The time spent at home during the pandemic has led to rediscovering and rebuilding hobbies. One of the more positive outcomes that has gained popularity is having people focusing on their own personal fitness. In fact, it’s probably here to stay, as The Washington Post reports that home fitness sessions will likely remain a popular option compared to gyms as a result of the pandemic.
Starting a fitness program at home can be confusing, especially if you’re just starting out. There’s a plethora of data out there, and getting the right facts about fitness can quickly become a black hole of information. Discerning between science-backed facts and pseudoscientific fitness tips can be difficult. But with the right resources, you can build a strong foundation.
So, let’s dive into some of the books that can help you along the way:
Infinite Intensity
Ross Enamait has built up quite a reputation for himself over the years. Known as a fitness expert and boxing coach, Enamait wrote Infinite Intensity backed by his extensive research on fitness and martial arts.
Every part of his methodology is backed up, and he provides practical applications for each. Enamait also gives insights on failure in relation to his training style, saying that “The concept of trying was created to rationalize failure… No one becomes great by living a life where failure is both accepted and expected.
Those who achieve greatness refuse to accept failure. It is not an option.” If you want a straightforward but systematic approach to physical training that will get you strong, then this is the book to read.
Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) created this comprehensive book to provide strength coaches, universities, and beginners alike with the fundamentals that come with strength training. It gained popularity for its explanation of key concepts and scientific principles of strength training and conditioning.
It also discusses how they apply to athletic performance. Apart from exercise techniques and program designs, it also provides information on testing and evaluation, training adaptations, facility administration, and even the structure and function of body systems. This makes it a definitive guide for strength and conditioning professionals in their everyday practice.
The Oxygen Advantage
One of the aspects that many people neglect in their journey to personal fitness is the importance of breathing properly. How efficiently you supply oxygen to your body during exercise can mean the difference between effective training and getting injured.
In The Oxygen Advantage, Patrick McKeown shares breathing exercises and techniques that help you perform better. It starts with a Body Oxygen Level Test (BOLT) to assess how efficiently your body uses oxygen. McKeown discusses how you can increase your BOLT score to increase endurance and promote weight loss to dramatically improve your cardiovascular fitness.
Anybody looking to improve their overall fitness can certainly benefit from these techniques, which are easy to miss in most other fitness routines that promise great results.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food and Nutrition Guide
Fitness would not be complete without nutrition, which is precisely what the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food and Nutrition Guide aims to provide information on. Understanding nutrition is essential to anybody’s fitness journey, whether beginner or expert. It doesn’t just discuss recipes for weight loss.
It also talks about dietary guidelines, public health concerns, and nutritional trends from experts in the field. The best part about this book is how easy it is to read. Although it is grounded in science, readers won’t get lost in the technical jargon that can sometimes be present in such books.
It’s extremely accessible, helpful, and reliable.
Understanding fitness on a better level with these books will not only help you get into shape, but it can also reduce the chances of getting injuries like tennis elbow, which Mean Muscles has discussed in-depth before. Using the right information is key to optimal fitness, especially yours.
