Basic Training: A Fundamental Guide to Fitness for Men

By Jon Giswold

Book Overview

A beautifully illustrated, indispensable guide for anyone embarking on a fitness program "Basic Training" is an introductory guide to achieving health and fitness for men. This user-friendly source of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312192355
• ISBN13: 9780312192358
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.8" x 11.2"

Customer Reviews

Great book for beginners

I bought this book never having been to a gym, or doing any exercise. If you were the kid in PE that no one picked or find the exercise techniques and terminology confusing, this book is for you.It also covers skin care and general health concerns. Definitely a book written by a gay man for gay men. It's great. I started using his basic work out a week ago and already have noticed results. He also encourages you to work out alone if you want and tells you exactly what you need. He gives clear examples of the exercises with pictures. I'm looking forward to reading his 2nd book!

Definitely A Winner!

I have been in the Health and Fitness field for 13 years as a Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer and Health Club Director in NYC. Over the years I have seen many many books on the subjects of How to get in shape, How to build a better body, and How to start a work-out program etc. come over my desk. Jon Giswold's book, Basic Training for Men is head and shoulders above the rest. This book is intelligent and highly readable. It speaks to us as we need to hear the information, clearly and accurately, while anticipating then resoving any questions and excuses before we even hve time to realize they were there. I like this book because it takes you from A (out of shape, unmotivated, lost amongst an onslaught of conflicting information) to Z ( an understanding on how our fitness goals can be achieved with a step by step plan). Jon delivers this book in a way where we don't feel pressured, judged or overwhelmed but nurtured and supported on our journey to our ultimate fitness goals.

Really helpful for me!

I found this book to be very helpful. I was looking for an uncomplicated guide to help me restart my fitness routine. I was not into going to the gym after some time away. Basic Training set me up for practical home use and didn't overwhelm me. It is just what I needed. The exercises were great and really well described, the workouts are helping me get into shape without being too complicated, and even the simple diet suggestions helped me reorganize the way I am eating. I was a little surpised at how beautiful this book photographed and designed. It was really artful the way those Abercrombie and Fitch cataloges are now done. It helped me to look at fitness as more of a lifestyle thing than another task that I can fail. Jon Giswold added humor and clarity to areas I am interested in and Morgan's photos are awesome. I want to thank them both for this book. I'm glad that it is in paperback now too, so I can give out for Christmas. Will there be a Basic Training 2 for me when I get to that point? I hope so!

This book is the best all around fitness book to date.

I found this book to be down to earth in it's approach to fitness, giving realistic goals to strive for. It offers great information that other fitness books for men have been afraid to touch on. For example educating men on the fact that BREAST CANCER occurs in the male population, and why joining the fad of body piercing may not be the best for ones health. Very informative! I thought it wise to look at this book with an open, intelligent mind and not fixate on a couple of reviews in this forum obviously submitted from narrow minded, pseudo-macho points of view.

A wonderful, comprehensive guide to fitness

The day I bought this book I was depressed and fifty pounds overweight. Picking this generously-illustrated volume up off the bookshelf was the first weight I'd lifted in years. But after reading Jon Giswold's inspiring words, I was motivated to start working out regularly at the gym, and eating right(most of the time). Since then, I've lost thirty pounds and gained several inches around my biceps. Thanks Jon, for giving us middle-aged guys more than just that extra inch to pinch!