'The Fitness Leader's Handbook'
Published by A.C. Black (1999) and compiled by Garry Egger,
Nigel Champion and Allan Bolton, it offers good value for money at £13.99.
I’ve had to buy a good many books for the three core
modules I’ve completed with the University of Luton, many of which I’ve
confined to the top shelf of my bookcase probably just to gather dust. However,
one book which I bought I would like to recommend to you as a very good overall
text book for anyone involved in teaching or planning exercise programs.
Topics covered include:
Ø
An introduction to the human body and exercise – good level of
detail with lots of diagrams of useful things like joints and joint movement,
and muscles.
Ø
The principles of exercise programming – principles of training,
and equipment examples.
Ø
Exercise programming for aerobic conditioning and for strength and
flexibility training – all you would need for exercise prescription and
planning a program. Gives a variety of examples of types of programs. Also
covers screening.
Ø
Potentially dangerous exercises, back care and injury recognition
and prevention – lots of good photos of dodgy exercises with alternatives.
Covers movement mechanics, and risk evaluation.
Ø
Exercise to music and aquafitness – very good section on
teaching methods and skills, cueing techniques, vocabulary, and a guide to moves
and their variations.
Ø
Nutrition and weight control – based on Australian guidelines
and habits, but informative section on foods and their relative importance /
energy value, with guidelines for weight control in association with exercise
for fat loss.
Ø
Exercise and pregnancy – gives up-to-date information on
guidelines for exercising when pregnant – good diagram of rectus abdominis,
and short section on pelvic floor strengthening.
I found the book very readable, and though it contains lots
of technical and scientific information, it is presented in a very accessible
format (ie, it doesn’t send you to sleep, nor does it turn you off with lots
of technical jargon). With this in mind it may be particularly useful for you
trainees out there!
ISBN: 0713650915
Ruth Barrett
