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Customer Reviews (37)

Taking Paleo to the next level.
If you have read "The Paleo Diet" and are a serious athlete this book is a must read.I have learned an amazing amount of information about how what we eat effects our body and the best practices for repair after heavy workouts.I currently do a couple of sprint triathlons yearly and after reading this book have increased my ability both in strength and recovery.This book gave me the tools to take my competition to the next level which is an Olympic Triathlon double my normal distance.The basics of this book are easy to understand and are designed for serious athletes. If you are new to the Paleo concept I would recommend reading "The Paleo Diet" first.If I can pass on one thing from this reading it would be "Stop eating processed foods immediately!".Your body and mind will thank you.

Not Really Paleo
I purchased the book because I was particularly interested in learning some a-little-less-than-laymen explanation of what happens physiologically in the body of the Paleo runner. But this book stayed very, very on the surface (a whole section on how to hydrate? Hey, that's filler!) and sophistication-wise, was a far cry from Gary Taubes (or, really, any competent blog on the subject, of which there are a few).

Most disappointingly, thisbook is standard high-carb advice for runners. A majority of its content is indistinguishable from any other guide to endurance nutrition. So, basically, you are advised to eat x grams of low glycemic carbs x hours before a race, and x grams of higher glycemic carbs as you approach race time. In fact, there is little in this book with regard to true paleo diet metabolism or low carb/high fat fueling and how that diet effects running. Perhaps the argument there is that one cannot be an endurance athlete while truly paleo. Touche. But don't write a book called "The Paleo Diet for Athletes."

But here is where my real beef is, and what really made this book a waste of time. Where the authors do seem to describe the Paleo diet, they get it pretty wrong. For instance, they push lean fats (not fatty animal ones) and warn of cholesterol and "bad" saturated fats, while encouraging vegetable oil consumption, issues at the very core of Paleolithic nutrition that have been specifically and comprehensively studied and debated, to the opposite conclusions that these authors come to. In fact, these authors are, by definition, not paleo at all, maybe just picky about which carbs and how many.

At the very least, if these writers had meant to promote neolithic nutrition, and totally diverge from paleo, I really wish they would've explained why.

Dieting that makes sense
This version of the book is designed specifically for athletes, but the concepts are important for everyone.

The authors are realistic and flexible in their diet advice.Whether you follow this advice or not, the book will give you plenty to think about.(This may be difficult for you if you are a vegan).

I learned some interesting nutritional facts, and have made some minor changes to the way I eat.The information about fruits and vegetables was very interesting to me, as were the ideas about when to eat different kinds of food and why.

I have been running for more than 50 years and recently completed a 184 mile, non-stop Ragnar relay from Woodstock, NY to Dobbs Ferry, NY.If I had read this book before the race I would have eaten differently.

Same Book, Different Cover
If you didn't buy the 1st Paleo Diet Book, then this book is great. It goes over why our body doesn't function correctly by eating processed foods like the first book. There are certain elements and key points the author goes over that should be part of an athlete's diet. I felt many points were mentioned in the 1st book and the Paleo Diet for Athletes book. The Athlete book was just a regurgitation. There are so many foods that are listed that aren't good for our bodies. I now hesitate to eat anything off the supermarket shelves. I stick to the fruit and vegetable aisles though not every kind of "fresh fruit and vegetables" are good for you.

Paleo Schmaleo
What a fizzer.It took Cordain 300 pages to rehash his original book, and has added nothing new. Expecting some leading edge athlete nutritional advice?Dont look here - its the same old/same old, been there/done that in the Paleo Diet book. Cordain might be trying to squeeze out some mileage ( and some more bucks) from his original book methinks.
In fact,there is nothing 'paleo' about it. If you take Cordain's advice, you're eating meat and veges, then carb cylcling with 'certain nonoptimal foods' (page 163) meaning all the stuff he previously decries as 'non-paleo' (Bad) foods: 'cereal, dairy, salty foods, high fat meats and refined sugars' ( page 163).
And, hey, this fab new sports nutrition advice reminds me of the Body Opus book, the TNT Diet book etc, written years previous to this.Been there, done that. Copy cat.


... Read more

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Customer Reviews (18)

Good material
This book has a lot of good nutritional information, as well as some great recipes. It is not a cook book per se; the recipes only take up about half of the pages while the first half is dedicated to information regarding diet and nutrition.

No pictures
I was very disappointed in this book.I expected a lot more recipes and a lot more pictures.I returned this book immediately.

Decent recipes, tiresome beginning write-up
The recipes are pretty good, easy, and obviously healthy.The beginning chapters though are rather boring.The chapters are simply the standard "organic is better" speech that we've heard time and time again.He does give you some decent information on the amount of protein, carbs, etc.

PERFECTION!!!
Adam Kelinson knows nutrition. Not only has he devoted his life to eating only organic and natural foods but he has put it into practice,qualyfying and completing Kona three times! Adam understands the problem with our current fast-food society correlating that into the athletes diet and explaining that an individual desiring optimum performance cannot rely on nutrition in a supplement or allow someone else to choose their diet. Only when an individual involves themself with every aspect of their nutriotional intake will their true performance elevate. Adam is the Yoda of Organic Perfomance Nutrtion.Thanks Adam for a great book; looking forward to the follow-up with more delicious recipes... John C. DMD, BA, Beginner Triathlete

Needs nutritional info included
This is a great book, but most atheletes need some data.There is no nutritional info.. protein content, calories, carbs, fat, etc... ! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

Are You Hungry?
Great selection of tasty dishes from some of the best chefs out there.My wife is cooking up some great meals for me & yes athletes do have big appetites and the recipes in this book are certainly pleasing.

Good, but not what I expected
I love how the author shows which recipes are for training and recovery.Also like the stories from all the runners who contributed recipes.Was looking for a cookbook with less prep time.As an athlete and a student I don't have a lot of time, so I tend to use the recipes as a base and then create my own version.

great athlete's cookbook
i love this cookbook. i made a different dish everyday for two weeks straight, and there was probably one that my family did not like. i am 32 years old, have been running long distance for quite a few years, qualified for boston with my first marathon, i have four young children who i take care of during the day and work third shift. this cookbook had great recipes that fit our schedule, budget, and tastebuds. i would agree with a couple other reviews that organizing the recipes according to training and recovery would be nice, but i make my menu two weeks at a time, so i plan ahead what i'm making, and i just look it up in the book. also, there are a few recipes that called for ingredients i couldn't find. we enjoyed the book, and i hope you enjoy it also.

Train and still have time for great food
I have always had to choose between cooking good food and getting my miles in, especially during the week. This book lets you do both; recipes are identified with both prep and cook time, making it easy to choose what you want to make, and maybe even get a few miles in while it's in the oven. They are also identified as appropriate for "training" or "recovery" to ensure you are eating the most appropriate food at the right times in your training day.

Great Running Cookbook
I heard about this book from Runner's World...love the recipes...easy to use...I'm hoping they help increase my speed (LOL) ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (14)

for the athlete in all of us!
The Athlete's Guide to Yoga was the first book I bought for myself to help deepen my yoga practice. I constantly would hear of programs like yoga for climbers and yoga for surfers, not being either at the time I always felt a little left out. I hiked, I paddled and most of all I biked, but those sports and yoga were not known to be synonymous. This book is perfect for everyone else that don't get that set guide to complement yoga to your sport.
...Read the full review at [...]

not much of a companion DVD.
Note that the DVD that comes with it is only 15mins long and consists of a short warm up and warm down yoga regimen. I got the impression that it was a companion video that would cover the whole book. Not so!

Yoga for even the Weekend Warrior
Very straight forward, simple to follow directions and clear illustrations by the athletes. I have been teaching yoga at a training facility for the past 5 years, and this book is so close to my yoga classes! I have recommended it to my college athletes who want to make sure to do yoga during their season, before and after, but aren't home to take class.

