Exercise Will Hurt You
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
A (Philadelphia Magazine) Top Doc’s case for moderation in running, cycling, skiing, and other things we do because we think our bodies are invincible.
When was it decided that exercise could only be good for you? Leading neurosurgeon Dr. Steve Barrer argues—based on his extensive career treating exercise-related injuries, a cornucopia of his own personal injuries from exercise over the years, and ample scientific data—that we ought to change the way we think about exercise.
Instead of succumbing to what Barrer calls “the cult of exercise” that follows the mantra “no pain, no gain,” how about some common sense? In a clear, friendly, and compelling voice, Barrer surveys exercise and sports that are commonly practiced—yoga, soccer, skiing, running—and informs the reader knowledgeably and conscientiously about the injuries that can result.
We’ve come to believe that the body can handle the abuse that comes with these sports, but it can’t. Before we get carried away with the culture of excess that has been assigned to exercise, let’s remember that exercise is not always good for you, and make sure we don’t get the wrong idea from the model that’s been set.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"I hate to exercise" admits neurosurgeon Barrer, who plays devil's advocate against fitness culture in this disjointed diatribe. He intends to "bring some reason to the cult of exercise" through an unwieldy mix of scare-tactic statistics, stories from the field, and complaints. Targets of Barrer's vitriol range from "extreme" sports boxing, football, and hockey--to the seemingly benign. And thus, readers learn the following: yoga can cause blindness. Gyms are germ-ridden pick-up spots. Even gardening poses a serious threat. The book's most informative section contains a basic anatomical overview of sprains, strains, pulls, and tears. But Barrer's tone varies wildly; it's often unclear whether he's sharing legitimate concerns or merely trying to be funny. Barrer, who claims to be "physically lazy," has himself been hurt biking, practicing Aikido, skiing, and playing softball, basketball, and golf, and he recounts these stories throughout the book. His family calls him injury-prone, but Barrer disagrees: "I suspect that's just a euphemism for people who do things that put them in harm's way." Given his unfortunate experiences, Barrer's bitterness toward exercise is perhaps understandable, but that doesn't make him right.
