<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: The Best All Around Guide on the Market!
Review: I got this book over 6 years ago, when I was a little guy in grade nine. I still find myself constantly referencing it for different excercises and movements. The book lends itself to nearly all demographics, lifestyles, and shapes & sizes. This is definatly a worthy addition to any home fitness library. I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Ummmm........ I'll take it!!!
Review: I really enjoyed this book and it's been an excellent resource for me during the last 8 months while I've gotten serious about fitness. It has TONS of useful information and it's presented in a very clear and easy-to-use fashion. There are sections about aerobic fitness, strength training, training for certain sports, weight loss, nutrition and anything else you'd want or need. Lots of suggestions about setting up a fitness program, buying equipment, how to do the specific exercises correctly and safely, etc. The book IS tailored to beginners, and will be of only limited usefulness to those who are experienced weightlifters or runners, but for the person who is just starting out and needs the initial encouragement, confidence and know-how, I'd highly recommend it. It does not, however, attempt to provide the depth that a dedicated book about diet and nutrition or "power lifting" would. But the vast majority of people probably don't need that stuff, anyway.
Rating: 
Summary: Good all round book for beginners
Review: I'm not an expert weight lifter or anything but I have exercised regularly for a few years. The advice in this book is good but clearly targeted towards beginners. Very well organized, easy to read, covers a lot of topics, but misses out on a lot of the finer points.
Rating:
Summary: Packed with well-considered information and advice
Review: I'm one of those guys that does a lot of researching before I begin any major endeavor. I also read a lot on a lot of different subjects. Take my word for it, if you are about to commit yourself to a major fitness regimen and have never done so before, this book will be invaluable to you. It seems as if the authors have literally sifted through all of the other books and magazines (and as you know there's a lot of junk out there), picked out the important stuff and then run it buy the experts before it made it into this book. The book is also a great motivator, always reminding you to set reasonable goals and then giving you advice on how to stay focused on them. You get a lot for your money and this book is worth every penny.P.S. As a gay guy, there were occasional references that made me feel a bit excluded. It would be nice if the "men" in Men's Health was truly inclusive. I wish I could expect equity but on balance I'm still very satisfied. There are also some very friendly books out there like "Basic Training" by Jon Giswold and any of the books from the brothers Brungardt.
Rating:
Summary: Reaching the peak...
Review: This book is a product of the magazine of Men's Health, a magazine devoted to men's health issues, including but not exclusively fitness related. This book is 352 pages of sections that match the tone and style of the magazine -- it is like a collection of pieces that may well have been part of the magazine. The book is divided into six main parts: Part One: The Peak Lifestyle
Part Two: Achieving Peak Conditioning
Part Three: Achieving a Peak Body
Part Four: Workouts for Every Scenario
Part Five: Body Maintenance
Part Six: Getting Equipped The book also has a good index. Part One: The Peak Lifestyle
This short 20 page section is really an introduction. Fitness is different for different men. How does one decide what kind of fitness he seeks? This part on the Peak Lifestyle gives pointers to deciding what level of fitness is desired, making goals, making time, basics for eating right, getting rest, and most important, GETTING STARTED! Part Two: Achieving Peak Conditioning
The very first part of this section starts with weight lifting, because this is the basic core of how to build up a body for any fitness level, starting from the very basic, so experts might skip this. However, it is good at introducing the difference between free weights and machines, sets, reps, and what to aim for. Next is aerobic exercise, an area of equal importance. That doesn't just mean running, but running is a great means to aerobic fitness. It lists the hits and misses for biking, running, walking, cross-country skiing, stair climbing, step aerobics, dance aerobics, and swimming. The section goes on to talk about cross-training, flexibility, mental conditioning, and some basic movement ideas and tips. It includes pictures that show the right techniques and movement positions. Part Three: Achieving a Peak Body
This and the next part are the real heart of the book. This section shows the exercises for each particular body area: Arms, Arm joints, Hands and Forearms, Shoulders and Neck, Chest, Abs, Back, Buttocks, Legs, Leg joints, Feet, and Bones. There are different numbers of exercises for each area, and different goals in mind. They are organised in different ways, but primarily by stretches versus strength. There are literally hundreds of different exercises and stretches explained here. The section has pictures that show the proper way to do all the exercises, and descriptions in plain language. Many of these exercises require equipment; some are gym exercises, some are pool exercises, but most can be done from home. Part Four: Workouts for Every Scenario
This section continues from the last one in setting up a core routine to follow and then making adjustment depending on goals. There are beginner and advanced routines, as well as one for shedding the fat. There is even a section on the Inactive Man, the Career Man (designed for a busy guy who doesn't have much time) and the Travelling Man. The section continues with a sport by sport breakdown of what you should be doing. It has sections on each of the following sports: Bicycling, Running, Swimming, In-line skating, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Raquet Sports, Skiing, Football, Soccer, Hockey, and Backcountry sports. There are also divisions for different decades of life, living in hot or cold climates, and designing programmes lasting different periods of time, all the way up to twelve months. Part Five: Body Maintenance
This is a short section that discusses preventing and dealing with injuries, basic rehab and massage. There are ways for self massage discussed here, but don't discount a real massage. The section ends with a short piece on dealing with and recovering from disease. Should one work out with a cold or flu? Part Six: Getting Equipped
This is about setting up a home gym. There are all sorts of options, and one doesn't have to spend a fortune to be well-equipped. The other option of course is a gym membership, but again remember, you get what you pay for and you pay even if you don't go. Other important topics include shoes, bikes, skis, canoes, kayaks, backpacks, fishing gear, skates, and other items that might play an important part in fitness. The one thin part of this book is that it only devotes a few pages to nutrition. But then again, most men don't pay too much attention, alas. The overall format of the book is a good one, with easy-to-read pages, good basic photography that is utilitarian and not glamour shots, and well suited for the purpose of the book. It comes with a fold-out poster to hang up in the workout area. This is a very good book, one I return to again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Reaching the peak...
