Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner


Dean Karnazes - 2005
    He has run over mountains, across Death Valley, and to the South Pole-and is probably the first person to eat an entire pizza while running. With an insight, candor, and humor rarely seen in sports memoirs (and written without the aid of a ghostwriter or cowriter), Ultramarathon Man has inspired tens of thousands of people-nonrunners and runners alike-to push themselves beyond their comfort zones and be reminded of what it feels like to be truly alive, says Sam Fussell, author of Muscle.Ultramarathon Man answers the questions Karnazes is continually asked:- Why do you do it?- How do you do it?- Are you insane?And in the new paperback edition, Karnazes answers the two questions he was most asked on his book tour:- What, exactly, do you eat?- How do you train to stay in such good shape?

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.

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.

Train Like a Mother: How to Get Across Any Finish Line - and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity


Dimity McDowell - 2012
    At its core, Train Like a Mother will comprehensively cover how to train for a race, including training plans for four race distances (5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon) for both beginner and more experienced runners; the importance of recovery; pre- and post-race nutrition; strength training; injury prevention (and rehab); and everything busy women need to know to add racing to their multitasking schedules. It is all presented with the same wit, empathy, and tone the avid fans connect and identify with.The book is divided into 13.1 chapters--the distance of a half-marathon, the sweet spot for many mother runners--narrated by both Sarah and Dimity. Like the first book, Train Like a Mother chapters have plenty of sidebars, including Practical Motherly Advice (helpful information about training- and race-related advice), Take It from a Mother (advice and answers from the growing tribe of running moms), and Racy Talk (entertaining, race-related stories from the authors and other moms). The .1 sections are entertaining "commercial breaks" celebrating the sport of running and the added thrill of racing.

Hwpo: Hard Work Pays Off Transform Your Body and Mind with Crossfit's Five-Time Fittest Man on Earth


Mat Fraser - 2022
    A student of engineering, Fraser optimized his body like a machine, and his absolute dedication to the training program he designed for himself is now legendary. For years, every single decision he made was weighed against the question: Will this help me win? If the answer was no, he didn't do it. If it would give him even the slightest edge or advantage, he would--no matter the cost. Fraser became a master of identifying his weaknesses and then seeking out training methods to improve them, and he's idolized in the fitness community for his relentless pursuit of peak performance. It's not hard to see why he achieved so much success--but how is a different question.Throughout his career, Fraser has been highly guarded about his specific training techniques (after all, sharing them would not help him win the CrossFit Games). But with his recent retirement from competition, Fraser is finally ready to open up about his path to the podium. HWPO reveals the workouts, training hacks, eating plans, and mental strategies that have helped make him a champion. It's an incredible resource of elite training strategies, illustrated workouts, and motivational stories, and it's a glimpse into the mind of one of the world's greatest athletes. No matter your level of fitness, no matter if you've never attempted CrossFit before, this book is your total training manual.

Fat Loss Happens on Monday: Habit-Based Diet & Workout Hacks


Josh Hillis - 2014
    The leanest people focus on how, on their eating habits, not on fad diets. Diets that rely on willpower and discipline fail. The path to results is made up of eleven small, simple, step-by-step habits. Rotating through phases of metabolic, endurance, and strength workouts yields the best fat-loss results. 1. Almost all diet and workout books are focused on the wrong things—They focus on ‘what’ instead of ‘how.’ 2. The leanest people focus on eating habits, not on fad diets. 3. Diets that rely on willpower and discipline fail. A smart plan wins. 4. The path to results is eleven small, simple, step-by-step habits. 5. Rotating through phases of metabolic workouts, endurance workouts, and strength workouts yields the best fat-loss results. 6. Pull-ups are the strength move for fat loss. A smart, progressive plan can take you from absolute zero, to your first, third, or tenth pull-up. 7. High-intensity workouts are power tools, most effective only twice per year before important events. Josh Hillis and Dan John know these habit-based diet and workout hacks, and they teach them well. JOSH HILLIS is a nutrition coach who specializes in habits-based, positive changes. LoseStubbornFat, his popular fat-loss blog, has tens of thousands of readers, and his fat-loss and kettlebell-training ebooks have helped people reach their personal goals for more than 10 years. Josh is currently the head coach at PowerHour Personal Training in Denver. DAN JOHN spends his work life blending workshops and lectures with full-time writing, and is an online religious studies instructor for Columbia College of Missouri. His books include Intervention, Never Let Go, Mass Made Simple and Easy Strength, which was written with Pavel Tsatsouline.

8 Weeks to SEALFIT: A Navy SEAL's Guide to Unconventional Training for Physical and Mental Toughness


Mark Divine - 2011
    The SEALFit athlete is different than the sport athlete.  He or she demonstrates great endurance, the ability to train without equipment, be prepared for the known and the unknown, can display intense work capacity, are durable, mentally tough, and flourish as part of a team. These qualities allow strong individuals to thrive in life and lead by example.  With 8 Weeks to SEALFit the athlete will: master the unbeatable mindget the best workout available with the least amount of equipmenttake a level-headed approach to nutritiondevelop exceptional overall functional strength, fitness, and mental toughness - the qualities that make a Navy SEALThrough teamwork, mental and physical preparation, and proper nutrition the SEALFIT athlete can cultivate the “Kokoro” (warrior) spirit, helping them be unbeatable in life.  Join the thousands of other SEALFIT athletes that have improved their well-being through these tried and true methods presented by Commander Mark Divine.

The Science of Running: How to find your limit and train to maximize your performance


Steve Magness - 2014
    The Science of Running is written for those of us looking to maximize our performance, get as close to our limits as possible, and more than anything find out how good we can be, or how good our athletes can be. In The Science of Running, elite coach and exercise physiologist Steve Magness integrates the latest research with the training processes of the world's best runners, to deliver an in depth look at how to maximize your performance. It is a unique book that conquers both the scientific and practical points of running in two different sections. The first is aimed at identifying what limits running performance from a scientific standpoint. You will take a tour through the inside of the body, learning what causes fatigue, how we produce energy to run, and how the brain functions to hold you back from super-human performance. In section two, we turn to the practical application of this information and focus on the process of training to achieve your goals. You will learn how to develop training plans and to look at training in a completely different way. The Science of Running does not hold back information and is sure to challenge you to become a better athlete, coach, or exercise scientist in covering such topics as:· What is fatigue? The latest research on looking at fatigue from a brain centered view.· Why VO2max is the most overrated and misunderstood concept in both the lab and on the track· Why "zone" training leads to suboptimal performance.· How to properly individualize training for your own unique physiology.· How to look at the training process in a unique way in terms of stimulus and adaptation.· Full sample training programs from 800m to the marathon.

The Men's Health Big Book of Exercises


Adam Campbell - 2009
    As the most comprehensive collection of exercises ever created, this book is a body-shaping power tool for both beginners and longtime lifters alike. From start to finish, this 480-page muscle manual bulges with hundreds of useful tips, the latest findings in exercise science, and cutting-edge workouts from the world's top trainers.  Inside The Men's Health Big Book of Exercises you'll find: 619 Exercises!All expertly demonstrated with color photographs, with dozens of movements for every muscle in your body, including:* More than 100 core exercises! You'll never run out of ways to sculpt your six-pack.* 74 biceps, triceps, and forearm exercises: Build your arms faster than ever before.* 64 chest exercises, and featuring dozens of variations of the pushup and bench press.* 103 back exercises, so you can carve a v-shaped torso.* 40 shoulder exercises, for a tank-top worthy torso.* 99 quadriceps and calves exercises, to help you jump higher and run faster.* 62 glutes and hamstrings exercises, for a more powerful, athletic body. Hundreds of workouts!From cover to cover, you'll quickly see that there's a training plan for every fitness goal—whether you want to shrink your hip, find your abs, or shape your arms. Highlights include:* The World's Greatest 4-Week Diet and Exercise PlanLose 10 pounds of pure fat in 30 days! This scientifically proven plan, based on research from the University of Connecticut, shows what's truly possible when you combine the right kind of diet with the right kind of exercise. You'll build muscle and lose fat faster than ever.* 64 Ways to Add Inches to Your ArmsYou'll learn how to mix-and-match the 12 best biceps exercises to create scores of sleeve-busting routines. The upshot: You'll never get stuck in a muscle-building rut again!* The Get Back In Shape (Fast!) GuideIf you've never even picked up a weight, you'll want to try this plan from Joe Dowdell, C.S.C.S. Joe makes his living training celebrities, cover models, and professional athletes, such as NBA stars Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy. And the strategies he uses when designing workouts for his high-profile clientele are the same ones he employs to help you burn fat, build muscle, and get back in shape.* The Ultimate Fat Loss PlanYou might call this the six-pack workout. That's because it's designed to help you finally finish off the flab that's hiding your abs. Created by Bill Hartman, P.T., C.S.C.S., a top fitness advisor to Men's Health, it's based entirely on the new science of fat loss. From the sets to the reps to the rest, every part of this workout is designed to optimize your body's ability to burn away belly-fat.And:* Boost Your Bench Press by 50 Pounds in 8 WeeksWorld-class powerlifter Dave Tate shares the strategies that helped him lift a personal best of 610 pounds    * Triple Your Chinups in 6 WeeksUse this simple routine that to master one of the world's greatest muscle-building exercises* Add 4 to 10 inches to Your Vertical LeapThis high-flying plan from strength coach Kelly Baggett will have you jumping out of the gym in no time    * The Beach Ready Body WorkoutGet-strong to get-big—this 8-week plan shows you how   * The Wedding WorkoutLook great—just in time for the big day (and your honeymoon!)* The Best Sports WorkoutTrain like an athlete, look like an athlete* The Scrawny to Brawny WorkoutPack on muscle fast: your 4-week plan    * The Best Workouts for a Crowded GymSculpt a lean, fit body—no waiting!* The Best Bodyweight WorkoutsTake your workout anywhere with these no-weight routines * The 10 Best 15-Minute WorkoutsBust stress, blast fat, and build muscle in almost no time* The 7-Minute Back-Saving WorkoutEnd low-back pain for good! Plus:Every page of The Men’s Health Big Book of Exercises is filled with the fitness and nutrition tips and tricks you need to sculpt the body you want.Throughout the book, you'll discover:* The secret to burning 40 percent more fat.* The 18 muscle mistakes you should never make* The best stretch for every muscle* The fastest cardio workout of all-time (just 4 minutes!)* The best exercises you've never done* The 8 healthiest foods you aren't eating* The 4 surprising foods that build muscle* The 25 super snacks that keep you lean* The 5 biggest nutrition myths, busted* The truth about saturated fat* The perfect foods to fuel your workouts* The complete guide to protein powders* The 20 ways lifting weights helps you look great, stay healthy, and live longer

