Training Books

Working as a fitness model can be an enjoyable and profitable career. However, there are many pitfalls and dangers to avoid on this path, and for the first time someone who not only works, but has had tremendous success in this field is available to guide you. From creating your first portfolio, to the details of endorsement contracts, fitness model extraordinaire Clark Bartram will advise you, drawing on years of experience. You'll read about the great satisfaction such a career can bring, but perhaps more importantly you'll be told the truth about the reality of being a fitness model. This includes not only what attributes you'll need to succeed, but also your attitude, and how much money you can honestly expect to earn per shoot. In any field, links with people on the 'inside' are often what's needed to get that big break, and there's plenty of insiders in this book sharing their knowledge with you.

It's not only great man-to-man advice in this book though. The beautiful, and very successful Monica Brant offers advice from a woman's perspective, which is of use to both male and female readers. Also, the people behind the cameras talk about what they look for in a model in the 'Lessons From The Other Side' section. All invaluable knowledge. The structure of the text is such that you can read from cover to cover, but also go straight to a particular topic and still have all the information you need.

In short, if you're serious about a career as a fitness model, or just curious about what such a job would involve, then you cannot afford to pass up on this book. Agencies, self-promotion, tricks of the trade, training programs, possible employers, useful resources and even haircuts are all covered. I've found this book an exceptional resource, and my thanks to Clark Bartram for writing it.

This total insider's guide to the fitness modeling industry offers valuable information in a conversational manner, lets you know who's looking for the next fitness superstars, AND tells you exactly how to contact them.

Clark Bartram's own accounts of his success are honest, candid, and loaded with advice and encouragement for aspiring fitness models - guys and girls. You really feel like he's opening up and telling you everything you need to know. Plus, a lot of his influential friends - agents, photographers, and magazine editors - have contributed chapters explaining the business from every angle.

You come away learning that fitness modeling isn't just about being in tremendous shape, it's about being a shrewd businessperson with a positive attitude. You really learn what it takes - and as a bonus you get simple but effective advice on training and nutrition to keep in top shape all year long.

If you decide you want to be a fitness model after reading this book, you'll feel like you have some real friends in the industry. If you call anyone mentioned in the book and tell them that you read it, I think they'd give you a real shot if you're serious. If you decide you don't want to be a fitness model after reading this book, you'll still have a positive guide with powerful advice you can use to look, feel, and be your very best.

Clark has helped me learn how to achieve the goal I want and to market myself in the fitness business. He has the knowledge, and the dedication to get you anywhere you want to be. After reading his book I too believe that If I work hard and dedicate myself that I could have a future being a Fitness model. This is an incredible book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Fitness.

This book has helped me find business contacts that would have probably cost me alot of money if I would have searched other ways.I really did'nt know that it was this easy to contact the people who make the big decisions. I could'nt and would'nt have done it without this book. If you have ever had the dream of being a fitness model,then I strongly advise you to buy this book...

It's so refreshing to finally find a book that applies specifically to the interests of fitness models and that covers the topic so thoroughly. Weeding through the books written for fashion models was becoming tiresome, so I was pleasantly surprised when I finally came across this book. While reading it, I was ecstatic to find that it was packed full of useful information. I was able to identify the mistakes I've been routinely making and start implementing Clark's invaluable advice. All of the other books I've purchased have not been as useful to me as this one book. I recommend it to anyone who is serious about fitness modeling!

This book is like having a shelf full of texts sitting in one tidy area of your bookcase. It is unlike any dog book available. The environmental information is vital, not just for your Akita, but for your kids and you. You cannot accept the recommendations of agencies like the FDA and EPA when they prefer to ignore the hazards of some chemicals while minimizing the adverse health effects of others--you need to educate yourself, and this book does just that. It will save you thousands in vet bills by teaching you how to use preventative measures. You cannot afford not to have this book and you cannot raise your Akita without understanding the health and nutritional requirements of the breed.

I bought numerous Akita books before I got my Akita. But later I found this one. This is the best one I have seen. It is great because it not only has great information on the Akita, but also a lot of good general information on the care of dogs.

