Fitness Stretching [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Fitness Magazine (Author), Julie Coblentz (Author), Karen Andes (Author) "The 1980s marked the decade of aerobic exercise..." (more)
Key Phrases: incline your torso, spinae stretch, internal rotator stretch, Overhead Stretch, Hip Flexor Stretch (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Stretching is an often-overlooked component of total fitness, although it's an essential step to help prevent stubborn muscle and tendon injuries that require long periods of time away from the gym. "Stretching is like the neglected middle child in the 'fitness family'; it is just as important as the other two siblings--cardiovascular conditioning and strength training. And the older we get, the more important stretching becomes," say the editors of Fitness magazine. Next to a lack of time or knowledge, what probably deters most exercisers from stretching is confusion over the five schools of thought on technique: static, ballistic, active, and passive stretching, plus PNF, or Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. The folks at Fitness explain each of these stretching methods and make a strong case for stretching the recommended minimum of two or three times a week. (While stretching won't help you lose weight or increase the strength of your muscles, it does improve posture, circulation, and balance; lengthens muscles; soothes painful joints; lowers blood pressure; minimizes postworkout fatigue and pain; and prevents or helps relieve lower-back pain.)

In this Stretching 101 course, you're given tips on when to stretch, proper alignment, how to breathe during stretching, and when to back off. Each of the more than 100 stretches include clear illustrations and explanations--you'll know exactly when you're doing each move correctly. All major muscle groups are covered, including the lower back, the buttocks and hips, quads and hip flexors, hamstrings, inner thigh, calves and Achilles tendon, abdominals, the torso, upper back, chest and shoulders, arms, neck, wrists and fingers, the ankles and feet, and even the face. A short section on specialty stretches requires a wooden pole, exercise ball, ballet barre, and suspended horizontal bar, all available at sporting-goods stores. You can customize the stretches into your workout routine using the book's suggested stretches for various situations: for the morning and the evening, for those who stand all day, for pregnant women, for those over 50, and nearly two dozen sport-specific stretches. Fitness Stretching is highly recommended for both beginning and experienced athletes and fitness novices. --Erica Jorgensen

Product Description
In Fitness Stretching, the authorities on fitness present a comprehensive guide to the most important -- but often neglected -- aspect of any fitness regimen.

Whether you're running a marathon, biking around the block, or simply getting the kinks out after a long day of sitting, stretching is a proven way to improve your sense of fitness. By lengthening muscles and lubricating joints, stretching prevents injury, promotes recovery, improves posture and balance, and refreshes the body. Plus, learning to stretch correctly can help you to maximize the benefits of your workout.

Fully illustrated and easy to use, Fitness Stretching takes you through every muscle group in the body with step-by-step instructions for more than 100 yoga- and sport-inspired stretches. Clear explanations accompany each stretch, allowing you to customize your own stretching routine.

For all levels of fitness, Fitness Stretching features an activity-by-activity breakdown to help you find the best stretch for every workout, from aerobics to windsurfing. While you'll find innovative suggestions for stretching in the pool or with poles, barres, and balls, most stretches can be done without any equipment at all. At home, at work, or at the gym, the experts at Fitness can help you make stretching a fun and easy part of your daily routine.
        
Special sections include stretches:

        
• to heal and prevent lower back pain
          
• for people working on their feet
          
• to do during pregnancy
          
• for individuals over fifty
  

For every age or level of fitness, Fitness Stretching is essential to your well-being.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (December 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609801600
• ISBN-13: 978-0609801604
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #582,899 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good., January 4, 2002

By	Rabia (Canada) - See all my reviews

This book is really good for someone who is new to putting stretching into thier routine. The book is about 200 pages. The first 30 pages talks all about stretching, the benefits, the different kinds of stretching etc. This part of the book is excellent and I would buy it just for that because it had a lot of good information. (I exercise a lot but didn't know too much about stretching). I like the way this section is written, its talks scientifically but explains everything in layman's terms so the average person can understand. The next 45 pages are the actual stretches. I think they're okay. I would have been happier if they showed more variations. They seemed kind of simplistic. However, the benefit of this is they all looked very safe, which is important. Minimum stress on the knees for example. Good for people starting out or are injured or older. I was looking for something a little more challenging and more variety. Anyway, a very few of the stretches didn't have illustrations which I thought was strange- did they forget? Overall, there are stretches for every part of the body. The last 100 pages is devoted to specialty stretches, different stretch routines for ALL different kinds of sports, as detailed as windsurfing, stretches using special equipment like a pole or ball, recommended stretches for morning and evening and that kind of thing.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not for women only, January 27, 2002

By	Neil Abrahams (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

IMHO, this book bests Stretching, 20th edition, by Anderson. for the info it provides regarding the circumstances of stretching, info which doesn't appear in Stretching. Also, unlike Anderson's book, the authors aren't trying to sell you equipment. The bibliography and index indicate that this book is a professional work. GUYS, do not be put off by the fact that all of the drawings are of a woman. It is worth the price.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!, October 21, 2001

By	Joanna (FL, United States) - See all my reviews

Not only is this book a great reference (they show you how to do over 100 stretches, then group them by sport for easy reference) it is also entertaining and easy to read. I recommend it highly, even for someone who knows how to stretch. With so many stretches shown, I'm sure there's something new in there for everyone.