Strength Band Training
by Phil Page, Todd Ellenbecker
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Book Reviews of Strength Band Training
Book Review: good idea, poor execution
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this book hoping it would serve as a one-stop resource for dozens of strength band exercise ideas. That is, afterall, what this book attempts to be. However, I quickly found that this book falls far short of that mark.
On the positive side:
1) lots of exercises
2) generally well-organized by body part
On the negative side:
1) Their picture of "proper" athletic posture is seriously flawed. The guy's head is jutted forward, his abdominals aren't contracted, and his shoulders are rounded, among other things.
2) Photos are limited to 2 shots per exercise - the 2nd shot usually shows a variation of the first. While I was glad they showed the variations, this book would have been far clearer and more useful if they'd included at least enough pictures to show each exercise's 'start' and 'finish' positions.
3) I have to agree with the reviewer from Portland Oregon - the models in the exercise photos look bored to tears most of the time. I'm not advocating cheesy grins, but since these types of exercises are usually more effective if one (the exerciser) focuses on the specific muscles you're using, it'd be nice if this book showed models who at least look like they're actually doing the exercises - not just assuming a certain position and sleeping with eyes open until told to do something else.
4) As another reviewer mentioned, very few (if any) of the exercise pics show how one might attach the strength band to doors, table legs, or other attachment points the typical "at home" exerciser is likely to have available. In most cases, it matters significantly how high you attach your band, the angle of resistance you create, etc.
In summary, I will be returning this book. If the negatives I listed above are important to you, a far better book selection for you to consider would be "Therapeutic Exercises Using Resistive Bands" by Caroline Corning Creager. Although that book's title specifies "therapeutic" exercises, what you'll find inside is actually much broader in scope. It includes 275 exercises (pictures depict 'start' & 'end' positions :) ) plus a whole lot more.
Book Review: More than one hundred physical exercises
Summary: 5 Stars
Strength Band Training is co-authored by sports and orthopedic physical therapist Phillip Page (Manager of Clinical education and research for Thera-Band Products) and licensed physical therapist Todd Ellenbecker (Clinic Director at the Physiotherapy Associates Scottsdale Sport Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, and who draws upon his 18 years of professional experience as a sports clinical specialist and an orthopedic clinical specialist) and offer health and enthusiasts more than one hundred physical exercises employing resistive bands and tubing. Resistance bands and tubing allows fitness training in minimal time, at very little cost, and can be practiced in virtually any setting, on the road or at home. Individual chapters cover "Strength Training with Elastic Resistance"; "Shoulders and Arms"; "Chest and Upper Back"; Abs and Lower Back"; Hips and Thighs"; Lower Legs and Ankles"; "Combination and Circuit Training"; Power, Agility, and Speed Exercises" "Stretching Exercises"; Functional Training Programs"; and "Training on the Road". Enhanced with a bibliography for further reading, Strength Band Training is highly recommended reading, especially for fitness enthusiasts, professional athletes, fitness trainers and professionals, physical therapists, and non-specialist general readers seeking an inexpensive, versatile, and mobile training regime for their own personal health and physical well-being.
Book Review: Good start
Summary: 3 Stars
This book includes a very complete collection of theraband exercises for all body parts. It does have photos but the photos are only in one position-wish there was a start position and and end position. They are all isolated exrecises so if you are wanting a routine you have to figure that out on your own. For those who are looking for a more structured/instructive start it would be nice to have a suggested full body work out for beginners/intermediate/advanced as a base to start from which is missing in this book. Good resource especially for those who are familiar with working with the band or want to work a specific muscle group.Book Review: Great Practical Tips
Summary: 5 Stars
Elastic Resistance therapy has long been a tool for a therapist in rehabilitation without a solid knowledge base to support its use. Page and Ellenbecker have done an outstanding job at providing not only a synthesis of research in this area but they have also provided great practical tips. It is a great balance between research synthesis and practical application. I highly recommend this resource if you utilize elastic resistance in your therapy.Book Review: A great resource for the clinic library
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a great adjunct to any clinical library. It has creative and thoughtful activities for theraband activity that may benefit your patient population. The pictures are easily understandable and easy to reproduce. The authors did a great job putting this book out to fill a void in resistance band training and rehabilitation.