The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance


Steven Kotler - 2014
    Drawing on over a decade of research and first-hand interviews with dozens of top action and adventure sports athletes such as big–wave legend Laird Hamilton, big–mountain snowboarder Jeremy Jones, and skateboarding pioneer Danny Way, Kotler explores the frontier science of “flow,” an optimal state of consciousness where we perform and feel our best.Building a bridge between the extreme and the mainstream, The Rise of Superman explains how these athletes are using flow to do the impossible and how we can use this information to radically accelerate our performance in our own lives.At its core, this is a book about profound possibility, what is actually possible for our species, and where—if anywhere—our limits lie.

The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer


David A. Whitsett - 1998
    Runner. Marathoner. Are these words you wouldn't exactly use to describe yourself? Do you consider yourself too old or too out of shape to run a marathon? But somewhere deep inside have you always admired the people who could reach down and come up with the mental and physical strength to complete such a daunting and rewarding accomplishment? It doesn't have to be somebody else crossing the finish line. You can be a marathoner. "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer" is based on the highly successful marathon class offered by the University of Northern Iowa, which was featured in a "Runner's World" article titled "Marathoning 101." The class has been offered five times over 10 years, and all but one student finished the marathon. That is approximately 200 students -- all first time marathoners and many with absolutely no running background. This book follows the same 16-week, four-day-a-week workout plan. What makes the success rate of this program so much higher than any other? The special emphasis on the psychological aspects of endurance activities. You don't have to love to run -- you don't even have to like it -- but you have to realize that you are capable of more than you have ever thought possible. One participant in the program explained it like this: "I'm doing this for me -- not for others or the time clock. I just feel better when I run, plus it helps me to cope with things in general. The skills we've learned in this class don't apply just to marathoning -- they apply to life Just like you never know what the next step in a marathon will bring, so too, you never know what will happen next in life. But if you don't keep going, you're never going to find out. By staying relaxed, centered, and positive you handle just about anything that comes your way." This is marathon running for real people, people with jobs and families and obligations outside of running. "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer" has proven successful for men and women of all ages. Now let it work for you.

Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving--and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity


Dimity McDowell - 2010
    Of course, real achievement is a healthy mix of inspiration and perspiration, which is why the authors have grounded Run Like a Mother in a host of practical tips on shoes, training, racing, nutrition, and injuries, all designed to help women balance running with their professional and personal lives.

The Principles of Running: Practical Lessons from My First 100,000 Miles


Amby Burfoot - 1999
    and about life. From a key figure in the running world comes a unique little compendium of information and anecdotes about a life in motion. Champion marathoner Amby Burfoot has created a distinctive resource to help runners run better, faster, and farther. More than this, his succinct and sure-footed text will help runners rediscover and deepen their own joy in the sport. This is a celebration of running.Training, racing, nutrition, injury prevention, issues for women, weather, mental preparation, and the marathon are discussed in detail with plenty of solid information. Each chapter ends with a list of relevant principles of running. Interwoven among the facts and fundamentals are enlightening personal notes from a learned lifelong runner. The Principles of Running is much more than a simple manual. It is a book that you will not be able to put down, although you are not sure whether you are reading it for the running tips or the life lessons. It is a book that you will keep on your nightstand, tuck in your briefcase, and give to your friends. It is a book that is certain to help you hit your stride--whether your running shoes are off or on.

Own the Day, Own Your Life: Optimised practices for waking, working, learning, eating, training, playing, sleeping and sex


Aubrey Marcus - 2018
    Aubrey Marcus, author of the book is CEO of Onnit, a human performance company that he has built into one of the fastest growing companies in the world.How can we get the most out of our body and mind on a daily basis? Want to change your life for the better?Aubrey Marcus answers these questions in this handbook that guides the reader to optimise each moment of the day. With small, actionable changes implemented throughout the course of one day we can feel better, perform more efficiently and live happier. And these habits turn into weekly routines, ultimately becoming part of a lifelong healthy choice.From workouts and diet to inbox triage, mindfulness, shower temperature and sex this groundbreaking manual provides strategies for each element of your day. Drawing on the latest studies and traditional practices from around the world, this book delivers cutting-edge life hacks, nutritional expertise, brain upgrades and fitness regimes.Own the Day presents a path to change. It guides readers through a single 24-hour day of positive choices and optimal living that will form the groundwork for all their days to come. From foundational elements like workouts, diet, and mindfulness, to more routine opportunities to optimize your choices, such as shower temperature and inbox triage, readers will learn to make the most of every moment.Ultimately, Marcus creates a choose-your-own-adventure guide to living that brings the reader's mind, body, and spirit to life. It is a promise delivered on the back of real, concrete strategies for better living. And the all-encompassing results are what make this book's simplistic approach so successful. By focusing on optimal decision making for just one day —by making several small, key changes in your daily approach—you end up addressing your health at every level. And owning your day.

