Review of The Ultimate Ride (Paperback)

I would assume that most people who buy this book do so because they're looking to self-train themselves and need some guidance on how to do so. That, at least, is the reason I looked into it. Unfortunately, the Ultimate Ride is inadequate for such a purpose.
Carmichael emphasizes that periodization is the best way to organize your training year. However, he gives you no advice on how to actually do this. He tells you its important, but doesn't get into the hows and whys of it. He gives examples of training months (4 total), but offers no insights on planning subsequent months, or on linking months together coherently. He tells you that you should gradually increase "workout stimulus" in a stairstep fashion, but doesn't describe how to actually do it.
This is the biggest problem with Carmichael's book- he tends to tell you that things are important, but doesn't bother describing how to put them into practice. As a cyclist you already KNOW that these things- training principles, cycling techniques, skills, etc.- are important- that's why you bought the book to begin with! What you need to know is HOW to improve them. This is where Carmichael fails.
I suspect this failure is intentional. The reviewer below who likened the book to an infomercial was spot-on. Carmichael is trying to sell his training program, CTS. The reason this book is so spotty is that he wants you to go out and join his program to get the answers and the training that this book leaves you hungry for. This is pretty shoddy business, if you ask me.
I give it two stars because there is a smattering of helpful information, such as nutritional concerns and some good workouts. But much of the book consists of stuff you already know, or is filled with "Ra-ra-you-can-do-it-you're-the-champion-110-percent!!!" pop sports psychology that you could get from any junior high gym class. Extremely disappointing, can't even recommend it for absolute novices.



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Review of Your First Triathlon (Paperback)

I did my first triathlon (sprint distance) in September after three months training, and I was lucky enough to have found this book towards the beginning of my training.Needless to say I am hooked and can't wait to do another one!!!The book did an amazing job of preparing me by arming me with the information I needed to train properly, learn new sports (I had never biked or swam seriously before), eat right, and avoid injury, and yet avoided getting too "hard core" (when you do your first triathlon you keep wondering whether or not you're crazy).Joe keeps it manageable.There is a scary overwhelmed feeling you can get when you start reading about some of the crazy training schedules and techniques out there -- and he really clears through all that and gets to the essentials you need to know to make it through your training and cross the finish line.For example, his race day prep chapter really helped me visualize what to expect on the big day.Also, I really liked his approach to gear -- you can really get sucked into buying a bunch of stuff -- and he emphasizes ways to work with stuff you already have (ex: your old mountain bike) until you're more experienced and can better select the right gear to invest in.Overall, I really liked his fun-first emphasis, while providing what is clearly well-researched and high quality information.Two thumbs up!

Product Description
Every year thousands of people decide to take on a sprint triathlon for the first time. Now USA Triathlon and USA Cycling certified coach Joe Friel provides a complete guide to finishing that first triathlon. The same principles and training methodology that the pros and committed triathletes rely on are presented here in language that a beginner can easily understand. Friel maps a course to prepare for a sprint-distance triathlon in 12 weeks, with five hours of training each week, plenty of rest, and the beginnings of a lifestyle marked by a commitment to health and fitness and personal growth. Your First Triathlon provides the training plans, workouts, checklists, and instruction that first-timers need. Joe Friel is known for his thorough approach and with his help, what may have begun as a challenge to complete a sprint triathlon will grow into a love for this demanding yet rewarding sport.

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Review of Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100 (Paperback)

This is one the best book I have read about biking, and I actually still read it almost every day, checking out different aspects related to cycling - health issues, nutrition advises, and especially exercises and stretching before and after every ride. The book answers almost all of my questions, and considering the fact thatI am a women and over 50, but still very ambitious to get better on the road, I find it so very useful - I could say necessary.

The only thing lacking in the book are photos or at least drawings in the chapters on exercises and yoga for cyclers. Maybe it is just me, but only reading the text-descriptions is not enough. Despite that, I would highly recommend the book to all cyclers, regardless of age. I learn enormously from it!

Product Description
Do you want to ride to 100? Bike for Life!
Ride a century when you turn a century. That's the promise offered by nationally-known bicycle journalists Roy M. Wallack and Bill Katovsky in Bike for Life, a blueprint for using cycling to achieve longevity, fitness, and overall well-being. America's largest participatory sport combines physical and mental challenges, relaxation, achievement, adventure, and social interaction as it unifies different generations and demographics in fitness and fun. To get the most our of your riding time, steer clear of the sport's potholes, and enjoy a long lifetime of fitness, Bike for Life's comprehensive plan includes:
- Cutting-edge training strategies for best-ever fitness at any age- An anti-aging strength plan to revive muscularity and reaction time- An exclusive 10-step cycling-specific yoga routine- How to beat common injuries like Cyclist's Knee and Biker's Back- Famous coaches' climbing, cornering, handling and eating tips - A cure for cycling-related sexual problems in men and women- 16 ways to stop the scary cycling-osteoporosis connection- List of must-do hill climbs, mass city rides, and cross-state events - Rx for Relationships: Reconciling cycling and significant others- How to survive mountain lions, bike-jackers, poison ivy, headwinds, & more

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Review of The Complete Book of Road Cycling & Racing (Paperback)

This book is a fantastic read for those just getting their feet wet into the world of cycling. This book covers equipment, maintenance, bike fitting, nutrition, and much more - including group riding etiquette.If you put the skills explained in this book to good use, you will become a better rider. The author uses a very conversational writing style and doesn't put you to sleep with incessant jargon.If you're new to the sport or just need a refresher on a few things, buy this book - you won't be disappointed.

Product Description

Ride faster, fitter, smarter, & farther


Every road rider has goals. Yours may be to begin racing, to become more competitive, or to win a specific tour. Not interested in racing? Perhaps you want to complete your first century ride, improve your overall fitness, or ride father and faster just for the sheer joy of flying on two wheels.


No matter what your goals, The Complete Book of Road Cycling and Racing gives you all the information you need to become a better, more performance-focused cyclist. Written by an accomplished racing coach, cyclist, and exercise physiologist, this book shows you how to:

• Fit the bike to your body for maximum efficiency and comfort
• Ride safely in a group
• Cope with any weather or altitude
• Maintain your bike
• Prepare for races of all types
• Master racing strategies and tactics
• Train efficiently and stay in peak condition year-round
• And much more

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Review of The Cyclist's Training Bible (Paperback)

If your idea of a good season is to just ride, or be pack fill until the hills then don't waste your money.On the otherhand, if you can set goals, want results and need to raise your performance year over year then get this book. You have to read, understand and follow the content of this book closely.If you can, then you will be able to set up a year 'round training program which will provide the results you have been looking for.This book is technical. You will have to focus as with any effective performance program.No, you really don't need the expensive testing stuff. You can get the same test information with a cheap wind trainer or the recommended time trial tests.A bike, a good heart rate monitor, this book and a true desire to get faster (in this order)is all you need.

Product Description

The Cyclist's Training Bible is the bestselling and most comprehensive training book for serious cyclists. New in this fourth edition are updates on all the latest advances in cycling training including training with a power meter, smarter approaches to recovery and fatigue management, a new approach to strength training, and updates to body composition and nutrition. All the charts, tables, and illustrations are now in a two-color format, making The Cyclist's Training Bible even easier to use.




The Cyclist's Training Bible has equipped thousands of cyclists for success in the sport. Using Friel's Training Bible methodology, cyclists create a comprehensive, self-coached training plan that is both scientifically proven and shaped around their personal goals.



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Review of Run Strong (Paperback)

In Run Strong 13 writers, with expertise and experience as coaches, trainers, exercise physiologists, physical therapists and runners (four Olympians among them) contribute 12 chapters covering all the topics essential to achieving success in middle-and long-distance running.

As a runner who has been competing for over 30 years, and as a certified running coach for 17 of those years, I believe that in order to be the best runner you can be, you should incorporate a number of other factors in your training besides running farther and faster.Once you understand the importance of efficient running mechanics, both for injury prevention and enhanced performance (well presented by several of the authors), you are prepared to include the activities that lead to theneuromuscular coordination that good form requires: core-strength; running-specific strength; balance; and dynamic flexibility through the full running range of motion.You are willing to learn as much as you can about fueling your body, allowing it ro recover from training and racing, and maintaining it should injury or illness strike.

Run Strong covers all of these essentials, and does so in manner easily accessible to the non-scientist.It includes a generous supply of photos illustrating key strength and stretch moves, tables summarizing recommendations, and sidebars adding interesting highlights.The editor has done a good job of cross-referencing chapters when the authors mention areas covered in another chapter.And yet the chapters can stand alone, so that the busy runner/reader can pick one topic here, another there, and come away with useful suggestions to be tried in the next workout or program design.

