Reviews (18)

Excellent guide for training
This book is an excellent reference for specific plans for designing a training schedule. For beginner triathletes like myself, it has helped me get a good idea of what should go into training and how I should train for the 3 sports. I recommend this book especially for those, also like me, who have very little time to train.

Great Training Asset!
This is an excellent book for anyone looking for training plans that are completely laid out.There are plans for all distances, from sprint to ironman triathlons, as well as nutrition and resistance training guidlines.

First Duathlon - 3rd Place!
I had been running for about 2 years prior to purchasing this book, training with a running club.I wanted to try my first duathlon but could not find a local club to help me with a program.I bought this book, followed the Runner-to-Duathlete plan faithfully for 10 weeks.I did my first triathlon and placed third in my age group!
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Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Physical education and trainin    3. Physical education and training    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Track And Field Athletics    7. Training    8. Triathlon    9. Fitness training    10. Multidiscipline sports   

Reviews (1)

Golf's Hidden Secret
I've read a lot of instructional books (Hogan, Flick, Leadbetter, etc.).They all make it clear what you need to do to strike the ball well, but it doesen't matter if you know what to do mentally if your body can't get you there.Cindy's book is fantastic.I've been using it for about a month, and I've never hit the ball so well.The best thing about her approach is that once you start getting your muscles in "golf shape" you don't have to think when you're over the ball.The training program provides you with all of that much talked about (but seldom acheived) correct muscle memory.Here's how I know this is the real deal.Every other instruction technique I've ever used worked fine until I got to my driver, but after follwing Reid's program I've felt comfortable (and getting much better results) with the driver.Her system works.I also like it because, unlike other golf exercise programs I've tried, Cindy doesn't just give you one routine and expect you to do the same thing day after day.It's an 11 day program with something different every day.You won't be in "golf shape" in 11 days, but you simply start a new cycle over again once you've completed the 11 day program.In addition, the fact that she ties the program to individual positions is a great motivator.You can work on the "one piece takeway" without leaving the cofines of your home, and the best thing about it is that by doing the exercises you know you're working out the correct muscles to accomplsh the task (instead of going to the driving range, repeating the same bad swing, and developing incorrect muscle memmory).If you want to improve your game get "Golf Shape" today. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Golf    2. Golf - General    3. Golf - Instruction    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Swing (Golf)    7. Fitness training    8. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Editorial Review

As a player, former hurler Jim Bouton did nothing half-way; he threw so hard he'd lose his cap on almost every pitch. In the early '70s, he tossed off one of the funniest, most revealing, insider's takes on baseball life in Read more

Reviews (82)

Fun for fans
This book had me laughing out loud several times.Even though it was written about 30 years ago, the baseball experiences still ring true.Bouton has a great sense of humor, and the anecdotes about both stars and players you never heard of are a treat.I used this book to get me through the last off-season, and it was a lot of fun to read.

Ted Williams says: "BALL F*$#ING FOUR IS THE GREATEST BOOK ABOUT BASEBALL!"
The seminal book on the humanistic side of baseball, "Ball Four" exposes truths previously unseen.
A revealing book -- but not always as the author intends
Ball Four is a good and important book to own.If one mark of a good book is its ability to provoke reactions, and often contradictory reactions, then Ball Four is a fine book.
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Subjects:  1. Baseball    2. Baseball - General    3. Baseball players    4. Biography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Bouton, Jim    7. Coaching - Baseball    8. General    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Sports & Recreation    11. United States    12. Biography: sport    13. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / Essays & Writings    14. USA   

Reviews (9)

Covers everything any bodybuilder needs to know about successful nutrition

The Bible
I used this book to bulk up while losing over 50 lbs (from 225 to 165 lbs), and I maintained my strength.I did not follow the nutritional supplement advice, but did follow what to eat religiously.This is the best sports nutrition book, period.
THE BEST NUTRITION BOOK OF ALLTIMES!!!!
IF UR TRAINING HARD, UR REALLY LIKE THE TRUE MEANING OF BODY BUILDING AND WANNA KNOW HOW NUTRITION CAN HELP U TRANSFORM UR BODY TO THE MAX THIS IS THE BOOK ALL SHOULD HAVE.Read more

Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Bodybuilders    3. Bodybuilding    4. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    5. Consumer Health    6. Diets - General    7. Health/Fitness    8. Nutrition    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Diets & dieting    12. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training   

Reviews (4)

Great ab workout, the rest, well.....
This book has great ab routines, although it took me a bit to organize them all into a workout. Its kinda like the authors threw all the pages of the book into the air, then glued them together and put a cover on it. However once you actually find the routines, they are good. Although I would get another strength training routine, one that may not have the best abodominal excercises and combine it with this book. The rest of the stuff in the book was usless to me, and most training routines, that I've seen, dont really have a great ab/core workout. Bottom line; you get the best for your core, and you can dump the rest.

Great ideas presented in poorly organized manner
The basic premise of the book is conditioning the abdominal, low back, and hip muscles such that the whole body mass is stabilized during activity. That great idea is over inflated with the word "core" that the authors overuse redundantly and apply it to the mind, body, anatomy, and eating. The simple format of writing style, short chapters, and plenty of the authors' well tested advices, render the book invaluable source of information on effective fitness practice.
A Great Resource For Total Core Training
This book covers it all.
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Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Physical fitness    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (5)

Confusing
Just trying to make up a catchy paragraph for each letter of the alphabet does not amount to much.You may get a few throw away one liners from this book, but confusion is assured.

A wonderfully wise and inspirational book
This is a really beautiful book to read. It is a must for all pitchers and their coaches. But it is more than that because it is also about life in general though especially relevant to anyone who loves baseball. It is about being philosophical about our failures and being courageous enough to go out to win in the face of them. In that sense anyone who reads this book will feel a little wiser about life both on and perhaps also off-field regardless of whether they are a baseball player or not.

A wonderful book, but a TOOL that should be USED
Noooooo !! Don't let the book aside because it seems to be a usual orboring ABC dictionnary. Take your time to look at the content. Theparagraphs are linked together with a lot of callbacks. It really forms agreat GLOBAL mental APPROACH to the act of pitching and not only a sum ofpsychological analyses. This book is mainly descriptive, based onexperience and examples and that can repulse some people. However if youhave the commitment to go further reading, you will profit from the KEYPOINTS and PRACTICAL ADVISES given at the end of each paragraph. Put thesetips into your practice program progressively, learn them, try them, adaptthem, get feedback down the line and adjust. If not used, this referencewill be wasted and will only remain a good book that you have read on thesofa. It is said "Every player and coach will HAVE one". Even ifit is highly interesting only reading it, I hope that every player andcoach will USE it to complement its program in the bullpen. It will be hardto write a better book on the subject before a long time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baseball - General    2. Baseball - History    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Pitching (Baseball)    5. Psychological aspects    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Baseball    9. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / General   

Reviews (2)

Another hit by Thompson
This book covers some of the same topics as Thompson's classic, Positive Coaching.However, it has some new ideas in it, and also has some lessons learned since Positive Coaching was written.It also has a handbook-type approach - it gives you example talks, helps you plan a practice and also shows youways to help you acquire Positive Coaching skills.I have found all of Jim Thompson's books enjoyable and enlightening.

The Double Goal Coach - Winning With Character
Discussions of character in sports hinge on two sometimes competing beliefs. One holds that sports build character, the other that sports reveal it. Read more

Subjects:  1. Coaches (Athletics)    2. Coaching    3. Coaching - Baseball    4. Conduct of life    5. Parenting    6. Physical Education    7. Recreation (General)    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports Psychology    11. Sports for children    12. Sports & Recreation / Sports Psychology   

Reviews (5)

GOLF DIGEST'S ULTIMATE DRILL BOOK
AS HE ALWAYS DOES JIM MCLEAN DEMONSTRATES THAT HE KNOWS GOLF. HE KNOWS HOW TO FIX DEFICIENT GOLF SWINGS.THE DRILLS HE OFFERS MUST BE A BENEFIT TO EVERY GOLFER, BEGINNER AND PROFESSIONAL.BUY THIS BOOK AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.

