Athletic Abs (Paperback)

~ Scott Cole (Author), Tom Seabourne (Author) "Great athletes and martial artists tune in to their power center..." (more)
Key Phrases: athletic abs, contract your hamstrings, easy pedaling, Six-Pack Attack, Key Flexibility Exercises, Bruce Lee (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Abdominals are the stubborn problem area for exercisers of all fitness levels and both genders. Athletic/fitness trainers Scott Cole and Tom Seabourne belly up to the challenge of presenting the most current knowledge of how to firm and chisel the abs you've always wanted and strengthen your core for your sport and daily life.

Crunches are just one dimension of abdominal training, the authors explain. You also need whole-body training for core conditioning, strength, flexibility, and functionality. Athletic Abs presents exercises that train the abs along with their surrounding muscles, done standing, sitting, moving, and sometimes with a partner, not just the familiar on-the-back position.

The authors call their system "the next generation of abdominal training," focusing on "controlled instability": exercises that make your abdominals work harder to stabilize your body. Their exercises come from yoga, martial arts, gymnastics, and core conditioning, and run the gamut from basic to seriously advanced. All are well illustrated with photos showing different positions of each move.

Whatever your fitness level or the current condition of your abs, you'll find this book informative and the exercises and drills challenging. It is highly recommended for men and women who want to firm, sculpt, strengthen--and understand--their midsections. --Joan Price

Review

"Scott's strength and stretching exercises are the secret to a strong, sexy midsection."

Gena Lee Nolin, Baywatch/Sheena actress

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics (September 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736041214
• ISBN-13: 978-0736041218
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #867,967 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Training, January 2, 2006

By	C. de Veer - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great training book for abs. Seabourne and Cole have compiled a comprehensive series of core exercises while simultaneously delivering a witty banter to provide a workout philosophy that encompasses the exercises. The focus is not on a wrote routine of 1000 crunches, 100 leg lifts, etc. Rather, the authors tell you to focus your mind on the muscle group you're working so you complete each repetition with perfect form and maximum benefit.

I have a bad lower back and found most of the exercises did not stress that area. Some did, especially the leg lifts, but as my core strength increased, I found I was able to incorporate those exercises successfully into my routine.

Cons: I also have reservations about the taiji exercises they included in the book (monkey creeps back, etc.), not because they're not useful, but because it's really hard to perform them correctly without someone observing your form and correcting your movements. I think if you've never done the exercises before, you would be hard pressed to perform them correctly and beneficially from the description and few photos in the book.

The lack of "many" photos is my biggest annoyance. I'd call it constructive criticism rather than a complaint. I found myself lost in slightly vague descriptions on a couple exercises. A photo of beginning, middle, and end positions would clear up any confusion.

Overall: I thought the book had great ab exercises and a good training philosophy. I felt results, especially in the upper abs, after about two weeks. Two or so months later, I find my balance is better. I definitely recommend the book.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bizarre book, November 1, 2004

By	Chris Salzer (Gainesville, GA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book has about as much to do with abs as a book on stamp collecting. From the bizarre pictures of a guy doing strange contortionist exercises on the edge of a pool and then in the pool to the useless plyometrics exercises to the "repulse the monkey" and "power slide" exercises, I found this book utterly useless and, quite frankly, a joke. Don't bother.

3 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars waist, April 23, 2004

By	darren lovell (Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Australia) - See all my reviews

it was a waste to buy this video, dont be fooled by the description of the format, i gave it away,