Stretching Anatomy (Paperback)

by Arnold G. Nelson (Author), Jouko Kokkonen (Author), Jason M. McAlexander (Illustrator) "In the neck, the muscles are located in two triangular regions called the anterior and posterior triangles..." (more)
Key Phrases: right posterior tibialis, simultaneous opposite movements, right popliteus, Muscles Stretched Most-stretched, Technique Stand, Technique Sit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
""Stretching Anatomy "is the most complete guide to stretching I've seen. Its illustrations, tips, and explanations inspired me to stop procrastinating and start getting limber."
Janet Lee
Deputy Editor, "Shape"

"The beautiful, highly detailed illustrations in" Stretching Anatomy "are the best I've ever seen, and the book's advice and exercises are simple, clear, and easy to follow. It's an invaluable resource for anyonefrom novice exercisers to fitness professionals.""
Sara Kooperman, Owner and Executive Director of SCW Fitness Education


Product Description
See inside every stretch--and maximize flexibility! Stretching Anatomy will arm you with the knowledge to increase range of motion, supplement training, enhance recovery, and maximize efficiency of movement. You'll also gain a detailed understanding of how each stretch affects your body.

Stretching Anatomy is like having an X-ray of each stretch, only better. Not only do you see full-color illustrations of the muscles in action, but you also find out how changes in position can alter the muscle emphasis and difficulty and how variations can improve safety and effectiveness.

Each exercise includes detailed instruction on how to stretch, when to stretch, primary and secondary muscle emphasis, and which muscles are activated for support. Stretching programs provide three levels of difficulty, including light stretching that can be used as a warm-up or to aid in recovery from soreness or injury. And summary movement tables show how to customize stretching programs to focus on key problem areas.

Whether it is increased flexibility or reduced muscle soreness or tension, Stretching Anatomy allows you to see and feel the benefit of proper stretching technique.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 147 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers; 1 edition (November 22, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736059725
• ISBN-13: 978-0736059725
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,450 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Stretching
  #11 in	Books > Science > Medicine > Basic Science > Anatomy
  #15 in	Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Anatomy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this one, February 6, 2007

By	Loren w Christensen (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been a martial arts teacher for 42 years and have authored over 20 books on the subject. So I know a little about stretching. Stretching Anatomy is a wonderful guide that is concise, yet somehow amazingly complete.

The book isn't written for one particular sport, but the savvy reader will quickly see how the many easy-to-do stretches (and a couple hard ones) will improve their performance within weeks.

Each clearly demonstrated exercise includes simple how-to-do instruction, when to do it, and which primary and secondary muscles are being stretched. The book provides three levels of difficulty, including light movements to warm-up and to help you recovery quickly from an injury or post workout soreness.

A real plus are the anatomy chart-like illustrations that show via colored shading which muscles are being affected by the stretch.

This is an excellent book that I recommend to my students.

Loren W. Christensen author of Fighter's Fact Book 2.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great stretching book!, July 2, 2007

By	Teresa "hands to heal" (Engwd Cliffs, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

I have used this book to not only show and teach clients and patients proper stretching techniques, I have recommended it as a tool for the Physical Therapist at my job, and used it for myself. Illustrations are detailed with specific muscles described in each stretch and are very helpful in understanding the anatomy of each stretch - great book for ANYONE, especially pre- and post-workout for athletes! I also recommend "Stretching" by Bob Anderson in conjunction with this as a teaching tool.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great stretching resource!, September 22, 2007

By	K. Bauman (Northeast Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been a runner and athlete for over a decade, and even having learned dozens of stretches along the way, this book was well worth the money. It's very comprehensive - contains stretches for every muscle group and even describes the supporting muscle groups you're using when doing a particular stretch. The visuals are clear and helpful as well. The explanations are very easy to follow, and I love that it gives tips within each stretch for increasing the intensity or stretching slightly different muscles with a slightly different motion.