Aiken resident Hollis Liebman, a personal trainer and author who was most recently based in Los Angeles, has made more strides in the fitness industry.
Liebman has released his 12th fitness book, "Complete Physique."
Earlier this year he also published his latest children's book, "Everyone Loves Lucy," which is the final book in a series about a lovable Xolo dog, a breed also known as the hairless Mexican dog.
Liebman – born in Brooklyn with roots in Long Island, New York and New Jersey – moved to Aiken to be near family after living in Los Angeles for 13 years.
He boasts an extensive background in the fitness industry that goes back as far as his teenage years. In 1995, at age 19, he was the NPC Teenage Heavyweight National Bodybuilding Champion.
"After that, I got into writing. I always enjoyed writing," said Leibman, who added he also was an editor for three fitness magazines and has worked as a packager with packaging companies.
His latest book, "Complete Physique" is "basically my report of what I have seen in the fitness industry for more than 20 years," he said.
Leibman said the guide is for men and women alike, as well as those who are novices or more experienced in the gym.
"It's about getting you not only to your best and staying within your best but also within range, because you can’t be perfect year-round," he said.
Liebman says his book includes mastering emotional eating versus conscious eating; partner stretching; and exercising with portable workouts for those who cannot get to the gym.
The fitness book also covers the mental component of being fearful or hesitant of going to the gym, he added, calling the gym "the great equalizer" as it is designed to be for people of all walks of life.
Additionally, the book explains how to be in a gym less and get more out of it, according to the author.
As a personal trainer, he said his book offers a progressive, three-phrase, 12-week program as well as a "new and important chapter" on the vegan lifestyle.
In a nutshell, he describes the book as a "Swiss army knife, catch all."
"I just put in there if I was starting out, what would I really want to see – and it’s in this book," he said.
Liebman said he got in better shape with the book and said it incorporates great photos (shot in Malibu, California), as well.
While Liebman says he loves fitness books, the children's book series, which is based on his real dog, allow him to "shine and play a different note." The hairless dog teaches lessons such as helping others and acceptance.
As an author, what he wants to pass on to readers seems simple.
"The message I want to give the readers is … life is short, and if you have something to do, do it now," Liebman said. "You have to at least try it."
"Complete Physique" is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. "Everyone Loves Lucy" and the other "Lucy" books in the five-part series are also avialable on Amazon.
