The Men's Health Guide To Peak Conditioning

The book is divided into six main parts:

Part One: The Peak Lifestyle
Part Two: Achieving Peak Conditioning
Part Three: Achieving a Peak Body
Part Four: Workouts for Every Scenario
Part Five: Body Maintenance
Part Six: Getting Equipped

The book also has a good index.

Part One: The Peak Lifestyle
This short 20 page section is really an introduction. Fitness is different for different men. How does one decide what kind of fitness he seeks? This part on the Peak Lifestyle gives pointers to deciding what level of fitness is desired, making goals, making time, basics for eating right, getting rest, and most important, GETTING STARTED!

Part Two: Achieving Peak Conditioning
The very first part of this section starts with weight lifting, because this is the basic core of how to build up a body for any fitness level, starting from the very basic, so experts might skip this. However, it is good at introducing the difference between free weights and machines, sets, reps, and what to aim for.

Next is aerobic exercise, an area of equal importance. That doesn't just mean running, but running is a great means to aerobic fitness. It lists the hits and misses for biking, running, walking, cross-country skiing, stair climbing, step aerobics, dance aerobics, and swimming.

The section goes on to talk about cross-training, flexibility, mental conditioning, and some basic movement ideas and tips. It includes pictures that show the right techniques and movement positions.

Part Three: Achieving a Peak Body
This and the next part are the real heart of the book. This section shows the exercises for each particular body area: Arms, Arm joints, Hands and Forearms, Shoulders and Neck, Chest, Abs, Back, Buttocks, Legs, Leg joints, Feet, and Bones. There are different numbers of exercises for each area, and different goals in mind. They are organised in different ways, but primarily by stretches versus strength. There are literally hundreds of different exercises and stretches explained here.

The section has pictures that show the proper way to do all the exercises, and descriptions in plain language. Many of these exercises require equipment; some are gym exercises, some are pool exercises, but most can be done from home.

Part Four: Workouts for Every Scenario
This section continues from the last one in setting up a core routine to follow and then making adjustment depending on goals. There are beginner and advanced routines, as well as one for shedding the fat. There is even a section on the Inactive Man, the Career Man (designed for a busy guy who doesn't have much time) and the Travelling Man.

The section continues with a sport by sport breakdown of what you should be doing. It has sections on each of the following sports: Bicycling, Running, Swimming, In-line skating, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Raquet Sports, Skiing, Football, Soccer, Hockey, and Backcountry sports. There are also divisions for different decades of life, living in hot or cold climates, and designing programmes lasting different periods of time, all the way up to twelve months.

Part Five: Body Maintenance
This is a short section that discusses preventing and dealing with injuries, basic rehab and massage. There are ways for self massage discussed here, but don't discount a real massage. The section ends with a short piece on dealing with and recovering from disease. Should one work out with a cold or flu?

Part Six: Getting Equipped
This is about setting up a home gym. There are all sorts of options, and one doesn't have to spend a fortune to be well-equipped. The other option of course is a gym membership, but again remember, you get what you pay for and you pay even if you don't go. Other important topics include shoes, bikes, skis, canoes, kayaks, backpacks, fishing gear, skates, and other items that might play an important part in fitness.

The one thin part of this book is that it only devotes a few pages to nutrition. But then again, most men don't pay too much attention, alas.

The overall format of the book is a good one, with easy-to-read pages, good basic photography that is utilitarian and not glamour shots, and well suited for the purpose of the book. It comes with a fold-out poster to hang up in the workout area. This is a very good book, one I return to again and again.