The Winter Athlete: Secrets of Wholistic Fitness for Outdoor Performance [Paperback]

Steve Ilg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

Outdoor recreation is attracting more and more participants every year, and winter is no longer seen as an off-season or a time to be shut indoors. Winter sports, once the select domain of ski racers, now attract all outdoor enthusiasts. Cyclists, runners, kayakers, and hikers use winter sports as a catalyst to their off-season fitness, while winter athletes use summer sports for the same purpose.

"The Winter Athlete" covers both endurance sports—nordic skiing, polar paddling, snowshoeing, winter mountain biking, winter mountaineering, and multisport competition—and skill sports—alpine skiing, ice climbing, snowboarding, telemarking. Ilg offers yearround sport-specific training prescriptions, exercise descriptions, nutritional guidance, and photos from his thirteen-year span as a nationally sponsored multisport athlete.

The perfectly balanced training regimens in "The Winter Athlete" are appropriate for winter competitors, summer competitors who need to maintain year-round peak condition, and recreational athletes who just want to get outdoors and stay in shape.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve Ilg is one of the country’s most sought-after professional trainers. He has been a nationally sponsored multisport athlete for thirteen years, reaching world-class levels in technical rock and ice climbing, and championship performances in nordic skiing, bicycling, and snowshoeing. He was featured on the cover of "Outside" magazine. He is the author of "The Outdoor Athlete" and "Be-Good-to-Your-Body Therapy," now published in five languages. He has trained world and national champions as well as professional, amateur, and recreational athletes across the globe. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Johnson Books (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555662129
• ISBN-13: 978-1555662127
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #660,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ilg's winter athlete, February 12, 2000

By 

Dean Krakel (CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Winter Athlete: Secrets of Wholistic Fitness for Outdoor Performance (Paperback)

this book is one of the best bargains about outdoor sport on the market today. it's 450+ pages are jam packed with tips on equipment and technique, other books to read, phone numbers . .on and on and on.

nearly one third of the book is devoted to sport specific training programs-complete with illustrations-distilled from a lifetime devoted to outdoor sport both competitive and non competitive.

besides nordic and alpine skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice climbing and mountaineering, the winter athlete covers a lot of ground that's not snow covered as well. there are chapters on cycling (road & mtb), skating, rock climbing, trail running, kayaking . .

there is something in this book for everyone. everytime i pick it up i learn something new.

along with sport specific training advice, ilg also covers general strength and endurance training, nutrition, flexibility and mental preparation.

ilg's training philosophy is not without it's critics. he believes that everything an athlete does can be considered training. how you live your life is how you perform your sport. ilg is apt to tell a weight lifter to free his mind and his body will follow or a runner to "run with the earth not upon it." ilg's writing style is informative and fun. he loves the natural world and it shows.

you can accept his philosophy or not. for the humble sum of twenty bucks you get a stunning buffet of information that you can partake of or leave alone.

what more can i say. winter athlete rocks.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get up & Get outside, January 27, 2000

By 

Keith A Lang (Colorado Springs, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Winter Athlete: Secrets of Wholistic Fitness for Outdoor Performance (Paperback)

This book is a must read for all people who venture outdoors in pursuit of sport. While the emphasis is on the winter sports, the lessons transfer easily to all seasons. What is refreshing & unique about Steve's approach is his refusal to compartmentalize sport and exercise into another item to be checked off a to do list. His approach teaches that the lessons of effort and grace and persistence learned on the slopes & trails & tracks can and should transfer to the daily activities of life. A more unique book you will not find. Buy this to increase your enjoyment & skill of your chosen winter sport and you will get that benefit & much more.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a life changed, February 14, 2000

By 

quentin vaughan (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Winter Athlete: Secrets of Wholistic Fitness for Outdoor Performance (Paperback)

I never dreamed that working out could be such a spiritual journey.This work is TRULY innovative.There is NOTHING like it in the world. I have studied this work for over 7 yrs.It has taken me taken me on a journey that to this day continues to inspire me.We are blessed to have this book!