Reviews (19)

Thorough and Insiprational
This is a very thorough and very inspirational book. It details all the possible types of exercises with all the possible types of equipment (and without any equipment as well) that one could do. Just by looking at the clearly drawn pictures, even before reading the explanatory notes accompanying each exercise, you get the idea of how to do it. I enjoyed very much reading about Bill Pearl's career and his overall philosophy about weight-training - his understanding of and approach to weight-training is just as impressive as his physique. Bill calls for natural, drug-free and healthy workouts and lifestyle, not the eat-all-food-you-can-handle-and-more and gain-fast advice that one gets nowadays.

Great Book. Thanks Bill, We needed this!
While many people classify themselves as trainers and experts, who better to get advice from than a man wo won Mr. America, Mr. USA, tied Arnolds record of four NABBA Mr. Universe wins, beat every great champion from the 50's to the 70's including Sergio Oliva, Frank Zane and Reg Park and has been training everyone from Joe Average wanting to get in shape to Mr. Olympia winners like Chris Dickerson.
Love this book!
This book is a great reference for all types of exercises. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in setting up resistance training programs, especially those working in the fitness industry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Reference    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Mind, body, spirit: thought & practice   

Reviews (11)

question
I haven't used this book yet. I wanna know how many exercises does this book have? I'm looking for a book that has some good eye exercises, not just information about eyes, or basic stuff.

Thorough and Clear
The information is presented in a very clear, well-organized, and succinct way.The instructions for the exercises are very clear and thorough.I especially like the "What to Watch For" and "Notes" sections for each exercise.I feel like it's hard not to do these exercises correctly with all the notes and observations the author adds.The testimonials at the beginning and the introductory chapters really gave me hope and enthusiasm in this program.I just started the program, but I feel this book will have been valuable even if I do not see improvement in the "First Stage" of the program.
Better than the other books!
If you are looking around Amazon at all the different vision improvement books, this is the one that is worth investing in. It is clear, succinct, and offers a step by step program that is thoroughly outlines and easy to follow. A lot of the other books on the subject offer a lot of information, but fail to give the reader a program to follow. Martin Sussman's book also explains why and how vision works and why it will improve with this program. I just got the book, but already his techniques have completely changed my (previously negative)attitude toward my vision. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavioral optometry    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Medical    6. Medical / Holistic Medicine    7. Ophthalmology    8. Optometry    9. Popular works    10. Vision    11. Visual training    12. Holistic Medicine    13. Popular medicine    14. Visualization   

Reviews (33)

Flexibility Instruction That Works, Plain and Simple
I went from not being able to touch my ankles, let alone my toes, to full side splits, and it took only six months.If you want flexibility training the right way, with clear simple instructions that really work, you need look no further.Pavel is a master teacher, one who understands why things work in great detail but Relax Into Stretch is not a textbook, it is a how-to manual.Pavel goes into great detail about the techniques you need to do to improve your own flexibility.The devil is in the details, and Pavel makes sure you know everything you need in order to safely improve your flexibility.
should be entitled: "Re-hashed"
Pavel wrote a precursor to this book which he admitted wasn't "user friendly." (a ridiculous euphamism on his part) His first book contained the following: several drills that were basically useless including his version of chest stretches, rocking the head from side to side, and simply reaching for the ceiling on tip-toes. also, there were drills that were already well known and done in high school gym classes all over america like toe touching, standing and bending to the side while reaching overhead and the common split. Lastly, he incorporated what he called shutdown threshold isometrics. now that i'm attending school to become aphysical therapist assistant i've come to discover that this maneuver is nothing new to the stretching/physical rehab world and is occasionally just given a new name by a fitness instructor to make it seem like they know something that most don't.
PNF stretched into 150 pages
I loved this book when I first read it, probably because I was uneducated about stretching.Pavel introduced this stretching technique which "instantly allowed me to touch my toes".It's quite simple, it's called Proprioceptive-Neuro-Muscular-Facilitation.PNF is found in many of the basic physical fitness texts.It is not revolutionary, it was not discovered "on the other side of the Iron Curtain", and it is not something worth $34.95 of your hard earned money.The only contribution Pavel has is showing you how to do PNF yourself.So you don't have to spend the money, I'll tell you right now: Go to a decent stretch, flex the muscle(s) being stretched.Hold your breath to increase the intensity of the flex, and then release the breath and the flex at the same time.Boom, you're done.
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Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Exercise    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health & Fitness / Exercise    5. Health/Fitness    6. Exercise & workout books    7. Flexure    8. Muscles    9. Stretching exercises   

Reviews (117)

Buy It
I finished the Honolulu Marathon in good enough condition to walk another couple of miles to the hotel immediately afterwards all thanks to this book. The book touched my life in the way only the best of books can. Your search for a really good first time marathon how-to book is over. Buy it!!!