This is, simply put, the DEFINITIVE volume on the breed. Anyone who admires the breed or shares their life with an Akita will find this volume not only fascinating, but invaluable. In fact, dog lovers in general will benefit from the information included. EVERYTHING is covered in great detail in this very beautiful THICK volume which makes a beautiful coffee table addition. EVERYTHING - historical context, breeding and whelping, puppyhood, adult life, senior life, behavioral issues, rescue...and THE most comprehensive collection of medical information accumulated to date - edited by the remarkable Dr. Jean Dodds, the veterinary authority on Akita endocrine and immune issues. The medical information allowed me to navigate with my vet through a complex process - and I was able to understand what was happening and to make educated decisions on the care of my Akita as a result. I must say I was also surprised at the cost of this book - when you receive it you will see that comparable texts are sold for twice the price. This is an absolute must have! It's beautifully produced with wonderful pictures and an easy to reference index. It's really a tremendous accomplishment. I wish every important subject had a volume like this. Don't hesitate - I feel this book has undoubtedly extended my dogs' lives because I'm able to provide breed-specific care for them...and you can't always expect your vet to have the information that this volume does. It's a result of decades of information gathering and evaluation from a legend in the breed. I've never met Barbara Bouyet, but I can tell you that we benefit from sharing the information she provides in this text ALL THE TIME.

I bought the first volume and thought it was invaluable. The second one contains even more... I have used the information as a resource both with my own dogs and as a volunteer for Akita Rescue. The sections on health and diseases in Akitas have been expanded to give a better understanding of how the environment impacts the health of the Akita. I am studying the chapters on health and puppies intently now as I prepare for my second Akita. I've passed on information regarding auto-immune conditions to my own vet to use as resource material. Barbara has outdone herself and her devotion to the Akita is evident as she commits herself to educating others.

After Bouyet's first book, I was in line for the second one long before it was available, and it didn't disappoint. There can be no price put on the information contained, including health, history and nutrition. There are numerous examples of non-traditional remedies that your vet will never tell you! There is more information on nutrition than your vet will ever know! There is a view to the 'whole dog' that no one but an experienced owner/rescuer and devoted, full time student of the breed could ever have developed. And Bouyet is willing to share it - along with touching and beautiful photos that span generations of development and changes in the Akita breed. Artwork by Alicia Meyer enhances the imagery, and Dr. Jean Dodds' involvement is a huge bonus as, in my opinion, she is THE authority on the Akita immune and endocrine system.
On the surface, this is a gorgeous coffee-table book that depicts the love the author has for our sometimes difficult breed, but open the cover and you'll find an amazing wealth of knowledge that no other book can deliver.

This low tech piece of equipment is one of the greatest things available for strength training and physical therapy...and so versatile.

This book was extremely helpful. I learned many new exercises to help strenghten my core. I recommended it to anybody looking for a new challenge to their workouts.

Awesome workout, very easy to customize the programs so that they are `sport- specific'. My diving went really well this year - my vastly improved core was a big aspect of my success. I didn't mind at all the more ripped abs I've got too;).

About two years ago my `spine popper' (chiropractor) taught me some new exercises for my back then got me to buy another book by this author to keep me doing them properly. This past winter I decided to try tri-athlon. I wanted to get stronger but not real bulky. I thought I'd try this new book because you could decide if you wanted to use weights with the exercises or not.

I like the progressions, photos and instructions and yes - some of the harder exercises are REALLY hard! I showed it to my training group and some of the others wanted it too. We're all fans of this core stuff now - we really seem to notice the biggest gains in the swim. I can go harder for longer distances thanks to an incredibly strong midsection. And I agree with AM from La Crosse - the six pack is pretty sweet.

I don't often rave about stuff but this book is pretty cool. I had the opportunity to go to the Athens games last year (rowing). I saw athletes from everywhere dong all this crazy ball and buozu (?) training. When I got home I went looking for a book that had that kind of focus. This is the book I picked and its been amazing about the increase in power I get now. We're just back on the water and I've never felt stronger at the start of the season. If you want a cutting edge source of core training, I'd say this is the book to get.

