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Total Fitness In 30 Minutes A Week
No matter what your age, this amazing book shows you how to look younger, feel better, and probably live longer--using a quick and easy method.
First published May 15, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 30, 2010
Laurence E. Morehouse, Ph. D. is that rarity in diet/fitness literature--someone who was actually qualified to write about it. His doctorate was in physical education and physiology, and he was involved in designing fitness routines for the astronauts I suppose this really should be called minimum fitness--but it's a threshold I suspect few Americans come near--and useful as a start, or as something to do to keep some fitness when you're convinced you don't have time--no excuses. Mind you, this book was published in 1975, but I've read it's mostly still valid today.
The daily program can be summarized this way:
1) Turn and twist your body joints to their near-maximum range of motion.
2) Stand for a total of two hours a day.
3) Lift something unusually heavy for five seconds.
4) Walk briskly for at least three minutes to stimulate your cardiovascular system.
5) Burn up to three hundred calories a day in physical activity.
There's more to it than that--this isn't one of those books where the useful content can be put on a postcard. In terms of stimulating your cardiovascular system, Morehouse was revolutionary at the time in proposing that your exertion should be measured not by how fast or how long you go, but by heart rate. And the above is really a minimum--for the "total" fitness giving you a reserve, there are additional recommendations and exercises--still not demanding in terms of time or equipment consisting of crunches ("sitbacks") and "pushaway" from walls which is basically an easy pushup for those who can't manage pushups. Same concept.
The daily program can be summarized this way:
1) Turn and twist your body joints to their near-maximum range of motion.
2) Stand for a total of two hours a day.
3) Lift something unusually heavy for five seconds.
4) Walk briskly for at least three minutes to stimulate your cardiovascular system.
5) Burn up to three hundred calories a day in physical activity.
There's more to it than that--this isn't one of those books where the useful content can be put on a postcard. In terms of stimulating your cardiovascular system, Morehouse was revolutionary at the time in proposing that your exertion should be measured not by how fast or how long you go, but by heart rate. And the above is really a minimum--for the "total" fitness giving you a reserve, there are additional recommendations and exercises--still not demanding in terms of time or equipment consisting of crunches ("sitbacks") and "pushaway" from walls which is basically an easy pushup for those who can't manage pushups. Same concept.
October 17, 2010
This Book is one of the best books on health and exercise should be reprinted is hard to find but I want to read again
January 14, 2013
Dr. Laurence Morehouse hates rigid exercise programs! What's more, he has the data to back it up. This book, written by Dr. Morehouse and Leonard Gross, was first published in 1975 (and as far as I know, later publications were not revised), so it's probably outdated in some areas, but it still offers loads of valuable and sensible advice and encouragement.
The first five chapters discuss the author's views of exercise and diet. The remaining 7 chapters address heart rate and monitoring, outline his exercise plans and offer practical advice on training for sports.
Dr. Morehouse plainly states that staying healthy and fit involves very little time, effort and expense. Inactivity is the road to a slow death, while exercise offers us the "Fountain of Youth". After you exercise, you should feel better than before you started, not worse. The "no-pain no-gain" approach is totally unnecessary. If you don't enjoy your exercise, chances are you won't stick with it for very long, so find something you like to do. These are a few of the many insights gathered in this book.
Gyms, weights and machines, strict diets, supplements, exhausting workouts, long runs and even working up a sweat are all unnecessary! Big muscles don't necessarily mean better performance and playing sports doesn't guarantee good health or even fitness. As for diets, the author has one word...don't! We should eat all kinds of food - even cake and ice cream - in moderation. "Avoid" diets are unhealthy and may even be dangerous. He also says that losing more than 1 pound a week is unhealthy. These assertions are hammered home by the persuasive Dr. Morehouse. He stresses the need to be fit for who you are and the life you are living. There's no need to work out like an Olympic champion or professional athlete, if you have no intention of being one. If you are currently a "couch-potato", a daily walk around the block is "like a miracle" and walking up a flight of stairs can "do wonders". If you were one of those school kids who dreaded - or avoided - gym class and if, as an adult, you are confused or overwhelmed by the glut of often-conflicting information related to diet and exercise, this book could be a good place to start.
The first five chapters discuss the author's views of exercise and diet. The remaining 7 chapters address heart rate and monitoring, outline his exercise plans and offer practical advice on training for sports.
Dr. Morehouse plainly states that staying healthy and fit involves very little time, effort and expense. Inactivity is the road to a slow death, while exercise offers us the "Fountain of Youth". After you exercise, you should feel better than before you started, not worse. The "no-pain no-gain" approach is totally unnecessary. If you don't enjoy your exercise, chances are you won't stick with it for very long, so find something you like to do. These are a few of the many insights gathered in this book.
Gyms, weights and machines, strict diets, supplements, exhausting workouts, long runs and even working up a sweat are all unnecessary! Big muscles don't necessarily mean better performance and playing sports doesn't guarantee good health or even fitness. As for diets, the author has one word...don't! We should eat all kinds of food - even cake and ice cream - in moderation. "Avoid" diets are unhealthy and may even be dangerous. He also says that losing more than 1 pound a week is unhealthy. These assertions are hammered home by the persuasive Dr. Morehouse. He stresses the need to be fit for who you are and the life you are living. There's no need to work out like an Olympic champion or professional athlete, if you have no intention of being one. If you are currently a "couch-potato", a daily walk around the block is "like a miracle" and walking up a flight of stairs can "do wonders". If you were one of those school kids who dreaded - or avoided - gym class and if, as an adult, you are confused or overwhelmed by the glut of often-conflicting information related to diet and exercise, this book could be a good place to start.
December 8, 2020
Great read. Lot of information that has withstood the test of time here
March 13, 2024
Who knew fitness could be this stress-free (and not actually lazy)?!!
March 7, 2024
Has some good tips but don’t agree with everything. Main premise of book is to lose 1 lb/week
August 6, 2024
This very dated book has lots of practical, evidence based, information that still rings true.
July 6, 2014
Describes a at one fitness program that supposedly takes only 30 minutes a week. I question that anyone can be physically fit with that little exercise.
June 14, 2012
A bit outdated but still very valuable tips if you like to take it somewhat easy
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews