Why do we think we know things that we actually do not know? From lactic acid to stretching and resting metabolism to burning fat, there are many myths and misconceptions that pervade the fitness industry. Learn the truth about many fitness and weight loss myths and misconceptions.

To paraphrase the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, “A journey of 26.2 miles begins with a single step.” From the time the ancient Greek runner Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. to announce the Greeks’ victory in the Battle of Marathon, humans have had a compelling interest in taking that single step, and many more after that. Running a Marathon For Dummies shows you how to take 26.2 miles’ worth of steps to run a marathon, whether it’s your first one or fastest one. This CEC course covers everything all runners need to know about the marathon, including shoe selection, ten things you must do on marathon race day, secrets of the long run, and how to avoid injuries. It even offers 20-week training programs for beginner, intermediate, and advanced runners and provides information on top destination marathons around the world.

Get a variety of compact, science-based workouts using machines, free weights, and body weight that target the five components of physical fitness and a menu of workouts that create a complete training program. Workouts include cardio intervals, endurance tempos, sprint intervals, short circuits, plyometrics, and muscular strength, power, and endurance workouts. Course includes an autographed copy of 14-Minute Metabolic Workouts and online exam.

Nutrition may be the single biggest thing an individual can do to enhance recovery following workouts. This course delves into the science of nutrition for optimal recovery, reviewing the research on post-workout nutrition and giving recommendations for optimal nutritional recovery strategies.

Running, second only to walking as the most popular exercise in the world, burns more calories than any other exercise. Learn the three reasons why running is the premier exercise for lasting weight loss, how running affects metabolism and the partitioning of calories, and how to run (and eat to run) to lose weight. Course includes an autographed copy of Run Your Fat Off and online exam.

In addition to the many documented physical benefits of running and exercise, there are numerous psychological, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual benefits. In this mind-body course, learn how running affects every part of our lives and provides a path to a more meaningful, more creative, more productive, more confident, more healthful, and more successful life. Course includes an autographed copy of The Inner Runner and online exam.

There are many differences between women and men in anatomy, physiology, hormones, and metabolism. So why do most training programs take a one-sex-fits-all approach? A female’s training program should be strong enough for a man, but made for a woman. This Run-Fit CEC course delves into the science of a woman, providing comprehensive information on training female runners based on their cardiovascular, hormonal, metabolic, muscular, and anatomical characteristics. Topics include the impact of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, the female athlete triad, female-specific injuries, nutrition, and how to use sex differences to a woman’s advantage.