Extremely well-done yoga book geared towards athletes of all levels
As the title suggests, this book is intended to teach athletes how to enhance their performance with yoga.Author Sage Roundtree, a distance competitor herself as well as a registered yoga teacher, makes the point that yoga can help to make good athletes even better by encouraging flexibility, fostering strength, increasing balance, preventing injuries, and improving mental training.In Part 1, Roundtree offers a general overview appropriate for those new to yoga.In Part II of the book, Roundtree presents the postures, or asanas.This section features wonderful, full-color illustrations of Roundtree herself as well as models Michael and Amanda Lovato, husband-and-wife professional triathletes.Roundtree does an excellent job of breaking down each pose in detail, using plain, down-to-earth language.She also provides visualizations on the wrong way to perform the postures, which can be extremely helpful.Roundtree organizes the book by introducing the postures in the same order that they would be presented in a practice session.

In Part III, Roundtree provides a very nice introduction to breathwork (pranayama) and meditation.The final part of the book provides athletes with specific information on how to incorporate yoga into their training plans.Using runners and triathletes as examples, Roundtree talks about how yoga might be incorporated throughout the series of training mesocycles.Finally, she offers various routines which can be used for home practice.Each routine has a specific focus--for example, warm-up, core strength, strength-building, or emphasis on problem areas such as shoulders, chest, hips, and hamstrings.Each sequence also features names and thumbnail illustrations of all the poses included (page numbers are given as well so that readers can refer back to the full descriptions of the postures if necessary).Tucked into the back flap of this book is a "Sampler DVD," a DVD offering two yoga practices intended as warm-up and cool-down routines.This DVD is meant to be a "sneak peak" into Roundtree's companion DVD of the same name, The Athlete's Guide to Yoga, but it should be noted that the footage on the Sampler DVD is different from the footage on the actual DVD release.However, the Sampler still provides a good taste of Roundtree's live instruction.

This book is certainly likely to appeal to its intended audience of athletes, from hard-core performers to more casual sports participants.Roundtree effectively makes the case that yoga can enhance any training program, and she makes the practice of yoga accessible for virtually anyone.Because this book is so specific to athletes, it may be less suited to a general population.However, I would not hesitate to recommend The Athlete's Guide to Yoga for use as designed.

yogalicious!
Great book, written well. I am a runner and I just started taking yoga a few months ago, this is a great addition to my practice. ... Read more

Product Description

Endurance athletes regularly push their bodies to the limits with a strenuous training regimen that demands smart nutrition. In Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes, Ryan offers proven strategies for improved athletic performance with sport-specific guidelines for running, cycling, triathlon, swimming, adventure racing, and rowing. In-depth information is presented in an easy-to-read and accessible style, with individual chapters dedicated to each of these popular endurance sports.

The science of nutrition can be daunting for athletes, but Ryan converts it to practical advice for smarter eating. Athletes will learn how to assess body composition and find healthy ways to lose body fat and build muscle. Ryan gives a comprehensive explanation of the nutritional role of carbohydrates, protein, and fat in an athlete's diet and explains the importance of meal timing for better performance and recovery. Ryan also explains the concepts of nutritional periodization so athletes can properly adjust their mix of foods throughout the training cycle. The book includes a review of popular ergogenic aids, tips on meal planning, typical shopping lists, sample menus, glycemic index tables, facts about vitamins and minerals, and a comparison of sports nutrition products. Within each sport-specific chapter are tips to adjust nutritional intake for races of different lengths.

Customer Reviews (38)

Cut through the media ads and hype...GET THIS BOOK!!
Stop wasting time reading ads about the next new product to help you shave time off your run/bike/swim/etc.Get this book.Be sure to read, then re-read, Part I & II.Really understand these parts, then jump to the chapters about formulating a training and racing diet.Then go back and re-read Part I & II again.Without a thorough understanding of the science behind REAL nutrition (not magazine ads), it's too easy to slip back into bad habits.Anyone serious about improving training effectiveness and race-day performance should have this in his/her library.

Not bad
Overall, a fairly useful book that a novice in the area like myself was able to learn from.

great and on time!
it was in great conditions and was quickly delivered. all I expect when buying a book. thanks!

Good if you speak the author's language
I'm a distance a runner and I care about my nutrition, but what I don't care about is the inner science behind it.What I wanted was a reference guide to tell me what foods I should eat with maybe a BRIEF explanation why I should care to eat it.I don't want chapters and chapters of food sciences!Just tell me, eat X, Y, and Z, which will help you with A, B, and C with regards to distance running or any endurance sport.I don't want to know about lipids, amino acids, blah blah blah.If I was a food science expert, it would make sense to me but since I'm not, I feel like I'm reading through my college textbook.

I did enjoy the tables in most of the chapters where certain foods were listed in order of how much of a particular ingredient they had (e.g. Omega-3, protein, carbs, etc).If the entire book was just a bunch of those tables along with one or two paragraphs of why those are good for you, I would've enjoyed reading this book much more.Instead, I had to put it down after about 1/3 of the way.

Training & Nutrition Bible
As a relative newcomer to endurance racing this has become my de-facto reference text. I've read the book cover to cover and highly recommend that you do so as well. Unlike the hundreds of training or nutrition fad books out there, Monique Ryan focuses on the fundamentals of nutrition, hydration, and the physiology of your body. For the first time, I can finally connect the dots between the nutrition discoveries I've made along the way while experimenting with my own diet, and even more importantly, I now understand why they worked. Likewise for hydration, supplements and recovery.

A must read if you are serious about any endurance sport, and best of all, it is a very well written book that you can read from start to finish without any prior knowledge on the subject. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
"As Jack Groppel so aptly explains, the rigor of corporate athletics is often even more demanding than that of professional athletes. In my world, one does not have the luxury of an off-season. . . . This book is a must read for all those striving for the gold."–Arthur M. Blank, CEO and President, The Home Depot

"Wow! This is an incredible book. Every person in business should read The Corporate Athlete from cover to cover and apply it every day."–Brian Tracy, author of Maximum Achievement: Strategies and Skills That Will Unlock Your Hidden Powers to Succeed

Today’s corporate world is much like the world of professional sports–it is fiercely competitive and mentally and physically demanding, and it requires constant, vigilant training. More than ever, to maintain health, happiness, and career success, executives and employees must become Corporate Athletes. In this book, top business consultant, trainer, and lecturer Jack Groppel shows you how to use the training mentality of elite professional athletes.

Based on the latest scientific research, The Corporate Athlete shows corporate competitors how to achieve maximum performance levels–both inside and outside the corporate world. Drawing on the parallels between sports and business, Jack Groppel reveals the integral roles that nutrition, fitness, and self-improvement–mental, physical, and emotional–play in giving Corporate Athletes their winning edge. It’s an edge that’s crucial if you need to come to a meeting fresh off the plane, pull out all the stops on a big presentation, cut the major deals–and still have the energy to enjoy time with family and friends. This practical and beneficial 21-day program will give you, no matter how overworked you are, the stamina and commitment to develop a world-class career.

Learn to:

• Have as much energy for your family at 8 p.m. as you have at the office at 8 a.m.
• Be on when you need to be on
• Respond to change, adversity, and crisis more constructively
• Display more positivity and confidence
• Eat properly on the road, in the air, and before and during business meetings
• Slow down the aging process

Take advantage of the same secrets that Dr. Groppel has used to help high-stress professionals–from Olympic athletes and NHL stars to fast-lane executives at major companies like Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Estée Lauder, and Bristol-Myers Squibb–get themselves in fighting shape. Here is the program that will train you to perform at the highest possible levels in both your professional and your family life–because taking optimum care of yourself, mentally and physically, is the best way to take care of business.

"Outstanding . . . The Corporate Athlete is a truly comprehensive program to help you achieve both your personal and your professional goals. It will help you take control of your life and effect positive physical, mental, and spiritual change."–Darlene Hamrock, Regional Vice President, Clinique

Why do so many top performers call themselves Corporate Athletes?