As a long-time coach, I have many how-to running books on my shelves, not to mention all the running fiction, biographies, autobiographies and combinations thereof.Run Strong will definitely find a place on the shelf nearest my workplace.


Product Description
Run faster and longer with less effort than ever before! Putting in the miles is only one part of the training equation. You can become a much stronger overall runner by improving leg turnover, efficiency, body alignment, muscle balance, and running-specific muscle strength, and by finding your most effective range of motion.
Expert coaches and runners show you how to assess what you need and implement these training methods into your current program. And if you're returning from injury, you can bounce back stronger and faster than ever before.
Make your base miles pay off by improving your efficiency and economy. With Run Strong you'll maximize your current fitness level and see results at the very next race!

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Review of Natural Bodybuilding (Paperback)

I use to bodybuild years ago and was discouraged by the drug use that was obviously there.After ten years I'm thinking about doing something I never quite accomplished; enter a show.I have a lot of books on the subject and I've read a lot through the years.I was so happy to see a book that was all about natural bodybuilding but I was still very skeptical.I've heard and read the term, "natural" from a lot of people but few have delivered.This book is clear and to the point and provides useful comparisons on the differences of natural bodybuilders to drug users.It explains how you have different limits than someone that uses enhancers.
I have a few books that I refer to whenever I'm trying to come up with a new program or if I just want to refresh my memory.When I read a book like this I will highlight certain key points.Things that I know will be good to look at when I go through the book again as a reference.This book is now filled with my highlights.
The paper quality is nice, which also makes for a good ref. book.

This book will be my guide for accomplishing my goal of a show.

Great book for any BodyBuilder!


Product Description
Get better and bigger results than you ever thought possible without using illicit or unhealthy drugs. Natural Bodybuilding provides the best training and nutrition prescription available for gaining mass and defining muscles the healthy way.
Detailed programs and workouts, specific techniques for particular lifts, proven dietary guidelines, a weeklong precompetition plan, and true inspirational success stories will help you reach your potential. See what great results you can achieve without incurring the expense and physical toll of a chemically crafted body.
IRONMAN columnist and champion natural bodybuilder John Hansen covers every facet, from the gym to the training table to the competitive stage. Get bigger the right way, with Natural Bodybuilding.

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Review of Championship Bodybuilding: Chris Aceto's Instruction Book For Bodybuilding (Plastic Comb)

Aceto is a smart guy and honestly tries to bring some scientific analysis to bodybuilding. So much of what is published on the topic is hype or unproven. Some bodybuilders may quibble with the fact that Aceto only mentions "known" facts about bodybuilding, but his presentation is better. No hype about building an "awesome physique" or "massive arms" or "ripped this" or "shredded that"...it's more about progressive resistance, good form, solid nutrition, and a very good description of muscle physiology. His key points to bodybuilding may be "known", but Aceto makes the case that they are the way to stimulate muscle growth...and that's the beauty of the book: It's 'Tips to Muscle Growth' vs. 'Awesome Muscle-Blasting Routines of the Pros'. You choose. There are two "cons" about the book that brought it from a 5-Star rating to a 4-Star rating in my estimation: 1) Aceto--as in some of his other books--needs a copy editor. There are some typos and grammatical inconsistencies. Not enough to throw you, but they're there. 2) The book does suffer from a superficiality, of sorts. He states a fact or opinion, gives a reason or two, then moves on. There is no real in-depth, drilling-down except in certain Aceto-mastered areas (e.g., muscle physiology, nutrition, etc.). However, this is not a real show-stopper...the information contained is reliable, and the book is a very good adjunct to other books you may have on the subject.

Product Description
This is a comprehensive, easy to understand, guide for the man or woman who wants to build a great body or for the competition type bodybuilder.The author divides the training section into 3 parts; training for the novice or very beginner, training for the intermediate or more experiencedtrainee and training for the advanced bodybuilder. Within each training section, Aceto covers training schedules, repitition ranges for building muscle strength, size and endurance, set selection, and exercise prescription. Each exercise is described with a 3 dimensional drawing allowing the reader to grasp the range of motion that best fits each exercise. He also covers muscle physiology, the comparison between2b fibers and 2a muscle fibers and the importance of developing specific training methods to maximize your gains.The delicate issue of aerobics is also covered withexact guidelines for the pre-contest bodybuilder as well asthe trainee simply trying to lose some body fat. Specifically, Aceto calls aerobics, "One of the biggest myths in bodyfat control. Getting lean is about building your metabolic rate by building lean body mass and manipulating your nutrition plan. For most, aerobics is a way to short circuit progress, not enhance it." The nutrition section sets down exact formulas to find precise amounts of calories, carbs, protein and fat one needs to build up or lean down-whatever his or her goal. Thelatest supplement are also covered from creatine toglutamine and contest bodybuilders will appreciate the sodium and carbo loading techniques.Championship Bodybuilding is all about instruction. A thorough plan that will help you transform your physique!--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Review of Triathlete Magazine's Complete Triathlon Book: The Training, Diet, Health, Equipment, and Safety Tips You Need to Do Your Best (Paperback)

I am a beginner triathlete and I really thought this book covered the basics and then some.I am a marathoner so I didn't really go over the running section but the bike and swim sections were great for learning basics and getting some drill and cycling advice.
However, the one obvious thing missing in this book for me was training schedules.Not one in the whole book!That is really what I was looking for as a beginner because I didn't quite know how to structure my workouts on a daily basis.I did findquite a few training schedules on the internet though, and I recently bought a book with training schedules in it, so it wasn't a big deal.I found this book to be very complete in all other aspects of the triathlon so far.



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Review of Men's Health: The Book of Muscle--The World's Most Authoritative Guide to Building Your Body (Hardcover)

I have had this book for about 9 months now.I recently completed the intermediate program and made great gains.I followed the nutritional advice given in the book and gained 20 pounds.20 Pounds may not sound like much, but it is a total body transformation when you go from 169 to 190...and it is all muscle.

The workouts are designed in such a way that you stress your muscles very hard and then have ample recovery time to get bigger and stronger.

I ran a marathon and a week after finishing it I started this book.So I basically started from scratch.

Starting I could bench press 40 pound dumbbells for a max 8 reps.After the six month intermediate workout I lifted 80s for 8 reps.
Shoulder press went from 65lbs barbell press for 5 reps to 120lbs for 5 reps.
Squat was the biggest improvement.Started at 65 for 10 reps.Finished at 185 for 10 reps.
The best exercise there is in my opinion I never knew about before this book.It is the DEADLIFT.The deadlift made me bigger and stronger overall than anyother exercise.And it focuses on a common weakness for most people, the LOWER BACK.
Deadlift start was 65 for 5 reps.Finish at 225 for 5 reps.

The key to this book is that it takes you through a cycling approach.By taking you through stages with varying sets, reps, and exercises, you muscles are always in a state of shock and always responsive to the workouts.

I am doing the intermediate workout again.After I complete it a second time I will advance to the advanced workout.You will never need another book for fitness.This is the best book I have EVER read and APPLIED for an extended period of time.The authors have done a wonderful job with writing.Again, the workouts are great and because of the cycling approach the author takes with the workouts, you can continure to do them and never have to switch to another program.

I got very good results from following this book exactly as the authors prescribed.I am continuing to make gains in strength and size by following this book.Ian King and Lou Schuler have put out what I consider the best book ever on the topic of getting strong and gaining size.The bottom line is that you WILL get injury-free results if you follow this book.

Product Description
Exercise ain't easy. The body is a complicated machine, with 650 muscles and 250 million individual muscle fibers. Some would say taming those fibers and building strong, healthy muscles is not an act of labor. Some would say it's an art. Here's a book worthy of that art. The Men's Health Book of Muscle is the big, lavishly illustrated, full-color coffee table book that only Men's Health could produce-one that doubles as the ultimate guide to building a better body. The goal of The Book of Muscle is simple: create a beautiful, artistic guide to the body that also helps guys build great physiques by showing in detail how muscles work and how that knowledge can be put to use. Inside, you'll find lush anatomical illustrations and photographs of a quality that no other book on fitness can match. You'll also find complex biological information, boiled down to language any guy can understand, and three 6-month workout programs, one each for beginner, intermediate, and advanced lifters. It's big muscles, big benefit, and beautiful all at the same time. It's the book you've always wanted from the guys at Men's Health, the fitness experts you trust.

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