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ESQUIRE ULTIMATE FITNESS by Esquire--Eds. of

ESQUIRE ULTIMATE FITNESS

By

Pub Date: Feb. 4th, 1984
Publisher: Addison-Wesley

Targeted for men, but with help for women as well, this offers the standard advice on exercise, nutrition, and relaxation/stress reduction within the framework of a well-designed health improvement program. More wordy than the US Army program (below), and less a workbook, the book includes much explanation. First come ""Ten Keys to High-Level Health and Athletics"" with talk about each of the ten: ""Life Skills,"" aerobics, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, relaxation, concentration, competition, nutrition. The idea is for readers to weigh their importance and incorporate them into a healthier life style. Part II, the bulk of the guide, presents Esquire's own aerobic program--which is the standard aerobic dance workout adapted for men. Most aerobic workouts, say the authors, are too dancey and feminine--so the steps and routines here are derived from ""the world of athletics,"" and designed to be manly. For men or women, it's a reasonable aerobic workout; and combined with the strength and flexibility exercises, should avoid injury. But those outside the targeted Esquire audience will probably find Peter Burwash's Aerobic Workout Book for Men (p. 580) a closer, trimmer fit--if not quite as businesslike as the Hales's Army regimen.