Stronger Abs and Back [Paperback]

Dean Brittenham (Author), Greg Brittenham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 24, 1997

Ancient Greek and Chinese leaders have stressed it for centuries, but only in the past decade have fitness and sports conditioning experts emphasized the development of abdominal and back muscles. Now we have the science to support the argument that the body's stability and power comes from its center.

Stronger Abs and Back shows how to develop the body's core musculature for maximum fitness and athletic performance. Strong abdominal and torso muscles will enhance physical appearance and mobility as well as contribute to the prevention of low back pain--the most common physical ailment in the industrialized world.

Because of its extensive benefits, Stronger Abs and Back applies to a broad readership: office workers who stiffen up while sitting at a desk all week; weekend warriors who play 36 holes on a free day at the course; serious athletes who want the utmost power to perform closer to their potential; and coaches who develop training programs with the best and most comprehensive fitness level of their athletes in mind.

The book features 165 exercises for developing flexibility, strength, and power. It also shows how to select and sequence these exercises in a 24-week sample program for abs and back development.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"
"""Despite their importance, the abdominals, obliques, and back muscles have been shortchanged in most exercise books. But Stronger Abs and Back, written by two experts, offers nine chapters, over 100 exercises, and many routines to improve sports performance."""
Edmund R. Burke, PhD
Director of Exercise Science Program
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Author
"""This is an extremely practical guide to training the body's midsection. It's a must for athletes at every level from weekend warriors to elite competitors. A great resource for both injury prevention and performance enhancement."""
E. Paul Roetert, PhD
Sport Science Administrator
United States Tennis Association
"

Review

"

""Despite their importance, the abdominals, obliques, and back muscles have been shortchanged in most exercise books. But Stronger Abs and Back, written by two experts, offers nine chapters, over 100 exercises, and many routines to improve sports performance.""
Edmund R. Burke, PhD
Director of Exercise Science Program
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Author

""This is an extremely practical guide to training the body's midsection. It's a must for athletes at every level from weekend warriors to elite competitors. A great resource for both injury prevention and performance enhancement.""
E. Paul Roetert, PhD
Sport Science Administrator
United States Tennis Association

"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics; 1 edition (February 24, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880115580
• ISBN-13: 978-0880115582
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #344,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Ab Workouts
  • #72 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Back Pain

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for the serious and goal minded athlete, June 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Stronger Abs and Back (Paperback)

This book is the perfect book for the athlete who truly wants to improve the abs and/or back muscles. If you stick with the program as recommended by the authors and give it time, you will notice the differences in a few weeks. I had a herniated disk due to an accident. My lower back was in pain for much of the time. In about 3 weeks the pain had disappeared and I noticed that whenever I turned my torso, I felt a since of power. I then lent the book to several friends and they have all given thumbs up to the book.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eliminated my back pain, thank you!!!, December 8, 2004

By 

GM (Mississauga, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stronger Abs and Back (Paperback)

I initially bought this book in 2003 to get a 6-pack (haha), but I never really looked at it until I started experiencing severe lower back pain in October 2004. As a background, I started doing Mixed Martial Arts training early 2004 and slowly but surely my back pains started. I ignored it for as long as I could, but in September 2004 I was training hard for a submission wrestling tournament and my back was in constant pain.

My girlfriend's a PT and for long term maintenance and pain relief she advised me to strengthen my core. I showed her this book and she recommended I do the exercises with progressive difficulty.

Beforehand I used to do my weight training first and only do abs if I had the energy or "time". However in November 2004, I started doing the exericses in the book before my weight training sessions (4-5 times/week). I started with the stability exercises for 2 weeks. Once I got a grasp of that, I moved on to the ab fitness exercises for another 3 weeks and only now am I gettting to the strength exercises. The thing that impressed me was how detailed the instructions were. I was training smarter rather than harder. I ended each session with some good lower back stretching (shown in the book) for 5-10 minutes.

And I am very happy to say in December 2004 my lower back pain is completely gone!!! Consistency and good advice/exercises was the key! If the authors read this review, thanks very much!

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your abs will scream!, June 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Stronger Abs and Back (Paperback)

This book is a MUST for Personal Trainers as well as self trainers. I refer to it constantly for variety and challenge. The pictorials and step-by-step instructions are easy to follow. You won't need another torso book. It has everything!