"Today’s challenging business climate requires every top executive to be perfectly fit both mentally and physically. The Corporate Athlete is must reading for everyone who wants to manage his or her business, career, or profession effectively while living a balanced life. Buy it–it’s a great investment."–Leonard Lauder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Estée Lauder Companies, Inc.

"This is the book to teach you how to perform your job at the highest level possible while maintaining maximal health and happiness."–Jim Courier, French Open champion and former world No. 1 tennis playerAmazon.com Review
Jack Groppel is a speaker-consultant on business issues and apartner in a company that helps sports stars such as Ernie Els andMonica Seles enhance their competitive edge by fine-tuning theirtraining regimens and overall lifestyles. In The CorporateAthlete, he proposes a total program of nutrition, exercise, andspiritual fitness that's designed to do the same for those competingin the world of business. "Executives and employees in the newmillennium can protect their health and happiness and continue toperform at high levels only by doing what athletes do--train," Groppelwrites. "You must become a Corporate Athlete, which means adapting thetraining mentality of elite, high-performance athletes." His programis hardly "a quick fix," Groppel admits, but rather a demanding(albeit versatile) and multifaceted process with explicit short- andlong-term guidelines. He clearly explains how carbohydrates andproteins, stretching and aerobic activity, and even ethics and valuesaffect performance at work, for example, and offers practicalsuggestions for incorporating them into an already overcrowded day. Heconcludes by outlining a complete 21-day improvement program, whichincludes day-by-day goals for exercise and meals along with ways totrack subsequent accomplishments. This book is for anyone, corporateor otherwise, looking to add balance to an otherwise stressful andhectic work life. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

I found some of the information very helpful
Overall a very good book.Some of the dietary tips such as what you want to eat if you need a good nights sleep or what you need to eat in order to have sustained energy were very useful.Most people do not have the discipline to follow a strict diet or exercise regiment. Even if you can't follow that closely or stick to it there is still plenty of good information in this book to help you increase your energy level and overall performance in business and in life..

a great way to look at maximizing performance
great read for incorporating an athletic training approach to life.dr. groppel suggests to focus attention on nutrition, exercise and recovery time all in efforts to maximize performance at the office and in your personal life.want more energy for the important events in life?this read will help...

Great book!
A great book for those that feel that there is a definite connection between physical fitness and career performance. Great for those already fit, but can be an inspiration to those who are not, but could benefit from some support as to the benefits of doing so. Read it, then read it once a year to refresh.

Corporate Athlete -- what does it take to become one?
The Corporate Athlete provides insight that helps individuals perform at their peak -- maximum performance.Just like professional athletes train, so must corporate "athletes".It's a fine art to balance your mental, physical, emotional and spirtual life.Dr. Groppel provides a great plan to help you realize what's important, and how to achieve your full potential.I wish I would have read this 20 years ago....but it's never too late to become your very best!I'd highly recommend this book.Put a plan in action -- the proof is in your mindset and willingness to commit to action -- which the author provides careful details and a road map.

Great content
I bought this book after hearing a presentation Groppel made at a conference a few years ago, and being impressed with what he had to say there.

The content of this book is great: simple, practical, accessible suggestions for improving your "health and happiness" through better exercise, diet, emotional balance, etc.I particularly like Groppel's pragmatic views on diet and exercise, which are not at all prescriptive, and thus attainable for anyone, no matter what their age and current activity level.I'm slowly trying to adopt his approaches and am finding them helpful.My one criticism is that the book is not very well-written: he tends to ramble a little at times and say similar things in multiple sections of a chapter in a rather unstructured way.If you can put up with that minor problem, you should get a lot of benefit from the book. ... Read more

Product Description
Don't let diabetes slow you down. Whether you're a recreational exerciser or a competitive athlete, the Diabetic Athlete's Handbook has the training and performance advice you need to remain active and at the top of your game.

Renowned researcher and diabetes expert Dr. Sheri Colberg has developed a practical guide specifically for athletes of all ages with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The Diabetic Athlete's Handbook provides you with the most up-to-date information on insulins and other medications, glucose monitors, blood sugar management, nutrition and supplements, injury prevention and treatment, and mental strategies for maximizing performance and optimizing health.

Featuring more than 100 sport-specific training guidelines for fitness, endurance, power, and outdoor activities, the Diabetic Athlete's Handbook is the one resource you can't afford to be without. Rely on it to stay healthy, be more active, train smarter, and reach new levels of athletic success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

This is what I've been looking for!
I don't know how I've lived my whole diabetic life (15 out of my 22 years) without this book! I read about it on a thread about diabetes and half marathon training, so I bought it on a whim. It has been completely worth it.

Beginning with some diabetes basics, this book explains WHY our bodies work the way they do when we eat, use insulin, and exercise. I now understand what I need to do in order to get my body in great shape. There are also resources for diabetic athlete organizations spread throughout the book, but I really appreciated the pro athlete profiles - it just shows it IS possible to be an athlete and diabetic! The second half of the book is about specific sports, most of which I don't participate in, but I've learned a lot from skimming those sections, as well.

This book has given me peace of mind about my diabetes - definitely check it out.

Diabetic Athlete's Handbook
My 13 year old son was diagnosed with Type I diabetes.He plays basketball, football, and baseball. This book is a good guide for managing his diabetes to allow him to compete without problems.His diabetes educator recommended the book to us and it is helpful.It covers every sport and has comments from diabetics who compete in the sport.

Excellent book by Sheri Colberg
Diabetic Athlete's Handbook
This is an excellent book for all diabetics.I found it especially useful because I am a type 1 (juvenile) diabetic and for years have been trying to regulate my blood sugars during and after exercise while using the pump.It also helped me with trying to figure out which exercises are best for me (weight lifting, aerobics, and more.The book also gives examples of young, old people with diabetes and how they handle their blood sugars while exercising.

This book is good, but scientific!
I'm still working on the book, because it's a little like reading a science textbook. I have picked up a few pointers about controlling my blood sugars better with exercise (I'm a Type 1 diabetic). Some of the information is really technical and makes my head hurt! But it is complicated to control your blood sugars with exercise, as any diabetic knows.

The great got better
Colberg hit it out of the park again.Her book 'The Diabetic Athlete' has been my go to book ever since I started training.Even so, it left a lot of areas uncovered.I felt like it was focused too much on aerobic endurance sports and didn't give enough coverage to other sports, especially sports that focused more on anaerobic/explosive training. The first books coverage of exercise supplements was also somewhat lacking.

So of course the first thing i did when I got the Athletes Handbook was to jump to the sections dealing with those issues, and I was ecstatic to see how much those sections had improved.She provides a more comprehensive (and up to date) discussion about supplements, and much more information about managing both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia for athletes who train/compete in activities with more erratic demands on the different energy systems.I was especially happy to see that several of the athletes profiles in her book this time were directly relevant to my sport (Judo).She also took the opportunity to update her discussion on the gadgets that run our lives, and has up to date info on meters, pumps, and newer meds.As a bonus, she has added sections on the mental aspects of training, and on managing injuries as a diabetic.

Bottom line.If you are an active diabetic, run, bike or swim to your nearest bookstore and get this book. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (12)

Looks great!
I borrowed a copy from our library last night and am ordering it today. The introduction is straight forward and to the point - no preaching, just practical facts. The poses and asenas are perfect for me - I know almost every single one from beginning yoga, climbing stretch classes, belly dance conditioning, and various physical therapies. This book combines everything into a single, easy to read, well illustrated guidebook.

Absolutely great!
This book is really a great addition to any yoga book shelf. Although it it does not go into as much detail on the steps of each pose as some books, if onehas a working knowledge of yoga it is excellent. Compact with heavy pages it travels well, and spiral bound it remains open to accompany one along side the workout if needed. My only true complaint is that the sanskrit term is not included on the poses.

