Stronger Abs and Back: 165 Exercises to Build Your Center of Power
by Dean Brittenham, Greg Brittenham
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Book Summary Information
Author: Dean Brittenham, Greg BrittenhamEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1997-03
ISBN: 0880115580
Number of pages: 248
Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers
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Book Reviews of Stronger Abs and Back: 165 Exercises to Build Your Center of Power
Book Review: By comparing over 10 abs books, I concluded...
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased about 10 books from Amazon on abs in order to compare them. This one is unique for recommending different routines for people who have the different goals of fitness, strength, or power. The idea of strength vs. power workouts was a late 90s fad in sports training, which isn't to say it was wrong, but you won't find any chapter here called "Wellness: The Big Picture," like you will in one of the books published in 2006. If you want to know how these compare, here are my conclusions...
If You Want to Trim Your Waistline: You can't trim your waistline without losing fat, and you can't lose fat around your waist without losing it everywhere (focusing on a muscle group like the abdominal muscles doesn't burn fat in that location, just a little bit of fat from everywhere on the body). So, if you want to trim your waistline, skip the ab workout books and go with a good, proven overall weight loss and fitness book like Bill Phillips' Body for Life. The Abs Diet is a similar program, but like all the Men's Health publications, it advertises a 6-week transformation, which is just a little unrealistic. Plan on more like 12-24 weeks to see really noticeable changes if you are fat.
If You Want Sculpted Six-Pack Abs: If you are overweight at all, see above--you can't get a six pack while you're overweight, and you can't lose abdominal fat by doing an ab workout, so go for overall fitness. However, if you are already lean, see below.
If You Want to Strengthen or Build Your Ab Muscles: If you're trying to improve for work, play, or rehab, you might consider the following books: The Body Sculpting Bible for Abs Deluxe DVD Edition contains decently up-to-date information and tells you exactly what to do and when to do it, based on a six-week fitness course. If you're looking for a similar book with more information, you can choose from The Complete Book of Abs or The Complete Book of Core Training. The Complete Book of Abs (1998) is a little out of date in terms of its dietary/nutritional recommendations, but it focuses more on exercises that develop the external abdominal muscles (the ones you see in a six-pack), including lots of variations on leg lifts, bicycle motion, and sit-ups. It will also give you more resources for creating your own program, and, if that's what you want to do, go with this one instead of The Body Sculpting Bible. The Complete Book of Core Training (2006) focuses more on the functional body core, including internal abdominal muscles, legs, etc., and includes more trendy exercises using medicine balls, exercise balls, yoga, etc. A different sort of book is Stronger Abs and Back (1997), which was written before the current fad of selling "core training," but contains the elements of core training because it gives good functional sports-focused advice. Its dietary recommendations are out of date, but it recommends a 24-week workout plan, which is much more realistic than the 6-week plans advocated by many of the other books.
If You Have Back Pain: See your doctor, and if he prescribes abdominal/core strengthening, see above.
My one-book recommendation: Body for Life.
My two-book recommendation: Body for Life + Stronger Abs and Back.
My three-book recommendation: Body for Life + Stronger Abs and Back + The Complete Book of Abs.
My four-book recommendation: Body for Life + Stronger Abs and Back + The Complete Book of Abs + The Abs Diet.
Hope this helps!!
Summary of Stronger Abs and Back: 165 Exercises to Build Your Center of Power
Build your center of power! Stronger Abs and Back shows how to develop the body's most important source of energy and support--its core muscle groups. The abdominal and back muscles form the foundation for enhanced fitness and athletic performance.Featuring 165 exercises and packed with training advice, this illustrated guide is your training manual to rock-hard abs and strong supportive back muscles that prevent low back injury and pain.
Stronger Abs and Back is for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want firm, high-performance bodies. So train smart and successfully: Strengthen your core and see the results.
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