For those who are interested in doing Rally Obedience at a competitive level, this is a must read. It is a well-written book and also well-illustrated to show the reader exactly what the author is talking about and where exactly the dog/handler should be during each exercise. So... GET IT.

This book helped me understand how to teach my dog the commands in Rally Obedience. It has a great step by step description of each command, and how you are to use the clicker. It has really helped me in teaching my the basics.

This book is well written and easy to follow. I was able to get a good sense of the ins and outs of rally obedience.

I have a 10 month old basset hound and we have completed one Rally Course. I used this book and its techniques as a supplement while training my basset. It's a great approach and my dog picked up on the positive clicker reinforcement very quickly. I'd highly recommend this book. It's been very helpful in how I train my pup.

This book does a lot of stuff for you and your dog pupil(s). It teaches you how to make the dog enjoy working, make concepts super easy for it to grasp, make it so the dog learns the behaviors it needs very, very well, and, of course, tells you what the APDT and AKC rally courses require of you and how to go through the courses and kick butt! Basically it prepares you and your dog for a great, delightful journey down the training road :)

After nearly 14 years with my 14-year-old sun conure, I feel I recognize good behavioral advice. I have always disliked advice that relies on dominance, punishment, or keeping a bird low (they don't have a "top bird" instinct, but feel safer up high). This book tells you how to communicate and develop a trusting relationship with your bird, and that is a priceless thing.

I would have liked a few more specific trick ideas, but I bought an additional clicker training book and registered with Melinda's online forum. So far my bird seems to enjoy the training time, even though I have a lot of learning to do!

There is not a better resource available for training companion parrots. This book is well-written, insightful, and informative. Parrots are intelligent and complex creatures. They learn so much from us, both good and bad. It is so easy to inadvertently teach a parrot unacceptable behaviors and they respond poorly to "traditional" training techniques. When these techniques don't work, the birds often find themselves neglected or re-homed. This book helps to teach the trainers to understand their birds and begin building a lasting companion relationship based on trust and positive reinforcement.

I found this book to be a wonderful resource for people who want to clicker train their birds. It's more than a recipe book -- it's a behavior problem-solver. It goes into great detail to teach not only what to do, but why, so in the end you'll have the tools you need to continue past the specific behaviors listed in the book. I must admit -- I'm a bit flummoxed by the earlier review who didn't like that this book delves into theory and bird behavior and is more than a recipe book. I think that's what makes this such an awesome resource. People who have less-than-perfect birds now have a resource that will help them understand why their bird have the problems they do and then help them find solutions that are kind, fun, and incredibly reliable.

When you own an unruly bird, you want and need help quickly. If you want a book to effeciently teach you how to click train your bird, look elsewhere.
If you want a book that goes in extreme depth into bird behaviorism, this is your mecca.
There are 14 chapters and 156 pages. It doesn't even get to practical use of the clicker until the 8th chapter at page 77. I found myself thumbing thru it to find the "meat" of the book. A lot of fluff preceeds the actual useage of the clicker technique.
This book will get the job done, but it is much like owning a car. (I'm sure if they read this, they will dissect my analogy of a DRIVING a car to training a bird) Unless you are a mechanic, you simply want to drive the car, not know exactly and precisely how spark plugs fire in synch and the timing chain turns, etc. It is extremely indepth into bird and human behaviorism and if you can stand to wade thru that, you can get info to help you teach a bird to simply step up and do more. But, unless you are a professional bird trainer, it is not always necessary to understand why of everything you do with your pet. Not to this degree, anyway.
In addition, they direct you to a Yahoo group. Overall, except for Wendy Jefferies, http://www.wendyjef fries.com this group is about as helpful as the book. There is little one on one help as they have this collection of "files" they direct you to if you have a question. Instead, they spend time ananlyzing participant's motives and it is yet another lecture in behaviorism. Nothing much about training your bird, but more of a discussions about WHY you want to train your bird. After my first post there, they actually made a written test for me and I'll put it here because it sums up the book's motive:
"Now, let's test you. :) Give me two examples of conditioned reinforcers and two examples of conditioned punishers we see commonly in the real world." huh? I want the bird to step on a perch..please tell me how.
I am not training her to perform in Vegas or on Youtube.
It's just another chat room with people examining your reason to want the bird to step up rather than helping you attain that goal.