Very pleasant to handle.
This book is very pleasant to handle: the pages are rigid and thick, an extension of the cover acts as a page marker, and the colors are attractive.
Also the exercises are very intelligently grouped and sequenced; this is a very practical item indeed!

Great summary
Focused.Recc'd for those who are already a little familiar with yoga and just looking for ideas on specific excercises to target certain muscle groups.Works for me.

quick reference guide
Great as a quick reference guide if you already know yoga. I am not a triathlete, but I bike, swim and run and was finding my muscles so tight after these activities. This helped me to quickly reference those poses particularly helpful for those activities to stretch, relieve muscle tightness, and build strength. I have practiced and taught yoga for years and have tons of yoga books, but this is my go-to guide for quick reference. ... Read more

Product Description
More than 160 million American adults participated in outdoor activities or adventure sports in 2005, according to the Outdoor Industry Foundation. While biking, trail running, and hiking remain the most popular, other activities like snowshoeing and mountaineering surge in popularity each year. Outdoor sport enthusiasts show incredible dedication to their endeavors, and The Outdoor Athlete is the ideal training manual to help them hike longer, paddle farther, ski faster, and climb higher.

The Outdoor Athlete is the most comprehensive training guide available, with 65 exercises, dozens of locales, and 17 programs covering the following activities:

• Hiking
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Alpine mountaineering
• Scrambling
• Rock climbing
• Ice climbing
• Mixed climbing
• Trail running
• Mountain biking
• Kayaking
• Canoeing
• Rafting
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Randonee skiing
• Telemark skiing

Customer Reviews (15)

Great guide for outdoor sports training!
I bought this book for training for mountaineering and ice climbing.It has planned out schedules for all 3 mountains I wanted to do and will be doing:North Ridge on Baker, Rainier and Denali... who could ask for more!It is like hiring your own coach; they lay out what you need to do each day of each week leading up to the day of your climb.In earlier sections they go into detail about cardio and strength training and give you examples of exercises.I have also watched their video on training for Rainier and the book in my opinion is much better.It is well worth every penny!

Good book, but too much info, not enough pictures
I had rented the DVD that Courtenay and her husband had made several years ago about training to climb Mt Rainier. When I found out they had written a book, I was very excited about getting it. Don't get me wrong, the book is packed with tons of useful information! They definitely know what they are talking about. But, for a lay reader looking to get in shape for the climb, I found it cumbersome to put together a work out program with this book. I actually felt a little discouraged because it took me so long to sift through the dense text to find the nuggets of training wisdom that I needed. Also, the exercise models they used look out of place - they don't look like people who climb mountains. Hard to explain, but you'll know what I mean when you see it.

Great Book
I'm training for the grand canyon and this is a perfect book to get ready.

Activity Focused
This book makes it easy to meet your objectives for outdoor activities, such as Mountaineering, Climbing or similar activities. The book provides standard exercise programs and sufficient information to customize for your own requirements.

I particularly liked the coaching for the use of strength building exercises. The precautions and variations were most interesting.

Great book for serious athletes willing to train
I need to train to stay active now that I am over 55.Last year I trained for sprint and olympic triathlons to prepare for getting back into mountaineering this year.I found my heart was fine but my body was not strong once I started doing some early climbs and conditioners.I bought this book and found out quickly that the activities I was training in did not prepare me for mountaineering.This book gives very specific programs for weight training with illustrations and descriptions you can take right into the gym.In addition, it gives you the correlation with cross training or specific exercises with the sport you are going for.This book allowed me to quickly adjust.I just wish I had bought it months ago. ... Read more

Product Description
The Complete College Recruiting Guidebook for Maximizing Athletic Scholarship and Life Potential

If a student plays football, he knows that face-masking is illegal. If he plays hockey, he knows that he will be penalized for high sticking. And if she plays soccer, she knows she will be red-carded for receiving two yellow cards.

Athletes know the rules of the game. They know that they must play by the rules to be successful.

What a student might not know is that they are simultaneously playing another game: the game of collegiate recruiting. And unlike other games, the rules of the recruiting process are not clear. Unfortunately, too many kids are left behind. Despite their skill level, academic success, motivation, and quality of character, too many qualified athletes are not recruited into college programs, and many more are recruited by the wrong schools.

Why?

They simply do not know the rules of the game.

Athletes Wanted exposes these rules, uncovering:

The NCAA bylaws that allow students to begin the recruiting process earlier than their competitors, even as early as the seventh or eighth grade.

The five critical things an athlete must do and the five critical things an athlete must know to begin the process.

The biggest myths of the recruiting process

The most important questions a student-athlete should ask a college coach.

The process for negotiating the best scholarship package. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Must Read
This is a must read, not only for parents of high school student-athletes dreaming of playing at the next level but for the sudent-athletes themselves.

A Must-Read for student-athletes, families and coaches
Athlete's Wanted is the complete playbook for recruiting.This book starts at the beginning -- Why do college coaches recruit?It provides a 'road map' on to how to get recruited. It discusses the many benefits of using athletics towards a college education.
There seems to be alot of misinformation out there on the subject of recruiting.Some if it is perpetrated from club teams, the high schools, and some coaches.This book simplifies the process and helps the reader understand all the different factors that are involved -- from the college coach's viewpoint as well as a student-athlete's.It lays it out in a logical and easy to understand format.

A Tremendous Guide
I'm a father of a high school student athlete; baseball and football. Even though my son attends a great school and he's very talented in both sports, the school is not one of the high profile programs and ultimately he may or may not be one of the few D1 recruits. I'd love for him to be able to continue to play, but more than that, I want him to get a great education. Unfortunately, I'm a complete novice when it comes to the recruiting/scholarship process. This book was an easy read, in everyday terms, written by sports professionals who clearly have a grasp on the topic. It was enlightening to say the least. The recommendations were useful and specific. It opened my eyes to how the "game" of recruiting is played and the wealth of opportunities that exist both within and beyond D1. My only gripe is that although the web site [...] is referenced throughout the book as a resource for additional information (info that sounds great I might add), the specific web pages were frequently difficult or impossible to locate. (Sorry; had to subtract a star from my rating for that.) Just the same, I would still recommend the book. It was outstanding.

Fantastic Resource
This is an extremely valuable resource for parents and student-athletes looking for guidance in the complex collegiate recruiting process. Whether you are a top recruit for elite D-I football programs or a good student with excellent athletic skills looking for financial assistance from a quality D-III school, this book offers the blueprint to make it happen.

Fantastic Information for Prospective College Student-Athletes
I found this book to be a very easy read with a wealth of information.As a former athlete who went through the process and coach who has tried to "get" my players scholarships - I wish I had this book years ago.If you have a child who wants to be a college student-athlete, if you know a child who wants to be a college student-athlete or if you are a busy high school coach this is a must-read. ... Read more

Product Description

Olympic Weightlifting is a comprehensive guide to learning and instructing the Olympic and related lifts. Includes sections on teaching progressions, lift analyses, error correction, programming, competition, supplemental exercises, warm-up protocols, nutrition, and sample training programs.

"Simply the best book available on Olympic weightlifting."
Don Weideman, Vice President, Pacific Weightlifting Association

"Without a doubt the best book on the market today about Olympic-style weightlifting."
Mike Burgener, USA Weightlifting senior international coach

"Outstanding, Accurate, and Concise! A must read for athletes and coaches involved in the movements."
Daniel Camargo, USA Weightlifting International Coach; President, Florida Weightlifting Federation.

