Reddit mentions of Stretching, 20th Anniversary Revised Edition

Upvoted, but I would suggest forcing yourself to go to the gym three times a week for a month or two regardless of whether you enjoy it or not.

If you're anything like me, you research the fuck out of problems, so you should read up on clothing, working out, and whatever else you need to in your particular situation.

The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing

This book will teach you about the basics of classic men's clothing with a focus on suits and other fundamentals that you should know. And you can impress people by being able to tell an Italian cut suit from a sack suit just by looking at it. It's a great book to learn the fundamentals.

Getting Stronger

I have worn out three copies of this book in the last nine years. It's a small phone book full of useful information and about a thousand separate exercises for every part of your body. I own quite a few other books on conditioning and weightlifting, but this is the one I always consult first if I want to mix my routine up or change something.

Streching

Do not forget to do cardio and especially stretching. It will prevent injury and injury is one of the main reasons people drop workout routines. Plus being flexible just feels better. I can't explain it better than that.

And on the topic of injury avoidance and proper form, don't be afraid to ask questions but make sure that the people you ask are really qualified to answer. And just because a guy is cut doesn't mean he knows what he is doing and can give good advice.

For instance, when I began I started at a small family-owned gym and got a lot of help from the owner. The guy was in his mid 60s and cut out of rock. He had just recently stopped doing triathlons and he'd been working out and competing in bodybuilding contests decades before I was born. In other words, he knew his shit so he was an invaluable source of information, not to mention inspiration.

Other than all that, be prepared for some of your friends or family to get in the way of your self-improvement. It's a sad truth, but sometimes the people who should be most supportive are the ones who want to hold you back at their level.

Later you might want to get involved in some physical competition, like boxing, cycling, or whatever. I am convinced that men are made to compete, as are women in their own way, and that getting involved in something physically competitive will help clear your mind of the doubt and fear that's helped you to hold yourself back to this point. Testosterone is not a bad thing.

You are going to have to overcome a lot of difficulties if you want to succeed in anything, let alone getting in shape, so do it or don't. It's all up to you. But never forget that everyone walked into the weightroom for the first time at some point and no one is better than you just because they did it first.

tl;dr get off your ass, study up and hit to the gym

Stretching, by Bob Anderson, is very good. With general and sport-specific routines.

amazon