# Recommend fitness books or other resources

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-fitness-books-or-other-resources/279848>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 14, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-fitness-books-or-other-resources/279848 "2004-12-14T20:44:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mic84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@mic84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mic84)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-fitness-books-or-other-resources/279848/1 "2004-12-14T20:44:13Z")

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So I’ve been thinking of starting going to the gym, which I’d never done with any regularity before. It’s not a weight loss issue - I’m fairly thin - I just want to get in shape.

I’m looking for a guide about what to do and how much, what not to do, etc. I’m not sure how much I can trust whatever Google comes up with, so if anybody could recommend some decent literature, it would be great. Websites, even better.

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**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-fitness-books-or-other-resources/279848/2 "2004-12-14T21:09:11Z")

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Look [here](http://www.stumptuous.com) for a decent beginner’s site, and [here](http://www.exrx.net) for good information.

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**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-fitness-books-or-other-resources/279848/3 "2004-12-14T21:12:35Z")

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I like [this](http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exername.php?Real=%3C%3D+7&Name=&MainMuscle=&Equip=BodyOnly&Isolation=&order=Name) site.

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**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-fitness-books-or-other-resources/279848/4 "2004-12-14T22:35:18Z")

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I’ve always recommended **Body for Life**.  
It has some great tips on weight training, cardio training, and nutrition.  
It’s actually a twelve week plan to get fit. However, even if you don’t follow it to the letter, it’s a great guide.  
New it runs about $27, but you can find it at a used bookstore for about $7.

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**Author:** ![mic84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@mic84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mic84)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-fitness-books-or-other-resources/279848/5 "2004-12-15T00:27:54Z")

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Thanks all!