Kenneth H. Cooper

This is the book that started me on the road to physical fitness. I think I got the book new in 1977, and the first entries in my running log begin in 1979. Forty-one years and 33000 miles later I am still here at 79 and in reasonably good shape, although I am only walking now, not running.

The author was an Air Force medical doctor, The book describes a program of testing for aerobic fitness and determined that one needs to earn 30 points a week to maintain fitness. Tables for various show more activities indicate the point value of those activities, Length and intensity of the activity determine the number of points earned. The quickest way to earn points was by running: an 8 minute mile would earn 5 points, so 6 runs would get you 30 points. Other exercises were cycling, walking, swimming and basketball.
I have kept a simple log for 41 years, At first I kept track of my times, but that got stressful and discouraging, so after about a year or two, I stopped timing myself and just kept the date and the distance. At my peak, I was running about 1300 miles a year (best year 1700 miles). I was not fast, I ran in only a few races and usually ran by myself. But the book started a lifelong habit, so it was probably one of the most useful books I ever bought. show less

I want to dedicate this review and this book to all my 30-something exercise buddies at the YMCA who run as a pack, training for the "relay marathon" (in which a group of 6 runs 26 miles--but if you ask them, they tell you they're "training for the marathon"). These young women think they invented exercise. No, you didn't. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.

Dr. Kenneth Cooper and his books about aerobics, particularly this one, got me up off the couch and onto the show more roads when I was in my early 20s in 1976. Women runners of that era owe him a great debt. This book would look hilariously out of date to 20-somethings today, and for that they can thank the generation of runners inspired and taught by Dr. Cooper. show less

I found this some fifty years ago to be a welcome and practical guide to self-directed exercise for non-athletes and non-jocks. Surprised at the lack of reviews of what was, at the time, an ubiquitous book that sparked the jogging revolution.

The book is authored by Kenneth Cooper M.D. and his son Tyler Cooper M.D. Ken Cooper being the originator of the aerobic concept of health training from the 1960's. The focus of this book is for those getting up in years and looking for a way to extend health in these years when so many face declines that impact the quality of their lives. On balance good material for doing something to change this, however I found many pages devoted to what I considered filler and I was expecting more on show more the concrete mechanics of a program which I found lacking. show less