"Everett's Olympic Weightlifting text is one of the best instructional books for the sport to be published in years. This is a must have for every weightlifting/strength and conditioning coach's library shelf."
Bob Takano, Member USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame

"I highly recommend the book. I would strongly argue that this book belongs on the shelf between Pavel's Power to the People and Tommy Kono's Weightlifting: Olympic Style as the three books that will lead you to the next level.
Dan John

"Olympic Weightlifting: a Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches is the best book available on teaching & training Olympic weightlifting. The book is comprehensive yet digestible while being easy to follow and apply."
Josh Everett, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, University of California Riverside

"This is the book I would recommend to anyone wanting to begin the sport of Weightlifting. Greg took material that has been discussed for decades by many many great coaches and authors and managed to present it with a clarity that has rarely, if ever, been achieved. I don t care how many years you have coached, or how many lifters you have coached, no one is going to read this book without coming across a few passages that make a light-bulb go off in his head. Greg has a way of taking material that has been argued and discussed to death, and presenting it in such a clear way that it makes you wonder why anything else ever had to be written or said."
Glenn Pendlay

"Everett s strengths are his attention to detail and intelligent, accessible progressions. You will love this book, and it will never end up at the used bookstore."
Robb Wolf, NorCal Strength & Conditioning

Customer Reviews (29)

Very good for a solo Crossfitter
I purchased this book to allow me to clarify some empty holes in my Olympic lifting knowledge. I feel without doubt the book has improved my knowledge of the C&J, snatch and other supplemental lifts.

I am a self-taught Crossfitter who had been previously using web-based resources to improve my technique. Having a very detailed text with photos handy has proved substantially more useful than relying on the internet.

I'd recommend this book to anyone with a similar background to mine.

Highly Recommended.
Great comprehensive book for learning and teaching the Olympic lifts.Greg gives just the right amount of detail without boggingyou down with technical jargon.The only thing better than reading his book would be to attend one of his seminars.

Excellent Resource
Greg Everett's book is one of the most accessible and comprehensive weightlifting sources available for the coach and athlete today.I particularly like it's linear approach to the subject and its easy to understand laysman's language.From a beginner to an experienced pratitioner, there is a whole compendium of the essential material necessary to understand and to implement a weightlifting plan that is correct and results oriented.I highly recommend this book for every serious strength coach or weighlifting prctitioner.

A Must-Have Guide
Having decided at the ripe young age of 50 to teach myself the Olympic lifts, I happened upon Greg Everett's book recently, and have found it an invaluable guide to my efforts. His step-by-step instruction is thorough and easy to understand. He gives the reader an in-depth analysis of the lifts, their execution, and all relevant assistance exercises. Even better, Greg also provides a variety of workout programs to allow you to implement the lifts at whatever level you want. I have purchased a number of texts and other materials on this subject, but noe believe that if I had come upon this book first, I would never have purchased anything else - it's all here, under one cover.

Solid book
This Book is solid it gives just the right amount of information, Greg does not try to impress the reader with his knowledge. I can see that Greg has put a lot of thought and effort into making this book and it shows. If you are looking to start Olympic lifting and you do not have access to a GOOD coach this book is a must. ... Read more

Product Description
The Mental Athlete is the applied sport psychology handbook for competitors and coaches. It contains exercises, tests, and worksheets that will guide you through the steps of mental achievement for improved performance.

This conditioning manual for the mind helps you

-enhance mental strengths and address weaknesses through effective self-assessments,
-increase confidence in personal abilities and overcome the fear of failure,
-heighten awareness of inner-thought processes and learn ways to improve them, and
-initiate action and respond intuitively and positively to challenges.

Maximize your physical skills by fully developing your mental skills. Perform your best with The Mental Athlete! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great for focus
I read this book while training to walk my first marathon.It gave me some great tips for preparing for the "Big Day".Kay provides some wonderful pointers to turn your mind from saying "I can't go on" to saying "I will finish this race".I used her ideas in my race and was successful.I would recommend this book for all athletes.

Easy to read with step by step instruction
I bought this book along with "The Mental Edge" for my college freshman daughter who is extremely busy with school and basketball.I wanted an easy step by step guide to help her with the demands and pressure of basketball.The author gives many examples of positive affirmations and actual scripts of visualizations, for specific sports, that are easy for someone who isn't used to self help type language to understand.There are good sections on an athlete's anger (which I consider frustration since it's anger at yourself) and fear (choking).The book isn't full of cheesy anecdotes.I considered this book far better than The Mental Edge.

One disappointment is the part on breathing.I can't even call it a section since it's basically a paragraph.If one isn't familiar with breathing techniques from yoga, martial arts, lamaze etc. than it isn't very clearly explained.A few diagrams and breathing execises should have been used since this is an important aspect of mental strength and is mentioned elsewhere in the book.

Mental Athlete is the most beneficial book I've ever read!
This is the best mental training book that I have ever found.In 1985 I was on the National Team for my sport, but I was not up to par for the other aspects of my sport.I found "The Mental Athlete" and it totally changed my athletic life.The book teaches you how to visualize, do relaxation exercise, run mental training programs, etc.Even though it is not specific to my sport, you can incorporate the techniques into any sport.It is an amazing book.It is not a boring, hard to understand technical book, it is written very well.This book took me from a good athlete to a National Champion (many times over).This book is worth it's weight in gold. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (41)

A great bible of training schedules and information
If you're looking for a scientifically-proven collection of training schedules for the sports listed on the cover than this is the book for you. This quickly covers the theory behind effective training and then presents a number of training schedules based on your sport and time available. My first Ironman training schedule I got off the web and although it worked I was never quite sure of the purpose of each day's exercise, how it fit into the schedule for the week, and how that week fit into the overall plan and although I finished I was not happy with the results. Gale's training programs are scientifically proven and you'll understand what each session is for and why you're doing it.

Another thing I liked is she addresses a lot of common questions athletes in training have, such as "If I skip a day do I make it up and how? How can I insert a race into my training schedule?" and others. She also addresses nutrition with actual formulas that you can use to calculate how many carbs, protein and fats you should consume everyday and immediately after exercise for optimal performance and recovery.

I was not used to workout codes (example "Swim 1:00 E(FORM)") which took some getting used to, and there are explanations in both the front and the back of the book so it requires some thumbing through while getting used to it, but as you ramp up on the syntax all that goes away. Not a big deal but I think it could have been consolidated better.

Also - if you are a triathlete I would highly recommend getting her companion book Workouts In A Binder for swimming. The swim workouts in the book are almost non-existent and the Binder is basically a must have. Although I think the book itself should include more workout routines for swimming I would have bought the Binder anyway; it has a lot of different workouts that keep swimming challenging and fun and its waterproof so you can keep it with you in the pool.

(I also got the water/sweat-proof Workout In a Binders for indoor cycling by Friel and Run Workouts by Bobby McGee to compliment this book. In terms of "meshing" with Gale's book the cycling binder works well but the running does not. The running book is fine by itself for running but I could not "make it fit in" for triathlon training.)

Overall I love this book and paired up with the Swim and Indoor Cycling binders they are now my IM training bible.

Training plans for multisport athletes
a MUST for anyone serious about actually training for any length tri(as opposed to just winging it).very specific plans included to suit a variey of levels and distances.pair it up w/ Friel's book and you have everything you need to understand what you are doing.

Incredible amount of info
This book is great. How the author came up with a way to put so much into one book is beyond me. It does take a few minutes to get oriented to the book's style of coding the workouts, but once you get the hang of it, a whole world of training plans opens up. If you just want training plans and some basic training info, as opposed to excruciating detail, pick up this book. And ignore the reviews that complain about missing info, this later edition is not missing anything.