Terrible for golfers who know the game
This book is for the real beginner as the title of the book is totally misleading

So So
Just an ok book. Pictures are low quality. Would have expected better from Golf Digest and Jim Mclean. It is straight and to the point but make sure you at least have a solid working knowldge of all aspects of the game before considering this book. You can get much of the same information for free at various golf web sites. Not bad but not very clear in many regards. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Golf    3. Golf - Instruction    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (4)

Great reference for any athlete!
As a graduate student in the field and a competetive division 1 NCAA volleyball player, I found this book to be a great reference for improving my speed, agility and quickness. The pictures, explanations and DVD made it easy to incorperate proper form into each drill.
Something for everyone
This is a pretty good book.
Great help for improving base performance
We purchased the book a few weeks ago and since using the program my daughter is a new person.After learning the basic skills in each of the three categories: speed, agility and quickness, she has increased both her performance and attitude.She is working on her volleyball skills and is improving her reflexes.She really enjoys the drills.She has been practicing some of the rolls and moves even when she is not working out.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Coaching (Athletics)    3. Exercise    4. Motor ability    5. Physical education and trainin    6. Physical education and training    7. Speed    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Fitness training    11. Sports coaching   

Reviews (55)

Best Book and Program
I have been on many diets my whole life, until I read this book. The book is easy to read, pictures are easy to understand and follow. The nutrional part is easy to follow and understand. I have been following the book for 6 weeks and lost 15 pounds and feel great. I notice the difference between how the body reacts between the white carbs and the whole grains, my headaches stopped and I have energy, especially going to the gym for 20 minutes in my hetic schedule.
Once a week versus three times a week
All exercise follows a similar process. Do more than your muscles can handle and your muscles, as a form of self-protection, adapt by getting stronger.This book presents just one of the methods that will work to produce body improvements.It does a good job. It is easy to understand and easy to follow.
Did not work for me!
I joined the gym for the first time sevral days ago.First time when I went and set down on the first machine the book said to use (you have to use the machines in order), I just set down and started to do the reps when a guy came over and stood by me staring at me while I exercised.I got upset with him, so I just left without finshing the routine and went to another machine. I have noticed that people tend to want to use the machine that your on no matter what times you go go the gym. I even went to the gym in the morning and very late at night, but it was always so crouded with people. When I finally was able to do the routines the way the book says to do them, after a month, I still have not noticed any significant weight loss-infact, I gained weight!I was told by a personal trainer at the gym that the workouts that a person should be doing will be different depends on the way the person is shaped.For example, a person who is pear shaped should not do so much weight lifting but concentrate more on walking, running and things like that.Person who is already skinny should concentrate more on lifting weights to get their body well toned up.He told about other body shapes and what they should be doing more.After I followed my gym personal trainer's advice, I noticed that I begain to loose weight.Also, my personal trainer did not like what the Power of 10 book said about how you don't need to do any cardio exercises.He said it was very important to do some cardio exercises to keep your heart heathy.Lifting weights really does not do much for your heart-which I did not know this until my personal trainer told me.I am so glade that I only checked this book out at the library and not actually bought it.I will not recommend this book for anybody. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Consumer Health    3. Exercise    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Exercise & workout books    7. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (13)

All inclusive... book and DVD
I'm glad I bought this book and DVD workout.
Great program!
I've been doing Pilates on the Ball by Colleen Craig for a year now. The book alone is not enough; the DVD is essential. I keep one eye on the TV, both ears on the gentle background music and Ms. Craig's voice, and my whole body relaxed, as Ms. Craig leads me through my 45 minute workout, both verbally and visually. I'm in my mid-60's, and this program is helping my posture stay young and my body strong. I've recommended it to several colleagues, and I'd recommend it to anyone. Ms. Craig speaks the instructions on the DVD, so you can follow the exercises even if you can't really focus on the TV screen as you do them. She speaks to bodies which have sore backs or sore knees, and advises people how to be careful so they don't get injured. I just love this program!

Love it!
I am really enjoying this product.The DVD is and excellent guide to begin with and then the book allows for extra exercises and to adapt them to your ability. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Exercise    3. Hatha Yoga    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Physical Fitness    7. Training    8. Yoga    9. Exercise & workout books    10. Health & Fitness / Exercise    11. Personal & public health    12. Sports training & coaching    13. Yoga for exercise   

Editorial Review

As the reigning rabbi on the mysteries of golf from 100 yards in, Pelz has earned the right to anoint his expansive instruction on the short game a "Bible." A scientist by training, he's analyzed the macros and dissected the micros to come up with a gospel for pros (Lee Janzen, Vijay Singh, and Anika Sorenstam, to name a few disciples) and weekend hackers alike. Pelz fills his scripture with photos, illustrations, charts, and plenty of sage advice on pitching, chipping, sandplay, putting, equipment, execution, mechanics, technique, practice, attitude, lots of questions, and plenty of answers. Much of the Read more

Reviews (108)

Not a typical 5-star review
Normally, 5-star reviews on Amazon are worthless and written by people who don't read with a critical eye.This, I hope, is an exception to that rule.
He knows his game
Dave is the invincible Imam of golf!! I thoroughly enjoy his books and articles.I'm in the process of getting this book for several of my friend's birthdays.If you drive like a champ but chip like a chump!!!(say that 5 times really fast)Than this book will help you.

Direct results
I was struggling with my short game.Pitch over the green, followed by another pitch over the green and maybe even a third for good measure.I was so frustrated I decided I had to do something. I sat down and started reading this book.The next day I golfed and my pitching improved dramatically.Simple instruction on stance, swing and grip helped tremendously.It is the first and only thing I have found to be a quick fix in over ten years of playing this maddening sport.If your pitching game is already good maybe you don't need this but if your drives you crazy like mine did, get this and read it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Golf    2. Golf - General    3. Golf - Instruction    4. Short game (Golf)    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Reviews (1)

More Than A Secret... A Must for Students of Hogan
How was Ben Hogan able to hit golf shots with incredible precision?The authors provide what may be the best answers to date.Tom Bertrand learned about the Hogan swing as an instructor at John Schlee's Maximum Golf School in the 1980's.The school was a byproduct of a relationship that Schlee, the runner up in the 1973 U.S. Open, had as a protege to Ben Hogan.Of greatest interest to students of Hogan are sections dedicated to his "system" with over 40 pages of text and photos covering everything from setup to follow-through.Another chapter focuses on "five factors" in the Hogan swing essential to understanding his fundamentals.More than just another golf instructional, the book presents a mini-biography of John Schlee with both entertaining and sad anecdotes of this complex character.It also provides an interesting look at Bertrand's relationship with Schlee.While other authors and instructors have debated the "secret" of Hogan (and Bertrand and Bowler present a very plausible missing link to what others have written), this book is about the great man's "secrets" to ball striking.I recommend it highly to any student of Hogan and anyone who plays golf at an intermediate or advanced level. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1912-    2. Golf - General    3. Golf - Instruction    4. Hogan, Ben,    5. Schlee, John    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Swing (Golf)    9. Golf    10. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Reviews (32)

Very good book
This is a very good book, as all of Halberstam's books have been that I have read.Nothing particularily about Bill's life stands out about the book as it is all very interesting.Bill did separate from his wife of twenty-some years in 2005.The book goes into a lot of detail on his father's coaching career.

Phenomenal book - for Belichick fans (only)
If youare a Bill Belichick fan, a Patriots fan, or a football fan (in that order) you will enjoy this book. Very detailed. Halberstam is a terriffic writer. Only he could dig this deep into the life of an otherwise (forgive me Pats fans) boring guy and piece together the journey of his life, his upbringing and his experiences which prepared him for the pinnacle of football success.
A disappointment

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Subjects:  1. Belichick, Bill    2. Biography    3. Coaching    4. Coaching - Football    5. Coaching - General    6. Football    7. Football coaches    8. General    9. New England Patriots (Football team)    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Literary   

Reviews (31)

Pretty Good Stuff
I got quite a bit of good information from this book and with that information I was able to finally bust through a plateau that I'd been struggling with for months.Could I have gotten this information for free off the Internet?Probably.But, I was getting tired of reading articles here and there and wanted one good source of information that I could read in the bathroom.
Good Information
I have read almost all of this book, and it has a lot of good general information about diet, suppliments, and workout routines.There is no specific method that the author recommends, but to take and try some of his technic's and see how they will work for you.I would recommend this book.

