Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching Illustrated

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

True to its title, this book is a no-nonsense guide to stretching. The layout is brilliant in its simplicity, making it easy to locate the perfect routine to reach your goal, whether you are looking to increase range of movement in one particular area or just increase overall flexibility. The illustrations are useful, clear and relevant. The "bonus information" boxes keep the reader safe and well-informed, and the step-by-step instructions are clear enough for a beginning exerciser but precise enough to be included in any exercise professional's library.

I have several books on strething and have used them for years but this book is the best by far! The descriptions are so well written and the diagrams are so good that it's almost like having a personal trainer with you as you are doing the stretches. The book covers every muscle group and area of the body and there is a great chapter on back care which we can all use.

I need to stretch every day as I have arthritis and associated aches and pains. This book helps me stretch with ease and pleasure. If I don't stretch every day I spend most of my day in pain.

Get this book! It is worth the small investment and it will pay you back 100 times over with increased mobility and less discomfort in everything you do!

Throughout most of my life (pregnancies, stressful times, very busy times, etc.), I have turned to the practice of stretching to help me maintain a sense of feeling somewhat physically fit. I used to exercise alot and always used stretching before and after activities to prevent unnecessary discomfort, pain or injury from keeping me down. Now that I am a very busy mother and nursing student, stretching is a "rescue" for me that allows me to maintain flexibility and strength for the somewhat rare times I get to participate in moderate to strenuous exercise.
This book is great as it lays the groundwork for why we should stretch, gives you the mechanics of how to stretch and provides detailed information on particular focused stretching routines in the "Niche Stretching" section. I especially like the bonus information provided in the "stretch maximizer" boxes found throughout the book and the illustrations are excellent for us visual learners.
I plan to recommend this book to patients in my future nursing practice.

An excellent guide to stretching with concise written instructions with each illustration. The index allows one to quickly locate stretches to remedy whatever body zone is sore or stiff. The author incorporates subtle breathing techniques familiar to anyone whose practiced yoga and gently guides one to stretches that will both soothe and invigorate the body and spirit. I highly recommend this guide and hope it helps others to health and wellness as it has helped me.

Do you suffer from some sort of pain or discomfort? 'Stretching Illustrated' includes stretches aimed at relieving head and neck discomfort, TMJ (jaw) pain, joint pain and stiffness, hip and knee pain, carpal tunnel, back soreness or pain, and sciatica. There are different courses of stretching recommended for various sports such as walking, running, hiking, cycling, swimming, golf, and tennis. There are gentle stretches for seniors, and stretches for women meant to relieve menopause symptoms, PMS, stress, etc.

One thing I always look for in such books is a responsible set of warnings. The book is very good at including, in obvious side-bars, warnings about contra-indicated conditions, as well as the sorts of pain and sensations that indicate you should stop or see your doctor.

Unlike photos, drawings tend to lack a certain degree of perspective, and this can make it hard to tell exactly where a given limb should be placed in relation to the floor or whatever. The sort of simple illustrations they use in here in particular sometimes lack that necessary perspective; photos would have worked better. This is a minor flaw, however, and I still highly recommend this book.

I am a typical guy...totally inflexible. All kidding aside, I have always wanted to incorporate a stretching routine into my day. I have been diligent about weights and cardio, but the stretching has always (unfortunately) fallen to the back of the priority list...until I came across "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching". I love both the written explainations, as well as the illustrations. For someone who has never given the credence that stretching deserves, this book has (finally, and thankfully) converted me.

I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in improving their health through stretching.

I spend hours each day sitting and looking at a computer screen. This book has been an excellent tutorial on how to stretch out and alleviate some of the stiff and sore joints and muscles. I found the book to be very well written - and the illustrations are clear and helpful. I highly recommend this book!

This is my first book on stretching and flexibility. I am not sure how helpful "advanced stretchers" will find it, but as a beginner I found it very informative. The illustrations are detailed, and there are helpful little hints scattered throughout the book.

Barbara Templeton's The Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching is a straight forward and comprehensive guide to flexibility fitness. Although these simple stretching exercises will increase anyone's flexibility and strength, the emphasis in this book is placed on the overall benefits for maintaining health and wellness through recommended stretching practices. Chapters and information are clearly marked with relevant definitions (flexicons), helpful hints, and cautionary tips for safety. The book encourages regular practice and provides reasonable advice for maintaining an acceptable schedule for exercise. Intended for any age group, the exercises may be customized to address specific injuries and body discomfort. Special sections are dedicated to seniors and females only. The book is fully illustrated for a clear understanding of poses, 224 pages and a complete index. Highly recommended for anyone desiring better physical health and flexibility. A must for developing a home fitness practice.

Good book, especially for beginners...I was looking for something else for shin slipts, but this was good was general stretching - especially like after you've come from the gym...there are also sections towards the back exc. 4 seniors & women, so tha was good 2 (though I didn't read either as I'm the opposite of both, lol)...but DEF. a good beginner strtching book...good photos and explainations and reasons 4 everything