Great variety of workouts regardless of skill level
I bought this book after doing multisport for a few years.Being a disproportionately bad runner compared to my cycling and swimming, I knew I'd need to find a training plan that would help me improve.I'm awfully glad I picked up this book.The author has a great variety of plans for those just starting out in multisport to those looking to make the jump from international distance to Ironman.
I personally chose the 27 weeks to a half-ironman plan.The plan is incredibly time-consuming (on average about 12 hours a week).The exercises and drills are fun and challenging.I've already noticed a huge difference with the integration of her drills.The weight lifting is a critical part of this training, and the phases keep things pretty interesting.
On the downside, I wish she offered more information on Aquabike. USAT has begun pushing this a lot, and I hope she'll consider it for the next edition.The chapter on nutrition was somewhat obvious, I'd highly recommend buying a book on nutrition to go along with this book.
I'd definitely recommened this book regardless of your level of fitness.I think next year I am going to try to the Joe Friel book, but I'm certainly happy I picked this one up this year.

Training Plans for Multisport Athletes
Great overall book with training plans for beginners to advanced (experienced) runners, cyclists, swimmers or a combination of all three.Great detailed programs with weekly breakdowns of type of training in each discipline and the amount of time needed to spend on each daily to complete your competition successfully.Definitely a must have if you are a duathlete, triathlete, or single sport athlete. ... Read more

Product Description
Athletes have a passion for sports that makes them unique, viewing life through a competitive lens. The desire to compete and their drive for success can mean seeing friends, family, church and school as distractions. Usually the first to be sacrificed is their spiritual life. And yet, God doesn t intend for athletes to go it alone. Heart of an Athlete is spiritual training for the competitor, 120 devotions written specifically for athletes of every level. It goes straight to the issues that matter most to athletes, such as identity, fear, trust and recognition. This athletic devotional encourages readers to spend regular, short and meaningful time in God s Word to help them become true competitors for Christ. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Heart of an Athlete
Wonderful book.My 13yo daughter uses it before her games and shares some of it with her team.

A must have for all athletes!
90 days of spiritual training for athletes of all ages is so needed. I love that FCA has a resource for athletes to grow in their walk with the Lord. ... Read more

Product Description
Drawing on his work with some of the top teams in professional sports, noted sport psychology consultant Gary Mack shares with you the same techniques and exercises he uses to help elite athletes build mental "muscle." These 40 accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes will help you gain the "head edge" over the competition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (41)

Mind Gym
This a well written, concise look into a gammut of psychological skills related to sport performance. It is also a series of short stories from the author's career as a professional sport psychologist. It is an easy read and well done. What it is NOT is an introduction to sport psychology or a book that can help someone learn sport psychology unless they are already familiar with the topic. Good book, I liked it very much; but not a book from which one can learn sport psychology. It is a collection of stories and within each story there is a skill to be learned.

No depth at all
The author starts by stating how important psychology for sports is. It is.
After this promising start, however, we are presented with chapter after chapter of - well, nothing.
He states something obvious like "belive in yourself" and underlines this with some quotes and success stories from profs.
Great. This does not help at all. I already knew that I need confidence to excel.
No "how to", no in depth tipps, nothing usefull at all :-(

A life changing book
I credit this book for changing the direction of my life.I found it to be a powerful tool in changing the way I view the world.I have given out 15 copies to friends, associates and players.If you really take the information in this book to heart it can help you accomplish great things in your life.The lessons learned in this book apply not only to sports but also to life in general.This book really teaches you the power of your own mind and will.I strongly suggest this book to anyone not just athletes.

For my preteen, teenager and me
"Stinkin' thinkin'." You know just what I'm talking about. For me, it would mean walking onto the tennis court thinking I didn't have a shot to win. Or my sons walking to the pitchers mound thinking "this guy's going to jack me." But for those of you who have quit believing, I have a solution - read a book.

I ordered a couple of books on mental toughness, not for myself because I am, but for the boys to read. One of them is Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence. I had them both read the first four chapters last night, and I won't soon forget their response: "It's the best book I've ever read" - hearty words from a 12 and 13-year old. Sometimes as parents we don't know the right words to impart to our kids, or maybe because we're parents we're just heard less...So I don't know that these books will solve their woes of late on the field, but I do know that they're paying attention to the fact that sports are not just physical tests because until the head is right, the body never will be.

Susan Anderson, author, Cold Case in Ellyson

Great book for athletes
Great book for athletes!It is a great book to give as a gift. ... Read more

Product Description
Young superstar athletes have dispelled long-standing misconceptions that strength development should start in the late teens. But much discussion has continued regarding what type of training is most beneficial.

Strength Training for Young Athletes provides all the answers as the authoritative guide to strength development for 7- to 18-year-old athletes. World-renowned strength and conditioning experts William Kraemer and Steven Fleck present the latest facts on the effects of strength training on growth, development, and performance. The authors then make recommendations relative to starting age, choice of exercises, frequency of training, rate of progression, and philosophical aspects of program design.

Learn how to individualize the age-appropriate sample training programs provided, based on the athlete’s physical, psychological, and emotional maturity as well as the demands of the sport. Such carefully designed programs not only improve athletic performance and prepare young athletes for higher competitive levels, but they also help to decrease the incidence of injury along the way.

Strength Training for Young Athletes is the most complete and credible resource for developing the muscular foundation for athletic success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Good Read!
I'm the father of a young athlete and a coach.The information in this book defintely dispells the myth that weight training should wait until the teenage years.I look forward to applying the principals from this book with my son and players.

Helping a 14 year old develop a workout routine
My son started lifting on his own about 3 months ago. I wanted to set him up with a good workout with the right weight and repetition so he would get the most out of the work out without damaging his developing bone and muscle structure. This book was extremely helpful in that it addresses safety issues, weight determination (maximum lift), repetitions and change ups. I would recommend this book to anyone with a pre-teen to mid-teen. It offers a good alternative to an adult lifting regimen that is not suitable for growing bodies.

"Must-have" guide for anyone responsible for a young person
Now in an updated second edition, Strength Training For Young Athletes: Safe And Effective Exercises For Performance by co-authors William J. Kraemer PhD (Editor-In-Chief of the Journal Of Strength And Conditioning Research) and Steven J. Fleck PhD (Chair of the Sport Science department at Colorado College in Colorado Springs), both world-renowned strength and conditioning experts addresses how to apply beneficial strength training to young people without risking harm to their physical, psychological, or emotional development, and keeping the odds of injury in athletics and athletic training to an absolute minimum. Chapters address how to determine individual needs, creating safe training environments, single and multi-joint upper and lower body exercises, total-body exercises and sport-specific regimens, and much more. Black-and-white photographs, detailed explanations and instructions, and no-nonsense prose fully accessible to lay readers and parents as surely as it is to coaches and professionals distinguish this "must-have" guide for anyone responsible for a young person involved in serious sports.

Safety first and always; your physical body is not immortal.
Young superstar athletes have dispelled long-standing misconceptions that strength development should start in the late teens. But much discussion has continued regarding what type of training is most beneficial.

Strength Training for Young Athletes provides all the answers as the authoritative guide to strength development for 7- to 18-year-old athletes. World-renowned strength and conditioning experts William Kraemer and Steven Fleck present the latest facts on the effects of strength training on growth, development, and performance. The authors then make recommendations relative to starting age, choice of exercises, frequency of training, rate of progression, and philosophical aspects of program design.

Learn how to individualize the age-appropriate sample training programs provided, based on the athlete's physical, psychological, and emotional maturity as well as the demands of the sport. Such carefully designed programs not only improve athletic performance and prepare young athletes for higher competitive levels, but they also help to decrease the incidence of injury along the way.

Strength Training for Young Athletes is the most complete and credible resource for developing the muscular foundation for athletic success.

About the Author
William J. Kraemer is a professor in the department of kinesiology working in the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. He also is a professor in the department of physiology and neurobiology and a professor of medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Dr. Kraemer held multiple appointments at Pennsylvania State University, where he was professor of applied physiology, director of research in the Center for Sports Medicine, associate director of the Center for Cell Research, and faculty member in the kinesiology department and the Noll Physiological Research Center.

Kraemer had served on the Sports Medicine Committee for the United States Weightlifting Federation and on the Sport Science and Technology Committee for the United States Olympic Committee. He received the National Strength and Conditioning Association Lifetime Achievement Award for bringing science into the development of strength and conditioning programs.

