Recommended reading

Khannie

Any books related to health / fitness in general that you'd recommend?

Will Heffernan

Khannie wrote: »

Any books related to health / fitness in general that you'd recommend?

How long a list do you want?

Happy to provide a list but I think you need to be more specific.

On the fitness side I usually recommend books either on the academic side as in the science behind training or on the practical side...that being the science or practice of ACTUALLY training...some people are interested in both but most have a greater interest in one or the other. As in are you interested in understanding training or just interested in what training should be.

Same with the health....academic or practical?

I went through a stage for a good few years that I bought a 'training' related book every week...bought enough of them that I now get sent books to proof read...which is a bonus.

So if you are looking for stuff outside the usual....i.e Supertraining etc let me know your particular area of interest?

Magic Eight Ball

Khannie wrote: »

Any books related to health / fitness in general that you'd recommend?

I've only ever purchased one solitary fitness/ lifting book unfortunately, but what a purchase!

Khannie

Will Heffernan wrote: »

As in are you interested in understanding training or just interested in what training should be.

Eh...I'd say a bit of both to be honest. I didn't study biology in school, went for physics instead, but I'm enjoying learning about how the body works (in general) and of course I'd like to be able to push myself at my chosen sport (Muay Thai).

Will Heffernan wrote: »

Same with the health....academic or practical?

I would say more practical on the health side, but still a bit of both. I'm nearing the end of this book and found it....moderate. I learned some stuff from it, but mostly I found myself questioning the conclusions the author was drawing. On the academic side (for example) I'd be interested in learning more about how the digestive system works. How food is broken down / becomes available for energy systems / that kind of thing.

To be honest though, I'd consider anything that might be interesting or that people consider a "must read" for some reason. I'm hungry for knowledge at the moment.

Zamboni

I read this book about 7 years ago when I was a fat git and it why I got interested in fitness in the first place.
The book is predominantly about the human body's endurance levels and is a very enjoyable read.
By Dr Mike Stroud who does also does lots of stuff with the SAS.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Fittest-Understanding-Physical-Performance/dp/0099272598

cmyk

This'll be an interesting thread.

I'm about half way through 'The Diet Delusion' by Gary Taubes. I know that's not exactly what you've asked for, but I'll argue it comes under health. Makes an interesting story as a whole, but I'm finding it quite monotonous in places. Not helping that I'm reading it in bed at night...not a book to keep you awake!

BossArky

Khannie wrote: »

Any books related to health / fitness in general that you'd recommend?

You robbed my idea!

Here are some of mine.

Weights:
Starting Strength - Mark Rippetoe
The Modern Encloypedia of BodyBuilding - Arnie
531 - Jim Wendler

Swimming:
Total Immersion

Running:
Chi Running

Nutrition:
The Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition - Anita Bean

I found them all good except for Chi Running which was a bit too focused on the Chi/spiritual side of things.

Khannie

Zamboni wrote: »

I read this book about 7 years ago when I was a fat git and it why I got interested in fitness in the first place.
The book is predominantly about the human body's endurance levels and is a very enjoyable read.
By Dr Mike Stroud who does also does lots of stuff with the SAS.

Looks good. Bought. 6.50 ish including delivery for a 2nd hand one = bargain.

discombobulate

I've been recommended and have bought Bad Science from another thread here. Looks a good read. Cheapest I found was on eBay here although i'm sure you'd pick it up cheaper second hand somewhere.

Just noticed its cheaper on Amazon actually not sure about postage though

squod

Any of these books on DVD then? I can't read find the time for books.

discombobulate

squod wrote: »

Any of these books on DVD then? I can't read find the time for books.

http://www.startingstrength.net/97-starting-strength-dvd/

Edwardius

I liked Greg Everett's "Olympic Weightlifting". Plenty of stuff about skill-transfer exercises, assistance exercises and just about every version of the two lifts along with stretching, programming, equipment, nutritional info and comp preparation.

