Fit By Nature: The Adventx Twelve-Week Outdoor Fitness ProgramI bought this book about 6 weeks ago after reading about it in a northwest hiking magazine. The exercises (described clearly) in the book are pretty typical total body conditioning/resistance exercises that many fitness trainers teach. The interesting and most valuable thing is the way the author, John Colver, combines these exercises into workout sessions that are very complete and challenging. The most imortant concept of the book is a workout he calls "The Daily Dozen" a set of 12 exercises that take 12 minutes to perform (45 seconds per exercise and 15 seconds of rest). I've been doing this 4-5 times per week for the past 4 weeks and it has increased my fitness level. Because it takes so little time each day, it has solved one of my major problems with conditioning: consistency. 12 minutes is completely achievable even on busy days and, with no equipment required, very doable in a hotel room when traveling. I haven't quite worked up to doing these daily yet but I can already see results in the mirror. I know many women may think they do not like these kind of exercises but this workout has accencuated my figure more than anything I have done since working out regularly with a trainer. The work on obliques and glutes pays off. I definitely recommend this book.
The title leads the reader to believe that the book includes information specific to outdoor training. Other than a small chapter on training by the season and one on proper clothing, there isn't much info specific to training outdoors. Most of the information could just as easily be used for training anywhere. While this may seem like a good thing, I was expecting more info specific to the outdoors. I already have a lot of books geared to general bodyweight exercises so this book didn't provide anything that I didn't already have. If someone didn't have any knowledge on bodyweight exercise then this may be an OK title to have but honestly I could point to other less expensive titles that actually contain more information.
Overall it's not a bad book. It's just a little misleading with it's title as there isn't enough information on training outdoors. For a better book on outdoor training I would recommend "Tina Vindum's Outdoor Fitness" instead. The author of that book covers ways of using outdoor objects for various exercises. She also addresses the physical and mental health aspects of training outdoors.
UPDATE 10/23/2011After reading John Colver's comments to my initial review I realized that I didn't mention the program at all. My initial reasoning behind the purchase of the book was to get more info regarding the use of the environment for exercise purposes. In other words, I wanted more ideas for using the environment to make exercises harder or more enjoyable. So, when I reviewed the book it was based on the narrow focus of what WASN'T in the book as compared to what WAS in the book. While the book didn't have the exact info that I was looking for at the time, the actual info that is covered is very good.
The first section of the book starts off with what John calls the "starting blocks". These are essentially 4 blocks that form the foundation of the "Fit By Nature" program. From there the book goes into training by the season and addresses a basic phasic training cycle based on periodization. Injury prevention and safety are also covered. There is a small chapter on fueling the body for activity as well.
The meat of the book is the exercise program itself. John doesn't include every exercise under the sun. Instead he includes the exercises that are known to work. The exercises are then put together in various formats to create workouts. These workouts are then varied throughout the program to cover 12 full weeks of training. The basis of the program is variety. So, while you may use some of the same exercises there is plenty of variety built into the program to keep the workouts motivating. All aspects of fitness (strength, endurance, flexibility, etc) are covered in these workouts ranging from circuit training to steady-state running (or swimming, cycling, etc.). If that isn't enough, the program is also broken down into such detail that nobody should have trouble following it.
Overall the program is solid and I wanted to make sure that I made that clear. My initial issue wasn't with what WAS in the book but rather what WASN'T. That being the case I have changed my rating from 3 stars to 4 stars.
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As an older competitive powerlifter, I am often asked for advice from people who want to get in shape, or get back into shape. These are people with many good excuses, demanding work and child care schedules, or lots of travel. Getting back in shape after pregnancy is another fitness challenge. I spend thousands a year on professional coaching and many hours in a basement gym with no shower. This book offers an alternative that is doable even with the kids along (maybe even better with the kids along.) Although this is an outdoor program, it has adaptations for bad weather, and hotel stays. Calisthenics were a dirty word when I had Jr. High P.E. In this book they get polished up and packaged in the daily dozen that actually that can be done in 12 minutes and hopefully will be addictive! In this book you have a coach at your fingertips. The workouts are planned out for you with great variety so you won't get bored. The book has its spiritual side as well, helping us to get out of our incessant thinking and into experiencing our breath, body and place in nature.Read Best Reviews of Fit By Nature: The Adventx Twelve-Week Outdoor Fitness Program Here
Loved it. Common sense stuff but without the gym crap (although personally I like the gym crap too)! Anyone can do it at any pace, one foot in front of another as fast and as long as you want to/need to go. I liked it particularly the easy to follow pictures and directions. All that's missing is the personal goal and away you go!Want Fit By Nature: The Adventx Twelve-Week Outdoor Fitness Program Discount?
I love this book! It is beautiful, well organized and easy to use.I am also a personal fried of the author and many of the models and am part of the Adventx program in Seattle. Everyone I know who is pictured in the book or has been involved in its creation lives the benefits that this book has to offer. It is not a theoretical, but a practical program that has allowed all involved with Adventx to set and reach fitness goals we never imagined were possible, from marathons to triathlons to climbing mountains around the world.
Whatever your current fitness level and whatever your fitness goals, you can benefit from what this book has to offer
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