A reasonable level of flexibility is essential to the healthy functioning of joints and muscles, which in turn facilitates performance and reduces the risk of injury. Now in its 4th edition, The Complete Guide to Stretching provides an accessible overview of the scientific principles that underpin this form of training and offers more than 70 exercises designed to safely increase range of motion right across the body. The Complete Guide to Stretching is the definitive practical handbook for: - Sports participants and recreational exercisers who are keen to achieve a level of flexibility that will enhance their performance - Sports coaches and fitness instructors who are seeking a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of this often neglected component of physical fitness - Sport and exercise therapists who use stretching as an important part of a balanced rehabilitation programme Full colour photographs demonstrate the stretches throughout.
Ultimate Flexibility is the book you've been waiting for. More than a collection of exercises or an explanation of technique, Ultimate Flexibility is a complete guide to stretching for martial arts, from the very basics of why you should stretch to detailed workout guidelines for every style and level of martial arts practice.Written by acclaimed author and martial artist Sang H. Kim, Ultimate Flexibility is your guide to achieving maximum flexibility in your training. Begin with an in depth look at the hows and whys of flexibility and stretching.
Stretch your body to the next level! It doesn’t matter if you’re a fitness novice or an elite athlete. You should be starting each workout with a stretching regimen designed to warm up your body and help you achieve a new personal best each time. Without the expertise of a professional trainer and without an expert’s understanding of muscle anatomy, it can be hard to know what exercises are best. In Ultimate Guide to Stretching, you'll learn when and how to do a tricep stretch and a shoulder stretch, when to avoid toe touches and hamstring stretches, and why it’s important to keep your neck relaxed during a hip flexor stretch. Go beneath the skin and see just which muscles you are working during each stretch. Full-color photos and illustrations show every move and muscle in detail. Get limber and get the most out of your workout!
Tone and improve flexibility anywhere, any time, with this illustrated step-by-step guide to 1,500 stretching poses organized by body part, with stunning photographs and the health benefits of each pose. Great for family activity at home or anywhere! Stretching is vital for to retain muscle tone, alleviate chronic pain, and achieve free movement. It also helps manage anxiety! 1,500 Stretches offers a comprehensive collection of stretches organized by body part--back, calf, hamstrings, chest and many more. Each stretch is demonstrated with full-color photographs. The steps are easy to follow and explain what muscle groups are targeted and that stretch's benefits for pain relief and physical appearance. There are additional chapters on yoga and partner stretches and the importance of stretching correctly. 1,500 Stretches provides practical advice to feeling and looking your best.
Stretching has long been regarding as the safest way to keep your whole body - muscles and mind - healthy and working in balance. Athletes employ stretching as a way to warm up, cool down, and generally prevent injuries. Workout experts and gym enthusiasts recommend stretching for non-impact toning and strengthening routines. Stretching can be done anywhere, anytime, and can serve as both a stress reliever and therapy for dozens of physical conditions from strains to sports injuries. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching Illustratedis designed to teach lay and professional readers alike the fundamental techniques of healthy stretching with hundreds of clear, step-by-step line drawings and instructions showing each step. Once the reader understands the basics and the various routines for each part of the body, expert instructor Barbara Templeton presents specific regimens for healing a wide variety of common complaints, from back pain to TMJ, from fatigue to sports injuries.
An updated edition of the best-selling guide on the science of effective stretching—with detailed anatomical illustrations and guidance on proper form, sports injury recovery, and more The multiple stresses of contemporary life—whether from excessive sports play, overwork, or overuse of technology—are increasingly taking a toll on the body. Symptoms range from muscle soreness and pain to pinched nerves to potentially more permanent disabilities, including serious body injuries. One safe, quickly productive way to address the problem is through a simple therapy that can be done anywhere, anytime, and without special equipment: stretching. This new edition of Brad Walker’s best-selling book on the subject presents 135 unique stretching exercises designed to help repair the body and make it more flexible, fit, and relaxed. Organized by body part, The Anatomy of Stretching presents stretching exercises in a uniform style accompanied by full-color anatomical illustrations. Equally useful for fitness fans, pro or amateur athletes, coaches and personal trainers, and healthcare practitioners, this new edition contains: • Step-by-step instructions for 20 new stretches • An expanded physiology and anatomy information • A revised numbering system that makes the stretches easier to reference • An expanded appendix with more resources on stretches for athletes and sports injuries Also featuring detailed descriptions of important principles of anatomy and physiology, The Anatomy of Stretching, Second Edition is the ultimate guide to improving flexibility, increasing strength, and relieving pain through stretching.