The book and forum, in combo, could help you if you are willing to be extremely patient and understanding with them....while you are being patient and understanding with your untrained bird. The two together are too frustrating.
You need realistic evalution of your goals, step one, step two to get there. You need to be patient but also efficient in the process and not waste time in needless analytical endeavours.
If you simply want to learn how to enjoy your pet...this is not the place.
If you want to know WHY you want to enjoy it, then here is your bird behavioral buffet.

Melinda's book easily explains the theory behind clicker training and the how to in easy steps. Her book also covers how to use it when dealing with specific problems such as having a parrot stay on his cage. Our past history of training and dealing with animals was one of dominance and control. A realtionship built on that is one of fear and distrust. Training has come so far since then. Clicker training comes from operant conditioning. It is a behavioral science which gives the bird choices. The training uses positive behavioral strategies. Training a parrot this way to do tricks forms the basis for an enriching relationship for both the owner and parrot. Melinda also co-owns a great Yahoo group called Bird Click. It has wonderful files, members from all over the world and a great supportive group. I highly suggest both this wonderful book and the list for those who like the computer!
Thank you Melinda for an outstanding contribution to the field...which makes our parrot's life and ours more rewarding!

While attending Linkage's Knowledge Management Conference,I heard Marshall Goldsmith speak about some of the executives he has coached, and was intrigued by his money-back guarantee: if the coworkers of the executive being coached aren't satisfied with results, then Marshall doesn't get paid!

How many consultants can make that offer?

At any rate, Goldsmith has edited (and contributed chapters) to "Coaching for Leadership" along with Laurence Lyons and Alyssa Freas. Coaching high-impact, ambitious, hard-driving executives is not quite the same process as coaching under-performing employees, so this book probably has a smaller audience than say, "Coaching for Dummies". However, executive coaching is all about moving individuals into behaviors that sustain business, and there is lots of useful information for the coaches of non-leaders. There is also a very interesting (and very short) chapter on, "Coaching from Below" by Deepak (Dick) Sethi. Most of us could probably use that information!

This book is a "must have" in the library of all coaches. It reflects the best of the best in leadership coaching today. You can pick it up anywhere and find useful, useable strategies to put to work with your clients right away. Coaching for Leadership is not so much a step-by-step "how to coach" book, more of a `war stories from the trenches." This approach makes the book very readable, practical and indispensable. For either internal or external coaches, there are great coaching examples from change management to career development or coaching for staff development. As an external coach, I found the chapter on Starting Smart especially useful, particularly the author's pointers on contracting. And the chapter on coaching others to accept feedback was as helpful to me personally as it was my clients. This is a book that will quickly become dog -eared, highlighted with protruding colored `stickies' as you mark your favorite paragraphs. Or at least my has.

I became curious about "Executive Coaching" after reading an article in Forbes Magazine last year. The article showed astounding salaries (some of these coaches make as much money in a day as many of us make in a year) and major companies (General Electric, Sony, Johnson & Johnson, Ernst & Hewlett-Packard) using "executive coaches".

Well this book tells you what these "executive coaches" do and I found it fascinating!

This is a comprehensive guide to leadership coaching. It's a review of many authors' previous work or ideas so it has appeal
for the seasoned coach although I did not find much new material. It is probably better for 'new to the field' coaches who want to know a lot of information in one source. The chapters are short and easy to read. For seasoned coaches it is helpful to pick and choose. I especially liked Nancy Adler's chapter on Coaching Global Executives: Women Succeeding in a World Beyond Here. She ended with a good reason for executives to chose coaching.

I've looked through a lot of executive coaching titles at only half the cover price of Goldsmith's volume, but within this ONE I get the essence of wisdom from a score of the best names in the business. This is a great investment to find out which authors you need to explore in more depth.
It's helped me identify the authors that are most consistent with the coaching strategies and styles I am developing. A GREAT place for a beginner to study first!

If you care about walking fast, and especially if you care about your place in walking races (judged racewalks or otherwise) then this book is for you.

This book isn't designed to sell anyone on walking as a sport; this is written for readers who already know that they want to spend time and effort into learning to walk fast.