Review: This book is a product of the magazine of Men's Health, a magazine devoted to men's health issues, including but not exclusively fitness related. This book is 352 pages of sections that match the tone and style of the magazine -- it is like a collection of pieces that may well have been part of the magazine. The book is divided into six main parts: Part One: The Peak Lifestyle
Part Two: Achieving Peak Conditioning
Part Three: Achieving a Peak Body
Part Four: Workouts for Every Scenario
Part Five: Body Maintenance
Part Six: Getting Equipped The book also has a good index. Part One: The Peak Lifestyle
This short 20 page section is really an introduction. Fitness is different for different men. How does one decide what kind of fitness he seeks? This part on the Peak Lifestyle gives pointers to deciding what level of fitness is desired, making goals, making time, basics for eating right, getting rest, and most important, GETTING STARTED! Part Two: Achieving Peak Conditioning
The very first part of this section starts with weight lifting, because this is the basic core of how to build up a body for any fitness level, starting from the very basic, so experts might skip this. However, it is good at introducing the difference between free weights and machines, sets, reps, and what to aim for. Next is aerobic exercise, an area of equal importance. That doesn't just mean running, but running is a great means to aerobic fitness. It lists the hits and misses for biking, running, walking, cross-country skiing, stair climbing, step aerobics, dance aerobics, and swimming. The section goes on to talk about cross-training, flexibility, mental conditioning, and some basic movement ideas and tips. It includes pictures that show the right techniques and movement positions. Part Three: Achieving a Peak Body
This and the next part are the real heart of the book. This section shows the exercises for each particular body area: Arms, Arm joints, Hands and Forearms, Shoulders and Neck, Chest, Abs, Back, Buttocks, Legs, Leg joints, Feet, and Bones. There are different numbers of exercises for each area, and different goals in mind. They are organised in different ways, but primarily by stretches versus strength. There are literally hundreds of different exercises and stretches explained here. The section has pictures that show the proper way to do all the exercises, and descriptions in plain language. Many of these exercises require equipment; some are gym exercises, some are pool exercises, but most can be done from home. Part Four: Workouts for Every Scenario
This section continues from the last one in setting up a core routine to follow and then making adjustment depending on goals. There are beginner and advanced routines, as well as one for shedding the fat. There is even a section on the Inactive Man, the Career Man (designed for a busy guy who doesn't have much time) and the Travelling Man. The section continues with a sport by sport breakdown of what you should be doing. It has sections on each of the following sports: Bicycling, Running, Swimming, In-line skating, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Raquet Sports, Skiing, Football, Soccer, Hockey, and Backcountry sports. There are also divisions for different decades of life, living in hot or cold climates, and designing programmes lasting different periods of time, all the way up to twelve months. Part Five: Body Maintenance
This is a short section that discusses preventing and dealing with injuries, basic rehab and massage. There are ways for self massage discussed here, but don't discount a real massage. The section ends with a short piece on dealing with and recovering from disease. Should one work out with a cold or flu? Part Six: Getting Equipped
This is about setting up a home gym. There are all sorts of options, and one doesn't have to spend a fortune to be well-equipped. The other option of course is a gym membership, but again remember, you get what you pay for and you pay even if you don't go. Other important topics include shoes, bikes, skis, canoes, kayaks, backpacks, fishing gear, skates, and other items that might play an important part in fitness. The one thin part of this book is that it only devotes a few pages to nutrition. But then again, most men don't pay too much attention, alas. The overall format of the book is a good one, with easy-to-read pages, good basic photography that is utilitarian and not glamour shots, and well suited for the purpose of the book. It comes with a fold-out poster to hang up in the workout area. This is a very good book, one I return to again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Changed my life!
Review: When I got this book I was a scrawny senior in high school. Now, into my second year of using this book I've more than doubled, even tripled the amount of weight I use during my workouts. It's also taken my 5" 11" figure from being a measily 130lbs to a much more noticible 165lbs. 35lbs of ALL MUSCLE thanks to following the workout recommendations in this book. Even decreased my already small body fat composition from 12% to 8%. I can not recommend this book enough! Take control of your body now!
<< 1 >>
|
