Book Review: The Rosary Workout

"The Rosary is the best therapy for these distraught, unhappy, fearful, and frustrated souls, precisely because it involves the simultaneous use of three powers: the physical, the vocal, and the spiritual, and in that order."

—Archbishop Fulton Sheen

We are all busy people. Most of have good intentions, but sometimes it’s hard to do all that we want—and need— to do every day. Take a healthy exercise routine. Many of us talk about starting one, but then what happens? After a week or so, we’re back to our old sedentary habits. I know because I have been there!

And what about saying the Rosary? It is one of the things we as Catholics ought to do every day…but do we take the time? The truth is that saying a daily Rosary will bring you many graces from Heaven. Spending fifteen to twenty minutes a day with Our Lady, contemplating her Son with her, will protect you from evil and keep you holy. Just like physical exercise, this spiritual exercise will keep you healthy.

But what if there were a way to combine the two? I found out there there is, with the acclaimed book, The Rosary Workout, from Bezalel Books.

Truly an ingenious idea from fitness expert and devout Catholic Peggy Bowes, The Rosary Workout is filled with valuable ideas for a healthy and happy spiritual and physical workout by combining saying the Rosary with several workouts, from beginning to intermediate to advanced, depending on physical skill level. Don't worry about falling behind or getting confused: Peggy takes you step by step and will alleviate any frustrations you may have with her gentle advice and tips. She encourages you to journal as well, offering prayers, helpful web links, and ideas.

A little bit of information about this sweet, down-to-earth author: Peggy Bowes graduated from the US Air Force Academy in 1988 and served nine years as an Air Force pilot and Health and Wellness consultant. After leaving the military to raise a family, Peggy continued her education in the fitness industry by becoming certified as a personal trainer, Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant and Spinning® instructor. She established a successful and rewarding business in metabolic and athletic performance (VO2) testing, with an emphasis on weight loss counseling.

Peggy is also very active in parish life. She has been a lector, CCD teacher, and Little Flowers Girls' Club leader. She also enjoys triathlons, hiking, adventure races, and other sports as she incorporates all the benefits and blessings of The Rosary Workout. Peggy and her husband and two children currently reside in North Carolina. She also writes a “Don’t Know Much About The Rosary” blog at http://rosaryinfo.blogspot.com/

“I know that The Rosary Workout works!” says Susan Brinkmann, OCDS, a staff journalist and editor of Women of Grace. “It’s the answer for anyone who feels they are too time-starved to fit both daily prayer and a regular workout into their lives. By combining the two, you not only accomplish both goals, but you give yourself two good reasons to get up and get it done: First, because you need the exercise and second, because if you’re like me, it might be the only time of day you’ll get to pray the Rosary.”

I highly recommend The Rosary Workout to everyone who wants to keep healthy spiritually and physically...to draw closer to Christ.

"If there were one million families praying the Rosary every day, the entire world would be saved."

—Pope St. Pius X