Faster, Better, Stronger: A Customized, Scientific Approach No Mat

By Eric Heiden, M.D., Massimo Testa, M.D. and Deanne Musolf

Are you weary of cookie-cutter fitness plans devoid of anything you can actually use? Or programs promising great abs by Monday?

Eric Heiden, M.D., and Massimo Testa, M.D., are renowned physicians who've spent their lives facing every conceivable exercise problem, helping both elite athletes and people who want to finish a 5K or achieve lower blood pressure.

Part I of this book is a treasure trove filled with everything everyone should know about fitness but that even the best athletes do not, including how to start (or restart) an exercise regimen; eat before, during, and after a workout; lose weight while getting fit; treat aches and pains; diagnose fatigue; harness your thoughts; and select the activities best suited to you. Part II unveils a twelve-week fitness program, tailored to your needs, which will optimize your time, efforts, and results.

Faster, Better, Stronger, named one of the top ten books of the year by Disaboom.com, is highly inspiring and fun to read, with stories from Dr. Heiden at the Olympics and from Dr. Testa about helping the world's top cyclists as well as elderly and obese patients.

Doctors rarely make guarantees, but Dr. Heiden and Dr. Testa are willing to guarantee this: Everyone can get better. Including you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061856976

Eric Heiden, M.D.

Eric Heiden, M.D., won five gold medals in the 1980 Olympics. Then he became a champion cyclist and received a medical degree from Stanford University. Together with Massimo Testa, M.D., one of the foremost cycling trainers in the world, he founded the UC Davis Sports Performance Center. Both authors live in Park City, Utah.

Reviews for Faster, Better, Stronger

[Veles666 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I just want to balance out the 5 star reviews with something to think about. I have read literally dozens of books and dozens of articles on bodybuilding, power lifting, health, hormones, endocrinology, genetics, martial arts, gymnastics, health, youth, etc. etc. etc. This book falls very low compared to most of the books I've read. I do believe it is superior to many cookie cutter diet books and 10 minute tone up books. However, I do not like books written by doctors, with the approach of being written by "doctors", 95% of the time. The reason is they demonstrate less knowledge of what really makes people tick than a champion bodybuilder or pioneer scientist does. They list off boring mainstream studies with somewhat negative, ambiguous conclusions. I don't need to waste time reading "secret #5: lack of exercise tends to have an increased risk of lung disease, secret #6: lack of exercise has a higher mortality rate than people who do exercise," blah blah blah. What I want to know is how hormones affect the cells, and how to optimize this process. I believe in natural diets to prevent diseases caused by synthetic chemicals and malnutrition, training towards your muscle fiber, blood, body, metabolic and somatotype towards your goals, and learning truth. I recommend for all of you something simple, go to YouTube and watch Elliot Hulse on strength training, or read books and articles of Arnold Schwarzenneggar, Sylvester Stallone, Pavel Tsatsouline, Steve Reeves, such people who really know about health and fitness, Fitness Icons, people who achieved a great level of achievement of fitness and understand the science of it.

[susansan_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have read literally dozens of books on fitness and this one is, by far, superior to anything I've read. It's easy to understand, comprehensive, motivating and filled with information to get you started, keep you going and extend the current level of fitness you are already at.My biggest compliment is their focus and every body being different, so no heart rate method, no single exercise routine and no sport is going to fit everybody. They help you break down how fit you are right now, and how to proceed from there. I told myself that I was NOT going to by anymore books. Working at a library gives me access to them all, but this is one book that is definitely going into my personal library!

[halieus_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read many books on improving one's body (I have over a dozen sitting on the shelves of my library right now); this is, by far, the VERY best book on starting a fitness program, achieving wellness, improving oneself to whatever level of potential that's desired, and maintaining that high level of physical fitness. I would highly recommended Faster, Better, Stronger: 10 Scientific Secrets to a Healthier Body in 12 Weeks to everyone that is the least bit interested in their health.There are very few "cons" about any part of this book. The only one I can think of (other than the fact that I got a pre-publication yellow-paper-covered reviewer's copy... rather than the full Monte) was the main title: Faster, Better, Stronger. It just doesn't convey the full scope of the expertise relayed in this book. The subtitle is somewhat better: 10 Scientific Secrets to a Healthier Body in 12 Weeks, but it has still taken me several minutes of explaining the book (to avid readers) to pique their interest in purchasing the book.However, having explained the crux of the book and letting those others look at it (with my highlighting and bookmarks throughout), each has been excited about the possibility of reading it. Even my Dad wants to read this one, and other than the Bible, he rarely reads more than one book a year! After reading a few paragraphs, he said he'd be willing to PAY for this book! I don't ever remember hearing him say that about any other book.So what, you may wonder, is "the crux" of this book? It starts by explaining the reasons behind exercising -- even the easy, common sense stuff that we all should know -- and builds from there. It explains how to tailor the sports you play to exactly what your body- and muscle-type can excel at the most. Do you have primarily "fast-twitch" or "slow-twitch" muscle fibers? Give yourself a "twitch test" to find out. Not sure how fit you are? copy the risk score sheet, look yourself up on the BMI charts, and assess your personal fitness level -- comprehensively -- including a VO2max test that will rival what you would get in a full-blown lab. Not only that, but the book will also assist you in preparing nutritious meals, planning a 12-week workout schedule, and even go so far as to make recommendations of the frequency and intensity of the exercises you should be doing for maximum improvement -- no matter what level of physical fitness you start at!Faster, Better, Stronger should not only be required reading for EVERY high school and college coach in America, it should also be placed in EVERY library from coast to coast -- whether in elementary schools, retirement homes, or on military bases. This is a MUST read for anyone that is the least bit interested in improving their life.Faster, Better, Stronger is a keeper -- for life!