Popular Books on Physical Activity, Exercise and Fitness

Disclaimer:
Following is a list of books that may be of interest to you. The USDA, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion does not recommend or endorse any of the following publications, but provides this list for your information. Consumers should evaluate these and other publications to determine suitability for their personal needs. Most adults do not need to see their healthcare provider before starting a moderate-intensity physical activity program. However, men older than 40 years and women older than 50 years who plan a vigorous program or who have either chronic disease or risk factors for chronic disease should consult their physician to design a safe effective program.

Books For Adults

1. ACSM Fitness Book (2nd Edition): A Proven Step-by-Step Program Prescribed by the Leading Experts in Health and Fitness by ACSM Staff
   Published by Human Kinetics Publishers, Oct 1997
   ISBN: 0880117834

   Brief Book Description
   This book offers easy-to-understand instructions on setting up a program and customizing it to fit your goals and schedule. Photos show proper form for strength training and flexibility exercises and you'll even learn how to assess your fitness level and track progress. Includes a blank workout log to record your workouts. Hardcover

2. American Heart Association Fitting in Fitness: Hundreds of Simple Ways to Put More Physical into Your Life by American Heart Association (Editor)
   Published by: Random House, Inc. February 1997

   Brief Book Description
   This fun and inspiring pocket guide throws all of the excuses we use not to exercise out the window. It tells you how to fit exercise into your daily schedule by giving you helpful hints like taking the stairs at work and getting up to change the television channel instead of using the remote.

3. Beginning Runner's Handbook by Sport Medicine Council, Ian Mac Neill
   Published by Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated, Aug 2001
   ISBN: 1550548611

   Brief Book Description
   This book is for beginning runners who want to make the switch from walking to running but don't know how. These realistic programs detail exactly how you should train every day to become a consistent runner for life. The run/walk programs are easy to follow and you'll improve your cardiovascular fitness and fat-burning capabilities. In the end, you'll be able to run for 50 minutes.

4. Body Control the Pilates Way by Lynn Robinson, 1998

   Brief Book Description
   A manual for the layperson, which introduces Dr Joseph Pilates' exercise regimen for improving the tone and alignment of the body. 40 exercises with programmed combinations are detailed with photographs and muscle or joint explanations.

5. Complete Home Fitness Handbook by Edmund R Burke
   Published by Human Kinetics Publishers, 1995

   Brief Book Description
   The Complete Home Fitness Handbook shows you how to achieve total fitness at home. Packed with stretches, exercise techniques, and individual workouts from internationally known fitness experts Bob Anderson, Wayne Wescott, Harvey Newton, Ed Burke, and Jackie Berning, this one-of-a-kind resource shows you how to develop a personal fitness program that's convenient and effective; choose the best equipment for your fitness level and budget; exercise injury-free; eat right and control your weight; improve your flexibility; and increase your endurance and muscular strength.

6. Fitness for Dummies by Suzanne Schlosberg
   Published by Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated, Dec 1999
   ISBN: 0764551671

   Brief Book Description
   Exercise is confusing enough without adding the quackery of fat-burning pills and mysterious exercise gadgets. This book addresses the hype surrounding all the quick-fix products and teaches you how to test your fitness level, design a complete program that fits your needs, join a health club, manage your diet, and more. It also covers how to build a home gym and hire a personal trainer.

7. Getting Stronger by Bill Pearl
   Published by Random House, Incorporated, Feb 1988
   ISBN: 0679739483

   Brief Book Description
   It covers the basics of weight training for regular folks as well as for bodybuilders and athletes. It also includes sport-specific training for 21 different sports. You'll find detailed instructions and pictures (over 100 fitness programs) as well as information about equipment, working out with injuries and special attention is given to women who are pregnant.

8. Maximum Fitness: The Complete Guide to Cross Training by Stewart Smith
   Published by Hatherleigh Company, Limited. Dec 2000
   ISBN: 1578260604

   Brief Book Description
   This Navy Seals workout focuses on cross training to help you break through plateaus and find something new and interesting to do. The workouts include lifting weights, calisthenics, running, biking, swimming and stretching. The time-saver workouts are perfect for busy people who want to maintain their fitness but don't have a lot of time. You'll enjoy the no-nonsense approach.

