a champion bodybuilder, illustrates an endless array of exercises, some of which I had never seen before, using free weights and gym machines and giving good form tips. Throughout the book, she shares humorous anecdotes, encourages aerobic exercise, and provides a 30 day meal plan. However, this is book primarily focuses on serious strength training and getting results. So if you are looking for insprirational stories and encouragement ala Bob Greene and Oprah or other fitness and self-help gurus, look elsewhere.
I was a little embarrassed to purchase a book entitled Supervixen. However, after looking at the other options (Kathy Smith, Oprah's book, and Karen Voight's book), I succumbed to Negrita's charm. What I wanted was a detailed explanation about what different exercises do. "Well, this area works the delts or the quads," is not enough of an explanation for me. How does foot placement affect squats? What exercises really work the inner chest muscles? These are the kind of questions that you will find in Negrita's book. This info and the illustrated examples of exercises made this a good reference book for me, which is what I wanted.
I have not been doing her outlined plan for my body type long enough for me to testify about the effectiveness of her bodytype theories.
Kimberly Davis
1-31-98
