The Complete Book of Fitness: Mind, Body, Spirit (Paperback)

by Fitness Magazine (Author), Karen Andes (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Can reading the newspaper be hazardous to your health? No studies have proven so, but anecdotal evidence indicates that when the health-conscious individual reads too many conflicting articles about what foods should and shouldn't be consumed and which exercises are mandatory or else fraught with risk, that already harassed, overly stressed fitness neophyte may throw in the towel (thereby burning an insufficiently few calories), plop down on the couch, and reach for the remote.

Grabbing The Complete Book of Fitness would be a more rewarding choice. The Editors of Fitness Magazine have done an elegant job of explaining all the terms and conditions related to fitness, summarizing current research, and advising the most healthful paths. The book is divided into four sections: Strength Training, Cardiovascular Training, Diet and Nutrition, and Wellness. Within each chapter, the pertinent topics are arranged in alphabetical order, so Wellness runs from acupressure to yoga, Diet goes from alcohol to weight, and Strength Training covers everything from abdominals to "Weights and Aerobics: Which to Do First." Explaining how consumption of alcohol leads to weight gain (answer: calories from alcohol get burned first, so calories stored as fat are less likely to be needed), which exercises work the buttock muscles (and how to perform them), why eggs make a healthier meal than people have been led to believe, and how to avoid or overcome fatigue and stress, this is a great resource when fitness becomes too complicated to figure. --Stephanie Gold

From School Library Journal
YA-A wellness guide that will appeal especially to young women. It is a broadly conceived and highly readable resource, presented in an oversized format with bold headings, large type, and clear drawings of exercises. The material is organized into four major categories: strength training, cardiovascular training, diet and nutrition, and, lastly, wellness. Within each section the topics are alphabetically arranged, which has its drawbacks-subjects that go together logically don't appear consecutively. However, the index is thorough and there is extensive cross-referencing throughout. The book has the light-handed writing style of Fitness magazine articles; nonetheless, it reflects the current medical thinking while including such "hot" topics as vegetarianism, Chinese medicine, homeopathy, Tai Chi and Chi Kung, burning fat, cross training, and aromatherapy. The editors have included essays on body image, osteoporosis, women and muscle, special medical conditions and working out, pregnancy and exercise, and "A Woman's Body Passages." There are ample charts that show the muscles worked during a particular exercise, nutrients and what they do, how to calculate body-mass index, minerals and what they do, and target heart rates.
Cynthia J. Rieben, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (December 29, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609801554
• ISBN-13: 978-0609801550
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #791,382 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tremendously helpful book, December 17, 1999

By A Customer

Can't say enough good things about this book. I am a fitness-book-junkie, so books that just cover the basics don't do too much for me. Although this book is written in language suitable for beginners, it covers some of the more advanced concepts dealing with strength and endurance training. I have put some of the principles I learned in this book into practice, and noticed a difference after just a few weeks.

I think the people who will find this book most useful are those who regularly work out, but have never been able to afford a personal trainer. This book cost far less than one session with a trainer, and I learned plenty.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get the most from your workouts... maybe even enjoy them!, October 7, 2002

By	Stacy Davis (San Antonio, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There's nothing more frustrating than diligently adhering to a fitness regimen and not getting the results you expected. If this has ever happened to you, you must read this book.

So many times we start with good intentions but bad advice. Or our bodies work differently than we expected them to. Knowledge is very powerful, and it helps you take control of your health and really understand your body. Instead of getting frustrated, blaming yourself, and giving up, get some facts.

Here are just a few of the fitness issues this book resolved for me:

Q: How long do I need to do aerobics to burn fat?
A: (p.160) 15-25 minutes for men, 25-40 for women.

Q: Why aren't my muscles getting big, like men's muscles?
A: (p.147) Women's muscles get denser, not larger.

Q: How often should I strength train?
A: (p.113) Two or three times per week, for 30-60 minutes.

Q: What is this pain I get down my arm during lateral raises?
A: (p.79) Sounds like impingement syndrome, a swelling of the rotator cuffs.

I have yet to approach this book with a question and come away without an answer.

To review the contents briefly, the book is divided into:

Strength Training, including
- Muscle charts
- Exercise guides
- Equipment
- Posture and breathing
Cardiovascular Training, including
- Energy and burning fat
- Stretching and flexibility
- Pregnancy
- Injuries, muscles and ligaments
Diet & Nutrition, including
- Alcohol, caffeine and food additives
- Phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins
- Dieting and digestion
- Fat, protein and carbohydrates
Wellness, including
- Yoga, tai chi and chi kung
- Aromatherapy and homeopathy
- Chinese medicine and ayurveda
- Depression and stress

And much more, of course. Fantastically useful. If you own one fitness book, let this be it. Odds are good that you'll never need another.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As a certified tainer, I highly recommened this book., May 25, 2001

By	Angela Ann Tocco (Windsor Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

In the world of fitness, I can tell you I have seen a lot of crazy fads that people go for. With every fad I have seen people loose the weight yet pack it back on in a few months time. I'm not only writing a review on this awsome book, but also want to say if it seems too good to be true guess what... it is. Please do not risk your health to loose some pounds. It's just not worth it. Going on same crazy diet where you eat watermelon and drink gallons of water will not work. Trust me.

I read a lot of books on fitness and such and I can honestly say this book is by far the best I own. It's the ONLY book I own. It has everything and I often go back to it when developing a new program for a client. It includes sections on strength and cardio training, Explains what muscle an exercise works with detailed diagrams as well as how to perform the exercise. If your starting out or at an advance level, this book is honest and stright forward. No crap...just the honest facts.

I would also like to take this chance to say that I believe a healthy body makes for a healthy mind. Accept your body for what is it. It is a gift... take care of it, treat it with respect. Set realistc goals for yourself. This book will help you get there. Health and fitness does not have to be chore.

Best of Health to you!