Worth the read
This book book addresses all the crucial points to consider in building muscle. I followed the philosophy of the author and found it to be quite effective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness / Exercise    2. Exercise    3. Exercise & workout books    4. Health & Fitness    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    7. Nutrition    8. Dietary supplements   

Reviews (39)

not for most people
First of all, the book has about 200 pages of useless stories.Once you get past that, the substance is decent for a select group of people.The small section of the book that actually deals with HIT can be useful to people interested purely in bodybuilding; I would recommend it to those people.
good book but takes way too long to get to the topic
Good book if you like reading about the authors background into the subject.He just took to long praising the man who basically invented the technique.This book could have been way smaller in volume.I would go with the Encyclopedia of Muscle and Strength.It took a page to detail what this technique is all about. I would pass on this one.

Poorly structured, poor on form, poor on substance
I got used to the jargon of the weight training bazaar. Words such as "Encyclopedia", "Revolution", "Truth", "New rules", "New methods", and "Never tried before" cease to amuse me. This book by Ellington Darden has few things that captured my curiosity. His serious look at the barbell and constant lack of warm facial expression correlates to the circumstantial structure of the book. There are many personal tales that waste the reader's time without apparent purpose. Frowning at the barbell does not render training "high intensity", particularly if the lifter is emaciated, muscle-wise.
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Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Exercise    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Muscle strength    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Weight lifting    9. Weight training    10. Weightlifting   

Reviews (12)

Who's guess that Deepak could hit a hole-n-one on Golf... A+
Who's guess that Deepak could hit a hole-n-one on Golf... A+ listen as an Audion CD or download. This is excellent book to kill time on a long drive or to listen to in the background as you work on the computer.
Approaches mental aspect of golf uniquely.
I think this is a good book on golf on the mental side.However, I don't agree with that a golf swing just disappears.With the proper technique, the effective golf swing will not disappear.I also like the book he had written many years ago called Creative Visualization--great mental imagery.In addition, I found Patrick Leonardi's book titled:
A nice change of pace for a golf book
The game of golf in my opinion is 50% mechanics and 50% psychological. Golfers tend to get sour when they over-analyze everything from the swing to the short game. It is just as important to learn to relax and enjoy the game. Chopra brings this point home. Enjoy the game with its ups and downs as you would the game of life.
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Subjects:  1. Golf    2. Golf - General    3. Motivational & Inspirational    4. Psychological aspects    5. Religion    6. Spiritual life    7. Spirituality - General    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Editorial Review

Before titanium drivers, before oversized heads and bubble shafts, before electronic systems to tell you how far you are from the pin, golf was much the same game it is today. The lessons Harvey Penick taught in the pre-gadget daysstill stand. The golf swing is basically the same, and Penick could teach it better than anybody. For most of his life, he never intended to publish his Read more

Reviews (47)

A must-read for all golfers
If you are serious and passionate about golf, you must read this book.It's a quick read and you have nothing to lose.

great read for the right golfer
This book should be read in conjunction with taking lessons from a qualified professional instructor.Its message is a valuable one, but not so much for the beginning golfer, and the book is quite clear in stating as much..At no time does the book pretend to be an instructional guide for those who've never played the game.

Great for Duffers
If you do have the finances necessary for personal pro instructors, this is the next best thing to improve your game, being a "seasoned citizen" I especially took note and used his suggestions for senior golfers-this book is still a classic! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Essays    3. Golf    4. Golf - General    5. Golf - Instruction    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. United States    9. Sports & Outdoor Recreation    10. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (