For those who have made New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, here are a few fitness books that might suit the athlete or athlete-wannabe looking for guidance.
“Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul and, of Course, Surfing,” by Laird Hamilton. (Rodale; 256 pp., $27.95)
You don’t have to be a fan of Hamilton, the famed big-wave surfer, to get something out of this book, which offers a good jumping-off point for those starting on an overall fitness program, as well as an incentive for those who already know what they’re doing. Before getting to the exercises and healthful recipes — staples of any fitness book — Hamilton talks about tackling fears, building motivation and setting goals.
He starts with basic gym-type exercises such as bicep curls, squats and chest presses, and he offers an “anywhere” workout that includes decline push-ups, lunges and something he calls “the steeps,” which is going up and down a hill or steps. Not everything is geared toward beginners — those with some workout experience can attempt a handstand or balance moves on a Bosu ball.
This uncomplicated, no-frills approach to getting in shape is refreshing, considering the dense, rule-filled books on the market. Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis offers some tasty recipes, and, toward the end, Hamilton lends his expertise on surfing, with plenty of eye-popping photos.
“Run Faster From the 5K to the Marathon: How to Be Your Own Best Coach,” by Brad Hudson and Matt Fitzgerald. (Broadway Books, 288 pp., $13.95.)
Serious runners are forever wondering how to tweak their training routines to make themselves faster and more efficient.
Just how to do that is often a challenge, especially without the help of a personal coach, but “Run Faster” might be the next best thing to having one. Readers benefit from the mistakes of co-author Hudson, a professional marathoner turned running coach, who admits that overtraining and not listening to good advice were his biggest mistakes. Hudson calls his training method “adaptive running,” which is founded on the belief that since runners are individuals, training programs should be tailored as well. They should be fluid and able to change, to keep pace with runners as their training and goals evolve.
His methods break down into 12 categories, including consistent, moderately high running volume; lots of hill running; multi-pace workouts; and taking one rest day per week. Training progressions are charted, with the various phases, such as threshold runs and long runs, explained in detail. Hudson also talks about muscle training, shows how to create an individual training plan and offers tips on improving year to year. Interspersed among chapters are mini-profiles of elite runners.
Getting through this book takes a commitment, but the payoff might be worth it.
“Built for Show: Four Body-Changing Workouts for Building Muscle, Losing Fat and Looking Good Enough to Hook Up,” by Nate Green. (Avery, 256 pp., $19.95)
If you can get past the rather lame discussion about women and their attraction to guys with great physiques, there’s good basic information on starting and maintaining a solid weight training program. Green, a personal trainer who’s contributed to Men’s Fitness magazine, lays out a detailed program that’s easy to follow and works major muscle groups — the ones that chicks allegedly like — as well as minor ones. Green is all about not isolating muscles during workouts, which allows smaller muscles to engage, making the moves more functional and bodies ultimately more symmetrical and attractive.
He gets points for favoring a balanced, healthful diet over supplements and for strongly advocating rest days, which are just as important as the workouts themselves. While the workouts are basic enough for a beginner to follow, they’re also useful for more experienced guys who aren’t getting the results they want from their current regimens.
Individual exercises are illustrated with photos, and Green explains the reason for each exercise, how to do it properly, what kind of gear is involved and how to modify the exercise if the gear (such as a dip bar) isn’t available. In the section “Don’t be that guy,” the author explains what not to do; dips, for example, shouldn’t be done with extra weights hanging off the belt while using a short range of motion.
Nutrition information is straightforward and holds no surprises — avoid high-fat dairy, eat more fish. If after all this the women aren’t swarming, don’t blame Green. He’s done all he can.
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