Stretching Anatomy
by Arnold G. Nelson, Jouko Kokkonen
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Book Reviews of Stretching Anatomy
Book Review: Stretching, flexibility, anatomy of muscles, muscle review, muscle actions.
Summary: 5 Stars
Stretching Anatomy has lovely color illustrations of men and women performing the different stretches. The chapters are uncomplicated and it is easy to quickly reference all of the muscles and their actions. I really like the chapters on Arms, wrists and hands and also knees and thighs. Every illustrated stretch has a box beneath with a detailed color picture of the anatomy, all muscles are labeled clearly. You can quickly sort out any confusion you may have between similar sounding muscles. I get my Teres Major and minor muscles mixed up for example or my Flexor carpi radialis brevis and longus. A quick look in this book will set you straight in a short space of time.
Generally 2 pages are dedicated to each stretch, one page has the illustrations the other page has three short paragraphs, no more than several lines in each paragraph though. "Technique", "Muscles stretched" (most stretched and least stretched), and "Commentary" which gives you modifications, variations and various tips on deepening the stretch. The information is very brief. If you need more detail on muscles involved, or origins and insertions, this is not the book for you, explanations are limited to muscle action and pictures.
This is a very nice, simple and uncomplicated book, if you want a little more detail I would suggest spending around $5 more and getting "The anatomy of stretching" by Brad Walker (very similar titles)or at least review both books before buying to see which suits you best.
At the end of each chapter of "Stretching Anatomy" all muscles are listed down the left side of the page and the actions across the top of the page. Ticks symbols show the action of each muscle. This book is a useful tool for anyone reviewing muscles for their anatomy exams, massage therapists, fitness instructors, physiotherapists who are just starting out etc. The stretches shown for arms and wrists are my favorite. Whether you are a yoga instructor looking for a few new ways to warm up your students before their Asana practice (a good deal of the stretches shown remind me of yoga poses such as Janu Sirsasana, Baddah konasana, paschimottanasana, or you are a massage therapist educating your clients on self care, or an athlete looking for information on increasing flexibility this 143 page book is very handy as a reference book or as a guide to design your own stretching sequences.
Book Review: Excellent, clear and helpful manual
Summary: 5 Stars
I checked this out at the library on the advice of some bellydancing friends, and I found it so handy I made sure to order my own copy.
It's wonderfully clear and concise: No treatises on theory, just brief descriptions of what the various muscle sets do, and the excellent, large, totally clear and well-labeled diagrams of every stretch (and then later of the various muscle sets at rest).
It makes it ridiculously easy to understand what's happening when I stretch or dance, and also to identify the aches and pains I sometimes get as an active person.
Each section handles a different part of the body i.e. neck, hips, knees and thighs, arms, wrists, so the stretches are easy to find -- you don't have to remember the names of the muscles you want to stretch, just flip through the appropriate section. Each stretch lists which muscles it acts primarily and secondarily upon. Each stretch has any appropriate warnings or other notes, such as positions to enhance the stretch or make it easier for your limitations.
In no part of the book are the stretches limited to contortionist's poses or advanced yoga-type positions. Stretches are offered on the most basic level for every body part as well as more advanced options. You're sure to find a simple, accessible stretch for any muscle group.
Book Review: Buy this one
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a martial arts teacher for 42 years and have authored over 20 books on the subject. So I know a little about stretching. Stretching Anatomy is a wonderful guide that is concise, yet somehow amazingly complete.
The book isn't written for one particular sport, but the savvy reader will quickly see how the many easy-to-do stretches (and a couple hard ones) will improve their performance within weeks.
Each clearly demonstrated exercise includes simple how-to-do instruction, when to do it, and which primary and secondary muscles are being stretched. The book provides three levels of difficulty, including light movements to warm-up and to help you recovery quickly from an injury or post workout soreness.
A real plus are the anatomy chart-like illustrations that show via colored shading which muscles are being affected by the stretch.
This is an excellent book that I recommend to my students.
Loren W. Christensen author of Fighter's Fact Book 2.
Book Review: Pretty Good, Instructions Need To Be Clearer
Summary: 3 Stars
Art work is good,in showing you the muscles. That's well done.
BUT they don't tell you in layman's terms what the stretches are meant to help. So you better know some anatomy. Would have been really helpful if they'd said the anatomical name and then "Shin" or "outside of ankle", for example.
Plus the instructions, like where to place your hands on a doorway, aren't shown and the written description just isn't that clear and I've been to PT myself.
What is good is they do a lot of detailed foot stretches which a lot of books don't cover. I think if you've had some stretching instruction or P.T. already, this would be helpful addition to your stretching library. Kind of a more advance version of STRETCHING FOR FITNESS HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE by by Oswald and Bocso.
Book Review: STRETCHING ANATOMY=EXCELLENT!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Loren W Christensen (1st review) gave an excellent review of this book. The only thing I wasn't happy about was the fact that layman's terms were not used. The pictures are VERY CLEAR as to what muscles are being worked/stretched, but when I'm at the gym, I can't talk about the muscles being worked, because I can't remember the technical/professional terms that are used in the book. This is my only complaint, because this book is an excellent resourse for anyone wanting to warm up and/or doing stretching exercises to enhance their mobility.