Ultimate Flexibility- A Complete Guide to Stretching for Martial Arts Description:

Ultimate Flexibility: A Complete Guide to Stretching for Martial Arts review:
5 stars (Excellent book) - Ultimate flexibility is an excellent book for those who practice the martial arts, regardless of their current flexibility level. It's even great for those who don't. My wife (who doesn't practice martial arts) joins me for flexibility exercises and enjoys the workout quite a bit.



The book is divided to 3 main categories.



The first chapters deal with the scientific background. What are the mechanisms behind flexibility; what can be improved; what are the limitations; and what are the potential hazards for the un-educated, practicing flexibility. It details the major muscle groups and explains the benefit of having each flexible. It has good suggestions in terms of keeping workout logs and setting goals.



The second part has actual flexibility exercises, all clearly explained along with a photo for each. Some exercises are presented with a few alternatives-- easier versions and harder versions.



The third and last part suggests flexibility workouts. That is, what a workout should include depending on your background and goals.



Ultimate Flexibility has helped my flexibility tremendously. It's educational, clear and concise and most importantly, motivating. I now look forward for some time off so I can go out and practice some flexibility.



Bravo.



- Petel
5 stars (My teacher snagged it.......................) - I got about 45 minutes to look it over, took it to class with me. My teacher snagged it, haven't seen it since! I think I'm being tortured with stuff out of the book because it's all new......LOL



Great book, lots of pictures with good explanations of what is being accomplished with each exercise.
5 stars (Good for All Sports) - The book could just be called "Ultimate Flexibility" without the reference to martial arts in the title.



I bought the book as a novice in martial arts, but this is a good, general guide to stretching, period. For us martial artists it has the bonus of letting us know which stretches help for higher kicks and deeper splits, but for those who aren't into this particular sport, it is still a great general guide for incresing flexibility.



I really think of it as two books. The first chapters cover the how and why of stretching, and I find these make good reading material when just relaxing and reading something interesting. The back chapters are the actual stretches and are the "instruction manual" that you keep handy as you work out or develop your own stretching routine.