There are sections on many of the aspects of walking; e. g. technique, drills to perfect technique, common racewalking errors, and a few workout schedules. The book is written in a conversational style. He also includes interviews with elite racewalkers.

There is also a handy chart which outlines: "if you have problem X, correct it with Y" which is VERY helpful; this helped me in getting zero cautions or redcards in my last 4 judged walks.

If there is a downside it is that some of the photos are a bit small; I'd also recommend that he upgrade his "poor technique" example photo to look a bit worse; perhaps he could use a photo of a thick-skinned novice walker.

I've been to Dave's clinics, I've spoken with him personally, and reading "The Complete Guide to Racewalking Technique and Training" is just like having him right next to you, cracking jokes and commenting on everything. If you do not have the option of working out with other racewalkers regularly, definately pick up this book and re-read it a few times. You'll always pick up something new.

This book is chock full of information on how to racewalk. I have racewalked for 6 years, but found the information to be outstanding from training tips to stretching and flexibility drills. Walkers who don't actually compete in events would benefit from the information provided and would become better, more efficient walkers. Runners would also benefit from learning the how to racwalk and use it as a cross-trainer. A highly enjoyable read.

The Complete Guide to Racewalking covers the whole gamut of racewalking from how to do it, to how to train, what to eat, how to compete and even discusses the physiology and psychology of walking. Racewalking differs from athletic walking, power walking or fitness walking. These are fast ways of walking for recreation or fitness. Racewalkingis an Olympic sport and has an official definition and rules by the USATF. Good racewalkers achieve amazing speed and endurance.

The author is a former cross country runner and has been a world class racewalker and coach for over 25 years. This book is the straight scoop. I got interested in racewalking because after years of running I developed knee and hip problems. Racewalking was reputed to be injury free and excellent exercise. I had attended a couple of racewalking clinics but still hadn't got the hang of it. I wanted a detailed description of racewalking technique and found it in this book. While there's no substitute for having an experienced racewalker show you in person how it's done, this book is the next best thing

I bought this book based on the Amazon.com reviews and I was NOT disappointed. I wanted to learn how to walk faster and have been able to achieve my initial goals in the few months I have been following Dave's training and technique advice. The book is well written, has many amusing bits, so is a good read as well as being of immense practical value. I keep referring back to it over and over.

A fun and educational book. Lots of great information that can be used over and over again.

Helpful and down-to-earth author. Finding a bird, housing, breeding, showing, and more! I think this will be a great reference for a beginer to intermediete.

Buy this book and you will know all you need to know about pet bird. You will find your suitable bird and how to make it healthy, happy. This book also teach you how to tame and train your intelligent bird. I love this book very much but if you want to know bird breeding in detail and enjoy beautiful photo, you may disappointed. Lack of color photo make me reduce 1 star when I rated but if you don't care, this book is a good choice for you. In my view, it is best to read if you are beginner in pet bird.

This book has all you need to know about bird care and training. It is very informative and includes many intersesting little tidbits such as useful adresses, a directory of bird parks, and a bird care and training reference card in the front. If you're going to get a bird(or birds!), get this book!

This book is a complete reference guide to your pet bird. The first chapter deals with how to find out if a bird is the right pet for you and teh second chapter insructs the bird buyer how to choose a right cage, how to bring your bird home, what to have in the cage, etc. The next part deals with what you have to complete daily to have a healthy and enjoyable brd, what your bird should eat and how your bird should exercise. The next part is devoted into training and bonding with your bird. part 5 talks about your bird's health while part 6 gives who tricks to teach your bird, famous birds and all about bird shows. In the back of the book are different appendixes. I especially liked all the facts and warnings tucked in little boxes throughout the book. I fantastic, well-organized informative book that every serious bird-owner should own!

Toogood captures the readers attention from the first sentence. In today's business world one in surrounded by dot.com innovators and this book inspires introspection for our own creative potential.

As our working lives increasingly encroach on our home lives, we've come to expect more from our jobs than a paycheck. Like Tom Peters, Granville Toogood inspires us to slough off the cynicism of Dilbert and embrace real creativity in the workplace.

