Laurens Fitness » Book Reviews

Weight Training Books

Lauren — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:39:19 +0000

I like to read, so I’m going to assume everyone else does too. It always helps to learn new things, and these books really help to outline the basics of strength training, programs, and anatomy. These weight training books will give you a good foundation to start from, and in a lot more organized manner than my site! All the books link through to amazon, it’s the best place to buy books from and is totally safe. I put a bit of review from each book, but you can head through and read more people opinions on them. These are ones I think are great for beginners, or people wanting to understand in more depth what they are doing, instead of just doing what the are told. These are all about strength training, and these are basic. I will put some of my other favourites up on other topics and more in depth eventually. Enjoy.

Starting Strength

Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training by Mark Rippetoe and Lon Kilgore is now out in a 2nd edition. Unlike some 2nd edition books, which merely include a new preface in the way of revision, this is a majorly substantial update and expansion of what was a great tome to begin with. The material in the original, 2005 edition is included, but there are lots of new graphics and additional chapters of valuable material beyond the initial release. Another subtle, but important difference, is that the focus of the book has been altered, from being coach-focused to being lifter-focused. Throughout the book, there’s an encyclopedia of practical tips you can put into your training program — right now — and see improvement almost immediately, and — significantly — you will understand why it helped you. This attitude, which is reflective of the broad experience and insight of the authors, will serve this book’s readers for years to come. Five key exercises are covered, squat, bench, deadlift, press and power clean, as well as assistance exercises. For each, there is in depth explanation of rules, recommended equipment, and the elemental points of proper lift performance. Some of the graphics are simply the best we’ve ever seen when it comes to illuminating the real essence of a given lift. (one example: a clever ‘yin-yang’ representation of the relationship between the power clean and the deadlift… another example is the photo series showing the value of squatting with a board in front of your shin). If you have the first edition, you won’t be sorry you got the 2nd. If you get the 2nd edition, you’ll wish you hadn’t gone 3 years without the first one. –Mike Lambert, Powerlifting USA

Practical Programming

Practical Programming offers a different approach to exercise programming. Based on a combined 70+ years of academic expertise, elite-level coaching experience, and the observation of thousands of novice trainees, the authors present a chronological analysis of the response to exercise as it varies through the training history of the athlete, one that reflects the realities of human physiology, psychology, and common sense. Practical Programming explains the differences in response to exercise commonly observed between athletes at the novice, intermediate, and advanced levels, explains these differences in the context of the relevant science, and presents new training models that actually work for athletes at all levels of experience. Complete with new, innovative graphical representation of cutting edge concepts in exercise programming, Practical Programming has become a standard reference in the field of exercise and human performance.

Maximum Strength

An innovative approach to weightlifting, emphasizing increasing strength along with muscle size–from a renowned strength coach and nationally ranked powerlifter, and a veteran fitness journalist.

Most of the 23 million American men who lift weights do so to get bigger; unfortunately, many of them are going nowhere with watered-down bodybuilding routines that don’t help them actually get stronger. Eric Cressey’s cutting-edge four-phase program, featuring constant progression, variation, and inspiring goals, keeps you focused on increasing strength along with muscle mass, helping you achieve the fittest, most energetic, and best-looking body you’ve ever had–with fewer hours at the gym.

Strength Training Anatomy

Over 1 million copies sold! With new exercises, additional stretches, and more of Frédéric Delavier’s signature illustrations, you’ll gain a whole new understanding of how muscles perform during strength exercises. This one-of-a-kind best-seller combines the visual detail of top anatomy texts with the best of strength training advice.

Many books explain what muscles are used during exercise, but no other resource brings the anatomy to life like Strength Training Anatomy. Over 600 full-color illustrations reveal the primary muscles worked along with all the relevant surrounding structures, including bones, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue.

Like having an X-ray for each exercise, the anatomical depictions show both superficial and deep layers and detail how various setup positions affect muscle recruitment and emphasize underlying structures. New pages show common strength training injuries in a fascinating light and offer precautions to help you exercise safely.

Stimulate Metabolism

Lauren — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:04:01 +0000

Although metabolism is not the be all end all of weight loss, it does play a large role. People are constantly looking for a way to stimulate metabolism. The fact is that there are a lot of supplements out there that can do just that for you. This is something that you want to try and avoid, especially at the start. If you need to make lifestyle changes, then make them way before you even let the thought of supplements come into your head. Following a few simple tips will ensure that you kick start your metabolism. Here is a recap from the article increase your metabolism, if you haven’t already implemented all of these steps, then do it. If you want a more detailed and fool proof plan to help you lose weight in 8 weeks, totally safe and with the knowledge and ability to keep it off for life, then read on after these tips.

Eat enough
Eat more frequently
Eat Breakfast
Eat more Protein
Eat more Fiber
Weight Train
Build Muscles
Work Your Legs
Do more Higher Intensity Cardio
Avoid Alcohol
Increase Incidental Physical Activity

8 Week Program To Kick-start Your Metabolism & Change Your Lifestyle Habits: The Metabolism Advantage

Revving up the body so that it optimizes nutrition and turns flab into lean body mass can be accomplished easily and quickly and at any age, even after the body’s metabolism has supposedly slowed down. That’s what sought-after fitness trainer and nutrition expert John Berardi demonstrates in this new book. Drawing on the best scientific research, including his own ongoing studies, Berardi has developed a supremely effective plan that enables his clients who include athletes, models, and ordinary men and women of different fitness levels to stoke their metabolic fires, burn more calories, build lean muscle, and improve their health, too! This unique three-pronged program includes:

Nutrition Plan, which provides recipes and meal plans that offer readers the foods that will teach their bodies to burn fat for fuel

BUY THE METABOLISM ADVANTAGE CHEAP AT AMAZON

Exercise Plan, which combines interval exercise and strength training to enable readers to burn more calories not only while they are working out but also after exercise

Supplement Plan, which identifies the essential compounds that kick the metabolism into high gear and improve general well-being.

Many books have been written on diets, exercise and various
combinations. This book written by John Berardi, PhD, is organized and
written so well that if you have the desire to improve your health, you
cannot fail. However, this program is quite complex and will require a
lot of discipline to succeed.

Being a physician who studied many aspects of diet and exercise, the
program makes perfect sense. Dr. Berardi gives an introduction into the
basic science of metabolism in a clear, concise method. He goes on to
discuss the advantage of diet, supplements, and exercise to fight the
battle of the bulge. Unlike “Body for Life” which engineers the dietary
program to include supplements by EAS, this book utilizes real food with
some supplementation. When to eat your meals in relation to exercise,
whether your workout is in the morning, afternoon or evening is possible
with the various plans outlined.

This book will show you the tools to carry out the methods and he
will inspire you by his methods of teaching.

In this book you will learn the following:

The 90% Rule of following this plan.

The 7 Rules of nutrition.
Why dieting makes you fat.
How you can eat more, and weigh less.
Why calorie counting does not work.
The 5 essential nutritional supplements.
Metabolism boosting exercises.

Step by step, the author will outline how you will accomplish your
goals. There is even a self assessment to determine how ready you are:

Are you ready to change?
Is your environment supportive of this change?
Is your social circle supportive of this change?

Recipes are included on how to prepare the healthiest meals.
Schedules on how to time your meals according to your lifestyle are
suggested.

There is additional support that the author provides on his website.
However, many of the features are by subscription. However, there are
a lot of accessible areas that include Blogs (i.e. Nutrition Team
Blogs, Product Support and Discussion, Goal Specific Discussion, Sports
Performance, Exercise Science) and Exericise demonstrations (through
Quicktime streaming). To get complete access to the website and a more
in depth experience to the Metabolism Advantage, you will have to pay
$97 (as of this writing).

This book has a solid foundation and will work if you have the
motivation. If you have a very busy lifestyle, it will take a great
deal of organization to make it work. However, what this book does is
transform your life through a change in lifestyle rather than a short
term goal of weight loss.