Very Good!
They got it down. It's a sixteen week course, providing you are up to speed with the preliminary 11 week training program.(That's the ablility to jog 30 minutes - 4 times a week) I am on my last long run this weekend of week#13 at 18 miles (the first long run was 5 in week 1)and then the last 3 weeks before the marathon is all tapering back. I am confident, and have not a doubt that I am, by this time, a marathoner, and will finish. That is the goal emphasized by the book, and that will be fine by me ...(this time..)!!

I just finished about 2 hours ago!
I'm sitting here typing this with salt on my face and a medal around my neck.I have this book to thank for finishing my first marathon, and I couldn't be happier.
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Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Marathon running    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Track & Field    8. Training    9. Fitness training    10. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    11. Track & field sports, athletics   

Editorial Review

According to author Loren Cordain, modern health and diet problems didn't start with the advent of packaged snack food, but much earlier--back at the dawn of the agricultural age many thousands of years ago. As humans became less nomadic and more dependent on high-carbohydrate diets, we left behind the diet we had evolved with, which is based on low-fat proteins and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Sugars, fats, and carbs were rare, if they were present at all, and survival required a steady, if low-key, level of activity. Read more

Reviews (53)

You've got to read this book!
I received this book as a gift. There are quite a few books on this subject on the market and this one is the best. I too could not put it down and finished it in 3 days. It's a huge book, a great resource that is well researched and written.. I have a few friends who've purchased this book and really loved it too. I can highly recommend this book.
A Stricter Variation of the South Beach/Atkins Diet
This diet elimninates starches and grains, sugar, of course, legumes and dairy products and makes the case for us eating like our ancestors. Good examples and receipies. May be hard to follow completely in its purest form.

Closer to healthy than atkins, but not quite there.
The Paleo Diet is based on an interesting premise- the idea that what we ate before agriculture suited our needs perfectly because our bodies had been bred by evolution in response to our what we could find to eat in our environment. It seems like a giant leap to assume our paleolithic ancestors naturally gravitated towards exactly what we need to eat. Animals in the wild do make sensible choices most of the time, because their decisions are instinctual. Self-awareness creates a problem that doesn't exist for other animal behavior as it does for humans. Sometimes we do things out of curiosity, or laziness, or false beliefs. So, considering the erratic behavior of present-day humans, who is to say our paleolithic ancestors were any more intuitive about their nutritive needs? Even the book suggests humans ate what they did out of trial and error, frequently just trying whatever they encountered in the wild.
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Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet Therapy    3. Diets - General    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Physical Fitness    8. Weight Loss    9. Diets & dieting    10. Health & Fitness / Weight Loss   

Reviews (26)

Enlighting!
The ideas and training was really helpful, a good tool for training at home when you have no partner to train with.

Not very useful for me
I agree, solo practice is very important. If you have no clue what you could practice alone, are training karate / tkd / krav maga, and fairly novice, there might be some good drills for you.
Excelent for beginers, and for Fitness
This is a very good book. Don't look into it though if your a black belt or higher, won't offer too much. This book offers great basic intruction, although it does detail on form, I'd listen to my instructor over this book. It comes from a karate point of view, but the drill are good for all martial art forms. No, there's no great training secrets or anything like that in this book. Any book or person that claims to know a secret of training is lying anyway. These bread and butter (basic) moves and drills will help you become faster and stronger when practiced regualrly. I increased my kicked height and speed, as well as my punching power and speed by using this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    3. Martial arts    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Training    7. Combat sports & self-defence   

Reviews (4)

A Great Resource!
The Pilates Reformer is a great resource for pilate teachers and students.The photos are beautiful and the descriptions of each exercise is very helpful.I would receommend this book to teachers and students who are experienced.This book is not for the novice.