The Ultimate Guide to Stretching & Flexibility is the book you keep with you wherever you go. It's an easy-to-use, quick reference guide for anybody involved in health, fitness and sporting activities. Written to minimize the likelihood of sports injury and increase athletic performance, it gives coaches, trainers, athletes and fitness enthusiasts a complete reference handbook to assist with the planning and implementation of their training and rehabilitation sessions. The Ultimate Guide to Stretching & Flexibility includes 144 pages in a convenient A5 size (5.8 x 8.3 inches or 148mm x 210mm), featuring 150 photos of 135 unique stretching exercises. Chapter 1 provides a basic overview of physiology, fitness and flexibility. The many benefits of stretching are outlined in chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 4 details the different types of stretching. While stretching guidelines (i.e., rules and "how to") are presented in chapters 5 and 6. Chapter 7 deals specifically with flexibility testing. While the final chapter and ultimate strength of the book, contains 135 photographs of each stretch with step-by-step instructions. A unique spiral binding allows the book to lay flat without closing on itself, which means you don't have to hold the book open with one hand while you're trying to do the stretches. The author, Brad Walker, is a Health Science graduate of the University of New England and has postgraduate accreditation's in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. He has coached elite level and world champion athletes from sports as diverse as triathlon, motor cycle racing, roller skating, squash and baseball, and has lectured extensively on sports injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Every martial artist needs to stretch. Whether you're a fighter or a forms competitor, heavyweight or lightweight, your performance will depend greatly on your flexibility. Now you can learn the ins and outs from Jean Frenette, one of the finest instructors in the world.
Stretching Anatomy, Second Edition, is a visual guide to 86 stretches for increasing range of motion, muscular strength, stamina, posture, and flexibility. Step-by-step instructions describe how to perform each stretch, while 110 full-color anatomical illustrations highlight the primary muscles and surrounding structures engaged.
Introducing Active-Isolated Stretching, the revolutionary yet remarkably simple flexibility program—featuring 59 stretches for over 55 different sports and everyday activities! Whether you’re a serious competitor or weekend warrior, you know that proper stretching before and after your workout can improve your performance, increase your flexibility, help prevent injury, and make you feel better. But did you know that the traditional way of stretching—lock your knees, bounce, hold, hurt, hold longer—actually makes muscles tighter and more prone to injury? There’s a new and better way to stretch: Active-Isolated Stretching. And with The Whartons’ Stretch Book, the method used successfully by scores of professional, amateur, and Olympic athletes is now available to everyone. This groundbreaking technique, developed by researchers, coaches, and trainers, and pioneered by Jim and Phil Wharton, is your new exercise prescription. The routine is simple: First, you prepare to stretch one isolated muscle at a time. Then you actively contract the muscle opposite the isolated muscle, which will then relax in preparation for its stretch. You stretch it gently and quickly—for no more than two seconds—and release it before it goes into its protective contraction. Then you repeat. Simple, but the results are outstanding. The Whartons’ Stretch Book explains it all. Part I contains the Active-Isolated Stretch Catalog, with fully illustrated, easy-to-follow stretches for each of five body zones, from neck and shoulders to trunk, arms, and legs—over fifty stretches in all. Part II offers specific stretching prescriptions for over fifty-five sports and activities, from running, tennis, track, and aerobics to skiing, skating, and swimming. You’ll also find advice on stretching for daily activities such as driving, working at a desk, lifting, and keyboarding. Part III discusses stretching for life, with specific recommendations for expectant mothers and older athletes. It also includes specific stretching exercises that could help you avoid unnecessary surgery. Give Active-Isolated Stretching a try for three weeks. You’ll never go back to your old stretching routines again.
