Book picks similar to
Plyometric Anatomy by Derek Hansen
health
sports
fitness
non-fiction
Breathing for Warriors: Master Your Breath to Unlock More Strength, Greater Endurance, Sharper Precision, Faster Recovery, and an Unshakable Inner Game
Belisa Vranich - 2020
Belisa Vranich's ground-breaking second book teaches the science, techniques, and benefits of breathing correctly and efficiently for warriors in all walks of life.People are less in touch with their bodies—and especially their breathing—than ever before. Ironically, athletes and others who pride themselves on taking care of their bodies actually put themselves at greater risk. Why? Because they’re asking their body to take on next-level demands, but failing at life’s most essential skill: efficient breathing.Proper breathing is the world’s most powerful biohack. Learning it will help you feel better, avoid injury, and perform at your very best (including in bed!). Champion gladiators, master martial artists, even spearfishers all had one thing in common: efficient breathing to achieve flawless execution.An elite few still understand: Navy SEALs who need to make the perfect shot, super-elite weightlifters who truly understand how to harness and channel their energy, free-divers who can spend seemingly impossible amounts of time underwater, and high-profile execs who keep calm before multi-billion-dollar presentations.You can learn their secrets.From the corporate athlete to the tactical ninja, Breathing for Warriors is a practical, science-forward book that focuses on everything related to breathing and performance—from muscles and workouts to an impenetrable inner game.
Jog On: How Running Saved My Life
Bella Mackie - 2018
She could barely find the strength to get off the sofa, let alone piece her life back together. Until one day she did something she had never done of her own free will – she pulled on a pair of trainers and went for a run.That first attempt didn’t last very long. But to her surprise, she was back out there the next day. And the day after that. She began to set herself achievable goals – to run 5k in under 30 minutes, to walk to work every day for a week, to attempt 10 push-ups in a row. Before she knew it, her mood was lifting for the first time in years.In Jog On, Bella explains with hilarious and unfiltered honesty how she used running to battle crippling anxiety and depression, without having to sacrifice her main loves: booze, cigarettes and ice cream. With the help of a supporting cast of doctors, psychologists, sportspeople and friends, she shares a wealth of inspirational stories, research and tips that show how exercise often can be the best medicine. This funny, moving and motivational book will encourage you to say ‘jog on’ to your problems and get your life back on track – no matter how small those first steps may be.
The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance
David Epstein - 2013
In college, I ran against Kenyans, and wondered whether endurance genes might have traveled with them from East Africa. At the same time, I began to notice that a training group on my team could consist of five men who run next to one another, stride for stride, day after day, and nonetheless turn out five entirely different runners. How could this be?We all knew a star athlete in high school. The one who made it look so easy. He was the starting quarterback and shortstop; she was the all-state point guard and high-jumper. Naturals. Or were they?The debate is as old as physical competition. Are stars like Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams genetic freaks put on Earth to dominate their respective sports? Or are they simply normal people who overcame their biological limits through sheer force of will and obsessive training?The truth is far messier than a simple dichotomy between nature and nurture. In the decade since the sequencing of the human genome, researchers have slowly begun to uncover how the relationship between biological endowments and a competitor’s training environment affects athleticism. Sports scientists have gradually entered the era of modern genetic research.In this controversial and engaging exploration of athletic success, Sports Illustrated senior writer David Epstein tackles the great nature vs. nurture debate and traces how far science has come in solving this great riddle. He investigates the so-called 10,000-hour rule to uncover whether rigorous and consistent practice from a young age is the only route to athletic excellence.Along the way, Epstein dispels many of our perceptions about why top athletes excel. He shows why some skills that we assume are innate, like the bullet-fast reactions of a baseball or cricket batter, are not, and why other characteristics that we assume are entirely voluntary, like an athlete’s will to train, might in fact have important genetic components.This subject necessarily involves digging deep into sensitive topics like race and gender. Epstein explores controversial questions such as:Are black athletes genetically predetermined to dominate both sprinting and distance running, and are their abilities influenced by Africa’s geography?Are there genetic reasons to separate male and female athletes in competition?Should we test the genes of young children to determine if they are destined for stardom?Can genetic testing determine who is at risk of injury, brain damage, or even death on the field?Through on-the-ground reporting from below the equator and above the Arctic Circle, revealing conversations with leading scientists and Olympic champions, and interviews with athletes who have rare genetic mutations or physical traits, Epstein forces us to rethink the very nature of athleticism.
Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding
Daniel E. Lieberman - 2021
Using his own research and experiences throughout the world, Lieberman recounts without jargon how and why humans evolved to walk, run, dig, and do other necessary and rewarding physical activities while avoiding needless exertion.Exercised is entertaining and enlightening but also constructive. As our increasingly sedentary lifestyles have contributed to skyrocketing rates of obesity and diseases such as diabetes, Lieberman audaciously argues that to become more active we need to do more than medicalize and commodify exercise.Drawing on insights from evolutionary biology and anthropology, Lieberman suggests how we can make exercise more enjoyable, rather than shaming and blaming people for avoiding it. He also tackles the question of whether you can exercise too much, even as he explains why exercise can reduce our vulnerability to the diseases mostly likely to make us sick and kill us.
The Whartons' Stretch Book: Featuring the Breakthrough Method of Active-Isolated Stretching
Jim Wharton - 1996
But did you know that the traditional way of stretching—lock your knees, bounce, hold, hurt, hold longer—actually makes muscles tighter and more prone to injury?There’s a new and better way to stretch: Active-Isolated Stretching. And with The Whartons’ Stretch Book, the method used successfully by scores of professional, amateur, and Olympic athletes is now available to everyone.This groundbreaking technique, developed by researchers, coaches, and trainers, and pioneered by Jim and Phil Wharton, is your new exercise prescription. The routine is simple: First, you prepare to stretch one isolated muscle at a time. Then you actively contract the muscle opposite the isolated muscle, which will then relax in preparation for its stretch. You stretch it gently and quickly—for no more than two seconds—and release it before it goes into its protective contraction. Then you repeat. Simple, but the results are outstanding. The Whartons’ Stretch Book explains it all.Part I contains the Active-Isolated Stretch Catalog, with fully illustrated, easy-to-follow stretches for each of five body zones, from neck and shoulders to trunk, arms, and legs—over fifty stretches in all. Part II offers specific stretching prescriptions for over fifty-five sports and activities, from running, tennis, track, and aerobics to skiing, skating, and swimming. You’ll also find advice on stretching for daily activities such as driving, working at a desk, lifting, and keyboarding. Part III discusses stretching for life, with specific recommendations for expectant mothers and older athletes. It also includes specific stretching exercises that could help you avoid unnecessary surgery.Give Active-Isolated Stretching a try for three weeks. You’ll never go back to your old stretching routines again.
How to Build Strong & Lean Bodyweight Muscle: A Science-based Approach to Gaining Mass without Lifting Weights
Anthony Arvanitakis - 2018
Having made a lot of personal mistakes, having followed a lot of bad advice, and having neglected a lot of important principles, I know that having this book back then would have saved me a lot of time and effort.Since I can’t go back in time to avoid my mistakes, I can help those of you that are getting started on your journey of building bodyweight muscle.This book is also for those frustrated from training for some time, without getting the results that they should should be getting… I want you to find out the missing pieces that are holding you back, so you can finally get the results you deserve.Lastly, Bodyweight Muscle is not just about muscle. Incorporating a bodyweight exercise routine in your lifestyle can become a keystone habit that triggers positive widespread change in other areas of your life.Building Bodyweight Muscle and gaining control over your body helps you develop confidence and a sense of self-mastery. It empowers you to further take control of your life and make more positive changes day by day.
Run Faster from the 5K to the Marathon: How to Be Your Own Best Coach
Brad Hudson - 2008
Hudson is the most innovative running coach to come along in a generation. Until now, only a handful of elite athletes have been able to benefit from his methods. Now Run Faster from the 5K to the Marathon shows all runners how to coach themselves as confidently and effectively as Brad coaches his world-class athletes. Becoming your own best coach is the ticket to running faster at any distance. First you will learn to assess your abilities. Then you’ll learn how to devise a training program specifically geared to you. Filled with easy-to-follow sample training programs for distances ranging from the 5K to the marathon and abilities ranging from novice to advanced, Run Faster is the cutting-edge guide for optimal performance.With Hudson’s guidance, you can train smarter and more effectively—and avoid injury. And you’ll soon be running faster than you ever thought possible!
Cure Tight Hips Anywhere: Open Locked Up Hips and Pelvis Anytime, Anywhere (Simple Strength Book 1)
Sean Schniederjan - 2014
This book gives the simplest exercises on the market to open your hips with effective correctives you can do anywhere. This program was designed to not only be convenient, but also comprehensive. It breaks down an easy set of progressions and goals to get the muscles on your pelvis, lower back, and hips/upper legs to function. Doing these exercises will: -restore balance to your body -instantly improve your posture and hip mobility -strengthen your hips in addition to opening them leaving you feeling "tied together" and fantastic.
Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100
Roy M. Wallack - 2005
Now leading cycling journalists Roy M. Wallack and Bill Katovsky have assembled into one essential resource everything cyclists needs to know to bike for a lifetime. These experts present groundbreaking information on medical research, training techniques, nutrition, and technology and equipment trends that impact the sport at every level. They also assess the risks and provide informative solutions to many bike-related conditions that have been overlooked, sensationalized, or are just emerging, including impotence, osteoporosis, weakened immune systems, sore backs, depression, and even fractured relationships. Also featured are a dozen in-depth interviews with cycling legends, such as Gary Fisher, Ned Overend, John Howard, Missy Giove, Eddie B, and Marla Steb. This authoritative guide to getting the most out of your bike riding will appeal to cycling enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, and is a must-read for everyone who loves to get on a bike to compete, to keep fit and promote longevity, for fun, or simply to get from point A to point B.
Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week: From Beginner to Finish Line in Just Six Weeks
Eric Harr - 2003
More than that, it will change your life in ways you never imagined.In 1994, when Eric Harr decided to train for his first triathlon in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the extent of his exercise was walking to the local mango stand for lunch. That one simple step set in motion dozens of other positive steps. Eric began eating better, had more energy, and grew more sensitized to the joys of everyday life.Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week is the key to unlocking a healthy, passion-filled life. All the motivation and practical advice you need to train for and finish a triathlon is within these pages:- Four separate training programs to accommodate every fitness level - A complete list of all the gear you need, with money-saving tips on how to get it for less - A 40-minute stretch-and-strengthen workout you can do at home--plus an abbreviated 10-minute workout for those days when you're pressed for time - A complete menu plan with delicious, healthy meal choices to fuel your active body - Strategies to stay motivated and injury-proof your body - Discounts on triathlon gear, race entry fees, travel expenses and lodging - A minute-by-minute guide to your race day
Dream On: One Hacker's Challenge to Break Par in a Year
John Richardson - 2009
He has a full-time job and a wife and child and he's trying to shoot a level par round within the year. When he started the challenge he couldn't break one hundred. So he's trying to take thirty-three strokes off his game in one year and he asked me to find out your opinion on that.' Sam Torrance laughed, then slowly contemplated the question. 'Well, you can tell him from me to dream on.' Meet John Richardson, a regular bloke who enjoys a round of golf in his spare time. That is until he sets himself the challenge of playing a level par round within a year. With no natural talent, precious little time and no fitness level to speak of, can John pull it off? In spite of Sam Torrance's scepticism, John remains resolute and so begins an exhausting but exhilarating year of living, breathing, eating and sleeping golf. A rollercoaster ride from beginning to end, "Dream On" is funny and inspirational, and a must for any golfer who dreams of improving their game.
Dr. Joshi's Holistic Detox: 21 Days to a Healthier, Slimmer You - For Life
Nish Joshi - 2005
Dr Joshi Dr Joshi's craving-free detox attracts stars and supermodels from all over the world to his Wimpole Street clinic. Now, in his first book, Dr Joshi will reveal the secret of his metabolic detox dieting plan and explain how it has transformed the lives and health of celebrities such as Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ralph Fiennes. Based on avoiding foods that are refined, acidic and toxic such as wheat, potatoes, red meat, alcohol and dairy produce, the idea is to alter the PH balance of the body from acid to alkaline - flushing toxins from the system, restoring energy levels and losing weight. It is also about 'cutting down' on certain foods rather than 'cutting out', and changing your palate so you will actually dislike the taste of those foods which are bad for you, so preventing cravings. By following Joshi's intensive three-week programme and three-week maintenance course any one of us can shake off the strain of a high-pressure life and get the body and energy-levels we've always dreamed of.
The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide: The Key to Running Inspired
Ryan Robert - 2012
She obsessed about her weight and let it take control of her life. Eventually she even lost the confidence she once effortlessly displayed. As an avid runner, Ryan knew if he was able to get his niece to start running she would gain self-confidence, better mental and physical acuity. It would also allow her a better focus on health rather than weight. Ryan started writing notes to his niece about different aspects of running. These notes became the impetus for his book Running Inspired.Running Inspired provides a wealth of information for the non-runner and beginning runner. The book covers everything from proper form, to shoes, to running schedules, and food. There is also information on how to stay motivated including visualization exercises. These are the tools Ryan used to teach his niece to run inspired and they will help you too.Ryan's writing style is friendly, easy to read, and non-judgmental. If you have ever thought about running, even if you've never tried it, Running Inspired is the perfect place to start.
The Body Sculpting Bible for Men
James Villepigue - 2001
The Body Sculpting Bible for Men, Revised Edition is the gold standard for body sculpting. It’s everything you've ever wanted in a fitness book and everything you've ever wanted in a training regimen–and it will give you everything you've ever wanted in a body.Visit us online at www.bodysculptingbible.com.
Running with Lydiard
Arthur Lydiard - 2000
Instructing runners in Finland, Mexico, Venezuela, Denmark, Japan, the USA and New Zealand, Lydiard has continued to refine his methods, and this manual contains information on exercise physiology, diet, injury prevention and cure, discussion of Lydiard's methods and revised training schedules.