Product Description

Now in its third edition, Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning is the most comprehensive reference available for strength and conditioning professionals. In this text, 30 expert contributors explore the scientific principles, concepts, and theories of strength training and conditioning as well as their applications to athletic performance. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning is the most-preferred preparation text for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam. The research-based approach, extensive exercise technique section, and unbeatable accuracy of Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning make it the text readers have come to rely on for CSCS exam preparation. The third edition presents the most current strength training and conditioning research and applications in a logical format designed for increased retention of key concepts. The text is organized into five sections. The first three sections provide a theoretical framework for application in section 4, the program design portion of the book. The final section offers practical strategies for administration and management of strength and conditioning facilities. Section 1 (chapters 1 through 10) presents key topics and current research in exercise physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, biomechanics, endocrinology, sport nutrition, and sport psychology and discusses applications for the design of safe and effective strength and conditioning programs. Section 2 (chapters 11 and 12) discusses testing and evaluation, including the principles of test selection and administration as well as the scoring and interpretation of results. Section 3 (chapters 13 and 14) provides techniques for warm-up, stretching, and resistance training exercises. For each exercise, accompanying photos and instructions guide readers in the correct execution and teaching of stretching and resistance training exercises. This section also includes a set of eight new dynamic stretching exercises. Section 4 examines the design of strength training and conditioning programs. The information is divided into three parts: anaerobic exercise prescription (chapters 15 through 17), aerobic endurance exercise prescription (chapter 18), and periodization and rehabilitation (chapters 19 and 20). Step-by-step guidelines for designing resistance, plyometric, speed, agility, and aerobic endurance training programs are shared. Section 4 also includes detailed descriptions of how principles of program design and periodization can be applied to athletes of various sports and experience levels. Within the text, special sidebars illustrate how program design variables can be applied to help athletes attain specific training goals. Section 5 (chapters 21 and 22) addresses organization and administration concerns of the strength training and conditioning facility manager, including facility design, scheduling, policies and procedures, maintenance, and risk management. Chapter objectives, key points, key terms, and self-study questions provide a structure to help readers organize and conceptualize the information. Unique application sidebars demonstrate how scientific facts can be translated into principles that assist athletes in their strength training and conditioning goals. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning also offers new lecture preparation materials. A product specific Web site includes new student lab activities that instructors can assign to students. Students can visit this Web site to print the forms and charts for completing lab activities, or they can complete the activities electronically and email their results to the instructor. The instructor guide provides a course description and schedule, chapter objectives and outlines, chapter-specific Web sites and additional resources, definitions of primary k

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19290 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 656 pages

David Pearson, PhD, CSCS*D - Board of Directors, National Strength and Conditioning Association
“This second edition is outstanding- a must read and reference for anyone in the field of strength and conditioning...”

Anthony A. Abbott, Ed.D., CSCS *D, NSCA-CPT, *D - President, Fitness Institute International
“The ’Essentials’ text reflects the most comprehensive and up-to-date review of Strength and Conditioning information available to the public.”

About the Author
Thomas R. Baechle, EdD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, is chair of the exercise science and athletic training department at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. In his career covering more than 35 years as a fitness professional and academician, Baechle has earned numerous certifications and awards, taught at various universities, held a variety of professional and civic offices, and volunteered for many national and international associations and organizations related to fitness and personal health. Baechle is widely published and lectures frequently. His recent honors include receiving the Outstanding Writing Achievement Award from Human Kinetics in 2007, Merit for Excellence in Education and Development of Professional Standards from the International Fitness Institute in 2006, the Distinguished Faculty Service Award from Creighton University in 2002, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the NSCA in 1998. Baechle makes his home with his wife, Susan, in Omaha. Roger W. Earle, MA, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, earned his master's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in exercise science. He is the associate executive director for National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certification, where he is responsible for developing the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) certification exams. Previously Earle served as the head strength and conditioning coach and a faculty member of the exercise science and athletic training department at Creighton University in Omaha. Earle has over 20 years of experience as a personal fitness trainer for people of all age and fitness levels, and he frequently gives lectures at national and international conferences about designing personalized exercise and training programs. He coauthored the first and second editions of Fitness Weight Training and coedited both the NSCA s Essentials of Personal Training and the first and second editions of Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning.

Customer Reviews

The best strength training text written
As a Track and field coach with regional responabilities in the United Kingdom I am constantly scouring literature to gain a better understanding of the theories of strength training and conditioning in general. I have found, without doubt, the best single reference for strength training in this book.

The contributors to the book are all clearly not only academicly qualified to speak upon the subject but also have many years of practical experience to add weight to their thoughts. The book covers all aspects of conditioning from physiology through training aspects including weight lifting, spotting techniques, plyometrics, planning and nutrition amongst many others.

My only criticism of the text would be that those not versed in physiology to a quite high level may find the text quite difficult. It is also easier for some concepts to be understood if you have a degree of practical experience. But these are minor complaints.

I would reccomend this book to any coach or strength professional who wishes to increase their knowledge. In fact any athletic professional that wishes to provide the best service to their charges should purchase and read this outstanding text.

This is the Bible of physical conditioning
This book is a must have for anyone serious about improving their athletic performance. Filled with no-nonsense information for everything from strength training to aerobic conditioning to nutrition to biomechanics. This book is very technical and the information is very daunting. You must have a background in exercise science or sports medicine to fully comprehend everything. A big drawback to the book is the descriptions of exercise technique. The illustrations are sloppy and there are some outdated exercises featured that could be potentially dangerous to many athletes. This book is only five years old but the exercise science field changes fast and an updated version would probably make this book five stars.

Perhaps the most informative strength and conditioning book
A truly great resource for anyone in the fitness industry.

The only book that is needed for anyone wishing to obtain the CSCS status.
Crammed to the hilt with the latest Sports Science research, this serves as a useful and insightful forey.

It has 26 chapters which cover every aspect essential to the industry. A grounding in Sport and / or Exercise Science is needed to digest the information effectively, as it is dense in facts and statistics.

The useful format allows students to learn key aspects of each chapter and test themselves at the end of each subject with sample exam questions. Also there are many diagrams too, to grasp greater understanding. It is in my opinion that if you study the book with determination, every aspect, then you will be ready National Strength and Conditioning Associations exams.

This does take considerable time and effort though; and it doesn't mean that the exams (Said to be the hardest in the industry), will be made easy. It took me 3 attempts to finally pass their exams and become certified. But I finally got there and wouldn't change a thing. the main reason for this is that I just learned SO much along the way.

Interesting note, ALL of the exam questions change on EVERY re-take; otherwise the NSCA allow you to sue them. How stringent is that?

Martin Sorenson CSCS