Customer Reviews

Explosive Running: Using the Science of Kinesiology to Improve Your Performance

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read this book... and am preparing to read it again.

I have read a lot on running, and have even taken a few courses, and then I read this book - what an eye opener! I quickly realized how biased some people that teach running courses are, and how little actual knowledge is out there on many of the topics that are introduced in this book. A couple of examples:

The section on barefoot running. This is the part of the book that the big shoe companies don't want you reading. I think that it's largely true, though most would have trouble believing, it - I think that the author has done an exceptional job of backing up his theories on this one. As soon as the snow melts, I will be unlacing my shoes for the first time ever ;-)

The book has a great deal of information pertaining to running stride. A lot of what I have learned revolves around the theory that you were born with a certain stride, and you should just "run like you run" - don't worry about your stride. Obviously (if you have an open mind) you can see through that garbage, and get "real" with your running. Tons of pictures to back this up (someone could argue that the quality of the photos used in the book are poor, but I think that they are sufficient, given that they are for illustration purposes - not wall hangings).

Stretching. Believe that most everyone who is stretching today isn't doing it properly, or could certainly be doing it better. The author gets into active stretching, versus passive stretching. Very mind altering stuff... with a lot of facts to back up why this is the way to do it. I have not incorporated these stretches into my training yet, but will be doing shortly (takes a bit of work to alter what I have learned over the years). At a seminar that I attended, I asked a physiotherapist about active stretching, and why they still push static stretches... she says that while active stretches are better, it's too difficult to learn or do correctly. Doesn't look that tough, but I will soon see ;-)

Bottom line... for the price, I don't know that you can find a better book out there. So ends my two cents.

Finally a book which gets off from the usual running book concept. This book doesn't really cover training but it's all about biomechanics of running. It teaches you to analyze your own biomechanics and teaches you to improve your running form with certain exercises. This book is mostly about strength training and stretching and it shows the proven training methods on how can you improve your performance and decrease your injuries. This book finally gave my strength training program a real direction.

This book would be great for anyone who is serious about running and desires to find ways to increase performance. The sections that break down the actual mechanics of running are complicated, but I found them to be interesting. The sections on stretching and weightlifting exercises specifically for running are outstanding. The chapter on the effects shoes have on feet and the case for spending more time barefoot is also a highlight.

If you are a casual runner who is happy and not interested in making running a top priority in your life, then I would personally skip this book. If you are "into" running and seeking a deeper understanding of what the mechanics of the run are and how to improve your run, then I cannot see how this book would not help you.

Almost. Yessis and Yessis (two authors) focus on the biomechanics of running, which is unusual and perhaps distinctive among publications - we've got the way to train, mostly from Jack D., and now this is an almost good book for telling us how to run. The descriptions of proper running style, and the exercises to achieve proper running style, are in the book.

But you really have to dig. What makes this book 'almost good' is that there is no structure or system to its presentation. Y & Y say what they have to say. Once. Twice, a different way. Third, a different way. And so on.

The redundancy is really not the bad point - the bad point is that there's so much laid out, it's hard to tell what you should do first. Doing it all, well, that would take eight hours a set.

Another bad point. There are far, far more 'non-examples' of runners displaying INcorrect running style than examples of runners displaying correct running style. For the typical reader (I presume I am among them), I want to see someone running right . . . not endless pictures of people who are running and are doing two, three, or four things wrong.

It seems like Y & Y have one favorite sprinter in the book who does it all right. Everyone else, be they your average marathon runner or the state high school 1,500 meeter champ or a nationally ranked 5,000 meter competitor, displays a running style per Y & Y that is "almost, but not quite, right."

The pictures are a great, great idea - but next version show us how to run, biomechanically, the right way. Give us pictures of people who either naturally or with training, are doing it ALL right. (A value-added add-on of course would be a DVD with video clips of runners running the right way.)

The explanations are helpful - but somehow, some way, please structure the presentation. Provide exercises per running element, or simple to easy, or beginner to advanced, SOME sort of organization that makes sense so that as readers we can figure out fairly easily what it is we each should incorporate into our workout schedule.

This is the book that the competition does not want you to find out about because it has the information you need to become a better competitive runner. The biomechanical aspects of the running stride is dissected and explained in terms that are useful for the layman. Once you understand what an efficient running stride consists of, you can begin to work on a more efficient way of running.

The chapter on barefoot running is a real eye-opener. It reveals the truth about the effects of shoes and how they may be the cause of many foot ailments; not to mention the weakening effects of wearing them.

Chapter 3 and 4 alone are worth the price of the book. This is a must-read for all competitive runners--the elites, weekend warriors, and dreamers. Read it but don't let the competion know about it.

This is not the usual book you find on running. I bought the book because I am battling with a foot injury and trying to learn all I can about running smarter to avoid injuries. This book is loaded with information about proper form, stretching, and strength training for RUNNERS. I have told many of my friends about the book and recommend it to anyone who wants to run smarter and not just better. Just the information about foot strike was worth the price of the book for me. I have been a heel striker for years. With the help of this book I now land on my mid-foot and have much greater posture when running.

If you want to get serious about running, then buy this book. 10 years ago I had knee problems from jogging, mainly due to heal striking. My doctor told me to stop running but that was not an option for me. After reading this book, and seeing how to run correctly (not jog, there is a BIG difference), I have been running relatively injury free for 10 years+. The only injuries I get now are from over-training and not resting or stretching enough. I agree that the photos aren't great in this book compared to videos, but technology has come a long way since it was published. If you want to see proper running technique, simply go to youtube and watch Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie run the 10k. You won't catch these guys heal striking or wearing Nike style "boots" on their feet. Whether you are running on pavement, track, grass, whatever, proper technique and proper biomechanics is what you need to run fast and efficiently. Do soccer shoes have padding in the heal? Nope. Get up onto your toes and run like a Kenyan!
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Also take a look at this free publication as well from Gordon Pirie "Run Fast and Injury Free". Same basic ideas
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The "Pose" method is also ok.
Out of 100 runners and running coaches I talk to, maybe 2 understand why the Ethiopians run so much faster than Westerners. Some of the answers are in this book. Stop paying your coach who doesn't understand proper technique and buy this book instead.
** Be cautious if you are overweight though. You may overstress your tendons and get hurt. Like everything else, start off slow and easy.
Happy Running

...definitely the most informative book I have ever read on running. This book will take away the mystery and supply a healthy dose of reality. Dr. Yessis is both informed and to the point about individual running ability and its application.

Anyone seeking to understand how it should work need only buy this book. Enjoy, I know I have.

This book contains detailed explanations and images of great exercises that can be used to supplement running and prevent a lot of common running injuries. A great handbook to have at home if you are looking for help isolating and strengthening problematic, recurring injuries. That being said, it is a rather large book making it difficult to take with you to the gym, track, etc. Honestly, it is definitely worth it for any serious runners or runners who are coaching themselves. A great reference book.
-from a serious, veteran runner and running store employee.

I think this is a great book if you want to learn the mechanics of the perfect stride. Numerous pictures make it easy to understand what the author is describing. He also teaches you lots of exercises to strengthen your stride.