9. Smart Exercise: Burning Fat, Getting Fat by Covert Bailey
   Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Jan 1996
   ISBN: 0395661145

   Brief Book Description
   This book is perfect for people wanting information without a lot of technical jargon. Covert Bailey tells it like it is and does a great job of explaining basic concepts of fitness and weight loss without confusing you. He doesn't provide information about specific exercises or how to set up your own routine, but you'll get clear info about how the body uses fats, builds muscle and more.

10. The Health Fitness Handbook by Edward T. Howley, B. Don Franks, Yuruk Iyriboz. 1999
    ISBN: 088011651X

    Brief Book Description
    Inside this book, you'll find everything you need to start a safe, effective fitness program or to make your current program even more beneficial. Franks, Howley, and Iyriboz help you:

    understand what's important for your own health and fitness, evaluate your current fitness level, set realistic fitness goals based on your individual needs, and learn how to change health-related behaviors to meet your long-term goals.

    They also present the best exercises for improving aerobic fitness, flexibility, and strength and cover other important aspects of healthy living, including weight control, nutrition, injury prevention, and stress reduction. The book's many photos, charts, and tables will help you develop and fine-tune a personalized plan to achieve your desired fitness level.

Books For Children/Adolescents

11. Fit Kids!: The Complete Shape-Up Program from Birth Through High School by Kenneth H., MD Cooper, et al
    Published by Broadman & Holman Publishers, September 1999
    ISBN: 0805418784

    Brief Book Description
    There are 115 pages of nutrition related information mostly suggested menus and recipes - there are lots of good nutrition books for kids. The fitness evaluations were mostly for kids 10 and older. He recommends an active lifestyle and sports.

12. Physical Best Activity Guide-Elementary Level Book by American Alliance for Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance, 1999

    Brief Book Description
    The new Physical Best Activity Guide-Elementary Level contains the information you need to help K-5 students gain the knowledge, skills, appreciation, and confidence to lead physically active, healthy lives. All the activities have been developed and used successfully by physical educators across the U.S. and all are designed to help your student meet NASPE's National Physical Education standards for health-related fitness. You'll find more than 60 ready-to-use instructional activities covering aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition.

13. Physical Best Activity Guide-Secondary Level Book by American Alliance for Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance, 1999

    Brief Book Description
    The new Physical Best Activity Guide-Secondary Level contains the information you need to help grade 6-12 students gain the knowledge, skills, appreciation, and confidence to lead physically active, healthy lives. All the activities have been developed and used successfully by physical educators across the U.S. and all are designed to help your students meet NASPE's National Physical Education standards for health-related fitness. You'll find more than 60 ready-to-use instructional activities covering aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition.

14. Strength Training for Young Athletes by William J. Kraemer, Steven J. Fleck, 1992

    Brief Book Description
    Strength Training for Young Athletes has everything you need to know to design and implement safe and effective programs for your kids. It provides information and designs the safe and effective strength training programs for Young Athletes. This easy-to-use guide debunks the myths about weight training and kids; helps you learn how to design strength training programs for all major muscle groups and 16 sports; and presents detailed instructions for more than 100 strength exercises, structured especially for kids ages 7 to 18.

15. The Right Moves: A Girl's Guide to Getting Fit and Feeling Good by Tina Schwager, Michele Schuerger, Elizabeth Verdick (Editor). July 1998

    Brief Book Description
    The benefits of good nutrition and regular exercise can last a lifetime. This upbeat, positive book encourages girls to reach their full potential by developing a healthy self-image, eating right, and becoming physically fit. Part 1, "Pump Yourself Up," helps girls boost their self-esteem, build confidence, set goals, handle puberty, and pamper themselves. Part 2 is titled "Food Is Your Fuel."

16. Your Child's Fitness: Practical Advice for Parents by Susan Kalish, Ronald Melvin Lawrence. October 1995

    Brief Book Description
    Your Child's Fitness is the perfect book for parents who want solid advice and practical solutions for raising healthier and more active kids. It is the parent'shandbook for developing more motivated and active children. It'sthe best investment you can make in your child'sfuture health. This highly readable and useful book explains how to help your child achieve proper levels of strength, endurance, body composition, and flexibility; meet your child'snutritional needs with realistic diet recommendations; become an advocate for effective physical education in your child's school; make the most of community sports programs to get your child involved in physical activity; and choose and work with a physician to keep your child healthy.