Stretching

Rating:
Summary: Stretching
Review: A basic reference book of stretching exercises used to stretch different body-areas before and after sports and/or daily activities. The pictures are very well-done and are especially descriptive with arrows illustrating clearly the correct movement when doing the stretch. My favorite 2 pages in the book are "Everyday Stretches" used for 10-15 min per day to fine-tune your muscles and reduce stress. These daily exercises are clearly outlined with pictures and can easily be completed once a day even with a busy lifestyle!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: As others have said, this book is a wonderful title and is worthwhile to have no matter what you are doing, from sitting around and just going through daily life or focusing on a sport or activity.

It is laid out well, with clear instruction and you can find a strech for pretty much anything.

As in any physical endeavor it takes time to feel results, so remember to be careful and not force yourself into a stretch if it is new to you or your feel tightness anywhere.

I recommend this to people I see so they have a quick reference for items that will help them rehab injuries.

On reviewer mentioned that a spiral bound version would be nice tohave, and I agree. But that slight shortcoming does not take away from this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Resource
Review: I had knee problems ever since I was very young, which had really started to bother me in long bike rides (60+ miles, and centuries were murder). After many months of physical therapy I figured out that stretching properly 2 to 3 times a day helped my knees the most. That is why I purchased this book, and it helped me quite a bit to get into a regular stretch routine, and to figure out which stretches helped me the most (although that is not exactly the purpose of this book).

The only thing I do not like about the book is that it is difficult to lay it flat on the floor with the pages open. You will need something to hold the pages open; I ended up photo-copying the pages that I used the most (even though you will most likely end up memorizing everything you need).

Also I should say that the book/stretching did not completely fix my knee problems, in fact I had to have surgery on both of my knees. But, then the book helped me again in recovery when at home.

Rating:
Summary: good for those who use computers all day long
Review: I'm a computer programmer, and the pain in my hands had gotten quite severe, to the point of considering changing careers. I thought it might be arthritic, but the doc disagreed, and "prescribed" this book for me. The three pages on finger, hand, and office-related stretches were worth the price of the book to me; 95% of my pain has cleared up.

Rating:
Summary: Best book on stretching. Recommended by Everyone!
Review: I'm writing to add to the praise that the other reviewers have heaped on this book. It's easy to read, and you really do feel better when you do the stretches. I'm a middle aged man, overweight, and not at all flexible, and I've found that it helps a lot. If you do the stretches, you'll literally start to feel better after two or three days. This is the only physical activity I've run across that pays off so quickly.

Someone else complained that certain types of stretches weren't included in the book. According to the text, some stretches were left out because they were risky -- people who don't know what they're doing might hurt themselves. Perhaps the missing isometric stretches that were mentioned fall into that category.

I don't have any back problems, but I do several stretches that target the back and spine as part of my daily routine. That's when I most appreciate the conservative approach taken by the authors, as it seems like there would be a lot of potential for trouble there. The fact that so many people with back problems do these stretches safely, and receive benefits from them, says something important about the book's approach.

I don't know if this is the quickest way to become more flexible. I do know that it's a good way to become more flexible, that it works, and that I haven't had any problems at all -- no pain, no injuries, nothing.

I like it a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Great book to get in shape to...
Review: I've studied goju ryu karate for almost ten years now and as a result have several orthopedic injuries (my knee, neck, and shoulder). They all make working out rather hard to do without agrivating injuries for several days, so I've gotten rather out of shape and fallen out of karate.

This book, however, has me on the mend. The stretches are great--very well thought out, safe, and easy to follow. The directions are easy to read, but most of the illustrations alone show you what to do without reading a word (though I do agree with other reviewers, they are a bit cheesey--but if it ain't broke, don't fix it!). I use the stretches to CAREFULLY isolate my injured muscle groups before and after I work out, and I've reduced my pain drastically.

I've stretched for years using the traditional stretches of my dojo that my sensei has shown me. These stretches go way beyond that level. In fact, I intend to give it to my sensei for xmas this year.

Another great feature of this book is the sections in the back for different activities. It has a quick run down of what stretches to do for various sports--karate, running, ball games, stretches in the office while sitting down, whatever suits your fancy.

If you're looking for a book on stretching, look no more. Add this bad boy to your shopping cart and move on. If my injuries were worse, I may not be able to use the stretches, but after seeing physical therapists and a personal trainer, I know enough about my body and my injuries to not push it. For recuperation or just staying fit and flexible and feeling good, this is a great book. When I'm done doing these stretches, I feel like I just mediated...

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Summary: Long time believer
Review: I've used this book to train and help prevent injury with Ski Patrollers, mountain rescue climbers, and even fencers. A "must have" for trainers of kids and active adults, be they, teachers, parents,guides or coaches. Used as quick reference or in preparing a complete program this book provides the necessary information in an easy to understand and well illustrated format. You can't go wrong by adding this to your library.

Rating:
Summary: Feel Better!
Review: This book incorporates the full compendium of fundamental stretching movements that many of us may have forgotten as we pursue the newest class at our gym.

I have had a weak lower back for some years and always search for exercises that help alleviate the pain and stiffness. Bob Anderson's book was perfect for helping me eliminate back pain, as well as speed up muscle recovery through strategic stretching in the evening and morning. I feel sooo much better even after only a few days. I feel that my body has gotten stronger, which is surely the result of muscles that are more flexible and in my own control.

There is no downside with this book-if you do the exercises, you will surely feel more comfortable and stronger. You will not have any negative effects...Buy it!

Rating:
Summary: Best book on stretching. Recommended by Everyone!
Review: This book was given to me and recommended to me about a hundred times over many years, by experts in a variety of fields, including medicine, physical therapy, fitness trainers, etc. It is the best. A must for anyone who is stretching. I also recommend highly EFFORTLESS WELLBEING by Evan Finer as one of the best books on attaining the calm and relaxed body and mind associated with flexibility (of body and mind and...). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED must read materials!!

Rating:
Summary: Easy to use, fun, and very sensible
Review: This book was recommended to me in the early 80's by a yoga instructor, and over the years I've found it immensely helpful. Even today, when the benefits of moderate and regular exercise are well known, too many people still believe that you should "go for the burn" and "no pain, no gain."
Anderson isn't your high school football coach: the exercises he recommends will, if practiced regularly, increase your strength and flexibility without agony or the risk of injury. His stretches are effective on their own, or you can use them to supplement other types of exercise. And they're fun, too: a good stretch, done properly, should be pleasurable rather than painful!
The book itself is very well designed: the text provides just enough explanation, the illustrations are clear, and the large format allows you to keep the book open (and out of your way) while you do the stretches. This is a program you can follow for your whole life -- it's not just for young jocks. Highly recommended.