The Conditioning Handbook: Getting in Top Shape [Paperback]

Brian Jones; M.S. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2007

If you're asking the question, "Is this the ONLY way to get in shape?" when faced with the prospect of long, slow, distance workouts for building endurance and burning fat, the answer is a resounding NO! There are so many alternative ways to do endurance work, you could fill a book - and in fact, here it is.
This well-written, well-organized handbook is truly your A-to-Z guide to building a high level of conditioning and endurance. It includes: 1) a concise presentation of the physiology of training; 2) the general concepts you need to put together effective programs; 3) numerous exercises within 12 different modalities (e.g., agility, sandbag, grappling, bodyweight); and 4) myriad sample workouts and routines. 208 pp.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Jones has an MS in exercise physiology and is a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky. He has been involved in strength and conditioning for many years and has trained athletes in a variety of sports from the high shool to professional level. A judo and Brazilian jiujitsu instructor, Brian is especially interested in strength and conditioning as it applies to competetive fighters. Brian is the author of the popular "The Complete Sandbag Training Course", which has made sandbag training a staple in many strength and conditioning programs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Ironmind Enterproses; 1st edition (January 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0926888145
• ISBN-13: 978-0926888142
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #828,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of options for most kinds of athletes, April 22, 2008

By 

Stephen Tobey (Malden, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Conditioning Handbook: Getting in Top Shape (Paperback)

If you're looking to compete in long distance events, this book probably won't help you much, but if you need to get in shape for any type of sport or activity that involves a lot of short, repeated bursts of activity, you're bound to find something in this book that can help you. The type of training outlined in the book can also help you with everyday tasks that require a combination of strength, power and endurance.
It's also ideal for coaches in most sports, too.
I've done some group personal training at my gym (as a trainee, not a trainer) that included many of the same kinds of workouts and exercises that are in the book (circuit training, burpees, sled pulling/pushing, etc.). Though that type of work is very hard, I also think it's more interesting than walking on a treadmill for 45 minutes. This book gave me lots of new ideas for workouts I can do on my own, either in the gym or at home.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on conditioning, May 18, 2008

By 

Lyle "L3" (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Conditioning Handbook: Getting in Top Shape (Paperback)

This is a very good book. It will help you get conditioned to the max. The book is about a balance of both functional strength AND endurance. It is therefore a useful reference to almost any athlete or person. If you're a big, powerful, lifter it will help you get conditioned so that you aren't so easily winded and low on endurance. If you aren't strong it will make you much stronger, without losing flexibility or getting "inflated" muscles. It gives tons of methods as well as training plans, details and examples to help you apply what you read. The chapters give lots of variety and there's 1 or 2 on nutrition that are very useful too. This would also be an outstanding book for those involved in MMA or Strongman, giving MMA fighter the perfect combination of real world strength and endurance for maximum performance in the cage and giving the amateur to intermediate strongman the conditioning needed to complete a competition plus helps get rid of the imbalances that may occur with conventional training. The book covers too many topics to list; it isn't just a list of cool exercises. It gets into the science too. There is an incredible amount of information within this book, and it is a legitimate, quality book that you will not outgrow. Pick it up and become a well-rounded, conditioned athlete, ready for almost any physical endeaver.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, January 27, 2008

By 

Steven L. Lund "Trolllund" (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Conditioning Handbook: Getting in Top Shape (Paperback)

This is a great resource book for true athletic conditioning. The author goes over the multiple aspects of conditioning. (Endurance, strength endurance, strength, etc.) Tips are given on how to manipulate your current workout. A complete 12 week beginner and 6 week advanced course are given with each days training written out in detail.