He is editor in chief of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, an associate editor of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, and an editorial board member of the Journal of Applied Physiology. A former junior high and college coach, Kraemer has coauthored many books and articles on strength training for athletes.

Steven J. Fleck is chair of the sport science department at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Previously, he headed the physical conditioning program of the U.S. Olympic Committee; served as strength coach for the German Volleyball Association; and coached high school track, basketball, and football.

An internationally known expert on strength and anaerobic training, Fleck was a vice president of basic and applied research for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). He was honored in 1991 as the NSCA Sport Scientist of the Year.

Fleck has authored many books and numerous articles on strength training and physical conditioning. He is also a columnist for Muscular Development.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Strength Training and Your Child
Chapter 2. Physical and Psychological Development
Chapter 3. Determining Individual Needs
Chapter 4. Creating Individualized Programs
Chapter 5. Safe Training Environments
Chapter 6. Teaching Technique
Chapter 7. Multi-Joint Upper Body Exercises
Chapter 8. Multi-Joint Lower Body Exercises
Chapter 9. Single-Joint Upper Body Exercises
Chapter 10. Single-Joint Lower Body Exercises
Chapter 11. Single-Joint Abs, Low Back, and Shoulders
Chapter 12. Total-Body Exercises
Chapter 13. Sport-Specific Regimens

"In Strength Training for Young Athletes, Dr. Kraemer and Dr. Fleck teach how to develop a safe, effective program, addressing the physical and psychological maturation of each individual. This book should be required reading for anyone training young athletes."

Robert Jursnick
Executive director, National Strength and Conditioning Association

"I know first-hand that a successful young athlete has a well rounded training program that includes strength training. An ideal resource for those who want to get it right, Strength Training for Young Athletes will help you design a program that will prepare your athletes for their next level of performance."

Mike Nitka
Director of strength and conditioning, Muskego High School
Former Vice President, National Strength and Conditioning Association

Nice reference and clear instruction
I am a fight trainer and I train athletes to compete in full contact and mixed martial arts style fights.I do have some young people that come to me for training.They are between the ages of 12 and 16 and obviously their training must be done differently than a full grown advanced athlete.This book gave me some direction and acknowledges many myths about youths training with weights.It is not a book for body building.Children should not be trying to "bodybuild".This is training for "strength and power". ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Great Information, but Poorly written
Book so poorly written I would tell you to pass. I have read the book cover to cover. The information contained in the book is excellent and worthy of 5 stars , but I gave it three stars because it is so poorly organized and written. The author seem uncertain about whom he has written the book for. One minute he is addressing the student athlete, the next the parent. The information in the first Chapter is too perplexing for most high school athletes, and Chapter 6,7, 8 are tooelementary for most parents. Chapter 3: "what coaches want is" reads very awkwardly, and I needed to read it twice to understand the chapter. Sadly, I recommend you pass on this book,A better book is,"The High School Athlete's Guide to College Sports: How to Market Yourself to the School of Your Dreams".

Best book in college recruiting hands down!
I have read over 7 books that compete in the college athlete recruiting area and this book is the most complete and revealing.Prospective student athlete examples of success and pitfalls are very revealing.Addresses many sports with great detail from students prospective.Book has an in depth analysis of coaches observations and what they are looking for in student athlete and makes some of the other books seem like basic outlines with bullit points.An easy read for me in one sitting.I could not put it down!

Student anecdotes here are valuable!
College sports recruiting is complicated -- NCAA restrictions on coaches (they used to text athletes, now they can't, etc.) are hard to keep up with and it is difficult to "position" the athlete among so many others.Further, even inadvertent mistakes can crush an application.Brown's key forte is tieing the rules and the advice directly into vignettes featuring various athletes at various times in the process.The vignettes give reality (and personality) to what in many other books on this subject is dry exposition of "just the facts, maam."Brown still is an active High School coach, so lives this stuff every day.Highly recommended.

Great Guide for any College Athlete
This book provides helpful instruction on the ins and outs of maneuvering through the complexities of college scholarships in a concise and easy to read format.This is a great guide for any athlete preparing for college.

Good, solid read with extremely useful information
I use to work in the recruiting office of a Major BIG XII university.From that first hand experience, I understand the things that can get the attention of the sports staff for future recruits.One top of all that, I have a cousin who is a D1 (FBS) player in soccer at a ACC school.This book provides fact, that is invaluable.It is a shame that I did not have this idea, or have this book for my cousin's parents.A must read. ... Read more

Product Description
The game of football teaches lessons that are as applicable on the playing field as they are in the classroom, workplace, and in our relationships with those around us. In Heart of a Student Athlete, Karl Mecklenburg--former all-pro captain of the Denver Broncos--offers young athletes and their families inspirational advice about how to dream, achieve, and overcome obstacles on their way to success. Mecklenburg's candid, anecdotal counsel will motivate student athletes to aim high, work hard, and avoid the numerous challenges that they may face--including pressure to perform in the game, emphasis on sport over study, and the temptation of illegal drugs.

In addition to sharing the incredible story of his unlikely rise from amateur athlete to Super Bowl Championship competitor, Mecklenburg outlines his template for success and reveals its six key components: teamwork, courage, honesty and forgiveness, desire, dedication, and goal setting. Accessible and brimming with enthusiasm, Heart of a Student Athlete explains these keys and empowers athletes, parents, and coaches with the tools they need to achieve success and foster it in the young athletes in their lives.

Praise for Heart of a Student Athlete:
''Heart of a Student Athlete not only gives great advice to young athletes, families, and coaches trying to get the most of their sports experiences, but it also tells some of the untold stories of our 1980's championship teams.''
--John Elway, NFL Hall of Fame

''Karl's book is perfect for a young athlete trying to find his or her way, or for parents who want to guide their children into successful sports careers.''
--Amy Van Dyken, six-time Olympic Gold Medalist

''Karl Mecklenburg's Heart of a Student Athlete gives young athletes and their parents just what they need to hear. Reading his detailed stories, I felt like I was going through his challenges and in the game with him. Don't miss Karl's explanation of an athlete's need for decisiveness. I wish that someone had explained decisiveness to me early on. I learned it too late and it cost me big time . . . It is refreshing to read the straight truth from such an accomplished and credible source.''
--Traci Brown, three-time US National Collegiate Cycling Champion ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great Advice for Anyone
For anyone seeking success in any activity - from the boardroom to the playing field - this book is filled with great advice from a guy who has had his share of glory, playing a superb brand of football for the Denver Broncos over a Hall of Fame career - Karl Mecklenburg.

Mecklenburg's advice is succinct, pragmatic, and very engaging.From one story to the next, he's able to weave in his perspective on what it takes to be successful - teamwork, courage, honesty & forgiveness, dedication, desire, along with goal setting.These are his "six keys to success"; they certainly worked for him; they can also work for you or your loved ones; especially those up and coming student athletes trying to maximize their potential, while staying grounded in good, fundamental, family values.

If it sounds a little corny; big deal.This is the kind of wholesome advice kids of all ages need to follow.Mecklenburg's been through much triumph and travail over the years; his advice is quite relevent and inspiring.I'd encourage anyone to read this wonderful book and follow the instructions very closely.

You'll be glad you did.

A very motivational read aimed at inspiring young athletes, highly recommended
A good student athletic career is the start of a good career of life. "Heart of a Student Athlete: All-Pro Advice for Competitors and Their Families" is a guide advocating the power of student athletics and what it has on the young competitors, teaching them core values that are invaluable in any walk of life, while keeping them away from the things that often destroy young lives. "Heart of a Student Athlete" is a very motivational read aimed at inspiring young athletes, highly recommended.

Heart of A Student Athlete is Essential Reading
Heart of a Student Athlete should be required reading for any young athlete who is even thinking of competing at the next level.

My expertise is in the world of football, so obviously the book hit home for me with respect to the challenges that young people face, persevering through adversity, goal-setting, etc.

The current climate for college football recruiting is glorified and magnified by the coverage placed on it through the local and national media, fan websites and message boards, magazines, etc. Meanwhile, Karl's path by starting at a lower level program is actually the norm, not the exception for the vast majority of football players. There are 848 colleges and universities that play football in the U.S., yet only 120 or so of those are Division 1 programs. That means the vast majority of kids who are thinking about playing college ball are faced with many of the same decisions and obstacles that Karl dealt with during those formative years.

His story is unique yet powerful. The book flows, and it's not full of inconsistent behaviors and ideologies. It is a blue-print for success, and I am adamant that coaches, parents, and athletes take the time to read it. They'll walk away inspired, enlightened, and challenged.

Warren McCarty
ESPN Radio
Pro Football Writers of America
[...]

A Book Worth Sharing
Karl Mecklenburg shares his inspirational message of family foundation, faith and his keys to success as he became an all-time great defensive player in the National Football League.

Karl's journey from a student athlete in Minnesota to his ultimate success as an All Pro Linebacker with the Denver Broncos was not without challenges and struggles.But by sticking to his plan and the support of family and his faith, he got there.

In Heart of a Student Athlete, Karl captures what it takes for Adults to be better leaders and role models.He discusses the importance of character.And ultimately, he asks us to share this with our (children) youth to allow them recognizetheir passions and catch their dreams.

This is a great book for any parent, coach, teacher or leader of youth trying to inspire, motivate and promote success. Then, share the book with those you lead!

Very Good Read
This book is very relevant for student athletes and their parents. I truly wish I would have had information like this to read when I was a student athlete. I am implementing strategies outlined by Karl Mercklenburg as a parent and a coach. ... Read more

Product Description

FUNCTIONAL TRAINING IS THE FASTEST, MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO GET AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION

Push your muscle development and athletic abilities to incredible new heights with Functional Training for Athletes of All Levels.Functional training conditions your body to respond to the strenuous demands of athletic competition.This method goes far beyond standard isolation movements, done sitting down, that simply increase muscular bulk.Functional training coordinates you muscles to work together to produce explosive power, tightrope-walker balance and cat-like agility.

With over 100 exercises--illustrated with step-by-step photos--and 20 sport-specific workouts, Functional Training for Athletes at All Levels will help you acquire the athletic movement skills necessary to maximize your performance in any sport.

• Develop a rock-solid core for supreme stability
• Strengthen your trunk for explosive power
• Sharpen fast-twitch muscles for lightning-quick responses
• Coordinate your muscles for full body control
• Enhance your stabilizers for quick, agile movement

Functional Training for Athletes at All Levels customized sport-specific workouts for:

Baseball ♦Basketball ♦Bicycling ♦Football ♦Golf ♦Gymnastics ♦Hockey ♦Lacrosse ♦Rugby ♦Skiing ♦Soccer ♦Softball ♦Swimming ♦Tennis ♦Track & Field ♦Volleyball ♦Wrestling

About the Author

James C. Radcliffe is the head strength and conditioning coach at the University of Oregon in Eugene, a coaching member of U.SA> weightlifting, and a member of the U>S>A> Track & Field Association,He is also the author of High-Powered Plyometrics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great info and workouts
I purchased this book for two reasons, first because I'm familar with the author and second because I was looking for a new book to help with planning workouts for athletes of varying sports.This book provides a lot of great information and provides easy to use workouts at any level.

Full of Great Ideas But Some Complaints
I'm a certified personal trainer and a large part of programming for all of my clients is based of functional fitness. I also
utilize agility based training for most of them as well. By making appropriate modifications most anyone can get tremendous benefits from
a more athletic based approach to fitness. This type of training works the body in all the planes of motion and stimulates
the neuromuscular system more thoroughly than just the typical sagittal plane cardio-machine and machine based resistance training approach.

I bought this along with another book on agility to aquire more tools for my "toolbox".

On the positive side, I feel that the author was extremely thorough and covers a lot of ground, both in explaining the background information and by including a large variety of exercises.

On the less-positive side, there are quite a few times where I felt the presentation could have been laid out more clearly throughout the text. I've re-read
several parts, several times and I'm still a bit unclear of "exactly" what he meant, especially in the execution of the more complex exercises.

This book would greatly benefit from a companion dvd or at least online accompanying online video because there are some subtleties that are almost impossible to explain with words and photographs alone. This is particularly apparent in the "Sprint Training" section of the book and is a huge oversight in my opinion which I hope they will correct in the future.

I'm not saying they have to show "every" exercise, but those that are the most complex in nature. In fact, the other book I purchased at the same time "Training for Speed, Agility and Quickness" (Human Kinetics) includes a dvd to cover the most complex drills and usefull tests included in the book. This makes a huge difference in terms of the the superior effectiveness of that book as a teaching tool.

All that being said, James Radcliffe did do a great job of putting together a compendium of exercises and a system for using it specific to a wide variety of sports. He should be highly commended for his efforts. In fact, if they just had that accompanying footage it would be almost perfect (and surely I'd have given it 5 stars!) :)

I don't like having to criticize this book at all because the positives are heads and tails above the negatives, but I felt I should be honest in my assessment of all aspects of the book.

A "functional book" about functional training
Well written and complete from warm-up to power. You can find good
exercises for your functional training program.

book review
I have enjoyed reading the book and it has shown me some fundamentals of exercise that I had forgotten. I enjoy the descriptions of the exercises and the muscle groups working. overall I am quite pleased with this book and use it to show me how to do the exercises properly.

Tony ... Read more

Product Description
Children need to be fed well to grow strong and healthy. Playing team sports creates additional nutritional demands. Here is a golden opportunity to motivate parents, coaches and players to learn more about how food and the body work as a team. Find out what makes a good pre-game meal, why hydration is important and the advantage of post-game eating. Includes 48 sensational recipes.Excellent book for coaches, side-line parents, and motivated kids. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Practical and helpful
This book is great for parents and coaches, after commenting some details with other parents and my son's Basquetball coach, everyone asked for the name of the book. It is practical and simple, and you will find specific nutrition recommendations for different sports.

Amust for every busy sports family
I have owned this book for 1 year and it is well worn. The concepts are easy to understand and make sense. I have loaned this to our swim coaches and the mom of our local High school football star. The recipes are easy to prepare and most important...taste good. I really like the section on Team Dinners...lots of great suggestions. Buy two right away because people borrow this little book all the time.

This one gets used
This gets more use in our house than any other cookbook .It's very basic and simple.Common sense stuff.I'm not known for my cooking, but this book is easy for me to use and put out quality meals that taste good and that middle school kids will eat.My daughter and her athlete friends are on board (sometimes) with the concept of eating well to improve performance, and they use these recipes themselves.I actually made the granola and it's awesome.

Not what I had in mind.

I was looking for a serious guide to highschool athletes and their nutritional needs.Instead I got a cutesy feed your kid celery sticks type thing.

Got Kids Playing Two Sports? - Need to Optimizing Energy
Two kids, soccer and cross country, and problems keeping them fed enough during the fall athletic season.This book helps to identify the best bang-for-the-buck nutritious foods to keep them energized and performing.It details optimum schedules for the pregame/practice as well as post game/practice meals, snacks and hydration.The recipes are contrary to the typical American diet, and so what else is new?Now that they know what complex and simple carbs are and how they affect their levels of energy, at least they know the ice cream for post practice/game recovery isn't the best alternative.At least they are giving the bean dishes a try because they know that they are one of the best nutrient dense foods.The recipes are surprisingly good and I'm going to try more on my kids and expand their horizons.

A good book to use when you are trying to get 3000 calories/day into your children. The school lunch probably isn't going to cut it on game or meet days. ... Read more