Core Performance Endurance: A New Training and Nutrition Program That Revolutionizes Your Workouts

Excellent book. Might be just a little too much for me. I just wanted to get in on the ground floor and learn some Core exercises. This book helps you do that, but most of it is focused on a much higher level of athlete, not just someone wanting to change their tri-weekly workout routine.

I used many of the core exercises to train for 100 mile trail ultra-marathons. A strong core is essential to optimum athletic performance as well as helping those of us with chronic lower back problems (which are problems no more after strengthening my core!).

I am a big fan of Mark's 'original' book, so I was thrilled to see a version specifically for endurance athletes. This version does borrow many of the same exercises from his first book -- but, if they work why change them? The workouts are quick and effective. So, this is the way to go if you are considering strength training into your plan. Many traditional exercises (like leg press, for example) really do not translate into improvement in endurance sports. The strength and power workouts really have resulted in better cycling and running. The Core Performance sessions are completed quickly and allow you to recover for your swim/bike/run workouts. Mark uses the 'incremental' approach to improvement. This is not a workout session that will require you 3 days to recover. Also, I've found the 'Movement Prep' and 'Regeneration' movements most helpful. My back has never felt better. The ESD (or cardio) part of the program really should be ignored. Your run/bike/swim workouts more than cover this aspect. Mark does provide a free code for a 3 week trial of the coreperformance.com site. This site provides really nice video snippets of how to complete the exercises and a detailed diet plan. Good stuff. Now, after the 3 weeks you have to pay -- but, it is only like $[...] for the year. I learned the proper form during the trial phase and chose not to renew.

Core conditioning meets endurance training in this manual geared toward endurance sports. This is a great program to work on with a friend.

I have been a fan of the CP approach since the original book. As a trail runner and mountain biker, neither of the previous titles addressed training and injury-prevention particular to my interests. Core Performance Endurance applies the already widely praised and very effective techniques of Movement Prep, Prehab, Elasticity, Power and Strength Training to the particular demands of cycling, running, swimming and other "lung" sports. A great deal of space is devoted to "Tissue Management". The human body takes quite a pounding during endurance training but these techniques, combined with proper movement patterns and nutrition can prevent over 60% of the injuries commonly experienced by endurance athletes according to the authors. This information alone is largely ignored in other published material and easily justifies the purchase of this book. The nutritional information provided is state-of-the-art, practical and effective. They know what an endurance athlete's body demands and dispell many prevalent myths that are ineffective at best and potentially dangerous at worst. The material is clearly presented (they've learned what works from feedback regarding the previous books) and there are plenty of new tricks for those already familiar with the CP methodology. As a program it is very flexible and realistic for those who already have to squeeze in rides, runs and swims in-between work and family responsibilities. Many other books on this subject assume you've got endless time and opportunity to work on increasing your VO2 Max. Other reviews have mentioned needing to purchase additional equipment to do some of the exercises. While this is true, all of the workouts can be performed with a minimum of equipment, most of which would fit in a bike bag or small duffel. This is a cutting-edge program and the investment needed for the additional equipment is modest compared with the return. Additionally, Mark Verstegen suggests a number of low or no cost alternatives should you not wish to purchase more equipment. Whether you're gunning for a PR in the Leadville 100 or running your first 5k, Core Performance Endurance has got you covered. Highly recommended.