The authors present information
that shows that men and women are 99+% the same.  We have only two minor
differences in our bone structures.  Throughout history, men have been thought
to be the "gold standard of musculoskeletal fitness …" (page 3).  He
claims this belief has led to 3 mischiefs (beliefs) about women.  The three
statements are directly quoted from page 3. 

For starters, it helps mislead women
to believe that no matter what they do, they’ll never achieve strength and
functionality parity with men—or even come reasonably close.  This leads to a ‘Boys
are strong, girls are weak" mentality that reinforces stereo types that
help deny women access to their aspirations. …

If a woman is persuaded that her knees
and muscles and bones are not designed to be strong and functional, the
positive health benefits of having such strength and function will be lost to her.
…

The third piece of mischief is the
supposition that men are stronger, fitter, and more functional than women.  The
male models in anatomy may seem that way, but their standard is a false one,
because the vast majority of men have no material advantage. …

The bulk of the book contained
information on women’s anatomy and how to strengthen the various parts.  It
left me feeling like we had been very misled when I was young (started school
fifty years ago this past fall!) resulting in a generation with physical
ailments that might have been avoided had our physical education training in
school been similar to what the boys received.

Recommendation

I have very mixed emotions about
this book.  It left me wondering if it would even be safe for an older woman to
begin the exercises suggested to strengthen our skeletal systems.  My gut
feeling is that a physical therapist should work with any woman already having
chronic pain to be sure of which exercises suggested would be appropriate.

This book should become part of
physical education teachers’ libraries.  It would revolutionize what seems to
be happening in these classes today (for those lucky enough to even have the
classes available to them).  Fitness trainers in gyms and YWCAs or YMCAs should
also read and refer to this book as they work with their clients.

I suggest every family purchase it
and get involved in a family exercise program.  If someone has a physical
problem, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise
program.  The exercise includes everyone from young children to adults.

© 2004 Diana
Pederson