Van Aaken Method

by Ernst van Aaken, George Beinhorn

English, German (translation)

134 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 1976

Reviews

[Krista Joy Sarchet]

This book contains very interesting insights into early endurance training methods. Some recommendations are very extreme as far as the mileage required. I like some of the ideas regarding workout intensity and frequency and how daily moderate exercise has a large benefit on one's health.

[Matthew Jerome · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is some good stuff in this book by Van Aaken, especially about maximizing oxygen uptake during off-season training ("If I miss one day, I can tell that I'm several seconds slower." -Emil Zatopek). The publish date (1976 by Runners World) leaves a few things out-dated about nutrition and the level of anaerobic and aerobic work one should do. Oh, and he's an advocate of walking during some runs, supposedly to slowly build up (over years) to highly competitive levels. Putting the miles in is crucial, but it is alright to do two runs a week that are right at the oxygen delivery pace - this is over the prescribed 150 beats a minute heart rate upper limit that Van Aaken suggests.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, I'm loving this book!