Stretching, 20th Anniversary Revised Edition [Paperback]

Bob Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2000

Hundreds of stretching exercises for the entire body with illustrations and descriptions in an easy-to-follow format. Bob Anderson. Revised ed. 2000, 223 pgs. 1 lb.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When Bob Anderson first published Stretching in 1980, the fitness movement was new to most Americans. The term aerobics had just been coined in 1968, and few people outside bodybuilding circles had heard of Arnold Schwarzenegger yet.

Now, fitness is such old hat that it's even had a backlash or two. Lots of the original ideas have been called into question, including the preeminence of aerobic exercise. But flexibility is bigger than ever; Pilates and yoga are two of the fastest-growing fitness programs in the U.S. in the early 2000s. The type of stretching Anderson recommends--called "static," meaning you sit in one place and hold the stretch for a specified amount of time--isn't exactly trendy, but it remains the most accessible way for entry-level exercisers to improve their flexibility. (Or, perhaps more important, to keep from losing whatever flexibility they have as they get older.)

Those who already have the version of the book that's been put out by Shelter Publications since 1980 won't find a whole lot that's new in this 20th-anniversary version. Some of the simple drawings by Anderson's wife, Jean, have been updated to show athletes in sport-specific outfits doing stretching routines, and there are more routines than before. The new edition includes routines for children, stretches to do in front of the TV, and some exercises to do before and after gardening. Plus, the old staples remain--stretching routines for all muscle groups, and pre- and postplay sequences for common sports (football, baseball, basketball) and a few uncommon ones (equestrian, motocross, rodeo). He's also created routines for sports that barely existed in 1980, such as snowboarding, triathloning, and inline skating.

The constant in Stretching is ease of use. Anderson doesn't need a lot of complex explanations because the drawings are so easy to follow. He makes it clear that stretching should make you feel better, not worse, and that it's not a competition. Any little bit you can do is better than not doing anything. That's a timeless message, which is why his book has been such an valuable reference for the past 20 years. --Lou Schuler

Review

Stretching is the vital link between the sedentary life and the active life. Stretching helps reverse the "creeping rigor mortis" of getting older. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Shelter Publications; 20th Anniversary Revised edition (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936070226
• ISBN-13: 978-0936070223
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (171 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Stretching

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very flexible book., October 27, 2010

By 

marathongirl63 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stretching: 30th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

I liked this book on stretching for several reasons. The first is its simplicity. The pictures and instructions are very straightforward, making it quite easy to do basic stretches. Stretches are given for just about every muscle and limb you'd ever want to stretch and the author has even included some suggested stretching routines for various sports. Whether you're a competetive athlete, business person or housewife, I feel that this is book will have something to offer everyone making it a very handy and "flexible" book. Also recommend Treat Your Own Spinal Stenosis for anyone with back pain looking for more specific stretches and/or exercises.

58 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stretch for fitness, July 3, 2000

By 

Christopher Cooper - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stretching (Paperback)

I've used this book for several years in all the sport activities that I have been involved in. From my teenage years to my early 30's - I have found the stretches in this book to be a worthwhile endeavor. The author provides several stretching routines for a wide variety of activities. Secondly, there are drawings, which demonstrate the correct way to do these stretches. Stretching is an important part of any exercise regime and this book helps out by providing a necessary guide to stretching. The author points out the dangers of overstretching and gives the reader good advice for their regimes.

33 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on stretching for everyone, May 27, 1999

By 

Pierre Trépanier - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stretching (Paperback)

This is a great book on stretching. It offers pictures and explanations on every different exercise. Furthermore, it provides a stretching workout for almost every sport and situation. The book's main focus is on dynamic stretching and it doesn't go into different methods that can be more efficient(ex: Propioceptive neuromuscular facilitation), but it remains a great book for all. I am a health care practitionner and I find this book great because it is easy for me to show my patients different workouts for their individual needs!!