Customer Reviews

Zone Mind, Zone Body: How to Break Through to New Levels of Fitness and Performance - by Doing Less!

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I bought this book initially as I am interested in the effect of zone, but soon I found that there were plenty of fresh ideas for myself and even for my field of expertise as a music teacher. I believe this book is for everyone, as it teaches plenty of practical things of how to achieve more in life with a thoughful approach to the tasks. It is a rare example of a great deal of practical knowledge and deep theoretical understanding of the problems.

The power in this book is that it helps you see what you're doing that's holding you back - and then frees you to achieve far greater results. As the title suggests, it not only looks at your physical performance but at what's going on in your mind. Roy Palmer helps you take a big leap forward, not by being better at what you already do, but by noticing what it is you could do differently. It's powerful! It helps you in sport and fitness, and also in many other areas of life and work. The mind techniques that Roy explores will even help you achieve more focus when you're sitting at your desk, and will show you how to take a better approach to ANY task that might seem overwhelming. This book will keep you `in the moment' and help you achieve more than you ever thought possible.

Roy Palmer's, Zone Mind, Zone Body presents a unique examination of the link between thought and movement. Written with the casual and the competitive athlete in mind, Palmer demonstrates that working harder is not working smarter when it comes to training. In clear, concise language, Zone Mind, Zone Body instructs how to find "The Zone" of peak athletic performance purposefully rather than by haphazard accident. Based on the most current research and years of practical experience in the field with world class athletes, Palmer has created a work that presents his self-awareness techniques in a manner that is easy to read and even easier to implement .
Beginning with basic exercise theory and quickly moving past the fundamental training philosophies of old, the author captures the reader with vignettes of famous athletes and their accomplishments while in "The Zone". Most exercise physiology books feel like treks through a college anatomy and physiology course, it is not often that a book comes along that is free of technical terms yet still communicates to the reader the science and theory like Zone Mind, Zone Body does. Palmer does an excellent job of analyzing what is "The Zone" and how the average athlete strives to get in it. Through observation, experimentation, and practice, Palmer's techniques will help you reach "The Zone" more often. His time proven techniques are a boon for those who have reached a training plateau or are plagued by poor form, lack of confidence, and lack of motivation. Zone Mind, Zone Body provides the reader with a method to reflect on motives, attitudes, and techniques so you can get out of whatever training slump you are currently in and move on to a more confident level of performance.
Zone Mind, Zone Body promotes taking responsibility for your training and developing abilities through your own deliberate efforts. Palmer believes that training is part of your personal development and as such should be approached with the same calculated efforts one puts into training for one's intellectual pursuits. Similar to cognitive skills development, athletic skills development requires both confidence and a performance consistency based on continued improvement and learning. According to Palmer, "through mindful practice and attention to detail anyone can reach the Zone". Useful, interesting, and instructive, Zone Mind, Zone Body is a practical and complete how-to manual to develop focus and self-awareness.

I have been looking for something to motivate me to bring my workouts to the next level. Even though I thought I was performing to the best of my ability - I wasn't - and this book proved that. This book teaches to you think when you are working out. It allows you to be aware of every movement, which in turn, increases your level of exercise. This book is an easy read with quick results. If you put your mind to it during your next workout - you are going to finish up by saying "Roy Palmer" really knows how to bring fitness to the next level through your mind, awareness, and fixing those bad habits we all fall into. Thank you to Roy Palmer for taking the time to write this and helping me achieve my goals.

A great book with interesting examples on how we all have been in the zone not knowing what it was or why we got there. With the examples in the book you will get an idea of what happened when you were in the zone and how you get there more often.

Roy has captured the essence of the Zone experience. As a professional athlete I know what it's like to be in the Zone but I also acknowledge how fleeting it can be. I'm incorporating Roy's techniques into my own play with definite positive results.
David Balbi

Reviewed by Vicki Landes for Reader Views (10/07)


Ever heard the saying `it's all in your head?' Author Roy Palmer has taken that phrase and is literally running with it. As a teacher of the Alexander Technique, he explains why and how in his book, "Zone Mind, Zone Body: How to break through to new levels of fitness and performance - by doing less!"

As an athlete, Palmer understands the need for continual improvement; but what happens when your skill plateaus? He insists that this peak can be overcome but not by training harder. Instead, "Zone Mind, Zone Body" explains how to train smarter - by paying closer attention to one's own movements and staying in `the moment.' He calls achieving this elevated state `The Zone' and explains that many athletes have experienced it, but it's only to their surprise. "Athletes will suddenly find themselves in it. Then as soon as they acknowledge it, they lose it." Palmer strives to teach focus and awareness of the body and surroundings, making this physical nirvana more attainable on purpose, and with purpose.

Although written with the serious sports participant in mind, "Zone Mind, Zone Body" can be applied by the casual player and the non-athlete as well. Palmer's small adjustments to normal or unconscious movements alleviate unnecessary stress to the body and minimize energy wasted on avoidable tension. Further, he notes that these techniques can even be used during everyday repetitive tasks such as mowing the lawn!

"Zone Mind, Zone Body" is an enlightening read that will inspire the frustrated athlete, better train the novice enthusiast, and teach anyone to live in this open-minded `moment.' Palmer's strategy, although seemingly beyond one's reach at first, is vividly described with plenty of practice exercises and pictures for the reader to really feel what he's getting at. His style is one of encouraging enthusiasm - the testimony of a tried-and-true believer - keeping the reader interested in delving deeper into these `mind over matter' principles.

Author Roy Palmer isn't your typical sports fanatic. He's a transcended athlete - finding that indescribable place where time, ego, and fear become hushed as a synergy of mind and body take over. Where the moment is only about the athlete and his game and where sport is not just about physical endurance but about using the intellect and muscular mechanics to push ourselves further than we ever thought possible. "Zone Mind, Zone Body" is simply brains and brawn in one.

Book Received at No Charge

After reading, Roy Palmer's book, "Zone Mind, Zone Body", I now associate the true term, "You are what you eat" with "You are what you think", when it comes to training.

I have learned wonderful ways to balance my mind, body and spirit by allowing myself to enter the zone and free myself from the strict boundaries I had created. Before reading this book I dreaded exercise but felt obliged to do it to stay fit. The techniques and approach encouraged in this book helped me replace the word `dreaded' with `enjoy' as I have rediscovered the same exuberating energy I had as a child. I now feel I am `floating on air' and the results are amazing!

This book is a very informative and enjoyable read and I have learnt specific ways of creating thought patterns that keep me in a `mind-zone'. My daily activities such as running, stair climbing, lifting weights, playing and dancing around with children have become effortless and a pleasure. I can now follow my morning prayers with a joyous activity and thank God for the new day."

I have counseled top athletes from around the world from a wide variety of
sports. I believe this book is a useful tool for athletes who want to
learn more about the mind body relationship and who want to perform better.