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Stretching to Stay Young: Simple Workouts to Keep You Flexible, Energized, and Pain Free
Discover how the practice of stretching can increase your flexibility, strengthen your body, and renew your youth with Stretching to Stay Young.
As we age, our bodies move less and less. And the less we move, the tighter our muscles and joints become. But this isn't our natural state--in fact, our bodies were designed for movement.
Stretching is a gentle, simple activity that anyone can do. Doctors often -prescribe- stretching to patients to alleviate ongoing aches and pains, as well as improve range of motion and flexibility. Those who enjoy an active lifestyle find that regular stretching improves athletic performance and decreases the risk of injury.
Jessica Matthews knows how important stretching is. Her work as a seasoned yoga instructor, exercise physiologist, and graduate-level health educator has impacted thousands of lives, and has made her a leading and trusted expert in the health and fitness industry. In Stretching to Stay Young, Jessica meets you at your current level of stretching ability and guides you step-by-step through each stretch, arming you with the confidence you need to progress into deeper levels of stretching for enhanced flexibility and strength over time.
Stretching to Stay Young is your all-in-one guide to creating a stretching regimen that is tailor fit to your specific needs. In these pages you'll find:
Detailed illustrations that provide visual aids for the correct positioning of your body
Easy-to-understand explanations of the cutting edge research behind each stretch and how it works
-Change it up- tips for modification that allow you to increase or decrease intensity level while stretching
The most current, up-to-date information on the basic how-to's of proper stretching Beginning to end guidance--from preparation to self-customization, Stretching to Stay Young delivers stretching options that consider your current issues and the lifestyle you want to lead
No matter your age or level of activity, Stretching to Stay Young will take the confusion out of starting and put the enjoyment into stretching.
As we age, our bodies move less and less. And the less we move, the tighter our muscles and joints become. But this isn't our natural state--in fact, our bodies were designed for movement.
Stretching is a gentle, simple activity that anyone can do. Doctors often -prescribe- stretching to patients to alleviate ongoing aches and pains, as well as improve range of motion and flexibility. Those who enjoy an active lifestyle find that regular stretching improves athletic performance and decreases the risk of injury.
Jessica Matthews knows how important stretching is. Her work as a seasoned yoga instructor, exercise physiologist, and graduate-level health educator has impacted thousands of lives, and has made her a leading and trusted expert in the health and fitness industry. In Stretching to Stay Young, Jessica meets you at your current level of stretching ability and guides you step-by-step through each stretch, arming you with the confidence you need to progress into deeper levels of stretching for enhanced flexibility and strength over time.
Stretching to Stay Young is your all-in-one guide to creating a stretching regimen that is tailor fit to your specific needs. In these pages you'll find:
Detailed illustrations that provide visual aids for the correct positioning of your body
Easy-to-understand explanations of the cutting edge research behind each stretch and how it works
-Change it up- tips for modification that allow you to increase or decrease intensity level while stretching
The most current, up-to-date information on the basic how-to's of proper stretching Beginning to end guidance--from preparation to self-customization, Stretching to Stay Young delivers stretching options that consider your current issues and the lifestyle you want to lead
No matter your age or level of activity, Stretching to Stay Young will take the confusion out of starting and put the enjoyment into stretching.
210 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2016
1855 people are currently reading
658 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 2, 2022
Utila și practică. Recomand tuturor pentru ceva nou in viața lor .
December 30, 2016
Easy to follow numbered steps describing how to properly perform the stretch, along with information about the benefits of each stretch and the key areas of the body it targets. Clear illustrations. Offers an assortment of stretches and routines. Besides numerous stretches by body part, the book offers stretches based on your activity (ie numerous sports, gardening, shoveling snow), stretches that ease aches and pains. I am currently experiencing back pain and have found stretches targeting the back very helpful. This book would be beneficial to all ages regardless of your physical condition.
July 22, 2020
I'm officially old.