Runner's World Big Book of Running for Beginners: Winning Strategies, Inspiring Stories, and The Ultimate Training Tools for Beginning Runners


Jennifer Van Allen - 2014
    And they’re realizing that running is the simplest, cheapest, and most effective way to lose weight, gain confidence, and relieve stress. For newcomers, the obstacles are fierce. There are fears of pain and embarrassment. There are schedules jam-packed with stressful jobs, long commutes, endless meetings, and sticky-fingered toddlers.The Runner’s World Big Book of Running for Beginners provides all the information neophytes need to take their first steps, as well as inspiration for staying motivated. The book presents readers with tips for smart nutrition and injury prevention and includes realistic training plans that enable beginning runners to achieve gradual progress (by gearing up for a 30-minute run, a 5-K, or even a 5-miler). Above all, it will show newbies just how fun and rewarding the sport can be, thanks to the help of several "real runner" testimonials.

Delavier's Women's Strength Training Anatomy Workouts


Frédéric Delavier - 2014
    Based on the anatomical features unique to women, this new guide sets the standard for women's strength training.290 full-color illustrations allow you to see inside 157 exercises and 49 programs for strengthening, sculpting, and developing your arms, chest, back, shoulders, abs, legs, and glutes.Step-by-step instructions work in tandem with the anatomical illustrations to ensure understanding of maximizing the efficiency of each exercise. You'll see how muscles interact with surrounding joints and skeletal structures and learn how variations of movements can isolate specific muscles and achieve targeted results.Delavier's Women's Strength Training Anatomy includes proven programming for reducing fat, adding lean muscle, and sculpting every body region. Whether you're beginning a program or enhancing an existing routine, working out at home or at the gym, it's all here and all in the stunning detail that only Fr'd'ric Delavier can provide.The former editor in chief of PowerMag in France, author and illustrator Fr'd'ric Delavier has written for Le Monde du Muscle, Men's Health Germany, and several other publications. His previous publications, including Strength Training Anatomy and Women's Strength Training Anatomy, have sold more than 2.5 million copies.

Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory


Deena Kastor - 2018
    In Let Your Mind Run, the vaunted Olympic medalist and marathon and half-marathon record holder, will reveal how she incorporated the benefits of positive psychology into her already-dedicated running practice, setting her on a course to conquer women's distance running. Blending both narrative running insights and deep-dive brain science, this book will appeal to and motivate steadfast athletes, determined runners, and tough-as-nails coaches, and beyond. This memoir, written by perhaps the most famous American woman active in the competitive world of distance running, will appeal to the pragmatic athletic population, and jointly to fans of engaging sports narratives, inspirational memoirs, and uplifiting biographies.

Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence


Gary Mack - 2001
    Gary's lessons and David's writing provide examples of the importance of the mental game."--Ben Crenshaw, two-time Masters champion and former Ryder Cup captain"Mind Gym hits a home run. If you want to build mental muscle for the major leagues, read this book."--Ken Griffey Jr., Major League Baseball MVP"I read Mind Gym on my way to the Sydney Olympics and really got a lot out of it. Gary has important lessons to teach, and you'll find the exercises fun and beneficial."--Jason Kidd, NBA All-Star and Olympic gold-medal winner"I love the book Mind Gym."--Madison Kocian, 2016 U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team, 2015 Uneven Bars World Champion, as told to Us WeeklyIn Mind Gym, noted sports psychology consultant Gary Mack explains how your mind influences your performance on the field or on the court as much as your physical skill does, if not more so. Through forty accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes from prominent athletes--many of whom he has worked with--you will learn the same techniques and exercises Mack uses to help elite athletes build mental "muscle." Mind Gym will give you the "head edge" over the competition.

Runner's World Complete Guide to Running


Matt Gilbert - 2010
    The Complete Guide to Running is divided into 10 key chapters:Getting StartedTrainingNutritionHealth & InjuryThe Mind & the Psychology of RunningCross TrainingWeight LossWomen's RunningThe Great OutdoorsRacingEach chapter brings you a selection of informative and inspiring articles with advice, tips and tricks to improve your running. There's everything from choosing the right shoe for you, how to feed your body to fuel your run to tricking your mind to break through mental barriers and even running for weight-loss.You'll find easy-to-follow training plans, nutrition information and inspirational stories from other runners. All this brought to you by a team of passionate runners with a wealth of knowledge and experience - the Runner's World team.

The Athlete's Book of Home Remedies: 1,001 Doctor-Approved Health Fixes and Injury-Prevention Secrets for a Leaner, Fitter, More Athletic Body!


