A comprehensive training manual that prepares athletes for the demands of obstacle course racing. From grip strength to balance, exercises and workouts address the unique challenges of this popular sport.

A complete guide to training for and competing in obstacle course races: workouts, nutrition, equipment, techniques, and mental preparation.

The beauty of obstacle course racing is that it gets you out of your everyday routine and lets you experience life. If you are stuck in a cubicle or trapped in an urban jungle—congested traffic and crowds are your daily obstacles. Running an obstacle course race gives you the chance to get back to nature—to roll in it, get dirty, and tap into your primal self so you can experience life—in the raw, unedited and real. Margaret Schlachter, the creator of Dirt In Your Skirt blog, is one the foremost competitors in obstacle course racing today. She put together this simple guide to make your obstacle race experience everything it's supposed to be—a test of your true self. She describes first-hand her personal training methods in learning to climb a rope, scale a wall, flip a tire, throw a spear, and carry a sandbag. More importantly, she provides guidance on how to get yourself mentally and spiritually prepared for the big day—and how to dig deep within yourself during a race to find the last ounce of strength to carry you across that finish line. Every weekend thousands of competitors run obstacle races all over the world. Winning or losing is secondary. More important for them is the ability to meet the physical and mental challenges and achieve personal success by completing the race. Obstacle Race Training is an invaluable resource that enables each and every competitor to experience the maximum level of success that they are capable of.

FITNESS TRAINING. This new book presents the continued evolution of functional training. Ten sections present everything a strength coach or personal trainer may need to understand modern training theory. Boyle updates the reader on the current thinking in core training, back pain, and on how the hip musculature works. Further material on cardiovascular training, and what has worked for the athletes training in his facility continues the journey. In the second half of the book, the author discusses training strategies, including exercises equipment and tools in use on the gym floor, how he develops speed, and a section on his single-leg training methods. Finally, he puts the entire package together with program design, covering the basic objectives of a sound program, and showing you exactly which programs to use in a variety of circumstances.

DIVThis book from Matt B. Davis offers a down-and-dirty overview of the most popular races before tackling the most important concerns for any racer: preparation and training. /div

From the best-selling author of Spartan Up! a complete 30-day workout and diet plan to help you reach peak performance Joe De Sena designed the Spartan races to test overall conditioning: strength, flexibility, endurance, and speed. His signature take-no-prisoners approach to achieving physical and mental fitness has taken the endurance world by storm and inspired millions. Now in Spartan Fit!, De Sena breaks down that approach and gives readers the tools they need to conquer the course — and life, including: • A 30-day workout and diet plan to prepare for the Spartan Sprint — or to just get you in shape • Full-body workouts requiring no gym, no weights • How to build on one race to the next • Inspiring, motivating stories of Spartans A complete Spartan training guide, Spartan Fit! will arm readers with the strength, knowledge, and grit to never question their potential again.

An introduction to Spartan Races (races meant to challenge, to push, to intimidate, to test) from one of the "founding few" and creators, Joe De Sena.

Obstacle racing is a grueling physical challenge based on elements found in some of the world’s elite special forces training, where competitors test their mettle against obstacles, terrain, and conditioning similar to military boot camps, and this book provides an in-depth look at the training, gear, preparation, tactics, and logistics for making it through. After a brief overview of obstacle racing’s roots and development, the guide provides detailed information on the conditioning techniques required to prepare participants for the unusual demands of these courses. The tactics section teaches specific techniques for climbing mud-covered ropes, fording swamps, mounting walls, executing an effective belly-crawl, and numerous other tips for the wild chaos that might ensue. A section on logistics gives insider tips concerning gear, lodging, building a team, and the ever-present problem of cleaning up. Whether racing for fun or in it to win it, Mud, Guts & Glory is the one-stop guide for enduring the race from start to finish.

The great thing about the kettlebell is that it allows you to perform resistance cardio. This means you are using cardiovascular training that increases your heartrate and helps you to burn fat. At the same time though, you are also lifting weight, which protects your muscle from breakdown and increases the challenge, thereby increasing the amount of calories burned and the amount of effort involved. What you will learn in this guide: · The benefits of kettlebells · How to purchase the right kettlebell · How to make your own kettlebell cheaply · The top kettlebell exercises that give you the best results · Learn the best workouts that provide high intensity that will make you a kettlebell machine! Enter kettlebell training. In this book, you'll learn how it can help you get ripped and shredded and, more importantly, how to start with the right set of kettlebells, i.e., the right quality and weight. By the end of this short book, you'll be in a great position to start going for that ripped and shredded body you've always dreamed of using kettlebells. You have a great tool in your hands now. It's up to you if you'll use it to the hilt.

A must read for anyone with a curious mind for obstacle racing, preparing for their first ever event, or for extreme mud-loving, obstacle racing addicts. Published by Central YMCA, the UK's leading activity for health charity, and written by Jacob Salt-Berrymen, an experienced health and fitness instructor, this essential guide will ensure you are fully prepared for the obstacle race that lies ahead of you, complete with its crawling, jumping, dodging and electrifying obstacles! With something for everyone, Jacob's advice covers everything you need to know to get you from your sofa to the finishing line, including what types of races to choose, what demands they will place on your fitness and your body, what obstacles you are likely to face and, vitally, how you can train for them. Central YMCA Guides: Trustworthy advice from those in the know.