A Must Have for Pilates Professionals!
Being in charge of the Pilates Programming for Healthtrax in Pittsburgh, I have found this book to be an incredible resource for myself and my Pilates staff. Clark- and Romani-Ruby have made this book very user friendly and have not left one important detail out.All exercises are broken down step by step and include important breathing and alignment cues, visualization cues, pre-requisite moves (both on the reformer and on the mat which too is useful!)and spring requirements.What I like about the book is how various modifications are given for each exercise so that you can customize your classes (or training sessions) and give individuals exercises (and modifications)that are specific to their physical abilities that will help them to attain their goals.This book will help Pilates professionals take their classes and training sessions to a higher level and give them a more personable approach to teaching/training.Having taught Pilates for over four years and fitness for nearly 10 years, I've attended quite a few workshops, certifications, industry conventions and have seen many DVDs/Videos featuring Pilates.None have contained the obviously well-researched information included in this book.The background in Physical Therapy and fitness that these two authors possess has been well put to use in this manual.This book did not disappoint! It is a must have for any PILATES PROFESSIONAL!I highly recommend it.

A good introduction to the reformer
Although videos are a great way to learn Pilates, serious students of the reformer will want to study each exercise in as great a depth as possible.Books abound on Pilates matwork techniques, but it is less easy to find instructional materials on the use of the reformer.Readers should not be put off by this book's subtitle, "A Manual for Instructors." The information found here is presented in a logical and straightforward style and would be helpful to any Pilates practitioner interested in exploring reformer techniques.Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Diseases - Skin    4. Exercise    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Physical fitness    8. Pilates method    9. Study and teaching   

Reviews (58)

Terrific training tool
I just finished Orvis's 12-week program and I highly recommend it.It's easy to follow with clear descriptions and great pictures of each exercise.Before getting the book I lifted about once a week but without any plan and I really wasn't sure *how* to do some of the exercises. With the book I used my time more efficiently and started really experiencing results.The key difference between how I lifted before the book versus after is now I aim for what Orvis calls "the magic two"--doing as many repetitions as possible until fatigue......and then doing two more.It really hurts but it also really works.
Why pay for a trainer when you can use this?
This is just what I was looking for.I am quite active and eating what I think of as health so all I was really looking for was a book that gave me the guide of how to survive the iron jungle and this is it.The workouts are fun and I keep looking forward to what I get to do next.And unlike when I was training before I am not over working or getting bored of doing the same workout over and over again.That means that I have been cosistantly training, I am just about done with the 12 weeks and plan on graduating to book II.If you have the motivation and no special needs then give it a try, it's cheap espcially if you compare it to hiring a personal trainer. Buy or borrow the book first and if you don't agree then hire the trainer.

Waste of money
This book is a rip off. There are very few words on each page compared to real fitness books such as framework, core performance, etc. Very little information as well. This should have cost 1/5 the price of what it did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Physical fitness    6. Weight training   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Exercise    3. General    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Muscle strength    7. Stretching exercises    8. Exercise & workout books    9. Health & Fitness / General   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Finance    5. Insurance    6. Mathematical models    7. Risk management    8. Budgeting & financial management    9. Business & Economics / Finance    10. Economics    11. Mathematics   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. Health/Fitness    5. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (86)

A Life Saver for Pain Suffers and Everyone Else
My cranial sacral therapist had given me xeroxed copies of these particular yoga poses that she felt would help me while I got my body straightened out. She took them from an old book that she had had. I started doing the poses but did not stick to them on a regular basis. However, I was still curious if I could somehow find the book. After a successful search online, I found the book and immediately ordered it. I must say it is fascinating to read how the Colonel explain these five particular Tibetan ancient exercises changed his life and made him look much younger than his age. The Colonel traveled through some forbidden Tibetan territory, enduring mountainous onstacles in search of this ageless monk society. The exercises are simple and do detox your system. You must be cautious and not overdo yourself in the fist couple of weeks. I love this book and will refer many people to it. It sure beats enduring an operation which may or may not cure you. It is simply another part of the growing search for alternative medicine and lfe styles.

Hyped
This is pure hype. Peter Kelder never wrote a book called Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth. It's title is The Eye of Revelation and has been published by Borderland Sciences since as early at 1975. These rites are very effective. There has been some recent research into what makes these simple exercises so powerful.
I like it...
I don't know if this program is going to turn me into a 22 year old again, but I find the exercises worth the 5-10 minutes a day to do.They help promote flexibility and strength.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Alternative medicine    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Exercise    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Healthy Living    9. Longevity    10. Medicine, Tibetan    11. Rejuvenation    12. Complementary Medicine    13. Health & Fitness / Yoga   

Reviews (15)

would not be 1st choice
Be careful if you take this book into the kitchen. It is printed on the cheapest of papers and tears and damages easily if it gets wet. The recipes are o.k.; the information is o.k., although conflicts with some information in her Coconut Diet book, but nothing very interesting or inspirational is shared.

