Plyometric Exercises with the Medicine Ball, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Donald Chu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2004

First successfully used in Eastern Europe, plyometrics is now generally accepted in the United States as a key to the training of successful championship athletes. More recently it has become a part of the general public's exercise regimen.

Power requires an integrated program to develop its two complementary components, strength and speed. While weight training develops strength, plyometrics develops the explosiveness called speed. This book describes Plyometric exercises designed for the upper extremities, trunk, and lower extremities. It also includes plyometric exercises for wheelchair athletes.

Plyometrics conditions the body through dynamic, resistance exercises. By using a medicine ball to create the necessary resistance for these exercises, you can experience the entire range of motion which resembles that of your sport. These sport-specific exercises are not only more efficient in developing the power you desire, but more interesting, more challenging, and more motivating.

Editorial Reviews

Review

No one has written or spoken more about [plyometrics] than [Donald] Chu. -- Outside Magazine, 1988

About the Author

Donald Chu holds a doctorate from Stanford University, is a certified athletic trainer and member of the NATA Hall of Fame. He is also a certified NSCA strength and conditioning specialist, a Professor Emeritus of California State University, Hayward, and past Director of Athletic Training and Rehabilitation at Stanford University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Bittersweet Publishing Company; 2 Revised edition (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0931255090
• ISBN-13: 978-0931255090
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,334,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Donald Chu is a leading authority on power training and conditioning. He has been a conditioning consultant for the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Lions, and Chicago White Sox as well as for the United States Tennis Association and the 1996 U.S. Olympic synchronized swimming team, which took home the gold medal. He is the owner and director of NovaCare Clinic in Castro Valley, California, where he acts as a consultant to individual athletes.

Dr. Chu is president of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is a licensed physical therapist, a certified athletic trainer through the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), and a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA. He has received many honors, including the 1998 Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award, presented by the board of trustees of the United States Sports Academy; the 1995 NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award; and the 1993 NSCA President's Award for Service. In 1978, his only year as a head coach, Dr. Chu was named the Far Western Conference Track and Field Coach of the Year.

Dr. Chu, who earned a PhD in physical therapy and kinesiology from Stanford University, is the program director for the physical therapist assistant program at Ohlone College in Fremont, California. He is also a professor emeritus of kinesiology and physical education at California State University, Hayward. He lives in Alameda, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PLYOMETRIC EXERCISES With the Medicine Ball, July 16, 2000

By 

Kurt Jahnke - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plyometric Exercises With the Medicine Ball (Paperback)

PLYOMETRIC EXERCISES With the Medicine Ball: Optimum performance of an athlete requires two complementary abilities: skill and power. All sports share these features. This book describes exercises designed to develop power, particularly the speed component of power, in the upper extremities trunk and lower extremities. It begins with planning of a program focusing on intensity, duration and recovery. It explains the classifications of the exercises. It then moves into the actual exercises with usually five in each area of: Arm - individual, Arm - partner; Trunk - individual, Trunk - partner; Leg - individual, Leg - partner; Passing; general Upper, general Trunk, general Lower; with a whole section of exercises for the Wheelchair Athletes. As you can see, it is vary comprehensive and I find it an excellent book that I have now incorporated in to the exercise class I teach at a local fitness center.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Basic yet effective, July 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Plyometric Exercises With the Medicine Ball (Paperback)

This book reads like a blue print for medicine ball works as it pertains to developing speed and strength. The exercises presented are the foundation of such work and hence are valuable to the beginner. Those looking for more advanced exercises and techniques will probably be disappointed. Conclusion: great for the beginner.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dopey, July 12, 2007

By 

B. M. Schmolze "schmolze" (bar harbor, me) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Plyometric Exercises with the Medicine Ball, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

The title of this book is extremely misleading.
It's packed full of stupid things like "medicine ball biceps curls," "triceps extensions," "good mornings," etc... These are not plyometric exercises! Basically it's an excuse to use a medicine ball for classic weight lifting moves.

Combined with this are some very basic throwing moves, of which I was hoping for more of.

The drawings are of course crude stick figures, and the directions are weak.

I'm returning this book.

A little imagination will go a longer ways than this book.