Stronger Abs and Back

by Dean Brittenham, Greg Brittenham

Ancient Greek and Chinese leaders have stressed it for centuries, but only in the past decade have fitness and sports conditioning experts emphasized the development of abdominal and back muscles. Now we have the science to support the argument that the body's stability and power comes from its center. Stronger Abs and Back shows how to develop the body's core musculature for maximum fitness and athletic performance. Strong abdominal and torso muscles will enhance physical appearance and mobility as well as contribute to the prevention of low back pain--the most common physical ailment in the industrialized world. Because of its extensive benefits, Stronger Abs and Back applies to a broad office workers who stiffen up while sitting at a desk all week; weekend warriors who play 36 holes on a free day at the course; serious athletes who want the utmost power to perform closer to their potential; and coaches who develop training programs with the best and most comprehensive fitness level of their athletes in mind. The book features 165 exercises for developing flexibility, strength, and power. It also shows how to select and sequence these exercises in a 24-week sample program for abs and back development.

Genres: Reference, Fitness

248 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

Reviews

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endurance requires a strong core. I can testify by recalling the worst muscle cramping EVER during a half-iron distance triathlon. My abs locked so tight that all I could do was lay down in the road and cry. This book has something like 165 exercises that you can do solo, with minimal equipment (e.g., an exercise ball), or at the gym. You won’t feed your soul reading the nearly technical writing, but you’ll sure strengthen its container. About a third of the book covers the rationale behind building a strong core, guidelines on training, and warming up/cooling down. The rest covers exercises for stability, fitness, strength, and power. You got your advanced squirm, the midpulley lumbar rotation, and the hanging pike. There’s the unilateral superman, double-leg bent-knee jackknives and Russian twists. Like Velo Press, I am drawn to almost everything Human Kinetics publishes, be it on soccer technique, pilates anatomy or open water swimming and this awesomeness in a manual is no exception.

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first purchased this book in 2004 and enjoyed using it to help with back problems that I had after a minor injury. Eleven years later I still recommend it to friends seeking to strengthen their core.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

if I spent less time reading and more time exercising I would HAVE stronger abs and back

[Earl Aguilera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid reference for fitness enthusiasts looking for core strength. My only complaint is that it may feel a bit dated for contemporary readers.