Customer Reviews

Stretching & Flexibility

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have had this book for 5 weeks and can tell you that it is an effective means of increasing your range by informing you what proper stretching is all about. My guess about the people who didn't like this book is that they are use to the "Stretching for Dummies" type writing style where they can open the book, assume a position, and get busy. This is not that type of book. I suspect that people of that nature will never benefit from any stretching book as stretching requires diligence, determination, and patience, all three of which the negative reviewers seem to lack.

That being said, I have gained greatly in some areas and not so much in other areas. Having done both yoga and pilates I know enough to know that it is probably related to my technique. Nonetheless, this is the optimum book for stretching as I have own Pavel's, Wharton's, and others.

On top of everthing else I have said, Kit has a website with a discussion board where you can ask questions and Kit, along with others, will answer.

This is by far the best book on flexibility training that I have ever come across. I am sure it will become the ultimate reference text on this issue. The text and illustrations are detailed and complete. Every aspect of each exercise is discussed. The book does not take any short cuts. Very precise information is also given on how to go into and out of stretches, and how every muscle involved is to be used. This is the sort of information that is essential to proper stretching, but is normally missing from flexibility books. It finishes with stretching recommendations for different sports.

As someone who has never been flexible and couldn't figure out why (I always thought something was just wrong with me), I was truly delighted to find this book. Lesser books show models falling into position as if it were pleasant and easy, with no real narrative of what it might feel like to an adult just starting to work on this. Yet even as a youngster I couldn't sit on the floor with my legs straight out and did not understand why it was so hard for me.

This book addresses people like me directly. It opens with Laughlin's account of his own puzzling inflexibility. Dancers he knew had such an ease about them that he was convinced they were somehow made differently from him. The rest of the book is a detailed explanation of what flexibility is, followed by the exercises.

Some of the exercises were nice surprises, ways I never would have thought of to stretch. Sharing them with friends ("try this!") has provoked many "wow"s. I showed one to a friend, and now he has other friends convinced that he's a healer because they feel so good when he presses down on their shoulders for them, as shown in the book.

I also bought the DVD. A no-nonsense, no fluff production. Well worth it.

This book shows you how to progress in your stretching. There is always a basic stretch and then an advance stretch. This book does not assume that you are already flexible. Many of the stretches are good for people who are not atheletes and just want to improve their general flexibility. However, atheletes will be well served by the advanced stretches. The narration is good and replaces an instructor well. The book even goes into common errors that people experience with particular stretches so that you can avoid those mistakes and improve your technique.

Not only an excellent book on stretching but an even better template on what a "how to" guide should include: photographs (from different angles), thorough explanations, without filler. It includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced in one volume, rather than "spreading" them across three or four books. That, to me, demonstrates a great deal of integrity on the authors' part. There are partner exercises as well as individual exercises for each muscle group. I would place Stuart McRobert's Insider's Guide to Weight Training in the same category. Solid, user friendly, and thorough work.

I have some flexibility books, and I think this one is the best. The descriptions of all stretches are very detailed. For each of them there are good photographs (not only the final positions) and for most there are alternatives depending on your current flexibility and physical proportions. In no other stretching book have I seen such attention to detail as in this one.
If your goal is to improve general flexibility I would definitely recommend this book. If the reason you considered acquiring it is to help with back or neck pain, I would recommend instead "Overcome Neck & Back Pain" by the same author (several specific stretching and strengthening exercises for that conditions and also a very good self-diagnosis chapter on the possible causes of the pain.)

I originally gave this a three star review but on further reading I have to say I was wrong. This is an intensely detailed and very thorough book. I was a little put off by it at first but I see now that it is necessary for all the detail.

The exercises are very effective. Just take it slow. This book is the real deal.

As a sufferer of chronic back pain for the last two decades, I can tell you that this book has changed my life. I have searched high a low for an optimal routine to keep my back working. While there were many programs that would help, I never could quite get the last ache and weakness out of my lower back. Until I tried this book, the best routine I had found was Laughlin's back pain book. This book has done wonders for my back and my general flexibility. It is more complete than its competitors. I would love to take the course that the book is based on. Try it; you'll like it.

Kit Laughlin has produced the best stretching book ever. From a clear and understandable discussion about stretching through a well layed out structure and progression of stretches for your entire body. Wonderful.

If you are an athlete recovering from injuries and if you like movements in yoga, you will find this book helpful. I got it from the library, renewed it three times and decided I needed to own this one. It offers good photos and written detail on how to perform each stretch. It also provides a "program" for various types of sports, i.e. tennis, basketball,etc. You will want this book in your own collection if you are active.