Roper

I think everyone should read Supertraining. Not cos it's a definitive text, just as a challenge because it's ****ing unreadable. It's been in my jacks for two years, and that includes a house move and one of these days I'll run out of jacks paper and the whole chapter on glycogen stores will be used.

Hanley

Muscle by Jon Hotten's a very interesting read about bodybuilding.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Hanley wrote: »

Muscle by Jon Hotten's a very interesting read about bodybuilding.

Aye, I'll second that one. Excellent read, thoroughly entertaining and an eye opener about bodybuilding with very little sensationalism.

itsallaboutheL

Hanley wrote: »

Muscle by Jon Hotten's a very interesting read about bodybuilding.

+1 but purely for pleasure.. also is a real eye opener, felt so bad for the welsh dude and his family.

i'm sure we've all read a lot of training books which to be fair are only as good as you make them...

however if i was put on the spot and told to pick a book aimed at all levels of trainer and trainee i'd have to say "strength training anatomy" by frederic delavier, because imo there's no point knowing all about training if you don't know exactly what it is you are training.

King of Kings

Bah they banned my linky to all the books you could shake a stick at.....

*shakes fist at the man*

I did like Tom Venuto - Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle

although I'm not great at reading fitness books - I tend to dip in and out of them

BossArky

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

however if i was put on the spot and told to pick a book aimed at all levels of trainer and trainee i'd have to say "strength training anatomy" by frederic delavier, because imo there's no point knowing all about training if you don't know exactly what it is you are training.

I got the female version of that for Green Athene about a year ago. It is crap!

90% of the exercise are for "toning abs or buttocks". Totally steroptypical weights book for women :mad:

The male version isn't much better - a million different types of bicep curls (I flicked through it in a book shop)

bigstar

BossArky wrote: »

I got the female version of that for Green Athene about a year ago. It is crap!

90% of the exercise are for "toning abs or buttocks". Totally steroptypical weights book for women :mad:

The male version isn't much better - a million different types of bicep curls (I flicked through it in a book shop)

disagree with this. its quite a good book, shows the muscles used for most exercises in fairly good detail. it doesn't really recommend any exercises just shows you what they work, although upright rows apparently develop a "hercules" physique. wow.

one book i found really interesting is 'practical programming' by rippetoe and kilgore. its just a good basic read on how to programme your workouts as you progress. good companion to starting strength but good on its own too. no real agenda in pushing one form of training over another although like SS its built around the powerlifts mostly. not great if you want to curl and bench but good if strength or maybe size is your goal.

beegirl

King of Kings wrote: »

I did like Tom Venuto - Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle

+1, love it!!!

Yeah "Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle" is a class book and the guy is a God, he looks amazing naturally.

BossArky

bigstar wrote: »

disagree with this. its quite a good book, shows the muscles used for most exercises in fairly good detail. it doesn't really recommend any exercises just shows you what they work, although upright rows apparently develop a "hercules" physique. wow.

I doubled checked the user reviews online to ensure sure I wasn't being too scathing in my review. Amazon gives the female version 3.5 out of 5.0, based on reader reviews i.e. not great.

Comments include:

• "the book is restricted to legs and core muscles only"
  
• "Apparently, women don't have arms..."
  
• "the book is FABULOUS if you want half a workout. where are chest, lat's, bi's, and tri's?????? Spend your money on a COMPLETE WORKOUT NOT HALF!!!!!"

I wouldn't recommend it.

itsallaboutheL

BossArky wrote: »

I doubled checked the user reviews online to ensure sure I wasn't being too scathing in my review. Amazon gives the female version 3.5 out of 5.0, based on reader reviews i.e. not great.

Comments include:

• "the book is restricted to legs and core muscles only"
• "Apparently, women don't have arms..."
• "the book is FABULOUS if you want half a workout. where are chest, lat's, bi's, and tri's?????? Spend your money on a COMPLETE WORKOUT NOT HALF!!!!!"

I wouldn't recommend it.