Missing Information
I bought this book to add juice to my diet as well as for a juice fast to detox. However, this book is missing important information on this topic.This book is very helpful for ADDING more juice to your diet, but it doesn't cover the necessary information on a strict juice diet commonly used for cleansing (detoxing), illness, and weight loss.
Very informative...well laid out & easy to read
This book is EXCELLENT and one which I highly recommend. Yes...it's from 1992 but it all still stands true. The one thing about eating this type of food/juice and eating this way in general is that the underlying benefits and facts don't change. It certainly is not a fad but based on principles that stand the test of time. You can buy a book on this subject that is 50 years old or one that is brand new...they will say pretty much the same thing. This book is very well laid out tho' and is packed with a wealth of information. It points out the benefits of juicing and what each vegetable and fruit is good for...and how to drink them, along with some excellent recipes. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beverages - General    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diets - Better Health    5. Fruit juices    6. Healing    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health aspects    9. Health/Fitness    10. Nutrition    11. Therapeutic use    12. Vegetable juices    13. Health & Fitness / Nutrition    14. Health & wholefood cookery    15. Non-alcoholic beverages   

Reviews (29)

A Great Training Reference to Workout at Home
You will find a good collection of exercises (over 400), photographed and fully described to put together a flexible workout program.
Exactly What I Was Looking For
I can't add much to the other positive reviews here, but I liked this book so much that I thought I needed to add a few more stars to it's rating.
Great book when starting to workout
This book is great for someone that has never worked out or is just getting ready to start working out again. It is especially helpful if you haven't purchased any equipment yet. It will show you how to get the most out of different types of equipment and how to do most exercises no matter what type you have (dumbbells, barbell, machine, a chair, etc.) Having said that, if you do have a particular type of equipment this book will show you how to get more exercises out of it than you ever thought possible. It also tells you the benefits of different exercise and gives you sample workout routines. Finally, it differentiates between beginner, intermediate, and advanced form for almost every exercise. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Exercise    6. Exercise for men    7. Health and hygiene    8. Men    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (4)

Written with love.
Hi,very well written.Most techniques down to very fine detail.Excellent insights, tips, and good instruction of combinations.Only gripe is that there were not good enough pictures to match excellent writing.Always rereading bits to help with my training.As always, a book is no substitute for practise.Cheers

Worth Every Penny
As said before me this book lives up to its title. It is very complete, the author talks extensivly not only on every aspect of kickboxing I've ever heard of, but also of many I haven't. The book is easy to understand and the author has a unique style of writing and organization that keeps you interested. This is one of the best martial art books I've ever owned.

A well-rounded compilation of facts
The collaborative work of martial arts experts Martina Sprague (kickboxing, modern freestyle, Kenpo karate) and Keith Livingston (kickboxing, Tae Kwon-Do, Kenpo Karate, boxing, Aikido, Ju-Jitsu, and former I.K.A. light heavyweight Rock Mountain champion), Complete Kickboxing is a "martial arts student friendly" instructional guide and reference for kickboxing techniques, concepts, sparring exercises and competition strategies. Beginning with the fundamentals of movement, stance, punching and kicking, and progressing to instructions on more advanced jump kicks and sweeps, strategies for short and long range fighting, outsmarting one's opponent, and the business mechanics of competition in the professional ring, Complete Kickboxing is an indispensible resource for novice and career kickboxers alike. A well-rounded compilation of facts, advice, and insight efficiently organized for improving one's skill and strengthening weaknesses.
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Subjects:  1. Boxing    2. General    3. Kickboxing    4. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Combat sports & self-defence   

Reviews (30)

The starting line for triathlon training
There are bigger triathlon books, and there are books with more detailed training schedules.There are books to hone your swimming, and books to make you run faster, but there is probably no better book for starting the sport of triathlon than Eric Harr's
Triathalon Training
Great guide for someone trying to get their feet wet in this sport.
Great Training Schedule
I really liked what Eric had to say about the training schedule and heart rate zones. I have been training in target heart rate zones as he says, and I have seen a lot of improvement versus just putting miles in. It was also a fun and inspiring read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Track & Field    5. Training    6. Triathlon    7. Sports coaching    8. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (28)

Fun with reading and movement
This was a great incorporation of words and movement, I read itto my 3.5 year old and he loves it,but I also think older children will have fun acting like each animal.

