Santa’s Little Helper: Trainers recommend exercise DVDs and books
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Got an exercise fiend on your holiday shopping list? Or maybe you’re just looking for new ideas to keep the pounds off through the holidays. We asked a group of local trainers to recommend books and DVDs they found motivating. Here are three:
Sara Willis, personal trainer at Joe’s Gym in Los Angeles, likes the DVD ‘Mahler’s Aggressive Strength Beginner Kettlebell Training Workshop.’
‘This video really breaks down how to do the kettlebell movements, and explains why you’re doing it. [Mahler] also gives a lot of modifications. Kettlebells are so intense, and not everybody can even start out with one — some people might have to use their body weight. Once you get that down, you can progress to using the kettlebells. Kettlebells are the hot thing right now, but using them does take a lot of conditioning. What’s great about the DVD is that it explains step-by-step how to get proper alignment.’
George Padilla, group exercise coordinator at Los Angeles Athletic Club likes “The Purposeful Primitive: Using the Primordial Laws of Fitness to Trigger Inevitable, Lasting and Dramatic Physical Change” by Marty Gallagher (Dragon Door Publications, 2008).
‘This book encompasses strength training, and nutrition and cardio, and has some pretty interesting ideas about working out that go more toward intensity and away from those long cardio sessions. Instead of getting on the treadmill and having to slog away for an hour, you get a lot more out of the workout. You’re doing shorter workouts, and that lessens impact on the joints, which helps prevent overuse injuries. Shorter workouts are also good for busy people.’
Kim Schneeberger, personal trainer at the Easton Gym in Santa Monica, recommends “Get With the Program!: Getting Real About Your Weight, Health, and Emotional Well-Being” by Bob Greene (Simon & Schuster, 2002)
‘Bob Greene really has a good understanding of what he’s doing, and anybody can follow his advice, if they want to lose 10 or 100 pounds, if they’re a beginner or an athlete. Anybody can understand it, and he’s very compassionate. He’s a likable trainer. ... The exercise programs are very straightforward, and he gives you options. You can start off with the basics, or if you’re already exercising, you can jump into the program [at a later stage]. ... In terms of nutrition, Bob will point out things that are maybe not as well known, like hidden calories in foods most people don’t know, or foods that aren’t that filling or are high in sugar. Very simple things that make sense.’
-- Jeannine Stein