From an anatomy and physiology point of view its the job imo. it;s not meant to be a "workout" book.

BossArky

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

From an anatomy and physiology point of view its the job imo. it;s not meant to be a "workout" book.

Yup there are some good illustrations alright. I especially enjoyed that one where they compare the backside of a horse, monkey and human :pac:

itsallaboutheL

BossArky wrote: »

Yup there are some good illustrations alright. I especially enjoyed that one where they compare the backside of a horse, monkey and human :pac:

right you're not a fan we get it, i just found it fit the purpose i bought it for personaly.

BossArky

BossArky wrote: »

... a million different types of bicep curls

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

i just found it fit the purpose i bought it for personaly.

Joking aside - we're talking at cross purposes. I'm on about the female version, and you are on about the male version. Just giving my pov to inform the masses.

itsallaboutheL

BossArky wrote: »

Joking aside - we're talking at cross purposes. I'm on about the female version, and you are on about the male version. Just giving my pov to inform the masses.

i really don't see why you'd buy a "female" version!

Jimmy Bottlehead

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

i really don't see why you'd buy a "female" version!

BossArky wrote: »

I got the female version of that for Green Athene about a year ago. It is crap!

Raspberryhardon

Khannie wrote: »

Any books related to health / fitness in general that you'd recommend?

I buy the Mens health magazine once a month its got good articles in it.

Raspberry, I've never actually read it but I've been told a lot of the stuff in it can be nonsense or for people absolute beginners. Was I just misinformed or is it worth a read in your opinion ?

agentgreen

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah "Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle" is a class book and the guy is a God, he looks amazing naturally.

Is this only available in e-book?

Raspberryhardon

Deleted User wrote: »

Raspberry, I've never actually read it but I've been told a lot of the stuff in it can be nonsense or for people absolute beginners. Was I just misinformed or is it worth a read in your opinion ?

I like it it doesnt take itself to serious and theres some intersting reading in it. Its def worth having a look its not hardcore but def a good read for various articles. I dont belive the information they give is nonsense becuase the experts are made up of top professionals in there field.

Clive

The Grapplers Guide to Sports Nutrition by Berardi and Fry. Even if you're not a grappler it's a great book. It has an excellent chapter on cutting weight which should be a must read for any combat athlete.

Khannie

Clive wrote: »

The Grapplers Guide to Sports Nutrition by Berardi and Fry. Even if you're not a grappler it's a great book. It has an excellent chapter on cutting weight which should be a must read for any combat athlete.

Looks good. Great cover. Where did you buy it?

Clive

I got mine from Amazon, I've never seen it in any shops.

Khannie

Thanks. It's pricey enough and I can't seem to track down many 2nd hand copies. This might be my next book after the one I've just ordered. Or I might stick it on the Christmas stocking list.

Captain Furball

Anatomy of Movement
Strength Training Anatomy



,

flywheel

BossArky wrote: »

The male version isn't much better - a million different types of bicep curls (I flicked through it in a book shop)

the male version as the title suggests is a book about anatomy for strength training... it does sound like you flicked through the first section on arms which coveres the... arm muscles... so yes you get common exercises for the biceps, triceps, forearm flexor and extensors with a mix of dumbell, barbell and cable exercises

it's not a workout book, it is a book with anatomical diagrams highlighting the muscles used in performing various exercises, a reference book, i've had a copy for years, and found it very useful...

Strength Training Anatomy-2nd Edition
By Frederic Delavier

http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/strength-training-anatomy-2nd-edition


alternatively another book under the same topic of anatomy:

Anatomy for Strength and Fitness Training
by Mark Vella
http://www.mhprofessional.com/product.php?search_crawl=true&isbn=0071475338

Google Books Link

and a little more indepth taking in motion (so more about biomechanics and sporting activites)

Athletic Ability and the Anatomy of Motion, 3rd Edition
By Rolf Wirhed, Fil Lic

http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/product.jsp?isbn=9780723433866

Google Books Link

beegirl

agentgreen wrote: »

Is this only available in e-book?