Jordan Metzl - 2012
    (High schoolathletics alone result in more than 2 million injuries a year!) Now, the hobbled masses have an authoritative guide to healing themselves: The Athletes Book of Home Remedies. This comprehensive guidebook for fitness buffs and sports enthusiasts empowers readers to self-diagnose and self-treat chronic and acute aches and pains—from shin splints and sprains to athlete’sfoot—and provides medically sound advice on preventing injuries. A doctor-designed, get-back-in-shape workout and diet plan accompanies the head-to-toe diagnosticmanual, ensuring that readers will not only come back from injury stronger than ever, but will avoid getting sidelined in the future.

Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes


Teresa Tapp - 2006
    Highly recommended!”–Nicholas Perricone, M.D., New York Times bestselling author The most efficient and effective workout you’ll ever do!Imagine an exercise program that requires no equipment, no weights, and no bands. There is no jumping or stress to your joints. Yet everyone gets results regardless of fitness level! Created by renowned fitness expert Teresa Tapp, the revolutionary T-Tapp Workout reshapes your body while it fires up your metabolism. All you need is four square feet of space and just 15 minutes a day in order to see a dramatic loss of inches. How does it work? T-Tapp’s unique sequence of comprehensive, compound muscle movements works the muscles layer by layer, from the inside out, to cinch, tighten, and tone them and burn fat better. Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes is the complete introduction to this amazing program. By doing Teresa Tapp’s signature 15-minute workout, or the extended 45-minute workout, you can:• lose a clothing size–in just two weeks • flatten your belly without doing a single crunch• develop strength and improve bone density without lifting a single weight• build sleek muscles and improve posture• lower blood pressure and cholesterol the natural way• improve blood-sugar levels in type 2 diabetesThe no-impact workout is safe for those with shoulder, hip, knee, neck, and back concerns, and is also effective for those with conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. With T-Tapp you’re building a better body–inside and out.Completely illustrated with step-by-step photographs that show how to do the exercises, Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes also includes inspiring testimonials and an easy-to-follow food plan. If you want real results–real fast–tap into the power of T-Tapp!

Your First Triathlon


Joe Friel - 2006
    This clear and comprehensive book prepares aspiring triathletes for the challenge of their first tri through a simple, 12-week training plan that requires fewer than 4 hours a week. By race day, you'll have the confidence and fitness to enjoy your first triathlon: swimming a half mile, riding a bike 12 miles, and running 3 miles.Your First Triathlon offers a 12-week training plan for total beginners as well as custom plans for athletes already experienced in swimming, cycling, or running. The easy-to-use plans include achievable swim, bike, run, and optional strength workouts that will slowly but surely build you into a triathlete. As you build endurance, Joe Friel's technique workouts will improve your speed and efficiency. Helpful tips will ensure you'll know how to handle problems like a flat tire, soreness, and how to navigate questions about etiquette in the pool or on a group ride or run.Joe simplifies the complexities of the swim-bike-run sport with his smart advice on gear, how to prepare a transition area, finishing a stress-free swim, and ensuring that race day goes as planned. Joe offers tips on choosing a beginner-friendly triathlon and then walks you through your entire race week covering packet pickup, knowing the course, the pre-race briefing, what to eat for breakfast, check-in and body marking, how to set up your transition area, warming up, what to do in unexpected weather, a smart race plan, and what to do after you've finished your first triathlon.Joe Friel is the coach experienced triathletes trust most. His book The Triathlete's Training Bible is the best-selling resource in the sport and now his trusted advice is available to help you enjoy your first triathlon.

Resistance Band Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide to Stretching, Strengthening and Rehabilitative Techniques


Karl Knopf - 2013
    Using this simple device, you can: • Increase Strength • Improve Balance • Reduce Lower Back Pain • Rehabilitate Injuries Resistance Band Workbook offers more than 70 safe, effective exercises paired with clear captions and step- by-step photos that can be done practically anywhere, anytime. In addition, special programs will enhance your daily life, whether you’re looking to revamp your physique, elevate your sports performance or simply improve functional fitness.

The Swing!: Lose the Fat and Get Fit with This Revolutionary Kettlebell Program


Tracy Reifkind - 2012
    Self-made fitness guru Tracy Reifkind has a self-made physique, working off 120 pounds after harnessing the extraordinary power of kettlebells (as featured in Timothy Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Body). Now, Tracy delivers a power-packed exercise, diet, and lifestyle program for rapid but sustainable weight loss: The Swing! Reifkind’s program promises dramatic results in just two half-hour sessions each week—that’s just four hours a month! There are no gimmicks here: Reifkind offers strong coaching on developing a winning mindset and a protein-focused, transformational eating plan, and reveals the evidence of her own low-cost, no-gym-membership success story. The Swing! packs the power to teach, to inspire, and to help you break through to your real, ideal body.