Great Shower Gift! Book Interests Babies at Many Levels!
I read FROM HEAD TO TOE to my baby, who is now 10 months old, and to a good friend's child, who is about 22 months old. Both enjoy it!
My Infant Smiles Whenever He Sees This Book
We have enjoyed another of Eric Carle's books--Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See--since my son was a few weeks old.So, when my son was about 7 months old, I bought From Head to Toe.It was a wonderful purchase!After a few reads, my son was imitating the animals just like his mama--waving his arms like a monkey and on his hands and knees like the cat.It was so wonderful for me to see that my son was understanding and processing the books I read to him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Concepts - General    6. Exercise    7. Interactive Adventure    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Physical fitness    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Editorial Review

"Competitive running gives your running life a focus. Competition measures progress. You set a goal and accomplish it." Bob Glover and Shelly-lynn Florence Glover, authors of Read more

Reviews (34)

You need this book!!!!
As a 5k runner (25:00), I ordered this book to give me a little more info to train more efficiently.I had run a half marathon, and had no interest in doing a full marathon.I read the entire book, and began following Glover's recommendations. I saw almost immediate results.I then figured out (with Glover's help) that I, too, could do a marathon.I have dropped my 5k time to a new PR of 20:48 and will be running my first marathon in 2 weeks.I have followed his schedule very closely and have had no injuries and have improved dramatically.I even keep this book in my bathroom and reread a segment each morning!!!Every time I go back to it I learn a little more.When I did decide to do a whole marathon, I bought several books.This one far surpasses any other book out there.It is definitely worth the money!!!!

For the Winners
This is a very detailed book for anyone interested in competitive running. Geared toward both, the seasoned athlete who wants to go to a new level and the beginner with a serious desire to compete. Training specifity is broken down into strategies, explained with great detail, and scheduled accordingly. All aspects of training are covered to include nutrition, equipment, illness and injury. Cross-training is covered to also enhance your performance. Special concerns are addressed such as experience, gender, age, and weather.

Excellent
I am a college student who doesnt run competitively but I run around 3-5 times per week and have been for years. This book gives great information about how to train for races and improve speed. I have bought a few running books and this is by far the best, I have no need to buy any more running books. The only thing that turned me off a little when first recieving the book is its size, it has almost 50 chapters and is over 600 pages long. However you do not need to read all 600 pages, I would recomend it to get the most knowledge out of the book, but definately not necessary. Highly recomended for anyone who wants to improve their speed and learn how to the proper way. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Psychological aspects    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Running races    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Track & Field    8. Training    9. Cross-country running    10. Fitness training    11. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Editorial Review

Masters swimmer and acclaimed coach Terry Laughlin has taught thousands to swim more efficiently in the workshops he has given across the United States. In his book Laughlin details simple, step-by-step drills emphasizing the importance of technique and an innovative workout regimen. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Cheap
Not a single photo ! Just a few sketches and a lot of talk. Save your money.

Misleading "concept"
This book describes a concept which is not revolutionary at all, lacks a comprehensive concept and good illustrations. The first chapters lead the reader redundantly through the biophysics and biomechanics of swimming bodies and quite extensively, the development of TI. Unfortunately, it sounds more like self-adulation and is excessively descriptive. The impatient reader will skip these chapters, asking himself where the swimming drills are. Thus, coming to real swimming, this book describes a good approach by teaching balance and breaking down a stroke into single sequence drills. However, if the reader does some internet search he will get these drills for free. Additionally, most internet pages provide video-clips. The reader may enjoy the drills up to the point where he is ready for real swimming. And then, the reader has to realize that this concept lacks drills for breathing and flip-turns! In summary, this book does not provide a comprehensive concept of swimming lacking essential techniques and good illustrations. Furthermore, the approach is not revolutionary if you research the "evolution" of modern swimming.

Improved my swimming significantly
The advice given in this book is very useful. It significantly reduced my stroke count. The drills are clearly explained as are the reasons why they improve your speed in the pool. It also has examples and stories that are inspiring. It was well worth my time and money ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Swimming    5. Swimming And Diving    6. Training    7. Sports & Recreation / General    8. Swimming & diving   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Hatha yoga    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Meditation    6. Yoga    7. Body, Mind & Spirit / Meditation    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Oriental & Indian philosophy