This book is subtitled 150 ways to build fitness into your life and it lives up to that title. It was published in Great Britain in 2008 by Kyle Cathie Ltd. The author Greg Whyte has trained English Channel swimmers and is himself a pentathlete, Olympic competitor, and a European and World championship medalist so he knows what he is talking about when it comes to fitness. It is a book for everyone interested in improving physical fitness and a healthier lifestyle. It is concise and detailed with clear photographs and an easy to read font and print size.
He was motivated to write the book by the growing phenomenon of obesity and the western world’s preoccupation with diet alone as the solution to the problem. He believes that the answer to overweight lies in a combination of exercise and diet control. He also believes that if we are to exercise regularly and consistently it must be structured, it must fit in to your lifestyle, and it must be enjoyable.
He lists the benefits of exercise and the causes of obesity and explains in detail why diet alone is not the answer to the problem of overweight. While the book concentrates on ‘workouts’ the advice he gives can be applied to any form of exercise walking, swimming, cycling.
Motivation is always a problem when exercising regularly but he explains in great detail the importance of setting achievable goals, of choosing the right intensity of exercise. He has many suggestions as to how to enable yourself to continue exercising, exercise with a friend, use music, reward yourself when goals are achieved and how to give yourself a positive pep talk.
There are pages of 5 minute workouts in the book. Each exercise is graded as easy, medium or hard. These exercises are intended to target two of the components of fitness – flexibility and strength. The instructions are clear and concise and complimented by large, clear photographs. The end chapters focus on 10 and 30 minute workouts and concentrate on endurance which is maintaining the exercises for a longer period of time. Throughout the workouts every area of the body is exercised in turn.
While many people may not be interested in doing all the exercises it is possible to pick and choose and concentrate on the exercises which you find beneficial and enjoyable. The book is a handbook of exercises which can be referred to as need be.
There are excellent charts in Chapter 8 detailing weekly training programmes. These charts are geared mote towards more serious athletes but they can be adapted to suit any level of exercise.
He finishes by saying that any exercise which fits into your daily routine and which you enjoy is good. He advises varying the exercise and the environment to counteract boredom in the thirty minute workout periods. There are useful explanations as to how to gauge intensity in exercise – easy exercise, moderate exercise and hard exercise
There are also charts which allow you to calculate your maximum heart rate and your target heart rate depending on your age and the intensity of the exercise.
Two short paragraphs explain the function of heart rate monitors and pedometers which are an aid to managing an exercise programme.
I borrowed my copy of the book from my local library
Here is the link for the book.
http://www.bellaonline.com/Mondo/lang/sys/Forms/MAI/PrintPreview.aspx?&method
