Product Description

The Complete Guide to Stretching is the definitive practical handbook for: - sports participants and recreational exercisers who are keen to achieve a level of flexibility that will enhance their performance - sports coaches and fitness instructors who are seeking a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of this often neglected component of physical fitness - sport and exercise therapists who could use stretching as an important part of a balanced rehabilitation programme A reasonable level of flexibility is essential to the healthy functioning of joints and muscles, which in turn facilitates performance and reduces the risk of injury. The Complete Guide to Stretching provides an accessible overview of the scientific principles that underpin this form of training and offers more than 70 exercises designed to safely increase range of motion right across the body. This new edition is in full colour, with brand new photographs demonstrating the stretches throughout.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #40206 in Books
• Published on: 2007-12-17
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
'this is a definitive guide for keen sportspeople and recreational exercisers alike.' Health & Fitness magazine (December 2007)

Cheshire Life
'I fyou ever though stretching was a simple matter of arms in the air and toes wiggling. Christopher Norris begs to differ. The author, who runs physiotherapy practices in Sale and Conleton. It is aimed at sports people and others who enjoy exercise who are keen to achieve a level pof flexibility to enhance their performance.'

About the Author
Christopher M. Norris is a Chartered Physiotherapist, sports scientist, highly successful author and established lecturer and consultant. He has over twenty years experience in treating soft tissue injuries, and specialises in sport injuries and exercise therapy.

Customer Reviews

A good, scientifically presented, guide to stretching.
This is a good book if you're interested in what stretching is all about. If you just want to know what stretches to do, half the book will be useless to you. If, however, you want a deeper knowledge of what stretching can achieve and how it will achieve it, this is the book for you. The only reason I didn't give it 5 crowns is because it doesn't suggest programmes. It presents you with the stretches, but then leaves it up to you which ones to do.

I'd say if you can handle technical information, get it, otherwise, don't.

Pretty good if you're a pro but not for casual sports people
This book tries to be two different books. The first part is how muscles work, how forces interact with muscles, bones and joints. There's an interesting chapter on posture and stretching nerves (didn't know you could do that!) Basically the first 80 or so pages are biology and science.

The second part is the actual exercises. There lots to look at but they are technically termed such as "trunk lateral shift" and "lateral flexion (with overpressure)". They are nicely illustrated but do not indicate what is being stretched.

I have given this 3 stars because it is not really what i was looking for. I'm a casual gym user and cyclist commuter so i don't need to know the science. On the other hand, if you're an instructor, professional or lecturer then this book will probably be very good for you (5 stars).

If you want something for the casual user in simple terms, check out "Stretching" by Bob Anderson.

Love this book!
This book is a personal treasure and the last reviewer was right, its not just a book with stretches in, it has theory to it too!! Its really just a great book, if like me you would like to understand why youre doing certain stretches then this is the book to get.

I dont like buying books that just take advantage of your impulse "to get into something healthy" at the start of the new year. So this book is really a breath of fresh air. It has pages and pages worth of basic/intermediate and advanced stretches. As well as theory to explain why they are essential to everyones wellbeing. If you want to buy a book on stretchig, get this one! It will be the only one you need!