January 22, 2019
When I was a kid I was nearly double-jointed. I could bend my thumbs back to touch my arms with ease. Today I could do the same if I surgically removed the thumbs first. I am, in a word, inflexible.
As this can have negative effects for both runners and those getting older, two groups I am a member of, I picked up Stretching to Stay Young to see if I could return to at least a little flexibility in my body vs. the immovable board it is now.
I can't say how effective the book is as I haven't applied its exercises yet, but I will say that the presentation is thorough, accessible and clear. Jessica Matthews starts with explanations and background on stretching, its benefits, the various muscle groups and so on. She moves on to instructions for a multitude of stretching exercises, each accompanied by a clear color illustration of how to do it. They look simple, even fun.
The bulk of the book then covers sets of stretches tied to recovering from or preparing for specific activities, everything from walking, running and cycling, to sitting for hours in an office chair, talking on a phone and more. She further includes sets for conditions like sore shoulders, necks and more, ending with tips on customizing your workouts.
After reading, I unrolled my exercise mat, recently found buried behind some junk I got rid of, and tried a few simple exercises. Imagine taking a log and laying it down on its side, then asking it to stretch. I am that log. But Matthews addresses this, regularly advising the reader throughout the book to never push to the point of pain, to take it slow, and to allow time for results to appear (she has a chapter devoted to debunking myths, including the old "no pain, no gain.")
For anyone looking to incorporate stretching into their daily or weekly routine, this guide provides everything you need in a stylish, straightforward format. Recommended.
As this can have negative effects for both runners and those getting older, two groups I am a member of, I picked up Stretching to Stay Young to see if I could return to at least a little flexibility in my body vs. the immovable board it is now.
I can't say how effective the book is as I haven't applied its exercises yet, but I will say that the presentation is thorough, accessible and clear. Jessica Matthews starts with explanations and background on stretching, its benefits, the various muscle groups and so on. She moves on to instructions for a multitude of stretching exercises, each accompanied by a clear color illustration of how to do it. They look simple, even fun.
The bulk of the book then covers sets of stretches tied to recovering from or preparing for specific activities, everything from walking, running and cycling, to sitting for hours in an office chair, talking on a phone and more. She further includes sets for conditions like sore shoulders, necks and more, ending with tips on customizing your workouts.
After reading, I unrolled my exercise mat, recently found buried behind some junk I got rid of, and tried a few simple exercises. Imagine taking a log and laying it down on its side, then asking it to stretch. I am that log. But Matthews addresses this, regularly advising the reader throughout the book to never push to the point of pain, to take it slow, and to allow time for results to appear (she has a chapter devoted to debunking myths, including the old "no pain, no gain.")
For anyone looking to incorporate stretching into their daily or weekly routine, this guide provides everything you need in a stylish, straightforward format. Recommended.
March 15, 2021
This book is great! The stretches are clear and tell you what you are accomplishing with the stretch. They are easy to understand and do. Excellent instructions and pictures. I’m grateful I got this resource and have begun incorporating it in my daily life. Score! :)
May 15, 2018
Downloaded on Kindle Unlimited. Great book about stretching. It is set up by area of the body and all the explanations are clear and come with drawings of the stretch that are easy to follow and understand. The end of the book has series of stretches recommended for different purposes ex. after work, before bed, for hiking, for tennis, during watching TV. Wonderful resource.
July 5, 2021
Cannot complain here. It delivered the basics of what I consider a stretching program for all types of people. There are individual exercises (stretches) that you may perform, but there are later some combined examples for different classes of people, all depending on your lifestyle choices. For example, you may be a golfer, there is a stretching regime just for you in this book. Of course, there’s a stretch sequence for the American worker, or just someone who stands all day in performing labor.
The graphics showing the static and dynamic stretches are excellent. They show which direction your body should be moving, what to imitate and uses written communication to get you back on track if you cannot follow the pictures. The written part is first, step by step, but the graphics show much of what you need to get started. It really is self explanatory.
