Introducing Active-Isolated Stretching, the revolutionary yet remarkably simple flexibility program—featuring 59 stretches for over 55 different sports and everyday activities! Whether you’re a serious competitor or weekend warrior, you know that proper stretching before and after your workout can improve your performance, increase your flexibility, help prevent injury, and make you feel better. But did you know that the traditional way of stretching—lock your knees, bounce, hold, hurt, hold longer—actually makes muscles tighter and more prone to injury? There’s a new and better way to stretch: Active-Isolated Stretching. And with The Whartons’ Stretch Book, the method used successfully by scores of professional, amateur, and Olympic athletes is now available to everyone. This groundbreaking technique, developed by researchers, coaches, and trainers, and pioneered by Jim and Phil Wharton, is your new exercise prescription. The routine is simple: First, you prepare to stretch one isolated muscle at a time. Then you actively contract the muscle opposite the isolated muscle, which will then relax in preparation for its stretch. You stretch it gently and quickly—for no more than two seconds—and release it before it goes into its protective contraction. Then you repeat. Simple, but the results are outstanding. The Whartons’ Stretch Book explains it all. Part I contains the Active-Isolated Stretch Catalog, with fully illustrated, easy-to-follow stretches for each of five body zones, from neck and shoulders to trunk, arms, and legs—over fifty stretches in all. Part II offers specific stretching prescriptions for over fifty-five sports and activities, from running, tennis, track, and aerobics to skiing, skating, and swimming. You’ll also find advice on stretching for daily activities such as driving, working at a desk, lifting, and keyboarding. Part III discusses stretching for life, with specific recommendations for expectant mothers and older athletes. It also includes specific stretching exercises that could help you avoid unnecessary surgery. Give Active-Isolated Stretching a try for three weeks. You’ll never go back to your old stretching routines again.

Achieve life-changing results for your body—greater mobility, better functionality, enhanced performance, and less pain—in as little as 9 minutes a day. In Better Stretching, Joe Yoon brings you the tips and techniques he gives world class athletes, and provides you with an entirely new way to think about stretching. You won’t need 90 complicated minutes to get more agile—you’ll just need 9! And your results will improve dramatically—and stay that way—when you incorporate just a touch of mobility and strengthening to your stretches. Joe Yoon shows you how. Better Stretching debunks myths and misconceptions. You’ll discover: · Over 100 wide-ranging stretches, from static to dynamic, including simple stretches you can do while sitting at your desk · Three 30-day plans designed to give you maximum results in a minimum amount of time, each tailor-made for goals that you choose · Stretching, strengthening, and mobility exercises for people at every level – whether you’re a beginner or advanced, a weekend warrior or a competitive athlete, a business executive or a new parent · Muscle-soothing self-massage techniques using simple foam rollers and tennis balls · Over 125 photographs of Joe demonstrating his stretches, so you achieve results beyond what you thought possible

An updated edition of the best-selling guide on the science of effective stretching—with detailed anatomical illustrations and guidance on proper form, sports injury recovery, and more The multiple stresses of contemporary life—whether from excessive sports play, overwork, or overuse of technology—are increasingly taking a toll on the body. Symptoms range from muscle soreness and pain to pinched nerves to potentially more permanent disabilities, including serious body injuries. One safe, quickly productive way to address the problem is through a simple therapy that can be done anywhere, anytime, and without special equipment: stretching. This new edition of Brad Walker’s best-selling book on the subject presents 135 unique stretching exercises designed to help repair the body and make it more flexible, fit, and relaxed. Organized by body part, The Anatomy of Stretching presents stretching exercises in a uniform style accompanied by full-color anatomical illustrations. Equally useful for fitness fans, pro or amateur athletes, coaches and personal trainers, and healthcare practitioners, this new edition contains: • Step-by-step instructions for 20 new stretches • An expanded physiology and anatomy information • A revised numbering system that makes the stretches easier to reference • An expanded appendix with more resources on stretches for athletes and sports injuries Also featuring detailed descriptions of important principles of anatomy and physiology, The Anatomy of Stretching, Second Edition is the ultimate guide to improving flexibility, increasing strength, and relieving pain through stretching.

Barron's Anatomy and 100 Essential Stretching Exercises helps you improve your flexibility, overcome physical ailments, and increase your overall sense of well-being. This comprehensive guide features over 100 stretching exercises to help you improve your range of motion, decrease discomfort, and prevent injuries. Easy-to-understand exercises are clearly illustrated and contain simple, precise instructions for the proper way to stretch every part of your body. This guide includes: Effective exercises for athletes, non-athletes, and those searching for pain relief associated with injuries Step-by-step methods for the most effective exercise routines Anatomical descriptions of the parts of the body and the muscles being worked Photographic representations of each exercise, with detailed illustrations of the primary and secondary muscles Explanatory text that ensures correct techniques and proper safety precautions The numbers of repetitions needed depending on fitness levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and the physiological benefits of each exercise A quick reference guide to the most beneficial stretches for specific ailments, and more

- The book features stretching exercises designed to prevent injury and to promote the healing of specific body parts.- Rush incorporates ideas from many different traditions, including T'ai Chi, Chinese medicine, Aikido, Zen, yoga, and massage.- Rush has pioneered a ingenious new technique called the "Rush Reverse," a simple-to-perform exercise that lengthens muscles.- Widely recognized as an authority on bodywork, Rush is the author of the perennially popular "The Back Rub Book and the illustrator of George Downing's two-million-copy bestseller "The Massage Book.

Discusses the benefits of stretching and describes a program of stretching exercises designed to improve the flexibility of the body and prevent sports injuries

Whether you're an office worker wondering how to stretch that tight spot between your shoulders and neck,a martial artist wanting to do side-splits, a weekend athlete aiming to achieve more whole-body rotation to improve your golf swing or whether you just want to relax your back after housework, Kit Laughlin's bestselling Stretching & Flexibility will make it all possible.Inside you will find effective exercises for all the usual places people want to stretch: hips, hamstrings and legs-apart movements. In addition, there are hand, wrist and forearm exercises, a full range of neck and shoulder exercises and a variety of ankle and feet exercises. There are even exercises to help you spread your toes and strengthen your arches!