Let Every Breath... Secrets of the Russian Breath Masters


Vladimir Vasiliev - 2006
    This groundbreaking manual on Systema Breathing presents step-by-step training drills given to you in a thorough and comprehensive way. You will learn the unique methodology of Systema Breathing and get the foundation for every physical activity of your daily life. Whether you are looking to raise your athletic skills to the next level, or wish to increase your potential and to enjoy life, this is your tool to uncover the endless reserve of energy, health and happiness. At the same time, it is very easy reading, full of entertaining stories and thought provoking ideas.

Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness


J.C. Herz - 2014
     One of the most illuminating books ever on a sports subculture, Learning to Breathe Fire combines vivid sports writing with a thoughtful meditation on what it means to be human. In the book, veteran journalist J.C. Herz explains the science of maximum effort, why the modern gym fails an obese society, and the psychic rewards of ending up on the floor feeling as though you're about to die.  The story traces CrossFit’s rise, from a single underground gym in Santa Cruz to its adoption as the workout of choice for elite special forces, firefighters and cops, to its popularity as the go-to fitness routine for regular Joes and Janes. Especially riveting is Herz’s description of The CrossFit Games, which begin as an informal throw-down on a California ranch and evolve into a televised global proving ground for the fittest men and women on Earth, as well as hundreds of thousands of lesser mortals.  In her portrayal of the sport's star athletes, its passionate coaches and its “chief armorer,” Rogue Fitness, Herz powerfully evokes the uniqueness of a fitness culture that  cultivates primal fierceness in average people. And in the shared ordeal of an all-consuming workout, she unearths the ritual intensity that's been with us since humans invented sports, showing us how, on a deep level, we're all tribal hunters and first responders, waiting for the signal to go all-out.

The Barefoot Running Book: A Practical Guide to the Art and Science of Barefoot and Minimalist Shoe Running


Jason Robillard - 2010
    Why? Because runners find shedding their heavy, overly-cushioned shoes provides a more enjoyable running experience while reducing injury and allowing better form. Jason Robillard uses a combination of research, collaboration, and his own experiences to bring the latest methods for making a safe, enjoyable transition to barefoot or minimalist shoe running. This new expanded second edition includes training plans, information on ultramarathons, photos, tested running tips and helpful hints. Includes contributions from top barefoot runners and experts including Barefoot Ted McDonald, Barefoot Rick Roeber, Dr. Daniel Lieberman, Dr. Michael Nirenberg, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, Dr. Scott Hadley, Dr. Joseph Froncioni, and many more.

101 Workouts For Women: Everything You Need to Get a Lean, Strong, and Fit Physique


Muscle & Fitness - 2008
    There are 101 photo-illustrated workouts that allow enthusiasts the opportunity to glance at the photo during a workout to check their faithful following of the routine. Whether a novice or an experienced weight trainer, the chapters offer different programs for levels of progress as well as a guide to designing personalized workout systems. Moreover, fitness and well-being are considered with a presentation on cardio primer and a feature on basic fitness nutrition as well. 101 Workouts For Women provides a complete one-stop get-fit package for fitness enthusiasts.

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.

Men's Health Huge in a Hurry: Get Bigger, Stronger, and Leaner in Record Time with the New Science of Strength Training


Chad Waterbury - 2008
    Author Chad Waterbury offers the most current neuromuscular science to debunk the fitness myths and conventional wisdom that may be wreaking havoc on your workouts and inhibiting your gains. Forget lifting moderate weights slowly for lots and lots of sets and reps. The best way to get huge in a hurry is to use heavy weights and lift them quickly for fewer repetitions. Waterbury's groundbreaking programs will enable you to: -Add Mass and size. Gain as much as 16 pounds of muscle in 16 weeks--and add 1 full inch of upper arm circumference in half that time!-Get stronger...fast! Even seasoned lifters can realize a 5 percent increase in strength in the first few weeks. And in 12 weeks, you can boost your overall strength by up to 38 percent.-Build power and stamina. Increase your one-rep max in your core lifts by as much as 30 percent.-Shed fat fast. Burn off up to 10 pounds of body fat, losing up to 2 pounds of fat per week.With Men's Health Huge in a Hurry, you'll not only get bigger faster, you'll do it with less time wasted in the gym and with less post workout pain and a much lower injury risk.