Yes i think that one is only available as an e-book, but he did bring a "real book" called the Body Fat solution last year - I haven't read but I'd imagine it contains a lot of the same info and principles? Here it is on amazon...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Body-Fat-Solution-Principles-Maintaining/dp/1583333290/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256029097&sr=8-1

aye

Optimal Muscle Training by Ken Kinakin

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=0736081720


How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy! by Paul Chek

http://www.amazon.com/How-Eat-Move-Be-Healthy/dp/1583870067/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256036202&sr=1-1

The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford

http://www.amazon.com/New-Optimum-Nutrition-Bible/dp/1580911676/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256036250&sr=1-1


Brawn by Stuart McRobert

http://www.amazon.com/Brawn-3rd-Stuart-McRobert/dp/9963916317/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256036320&sr=1-1

Khannie

Zamboni wrote: »

I read this book about 7 years ago when I was a fat git and it why I got interested in fitness in the first place.
The book is predominantly about the human body's endurance levels and is a very enjoyable read.
By Dr Mike Stroud who does also does lots of stuff with the SAS.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Fittest-Understanding-Physical-Performance/dp/0099272598

Arrived today. Just in time for the weekend. Looking forward to reading it. I'll stick up a review.

Khannie

aye wrote: »

The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford

http://www.amazon.com/New-Optimum-Nutrition-Bible/dp/1580911676/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256036250&sr=1-1

I'm just finished reading this. I learned a bit, but found myself questioning the authors conclusions quite a bit. His default position was "you DEFINITELY need supplements....how many and what type is what you need to determine".

On the flip side, I have changed the way I supplement since reading it.

aye

Khannie wrote: »

On the flip side, I have changed the way I supplement since reading it.

how so?

Khannie

aye wrote: »

how so?

I'm taking a gram of vitamin C a day now (on top of other stuff, multivit, yada yada). Despite being on a calorie deficit at the moment (I'm fighting next week) I feel bang on. In the past I've felt progressively worse the longer a calorie deficit + heavy training has gone on. Placebo? maybe.

The author recommends 2-5g a day iirc.

Khannie

Really enjoying Strouds book. play.com have it 2nd hand for next to nothing.

Zamboni

Khannie wrote: »

Really enjoying Strouds book. play.com have it 2nd hand for next to nothing.

Savage isn't it.
It made me realise the gap between what the average human body couch potato and what the average human body can actually achieve. It was quite a stark realisation.
Stroud is a legend. He used to be the medical consultant on the SAS: Do you think you're hard enough? show on BBC2.

Thanks for the Play link, I might actually buy myself a copy as I borrowed it from Rathmines library years back

Khannie

Zamboni wrote: »

It made me realise the gap between what the average human body couch potato and what the average human body can actually achieve. It was quite a stark realisation.

Yeah, I found the little story in the introduction really inspiring, even though it was fiction / he made it up it made me realise what hardships the human body has been designed to put up with. Weirdly, I found going hungry easier after reading it.

aye

Khannie wrote: »

Really enjoying Strouds book. play.com have it 2nd hand for next to nothing.

purchased

Khannie

aye wrote: »

purchased

Looks like you weren't the only one!!! Only the ridiculously expensive one left there. They have a new one for 9.49 including delivery so if anyone's considering buying it, check that. Also, amazon.co.uk for 2nd hand ones is a good bet too.

discombobulate

Khannie wrote: »

Looks like you weren't the only one!!! Only the ridiculously expensive one left there. They have a new one for 9.49 including delivery so if anyone's considering buying it, check that. Also, amazon.co.uk for 2nd hand ones is a good bet too.

Took a copy of it as well. Can't go wrong for €3.30!!

dioltas

discombobulate wrote: »

Took a copy of it as well. Can't go wrong for €3.30!!

Ya must have got the last one!

The Book Depository have it for €8.22. Still not bad. the cover's different but I assume it's the same thing?