The Aerobics Way: New Data on the World's Most Popular Exercise Program

An updated version of the 1969 book by the author who coined the term "aerobics" for cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary exercise. It contains expanded and updated point tables along with programs for overweight, cardiac and special needs persons. It also contains adjustments for age and gender not present in the original volume, and lists point values for an expanded set of sports and recreational activities. This book answers the exercise questions "How much?" "How often?" "What condition am I in?" in a scientific and calibrated manner. It gives in the tables a translation of the cardiovascular benefit of each activity (primarily running, walking, cycling, swimming and sports like basketball, handball, etc) into point values, and sets out how many points you need per week to maintain a prescribed level of fitness. It also describes a simple 12-minute run/walk test to measure your current level of fitness. His simple test has now become the practical standard used by the military, schools, fire, police and other organizations to evaluate the fitness of soldiers, employees, applicants, students and others. The book describes how to get started, how long it'll take to get to a "good" level of fitness, what to expect along the way, and the benefits of achieving and maintaining good fitness. It lays out the surprising benefits of good fitness including weight loss, assistance in quitting smoking, alleviation of symptoms of asthma, diabetes, cardiac diseases, and other chronic and degenerative conditions. However, if you're looking for a get-fit-quick or get-fit-with-no-effort book for the exercise phobic, this book is not for you. Everything in here is quantified and measured; the start up fitness programs are 16-weeks of 3-4 days per week, 15-30 minutes per day of moderate level activity like running or cycling. You're going to wear out some track shoes following the programs herein. Buying this book is $6 well spent for a simple guide to getting in shape. It's at times, uplifting, entertaining, dry and funny, full of facts and figures, but never frivolous. The principles of this book would be a good foundation for a comprehensive cardiovascular, strength and flexibility fitness program.