The Athlete's Way: Training Your Mind and Body to Experience the Joy of Exercise

by Christopher Bergland

Ultramarathoner Chris Bergland reveals the science behind the proverbial runner's high and shows how exercising not only trains the brain to crave more exercise – it will help you to be happier, smarter, and more well-adjusted.

The Athlete's Way presents an 8-week program that includes cardiovascular exercise, strength training, stretching, and nutrition that is also infused with the principles of positive psychology. Anyone can adapt this exercise program to goals and needs in the gym and beyond. It is accessible and straightforward and teaches how to incorporate aerobic and anaerobic exercise into your life or give an overhaul to an already existing workout routine. The Athlete's Way teaches how exercise is the pathway to an improved body, mind, and outlook.


" The Athlete's Way is amazingly informative and complete with a program to get and keep you off the couch. Bravo, for another exercising zealot who has written a book that should be read on your elliptical or stationary bike. He pushed me to go farther on a sleepy Sunday."
- John J. Ratey, M.D., author of The Revolutionary New Science in Exercise and the Brain , and co-author of Driven to Distraction

"Friendly, heartfelt writing; uncompromising attention to detail; and flagless enthusiasm make this book both a comprehensive plan and an encouraging partner for long-term, life-changing fitness goals." - Publishers Weekly

Genres: Nonfiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 2008

Reviews

[Reuel]

Chapters 3-10 provided lots of motivational information on the psychology, physiology, and brain science of physical training, plus sample cardio, strength, and stretching/balance programs. Chapter 9 on nutrition wasn't great--probably it would have been better to have left that topic to a sports nutritionist. The book was published in 2007, so some of the science has likely been refined or revised since then; still, there was lots of interesting basic information. I was less interested in chapters 1, 2, and 12, which were mainly about the author's experience as an athlete, but other readers may appreciate that, too.

[Dale]

There are simple books about exercise, and there are transcendent ones- this is the latter. The author details his extensive experience at being at peak experience, achieving an enviable state of bliss and connection, the ultimate "flow state."

This book connects the dots from a lot of other chronicles of flow state, and is exhaustive in showing what this all means and how to get there. Not for the casual mover, this is more akin to moving meditation, and reaching for something far greater than just simple exercising to feel better. Recommended for those seeking higher goals.