Additionally, you receive stretches that can be performed with foam rollers. This technique is more newer but I’ve seen it used in gyms all the time. I also see people using balls of foam trying to work their lats and loosen the body up.
This book will get you started. You want more, just crank open YouTube. You can find better material there, really. But what’s great here is that you read, see and then perform. It sticks to your brain. You learn how to do it, and better yet if someone needs help you will know what they need, what the exercise is called, and be able to explain to them why it works.
Again, I think this is the basics. However, the fundamentals are always critical. I recommend this book. I think it’s great, especially with the illustrations, explanations, and the introduction as to why stretching is important.
By the way, I just got into stretching after reading David Goggins book and realizes that he had problems for many years. If you workout and use your body continuously I recommend that you start stretching. Really, the years of damage from hardened muscles and ligaments is astonishing if you don’t keep up with it.
The graphics showing the static and dynamic stretches are excellent. They show which direction your body should be moving, what to imitate and uses written communication to get you back on track if you cannot follow the pictures. The written part is first, step by step, but the graphics show much of what you need to get started. It really is self explanatory.
Additionally, you receive stretches that can be performed with foam rollers. This technique is more newer but I’ve seen it used in gyms all the time. I also see people using balls of foam trying to work their lats and loosen the body up.
This book will get you started. You want more, just crank open YouTube. You can find better material there, really. But what’s great here is that you read, see and then perform. It sticks to your brain. You learn how to do it, and better yet if someone needs help you will know what they need, what the exercise is called, and be able to explain to them why it works.
Again, I think this is the basics. However, the fundamentals are always critical. I recommend this book. I think it’s great, especially with the illustrations, explanations, and the introduction as to why stretching is important.
By the way, I just got into stretching after reading David Goggins book and realizes that he had problems for many years. If you workout and use your body continuously I recommend that you start stretching. Really, the years of damage from hardened muscles and ligaments is astonishing if you don’t keep up with it.
July 29, 2022
This is a pretty thorough all-in-one book on stretching for those of us of a "certain age". It starts out with exercises for various parts of the body, telling you why you might need to stretch those areas. The illustrations help quite a bit to amplify the directions. Then it tells you how to combine stretches based on certain activities (for walking, for running, for golfing, etc.). And finally it tells you how to create your own routine. Having purchased it on Kindle, there's an added benefit that in the combination workouts, there are hot links back to the descriptions of the individual stretches. I think this could be very beneficial for me. Now I just have to make myself actually do it!
February 28, 2021
Easy to follow guide to stretching for increased flexibility. I liked the way the author explained each stretch, which body part it helped, and what type of activity would benefit from the stretch. Instructions were clear, with simple recommendations on how to make the stretch easier or harder. Illustrations were well done, with the specific body part highlighted and a note for maintaining the correct form. Overall excellent book whether you are new to stretching or looking for ways to enhance your flexibility, or counteract some of the impact of age, lifestyle or sport. I read this as part of my free Kindle app, but plan to purchase and own this book.
May 28, 2019
I leafed through this book to see if it could be helpful to set up my own workouts. The verdict is yes. Together with the book "Yoga for Beginners", wikiHow, a dozen or so YouTube videos and some help from my physiotherapist I can now create my own routines. What I was looking for in this book was helpful descriptions of exercises, clear drawings of the exercises and explanations when to do this exercise, what they are good for and which muscles are used.
I got this as part of the "Work it out" HumbleBundle
I got this as part of the "Work it out" HumbleBundle
August 20, 2024
Well formatted and explained! Usually hate reading something a mundane as "this is good for you because...." but this author kept it short and simple and love that she formed simple workouts at the back for specific activities!
Just wish there was a tad more step by step instructions for a few of the more complex stretches. Wasn't sure I was doing them right 😅
Would purchase this tho so help remind me which to do before and after activities 😊
Just wish there was a tad more step by step instructions for a few of the more complex stretches. Wasn't sure I was doing them right 😅
Would purchase this tho so help remind me which to do before and after activities 😊
August 29, 2019
Overall, this is a great beginner/intermediate book for stretching. It goes over a variety of single stretches, and then builds on them to show complete stretching workouts. This gives you everything you need to continue on your own with stretching before and after exercise, I really recommend it and plan to use it as a reference book for many years.
