If you’ve ever cheered on a friend running a marathon or watched a friend do 100 push-ups at the gym, you know that sometimes just seeing athletic feats can motivate you to rekindle your own fitness routine. well, we’d say a great exercise book could have exactly the same effect.
Appealing to anyone from the lifelong marathoner to the “I do it for the selfies” athlete, these nine new books cover the gamut of fitness obsessions, from cycling and CrossFit to running earthen. add them to your amazon queue, soon; they may help you see fitness in a whole new way.
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You are reading: Best books for fitness motivation
9 great books to read for serious fitness inspiration
1. unbreakable runner: unleash the power of the force & conditioning for a lifetime of strong runningcould you run a marathon faster by training less? that’s the premise behind this book, co-written by crossfit resistance™ founder brian mackenzie and t.j. Murphy, former editor-in-chief of Triathlete Magazine. Murphy, a runner who previously enjoyed putting in tons of miles, and Mackenzie, explore the benefits of becoming a faster, stronger, and healthier runner through strength training. Although some have labeled CFE controversial, this book might convince you to give it a try (Murphy was a former skeptic, now a convert). You’ll find illustrated demonstrations of how to do various exercises involving CrossFit staples like hollow rocks or double jumps, and training plans for everything from a 5k to an ultramarathon. ($12; on sale now)
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2. Off Course: Inside the Wacky and Muddy World of Steeplechase The first line of this book introduces readers to author Erin Beresini, as she lies face down in the mud. . Over the next 239 pages, you’ll join Beresini in the trenches as she trains for an endurance athlete’s worst (or best?) nightmare: the Spartan Ultra Beast Race. the 26.2 mile royal marine designed obstacle course is packed with physical and mental obstacles (think: being forced to choose between solving a rubix cube or hitting a target with a spear before you are allowed to cross the finish line).
beresini, an ultramarathon runner and ironwoman, immerses herself in the crazy world of extreme obstacle courses, exploring the history of events in the us. uu., as she trains to achieve her most challenging goal yet. the writer’s witty, self-deprecating tone, and the do-or-die subculture of mud racing, will have readers hooked from the start. ($18.63; on sale now)
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3. The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons I Run Long DistancesYou are not alone in your love-hate relationship with mileage. Perfect for an aspiring marathon runner who simply lacks motivation, this book uses concise cartoons to explain how and why author Matthew Inman is hopelessly hooked on running. The writer behind the hilarious blog The Oatmeal, Inman describes himself as a former “fat kid.” His main incentive to run: to escape from the blerch, aka “the fat little cherub that follows me when I run,” he says. “the blerch represents all the forms of gluttony, apathy, and indifference that plague my life,” inman writes. Follow along as Inman illustrates the dos and don’ts of running a marathon, combating inner laziness, and avoiding a diet made up entirely of bacon, bear claws, and cheese. get ready to laugh out loud and get motivated to sign up for your next race at the end. ($16.99; on sale now)
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4. High Intensity 300If you get bored easily in the gym, this book will be your new favorite training tool. Strength coach Dan Trink, C.S.C.S., owner of Trink Fitness, promises 300 workouts that will make you leaner and stronger, and they can all be done in 30 minutes or less. Do you want to burn fat or build muscle? Whatever your goal, you’ll find high-intensity training to help you get there, using everything from kettlebells to TRX suspension trainers to Olympic lifts. Each session includes a dynamic warm-up to prevent injury, and true beginners will appreciate the chapter on how to perform basic movements. Meanwhile, thrill-seekers will love pushing themselves to the max with trink’s 40 Hardest Workouts. ($16.72; on sale now)
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5. do you think the training diary is hooked to the tracking tools? People who love to control every last detail of their workouts will enjoy this journal focused on the training of professional runners Lauren Fleshman (founder of Picky Bars) and Roisin McGettigan-Dumas. the duo have teamed up to produce a guide focused on helping female athletes get their bodies and minds on the same page when it comes to setting running goals.
Whether you want to run a 5K or complete your first marathon, this journal will help you discover your blind spots (skip cross training!) and avoid race day anxiety. Each week, you’ll be asked to tackle different goals, like improving your nutrition, or answering tough questions like “what’s stopping you?” Check out Fleshman’s training regimen with tips she offers, including her goals (to qualify for the world championships in the 5K) and eating habits. ($12; available now)
6. Embrace the Suck: What I Learned About Hard Work, (Very) Sore Muscles, and Pre-Dawn BurpeesIf your gym routine leaves a lot to be desired, you’ll identify with writer Stephen Madden on his quest to stop slacking off and start pushing through every workout. The former editor-in-chief of cycling magazine is looking toward middle age when he finally decides it’s time to “embrace the suction” and really get in shape. Madden finds CrossFit and commits to leaving it all on the court (uh, box) for an entire year. he follows him as he absorbs it through endless words and learns a few lessons about himself along his journey. ($19.25; available December 9, 2014)
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7. Faster: The Obsession, Science and Luck Behind the World’s Fastest CyclistsIt’s safe to say that the world of cycling has changed a lot since doping scandals threatened to end almost with sport. Here, British cycling champion Michael Hutchinson explores the science behind how to ride a bike fast (without performance-enhancing drugs). Hutchinson tried just about everything except peds in the name of speed, from sleeping in an oxygen deprivation tent to biking around the Manchester Velodrome track, naked. Drawing on his relationships with other prominent cyclists, exercise physiologists and researchers, and his own willingness to be a guinea pig, Hutchinson dives deep into the science of speed. ($16.77; available now)
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8. The 30-Second Body: Clean Eating. dirty train. live hard.“no rubbish, no pomp, just the essentials.” that’s what trainer adam rosante promises in his first book “the 30-second body”. Because we can all do anything for 30 seconds, Rosante devised a series of workouts meant to be done in half-minute intervals. Expect photo-illustrated moves accompanied by clean eating tips, plus doses of the famous pep talks that Rosante customers have long known and loved. He may not get his hands on this book until March, but pre-order now and you’ll get three free workouts of the popular Coach Waveform program to get him excited for the big book’s release. ($9.99; on sale March 10, 2015)
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9. Ready to Run: Unleash Your Natural Running PotentialRaise your hand if you agree that few things in life are more frustrating than a running injury. Ready to say goodbye to tendonitis and nagging knee pain? In her latest book, author Kelly Starrett, a physical therapist and founder of San Francisco CrossFit, lays out 12 key goals runners should strive for to avoid injury. It may sound like a long checklist to cross off, but fear not. Starrett will get you there with a mix of dynamic and isolated stretches, mobility training, and techniques designed to improve hip flexion, ankle movement, hydration tactics, and more. because there’s a lot more to race prep than buying the right pair of shoes, right? ($18.62; available now)
Disclosure: All products featured on our site are carefully selected by our editorial team in hopes of bringing you closer to your health and fitness goals. We only recommend products that we love and believe you will too. In some cases, you may find an affiliate link on our site, which means we receive a small commission if you decide to make a purchase.
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