He doesn't say strength training without using the word "structured." As your program makes you stronger, you need more time, not less, to recover. That means it takes "less and less and less" to maintain. "That doesn't happen with normal strength training. The structured training is hard work for the body, and it doesn't want to lose that muscle unless it knows it doesn't need it. That's not an invitation to get lazy about your workout."

Other favorite words are "slow" and "controlled."

Working out on a machine is fine, Provstgaard adds, and provides some protection and control.

Nybo became interested in the subject when he started strength training years ago. But he couldn't find anything set up the way he wanted it. So he interviewed a bunch of personal trainers looking for something that made sense to him. That's how he met his co-author.

"Shane's the expert," he says. "I'm the word guy."

In conjunction with the book, which took them two-and-a-half years to write, Provstgaard and Nybo have set up a Web site, www.totalhuman.com, that provides information and instructions for various exercises. They also offer an online training tool, Virtual Trainer Pro.

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E-mail: lois@desnews.com