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Best Sports Training

Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition
Many people all over the world have used the simple biological principle of stress/recovery/adaptation on which this method is based to improve their performance, their appearance, and their long-term health. With over 150,000 copies in print in three editions, Starting Strength is the most important method available to learn the most effective way to train with barbells -- the most important way to improve your strength, your health, and your life. -- How the human body adapts to stress through recovery, and why this is the foundation of the development of strength and lifetime health. Mark Rippetoe is the author of Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, Practical Programming for Strength Training 2nd edition, Strong Enough?, Mean Ol' Mr.
Reviews
"Bench was 195lbs for 5 reps and is now 245lbs. OHP was 115lbs for 5 and is now 155lbs. DL was 315lbs for 5 and is now 455lbs. BS was 285 for 5 and is now 365lbs. and all still climbing.. Update: My Squat is now 415lbs DL 505lbs. As an added benefit, I am not constantly hurting myself with bad form and having to take time to heal and thus lose gains."
"I’ve really enjoyed this book."
"It feels funny at first but makes perfect sense after you see some gains."
"Great book with a lot of detail."
"Possibly the most detailed information available on earth on power lifting and how to do the 5 big lifts properly."
"Excellent book with good detail on the various lifts."
"This book also helps you build a routine, learn to track progress, properly warm up, and outlines linear progression. This helped my body adjust to lifting and more reps to practice form."
"Rippetoe does a great job going into detail not only regarding the fundamentals of developing an effective strength training program, but also provides extreme detail on the physiology, biomechanics and proper form for each exercise outlined. Eventually, you may want to develop a more balanced strength program as I think the starting strength program lacks some emphasis on certain back muscles, the traps, rear delts, etc."
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Strength Training Anatomy, 3rd Edition
Like having an X-ray for each exercise, the anatomical depictions show both superficial and deep layers and detail how various setup positions affect muscle recruitment and emphasize underlying structures.
Reviews
"Strength Training Anatomy, 3rd Edition, is a reference book--it's got really cool drawings with tips for common techniques at the gym. Delavier and Gundill have lots of drawings, pre-planned routines including those to supplement other sports, and succinct advice to get the most out of every technique. Delavier and Gundill translate their extensive anatomy and weight-lifting knowledge into language anyone can understand and information is succinct so reading's a pleasure."
"I owned the first edition of Strength Training Anatomy (blue cover) for nearly 15 years and I've been recommending this book to my clients for that long as well. A page is devoted to each exercise, and a small amount of text accompanies each illustration, explaining proper form and giving additional tips or precautions. For beginners, this could be a training instruction "bible" for learning how to do the exercises properly and understanding exactly what muscles are working. Studying the drawings and looking at the muscles engaged, the direction of the fibers and where they insert and attach could be a great tool to help with these mental skills. That doesn't detract from the value in my opinion, it actually helps keeps this volume concise and focused on one thing: strength training exercises and anatomy. On that note, again, this is not a text-heavy book and while you do get an explanation and illustration of each exercise, you don't get. in-depth written details on biomechanics and muscle actions."
"Most people lift far too lightly to get all but incidental benefit. To this end I have purchased several of these to be put in the weight training and stretching areas of the gym I use just so people can "see" what they are doing and to learn other ways to do it. Additionally, research has shown that people get more benefit from aerobic training when they don't distract themselves with Ipods or TV.. Just a thought."
"Great color pictures that depict muscle groups highlighted according to the exercise you are doing."
"This book is awesome!!"
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Practical Programming for Strength Training
--Each chapter completely updated. --New illustrations and graphics. --Better explanations of the proven programs that have been helping hundreds of thousands of lifters get stronger more efficiently. --Expanded Novice chapter with the details of 3 different approaches to the problem of getting stuck and special approaches for the underweight and overweight trainee. --Expanded Intermediate chapter with 18 separate programs and 11 detailed examples. --Expanded Advanced chapter with detailed examples of 9 different programs. --Expanded Special Populations chapter with example programs for women and masters lifters training through their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. --Day-to-day, workout-to-workout, week-by-week detailed programs for every level of training advancement. --The most comprehensive book on the theory and practice of programming for strength training in print. Mark Rippetoe is the author of Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training , Practical Programming for Strength Training , Strong Enough? Shortly afterward he opened KSC, a private training facility near Houston that offers barbell training to competitive athletes and the general public, as well as program consultation for competitive lifters.
Reviews
"I had been using a three day a week program with 5 work sets for each of 4 exercises and 1 work set for the deadlift."
"The Starting Strength books are like a comprehensive strength training 101 course that can be purchased for less that $50 USD, and executed with much more competency. While the Starting Strength book focuses more on the "how to" aspect of basic barbell training, Practical Programming is primarily focused on the science of physiological development in human trainees, and provides ample details for the rationale behind the training program it promotes, including recovery and adaptation cycles."
"I have literally wasted YEARS of my life following "5 weeks to (insert body specific goal)" programs from "Health" magazines and numerous other fitness fads. Finally after struggling to learn how to squat and getting nowhere with local "certified" trainers, an Internet search led me to the author and his book Starting Strength. Just wading into first few pages of that book I quickly realized that every other source of information about the subject of strength and how to attain it, that I have read, was complete garbage."
"This is the bible for anyone serious about programming their own strength training."
"Wished there was more detail about creating your own programs at the intermediate level."
"This book & Starting Strength are two must-haves for any serious weightlifter."
"Great book and a must have companion for the Starting Strength book."
"A must have if you're doing Starting Strength."
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Best Sports Training

Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (The Muscle for Life Series Book 1)
If you want to build muscle, lose fat, and look great as quickly as possible without steroids, good genetics, or wasting ridiculous amounts of time in the gym and money on supplements...then you want to read this book. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars per month on the worthless workout supplements that steroid-fueled bodybuilders “swear by.” You don't need to constantly change up your weightlifting exercises to build muscle mass. The exact muscle building nutrition and training methods that make putting on 10 to 15 pounds of quality lean mass a breeze...and it only takes a few months. An all-in-one bodybuilding routine that will give you a big, full chest…a wide, tapered back…bulging arms…and thick, powerful legs...in just 3 to 6 hours of exercise per week...doing weight training workouts that you actually look forward to. With this fitness book you'll also get a free 98-page bonus report that contains a year's worth of Bigger Leaner Stronger bodybuilding workouts as well as Mike’s personal product and supplement recommendations and more! "I am in my 5th week of doing the weight routines and eating methods and I have lost 11 pounds to date and my strength has sky rocketed." "After following this plan for only 5 weeks, I have already lost 13 lbs of body fat while continuing to build muscle mass and strength at 47 years old." "I've been following my program for 10 weeks now and am incredibly happy with my results - I've lost 8 kg and made great strength gains." Hi,I'mMike and I believe that every person can achieve the body of his or her dreams,and I work hard to give everyone that chance by providing workable, provenadvice grounded in science, not a desire to sell phony magazines, workoutproducts, or supplements.
Reviews
"The 1st year I got strong again, but was frustrated that I wasn’t losing weight. I hit a wall it in terms of not losing weight, or getting stronger. I'm absolutely amazed at the results; more importantly everyone around me is amazed at the transformation I’ve experienced."
"My outlook on life has changed DRASTICALLY over these 2 years and a large part of it is due to this book."
"I've been an athlete my whole life, and have a bachelor's & master's in Physical Education, so I draw from a lot of experience & information. (I'm 34 now and made the switch about 4 years ago) That's a huge change for a body, going from tons of cardio to a strength training focus."
"With his program design of progressive overload, I've dramatically increased my strength, and I don't have to spend multiple hours per day in the gym."
"Next up is his diet/recipe book."
"For me, diet was the biggest hurdle I had to overcome, and Mike's advice was just what I needed: it's not enough to eat "healthy" foods; you have to eat the right foods in the right amounts depending on your goals. Since I wanted to lose some fat, I followed the advice he gives for cutting, and it's been working like nothing I've ever tried."
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Best Men's Health

What to Expect the First Year
An all-new chapter on buying for baby helps parents navigate through today’s dizzying gamut of baby products, nursery items, and gear. Also new: tips on preparing homemade baby food, the latest recommendations on starting solids, research on the impact of screen time (TVs, tablets, apps, computers), and “For Parents” boxes that focus on mom’s and dad’s needs. The comprehensive month-by-month guide that clearly explains everything parents need to know about the first year with a new baby. With special sections on the older sibling; selecting the right physician; seasonal concerns and traveling with baby; managing childhood illnesses; and nurturing the adopted baby, the low-birthweight infant, and the baby with specific problems. Includes thorough information on baby's monthly growth and development, feeding, sleeping habits, infant illnesses, and safety.
Reviews
"Love this book, it is an absolute must-have resource for every parent."
"Mrs. Murkoff is a great author, woman, and encourager to all mothers."
"Reading this and looking up things like how to treat an infant's cold helped me as a brand new mom a lot!"
"I chose the Kindle version as one of my Amazon registry perks."
"perfect for my niece living in rural Montana."
"It also helps me keep reality in check when other offer "advice"."
"Large book that seems somewhat daunting but quick read and able to skip over things that don’t apply (circumcision if your having a girl for example)."
"I bought this book for my pregnant sister, if it's anything like the edition I owned during my little ones first year than it's a must have for new moms."
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Best Bike Repair

Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance: The World's Best-Selling Bicycle Repair and Maintenance Guide
Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is the world's best-selling guide to bicycle repair and maintenance. New chapter on electronic shifting covers maintenance, service, repair, and troubleshooting of all Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo electronic shifting groups. New troubleshooting charts New master guide to press-fit bottom brackets Also covered in the 5th edition: All derailleur shifting systems (5-speed through 11-speed); all bottom bracket systems (cone-and-cup through press-fit); all brake systems (including caliper, V-brake, cantilever, and disc); all headset, stem, handlebar and fork systems; wheelbuilding for all bikes including cyclocross and disc-brake wheels; special sections on cyclocross throughout including troubleshooting, maintenance, service, repair, and equipment selection; updated and expanded torque tables; complete illustration index and complete subject index. “Longtime VeloNews technical writer Lennard Zinn’s maintenance books are bibles for both pro and amateur wrenches. Zinn has written this book to help both the leisure bike rider and expert mechanic handle almost any problem associated with road bikes.” ― Library Journal. “Lennard Zinn is a veritable cycling Einstein and, as a naturally gifted teacher, he has the unique ability to explain even the most difficult mechanical task. So unless you currently ride on a high-profile pro team with your own mechanic (and maybe even then), Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is an absolute ‘must-have’ book.” ― Davis Phinney, Olympic medalist, national champion, and Tour de France stage winner. But on those days when your race steed needs some serious maintenance, or even just when you’re proactively researching for a little more knowledge if the worst should strike you on the road far from home – you will be glad you have Zinn in your library.” ― AeroGeeks. “ Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is simple, easy to follow and the illustrations are magnificent…If you are looking for a bicycle repair manual, get this book.” ― Cycloculture. Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is very up to date, very clear―thanks to the profuse illustrations―and accurate and comprehensive…And it’s all in a very enjoyable format intended to be encouraging and confidence-building."
Reviews
"I felt that this book was a great all-in-one general maintenance book for Road Bike Maintenance. It does not give every single detail that is possible for all parts (e.g. shimano brakes, it doesn't tell give you a parts breakdown like one would if you went to the manufacture site and downloaded their technical documents). The book does a great job at sorting the different repair tasks by three different levels, which most takes I feel are generally level 2. This book does not give advise onto which brands to get for all the tools (although they do have some recommendations for certain tools interspersed throughout the book)."
"I'm not particularly fond of relying purely on the internet for information, mostly because network connections aren't the most reliable in my area."
"When it comes to bike maintenance, it just doesn't get any better than Lennard Zinn."
"Great for providing a baseline and the trouble shooting section in each chapter makes diagnosing the issues easier."
"I'm seriously not mechanically but can follow his instructions!"
"This book has helped me out with everything I needed to do on my road bike."
"His reference to removing Shimano cranks notes that a special tool is needed to remove the left crank cap, but doesn't specify which tool it is."
"A must have.... no need to say more - the book speaks for itself."
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Best Rollerskating & Rollerblading

Laura Stamm's Power Skating - 4th Edition
Laura Stamm's Power Skating presents the skating system used by thousands of the sport's top players and teams to move with maximum efficiency on the ice. From starts and stops to turns and transitions, Laura Stamm's Power Skating covers all of the critical components of explosive skating. Internationally renowned power skating coach Laura Stamm has been coaching hockey players for more than 38 years. The first woman ever to coach a major league professional hockey player, Stamm showed the hockey world how important skating technique is to a hockey player’s success. In addition to authoring three books and numerous articles on hockey skating, Stamm has been a frequent speaker at coaches’ symposiums, camps, and conventions around the world. Her enormous success with him led to coaching assignments with other teams in the NHL and WHA (World Hockey Association), thus beginning her long career in hockey.
Reviews
"The book will teach moving forward and then get into way advanced moving forward drills a beginer can not accomplish way before even discussing stopping. It's taught me what proper technique is and as I develop more skill and balance I am able to focus on doing the movement correctly. Of note in the online USA Hockey magazine I get there is actually an ad for one of her clinics."
"I've been, ironically, using this manual while coaching a roller derby team in the last year and my players have become night and day from when I started. Often they tell me that skating didn't make sense to them until I started teaching them, and though the sport is different from hockey, the Laura Stamm method still applies."
"Tried and true methods, well tested through the ages."
"Fantastic book if you're looking to improve every facet of your skating."
"Good book!"
"This book is just awesome for any level hockey player."
"Bought this as supplement to figure skating for strength and power, speed for Moves in the Field and skating around the rink."
"Although the copyright date is somewhat dated, I can assure you that the material covered is time tested and still being taught at my local power skating rink."
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Best Pilates

The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga
Bernie Clark's The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga provides an in-depth look at the philosophy and practice of Yin Yoga with illustrated sections on how to practice Yin Yoga, including descriptions with photographs of 30 Yin Yoga asanas. “Bernie Clark’s The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga is one of the best yoga resources now available.”. — Paul Grilley, author of Yin Yoga: Outline of a Quiet Practice Yin Yoga is a practice much needed in today's difficult, divisive times.
Reviews
"I can choose my exercises or follow the author tutorial."
"This is a thorough and interesting book which has provided me with a deeper understanding of my own practice and of yoga."
"This book has been amazingly interesting & the techniques have been externally useful."
"Love this book!"
"This is by far the best book out there on Yin style yoga."
"Good book."
"I take a yin class 2-3 times a month and it's a great supplement in explaining things."
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Best Gymnastics

Overcoming Gravity: A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength (Second Edition)
Commonly referred to by readers as an "exercise Bible," Overcoming Gravity is a comprehensive guide that provides a gold mine of information for gymnastics and bodyweight strength training within its nearly 600 pages. If you prefer your health and fitness books to include scientific data, comprehensive sample programming, and effective recommendations, Overcoming Gravity is the ideal choice for your library. This Second Edition has been revised, expanded, and re-organized to read easier, provide more content, and offer easily accessible next-steps for beginner, intermediate, and advanced populations. Extensive information on body part splits and population modifications, allowing one to construct a routine that fits their lifestyle and skill level.
Reviews
"After plateauing and not finding a way around my lack of consistency in handstand (after several months of consistent practice) I decided to add some strength/gymnastic type exercises to my workouts. The best part is that not only does the book expertly cover topics of gymnastic progression, but also programming workouts to reach a progression goal, injury awareness/avoidance/rehabilitation, and so much more. I've also visited his reddit sub and while I've never personally asked him a question, the author is in there answering questions all the time - if you're considering learning more about body weight fitness and or gymnastics progression look no further, this is the book."
"The bible of bodyweight fitness, updated."
"New edition is better."
"Best comprehensive book on the subject."
"Fascinating book - lots of great information."
"Best book on gymnastics available."
"Excellent revision with new added material."
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Best Basketball

Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable
Fore more than two decades, legendary trainer Tim Grover has taken the greats—Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and dozens more—and made them greater. Direct, blunt, and brutally honest, Grover breaks down what it takes to be unstoppable: you keep going when everyone else is giving up, you thrive under pressure, you never let your emotions make you weak. This book is the blueprint for discovering what you are capable of achieving, getting results you never imagined, reaching the highest level of success--and then going even higher." "Tim Grover’s insight into leadership and excellence has taken the greats to the top, and his book will do the same for you. "In all the years that I coached, inspired and trained world class athletes there was no better resource to collaborate with than Tim Grover." No one knows more than Tim Grover about competitive intensity, killer instinct and crushing the other guy. "A must-read... Grover calls upon his decades of experience working with the world's most eliteathletes to dissect what it takes not just to succeed, but to be the absolutebest."
Reviews
"Some weak scrubs who took the time out of their day to write a poor review on Amazon OR a highly successful trainer who has been the go-to guy for some of the top basketball legends who ever played?" I've always known that there are just a lot of weak people out there that can't keep up or perform at top levels. This book is for the people who can (or at least have the desire and are working on being able to) perform at top levels."
"It’s a rare treat to learn from the man who helped Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwayne Wade amongst many others achieve that next gear."
"I like Tim's direct no punches pulled philosophy and approach to improvement."
"I’m a physician who takes care of the sickest patients in ICU’s and found so many similarities to the mentality mentioned in this book and what it takes to succeed in highly competitive medical training programs."
"the best I ever read beside the bible."
"Rick Nesbitt. Author of Earthly Kings: Temporal Treasures."
"This is a really interesting book with solid advice."
"This is such a great book for anyone who is a real go-getter!!"
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