Health and Fitness Editor's Recommended Book, 04/01/98
Many exercise enthusiasts have thrashed their knee joints by running
endless miles on concrete roads. Many of those exercisers either quit or
turn to cycling, but a small number take up fitness walking or even race
walking. Therese Iknoian, a nationally ranked race walker and fitness journalist,
starts Walking Fast with the assumption that only people interested
in her sport will pick the book up, so she's not trying to "sell" the sport.
Iknoian discusses race-walking technique (you have to understand terms
such as heel strike, toe lift, and pushoff) and clears up any misconceptions
you may have about what a race walker's hips are doing in midstride. (Someone
who has seen race walking only in the Olympics might assume that the hips
are sashaying from left to right, like Marilyn Monroe's, when in fact it's
a far more complex up-and-back motion that is best realized by imagining
that your legs are an extension of your waist rather than your hips.) The
benefits of learning the technique? Race walking is great exercise without
much impact on your joints (there's never a point when both feet are off
the ground, as in running). People who try the sport swear it's a blast,
and there's a surprisingly large network of fellow walkers with whom
to connect.
Fitness
Walking : Technique, Motivation, and 60 Workouts for Walkers (Fitness
Spectrum)
by Therese Iknoian
The author, Therese Iknoian , 03/25/97
I want to share my passion for walking.I'm so proud of this book because
it makes walking completely accessible. Explanations are clear, pictures
are colorful, pictures are mostly of real walker friends of mine, and there's
no scientific jargon. I tried hard to make the book friendly -- welcoming
novice walkers with simple how-to's and dozens of unintimidating workouts.
Yet it also leads more intermediate walkers through workouts that can progress
to half-marathons. And, above all, it's passionate because I am a
passionate walker. I hope you'll enjoy this book, then come back for more
when my next, more advanced walking book is released in early 1998 (also
Human Kinetics). This one is an exciting combination that is a real labor
of love because it takes loads of science and biomechanics, and boils it
down for walkers who want more to be able fine-tune their technique and
to build scientifically sound workouts and training programs. I can't wait
to see it!
Cross-Training
for Sports : Programs for 26 Sportsby Gary T., Phd Moran, George
H. McGlynn
In Cross-Training for Sports, conditioning experts Gary T. Moran and George
H. McGlynn provide 87 strength training, stretching, endurance, agility,
and balance exercises to produce total high-level fitness. A handy cross-training
grid helps athletes and coaches select exercises and set training levels
for each sport. 125 illustrations.
After looking at everything and chasing "experts" for 3 years to design
a comprehensive program for my athletes. I found this book which included
exactly what I was looking for. This is the only book you need on
trunk training!
Build your center of power! Stronger Abs and Back shows how to develop
the body's most important source of energy and support - its core muscle
groups. The abdominal and back muscles form the foundation for enhanced
fitness and athletic performance. Featuring 165 exercises and packed with
training advice, this illustrated guide is your training manual to rock-hard
abs and strong supportive back muscles that prevent low back injury and
pain. Stronger Abs and Back is for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who
want firm, high-performance bodies.