May 2, 2020
Instructive and need specific
Lots of information on flexibility out there but here’s a guide to get you started. Routines for different activities and problems. A good place to start building your flexibility habit unless your problem areas could use the help of a physical therapist.
Lots of information on flexibility out there but here’s a guide to get you started. Routines for different activities and problems. A good place to start building your flexibility habit unless your problem areas could use the help of a physical therapist.
September 2, 2017
Useful explanations, well illustrated. Has routines for various body parts and for various activities. Illustrates many of the physical therapy exercises that I have been assigned over time. Great reference -- adding it to my tablet so I can use it when I work out.
June 25, 2020
A good, more "modern" book on stretching with work outs and good explanations. I'm not so sure the "stay young" part is particularly highlighted but, if one stays flexible, you're definitely going to feel younger! :)
July 8, 2020
Just what I needed! I needed an explanation for what an exercise could do for me.
I had also hoped against hope to also find easy to follow routines. The stretching routines have already been a tremendous help to me.
I had also hoped against hope to also find easy to follow routines. The stretching routines have already been a tremendous help to me.
August 7, 2020
Great little book
I knew I needed to stretch and was engaging in a daily stretching routine but this has given me a better understanding of what it does and how as well as the why. Great information and some plans to follow.
I knew I needed to stretch and was engaging in a daily stretching routine but this has given me a better understanding of what it does and how as well as the why. Great information and some plans to follow.
May 29, 2021
A really interesting insight into the world of stretching, which helped me realise how important stretching is for a good life! I have incorporated a few routines in my life and it's helped my muscles tremendously!
January 27, 2017
Easy to follow
A great collection of stretches with easy to follow instructions and drawings. Nothing too difficult for most people to follow.
A great collection of stretches with easy to follow instructions and drawings. Nothing too difficult for most people to follow.
February 19, 2018
Enjoyed it
Good read and illustrations. Covered a wide range of health topics.
the book is easy to understand and follow the illustrated instructions.
Good read and illustrations. Covered a wide range of health topics.
the book is easy to understand and follow the illustrated instructions.
July 9, 2018
Great book with concise directions and clear illustrations. I borrowed this from the library but am seriously considering purchasing it. A great reference.
July 18, 2018
Useful
Practical, straightforward advice to incorporate in my daily routine, specially the section to ease the pain.
Highly recommended for anyone who have a desk job
Practical, straightforward advice to incorporate in my daily routine, specially the section to ease the pain.
Highly recommended for anyone who have a desk job
January 2, 2019
This book was free. I needed more ideas for stretches & it has some good ones. You can probably find the same things onine, but this is pretty convenient.
January 15, 2019
A small handbook which will help you to understand the basics of stretching exercises.
I've found a few really useful workouts for my daily routine, so will you, I guess.
I've found a few really useful workouts for my daily routine, so will you, I guess.
January 17, 2019
Very basic
I always been into fitness so I can learn a little from this book to add onto what I know now.... Breaks down alot of the simplest exercises...
I always been into fitness so I can learn a little from this book to add onto what I know now.... Breaks down alot of the simplest exercises...
March 20, 2019
Simple, informative guide to basic stretching guidelines.
July 7, 2019
613.7182
Very clear instructions and good drawings. Simple routines yet they make a big difference.
Very clear instructions and good drawings. Simple routines yet they make a big difference.
November 22, 2019
Great stretching and informational book.
November 27, 2020
Excellent
Very helpful for choosing routines. Great resource for implementing lifestyle change. Info on what kinds of stretches to do for different exercises and health conditions
Very helpful for choosing routines. Great resource for implementing lifestyle change. Info on what kinds of stretches to do for different exercises and health conditions
January 18, 2021
Nice, simple to follow stretches, that are yoga inspired.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews