The Great Stretch Tubing Handbook Review

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(More customer reviews)I found out about this handbook from my aerobic instructor. We use the stretch tubing with most of the classes. I immediately searched at Borders bookstore. Couldn't find it. Went online and found and ordered it from Amazon.com. I ordered one for me (a gym junkie who needs a stretch tubing routine for rainy days) and for a friend who works out at home with his home gym. We both agree that the handbook is very useful.
The Great Stretch Tubing Handbook includes exercises that work each part of the body. If you want to maintain a toned figure the handbook is for you. It is not to be used for heavy "stretching".
First there are a dozen stretches listed and displayed by a model. Then the exercises for: chest, shoulders, rotator cuff, back, biceps, triceps, forearms, core, and legs.
The only equipment you will need is stretch tubing (or bands). The handbook explains how to make and use your door attachment.
Each exercise (and stretch) is demonstrated by a model. You don't have to guess about how the movement is executed.
Also, for those body-conscious folks, each exercise explains EXACTLY which muscles you'll work. Example: For the downward chest crossover: muscles worked = anterior deltoid, pectoralis major.
pros:
=low price
=great photos
=small enough to pack in a gym bag
=easy to follow step by step instructions
=general and specific descriptions of muscle groups being worked
cons:
=lots of instructions (for a newbie)
=too small for someone trying to follow along (posters are available)

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Strength Band Training - 2nd Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a big fan of strength band training and I find this new book to be the best there is for those who need to know all there is about elastic resistance training (ERT).
Here are the contents of the book:
Part I: Basics of Elastic Resistance Training
Chapter 1: Strength Training With Elastic Resistance
Chapter 2: Stretching Exercises
Part II: Elastic Resistance Training for Stability, Strength, and Power
Chapter 3: Joint Isolation Exercises
Chapter 4: Chest, Upper Back, and Shoulder Exercises
Chapter 5: Abdominal, Core, and Low Back Exercises
Chapter 6: Hip, Thigh, and Lower-Body Exercises
Chapter 7: Total-Body Exercises
Chapter 8: Power, Speed, and Agility Exercises
Part III: Programming
Chapter 9: Functional Fitness Training Programs
Chapter 10: Programs for Rotational Sports
Chapter 11: Programs for Strength and Power Sports
Chapter 12: Programs for Endurance Sports
The first section introduces the reader to ERT. It also compares it to free weights and machines. It gives you the pros and cons of each.
I like ERT for lots of reasons. One is it's safer in most cases than other forms of resistance training. You don't need a spotter and the chances of injury are far less. Moreover, I get every bit as good a workout as with weights.
The photos are black and white but they're large and they show you exactly how to do each exercise. There is also an explanation of the exercise. You can see the muscle or muscles that are worked. There are over 150 exercises for strength, power and stability in the book.
Exercises using both the Dyna band and rubber tubing are shown. In general the authors suggest you use tubing for the upper body and the bands for the lower body. I find that to be best in my own workout routine.
The authors suggest when you want to build muscle and power you use heavier resistance and when you want to lose weight you use lighter resistance and more reps.
Each page shows you an exercise and tells you what muscles it works. Then you get brief instructions, a variation and training tips. Then the photos showing the exercise. I find the layout excellent and I love the training tips.
I wish the book was spiral bound so you could lay it on the floor or a table when you work out. I also wish it had an index so you could quickly find certain exercises.
Strength band training will give you power and endurance. It will help you function in your daily life and also in any sports in which you participate.
You can incorporate strength band training with your other training or use it alone. But if you use strength bands, you need this book.
Highly recommended.
-- Susanna K. Hutcheson

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