Chapter 7, "The Four Fundamentals of Professional Fulfillment," could serve as the manifesto of a business revolution; it's alone worth the price of the book. But the book offers much more than a call to action -- it also gives practical examples from the lives of some of today's (and yesterday's) most innovative leaders: Steve Jobs, Andy Grove, Charlotte Beers, Martha Stewart, Walt Disney.

As Mr. Toogood exhorts us: "Forget the status quo. Way up and way out. Find some other way to go." This book may not take you there, but it'll get you pointed in the right direction.

This is a fun book, filled with stories well told. Unlike many, overly analytical books on creativity, The Creative Executive walks its own talk. The stories and insights kind of wash over you leaving you with not so much a process on how to be creative (although there are some "process" suggestions in the book) as an intuitive feel about your own creative potential. Very nice.

This volume, like each of Toogood's other books (Articulate Executive and Inspired Executive), is a must-read for the entrepreneur, self-employed, corporate and even the "down-sized" professional. He is a master at weaving anecdotes with common sense to create, once again, "personalized messaging". Get a new highlighter, this one is chock-full of sage counsel!

This book is a straight-talking primer for those of us who have great engineering and technical design skills but need help in our leadership and persuasive skills. We may have a vision, but too often we don't know how to articulate it. This book teaches us how in a breezy style that makes you feel as though Toogood is talking to you over a cup of coffee.

I've rarely seen a more logical approach to selling. It leaves nothing to imagination, making every step in the process clear and explicit. It even expands on Rackham's SPIN sequence. If you're tired of guessing, this book's for you.

TThis book is terrific...It answered many questions I had about sales approach to b2b selling. If you are selling b2b or your product/service has a high value, you will love the tools this book will give you to succeed! It has great examples, and useful exercises to make the material 'stick'. Rob breaks everything down to minute detail, so everything is duplicatable and understandable. I hope to see an audio version sometime in the future. I love the questioning sequences detailed by Rob and his honest and ethical approach to every step in the sales cycle.

This book also teaches you how to use the selling principles in everything else in life from managing employees to bringing up children. I am already beginning to be more pursuasive with my fiance and my boss. I am loving it!!!

Robert Jolles teaches you very SOUND techniques and not hype like Tom Hopkins, Zig Ziglar or Joe Girard. I love the fact that he was a senior sales training consultant at Xerox, which is world-known for its investment in sales research and its training methodologies.

I have been teaching Rob's methods for close to 2 years at the Univ. of Houston. Rob is a genuine person and his methods work...period. Yet, you cannot just read this book and expect it all to sync the first day. You need to practice this....daily to have the impact required.

Clearly defines the steps to making a sale along with the understanding of how and when a customer makes a buying decision. People don't make a large purchase decision until they have a "problem". So if you are selling large ticket items and or programs, then you better understand how to move the decision maker into the "problem" stage. I thought that the author's examples and situations outlined in the book were excellent and really drove home the points he was making. It is an easy read and thoroughly enjoyable!

I am pretty new to the world of sales - a reluctant salesman who has realised that selling is central to success in any relationship based endeavour. What I have been searching for is a sales 'system' - a repeatable process that allows you to 'advise' the client for mutual benefit, rather than simply sell him. And Robert Jolles almost hits the mark. He gives you a sales strategy - a strategy with 8 steps in the selling process, that with a bit of practice will make the sales call more of a consultation.

But, for me, the book contradicted its title somewhat. This is particularly evident where Jolles uses the boxing metaphor for selling (he compares selling to you and your client stepping into the ring for a few rounds) and 'bleeding' your client. Now maybe I'm naive, but I think this is what is totally wrong with the sales profession - I don't think you're ever fighting your client, or should be trying to 'bleed' him or her, or make him hurt.

Now perhaps Jolles was simply trying to make the point that the client needs to be fully aware of the implications of his/her problem etc, but it was the way he says it that shows he doesn't have the customers true interests at heart. And to me,its the philosophy of the sales professional combined with sales effectiveness that is critical to building long-term, mutually benefical client relationships.

I would recommend this book to you - it teaches a sound sales process that is repeatable. But for me it missed that extra something.