Customer Reviews

Kinesiology of Exercise

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

 

 

I am a certified physical fitness trainer and the Kinesiology of Exercise has been a bible to me and others for training the correct way. I stress form over weight to get the desired results and to minimize the possibility of injuries, and whenever there is a question about any exercise, I defer to this book. Michael Yessis had come to my attention many years ago when I saw his excellent Kinesiology column in Muscle and Fitness magazine, and only wish that he someday will create a new and revised Kinesiology book using the superb and highly educational anatomical graphics that he uses in the M&F magazine.

I'm a Physical Therapist Assistant, a Nurse, and an ACSM cert Health Fitness Instructor. Yessis goes over basic kinesiology as well as how to perform these exercises with safe form. He also goes into reasons WHY bad form is harmful, how to avoid as well as why certain exercises can be beneficial in certain sports. This is a great book to become familiarized with muscles, actions, and strict form. I recommend it for any trainer or athlete. I often give it as a gift to my clients when they complete training with me.

While the book features a variety of exercises, it advocates strength training methods that have been proven to be dangerous, and that by mere logic seem wrong. First, the author instructs you to hold you breath during each move, claiming this is proper breathing technique. Also, he condones explosive training which is detrimental to the muskuloskeletal system. Along with other flaws, this book was a waste of money. Your money is better spent buying books such as "A Practical Approach to Strength Training." This book is one that is backed up scientifically and teaches you the safest and most effective way to exercise.

I expected a more through book on exercises and their effects on the body. Maybe a good book for beginners but not for experienced athletes.

Just to let anyone know who reads "A Customers" review please do not take what that persons says as correct. There are actually two comments that customers made about that remark, but i am sure many do not look at the remarks. I suggest you do. The first comment gives you some more valid names to also look at as far as authors that have written good, sound books.
Holding your breath during certain exercises is required to enable you to stabilze your core, specifically your spine. These and others are know simply as power breathing techniques. BUT if you suffer from heart problems, and certain other health issues you should either not use these techniques or consult a doctor.
Michael Yessis is a very well known author among well educated strength personal.
Breath holding techniques ARE NOT DANGEROUS, when used correctly and by healthy people. As well training done expolsively IS NOT detrimental when programmed correctly with proper technique.

I've read about a half a dozen or so books on strength training. The worst thing for the beginner is getting injured, which is very easy to do, and could stop further training for fear of getting injured again. This book describes in detail the movements involved in the lifts and injury prevention. For this alone, it's worth it to get the book. Then, if you wish to continue there are other books to buy, such as "Weight Training-2nd: Steps to Success" which gives you workout plans and why to exercise opposing muscle groups, etc.

I used to have a heck of a problem with squats. I was very afraid of doing them because I did not know how to do them correctly and I had no one to teach me. I bought this book and it has turned out to be a worthy investment as it has taught me how to do certain exercises (squats, deadlifts, lunges, etc.) with very good form. Thank you Mr. Yessis. The good thing about the book is that these exercises are described in great detail and with good pictures. For anyone who is interested in learning proper form, I recommend this book.

You could find the information in this book in any number of places online. Not only would the information at a good Kinesiology website be more complete but you would also get moving gifs to show you proper form.

I don't think I got even one useful thing out of this book.