Hamstring Exercises From A Guru

Lauren — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 22:11:09 +0000

Yes Dad, there I said it. A guru.

If you have ever hurt your hamstring, are currently trying to rehab one now, or just love to study sports science…then you definitely need to check out this ebook. It is a total guide to Hamstring treatment. My Dad, Loris Bertolacci is the author, and if anyone should know about hamstring injuries it’s him. Not only was he an elite sportsman himself (bit old for that now but still very fast), he has worked with elite athletes in almost any sport you can name, and is currently doing a lot of work with high profile tennis players in Aus. For those not coming from the land down under, we have our own little code of football. Actually it’s not so little. It is by far the most popular sport in the country, and is big news. Dad ran the fitness department in a few of these clubs for longer than I can remember, and at the ripe old age of 25, that’s a long time. The point is, he seriously knows what he is talking about. I will stop rambling on about how good he is…If you want to know more about him and his experiences, check out his blog. This is his CV and here is the rest of his blog: Loris Bertolacci.

Anyway, here is a bit about the ebook, it is deadset worth your while. Even if you are not recovering from a hamstring injury, this will increase your knowledge to way beyond what you thought you knew, and I have to say, is fantastic value. Dad has been around the block, he knows what he is talking about. By the way, it had 119 pages, so be prepared to read. Oh and it is only $19.95… a massive steal considering the information in my opinion, but hey, I’m not selling it.

Learn the techniques used in high-performance environments, including Australian Rules’ Football Clubs.
Choose from more than 150 exercises – no matter your strength, flexibility, or fitness, there will be exercises that are right for you!
View over 250 pictures describing the exercises and stretches – EVERY exercise and stretch is detailed with descriptive pictures.
Finally discover which stretches work and when to use them.
Stop guessing how far you’ve come with our techniques to assess your progress.
Compare your progress to the statistics of real elite athletes!
Are weak core muscles causing your hamstring problems? Find out!
Harness sports specific advice to tailor your recovery to the way you use your body.
Choose from one of 8 different rehabilitation programs to find the right one for you
Learn surprising and critical information on when to rest, when to work hard, and how hard to work.
Discover the secrets of the pros, including a simple pain awareness scale that can keep you from reinjuring your hamstring!

Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief, Second Edition

This book is thorough and well laid out. If you are experiencing any type of pain whatsoever, give it a shot. It can help with things as disparate as frozen shoulder, nerve entrapment, headaches, and sore feet.

Trigger point therapy is one of the most intriguing and fastest-growing bodywork styles in the world. Medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are all beginning to use this technique to relieve formerly undiagnosable muscle and joint pain conditions that studies have shown to be the cause of nearly 25 percent of all doctor visits. The technique involves applying short, repeated massage strokes to trigger points, tiny contraction knots in muscle tissue where restricted circulation and lack of oxygen cause referred pain. Trigger points create pain throughout the body in predictable patterns characteristic to each muscle, producing discomfort ranging from mild to severe. Trigger point massage increases circulation and oxygenation in the area and often produces instant relief.

This dynamic technique has made a huge impact among health professionals and the public alike, becoming an overnight classic in the field of pain relief. The book has sold over 220,000 copies since the release of the first edition in 2001. The second edition is a complete update and includes a new chapter specifically for massage professionals, as well as a chapter on systematic muscle relaxation techniques that can reinforce the therapeutic power of trigger point work.The first edition of this workbook is regarded as a classic in its field, and was the first book to introduce trigger point therapy to the general public as a self-care tool for alleviating chronic pain caused by a variety of conditions, including arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, headache, muscle ache, and repetitive strain injuries. As the author makes clear, all such conditions are related to lack of oxygen in exhausted or injured muscle tissue. Trigger point therapy has been used for decades by doctors, pain specialists, and massage therapists to quickly stimulate the flow of oxygen and promote rapid pain reduction. This book makes the same techniques available to the general public with instructions that are easy to follow, and abetted by an extensive collection of charts and corresponding illustrations.