Book Description
Learn how your muscles work before you work your muscles
Perfect for beginning and advanced fitness practitioners alike, this is an in-depth look into the most magnificent machine ever created--the human body. Using detailed anatomical illustrations, Anatomy for Strength and Fitness Training provides you visual insight into what happens to this organic machine during exercise--muscles and tendons working in concert to strengthen your body's building blocks.
With a basic knowledge of how the body works, you can buff up your body with the book's 90 exercises, grouped by body region and involving gym machines, free weights, and body weight/stretching, as well as yoga and Pilates. Each exercise is vividly illustrated by a full-color anatomical illustration of the targeted muscles, together with instructions on execution and technique.
Customer Reviews:
Good fast read for fitness anatomy.......2007-07-04
A bit pricey for what it offers but as a quick guide (for those who would rather exercise muscle groups rather than tear muscles)it does the trick.
Improve Your Workouts.......2007-04-09
Take a look inside your muscles and find out what makes them work. Then you'll really be able to see results in your workouts.
Excellent!.......2007-03-28
I finally have a source that really gets to the insides of what makes muscles work and how to improve my workouts!
Book Description
With information on strengthening and toning the legs, buttocks, abs, and back, Women's Strength Training Anatomy provides full-color, detailed anatomical illustrations of exercises for these hard-to-shape areas. What makes this book unique is that readers can see the muscles at work during each exercise, like an X ray of the body in motion.
Are there definite anatomical differences in the way men and women should build their bodies? According to the best-selling author and illustrator of Strength Training Anatomy, the answer is an overwhelming yes! Exercise variations based on a woman's unique anatomical features are also covered, helping to isolate muscles and make each exercise more effective.
Make your workouts work harder for you! If you work out to strengthen and shape your body or if you help women get stronger and more defined, this is one book you need for understanding the female form and getting the most from your exercises.
Customer Reviews:
Women must read this........2007-07-23
An excellent guide to people wanting to take over their workouts. Nice explanations about fat in women and how to train those particular areas. Simple language and beautiful illustrations will provide you the required information to know how to move yourself when performing an exercise, what you can vary, how and what to avoid. Some technical language is used. Highly recommended.
Detailed anatomical guide to weight training.......2007-06-22
This book is nice if you're serious about weight training. It is very helpful to see what should be moving and how it should be moving. This book is not really to teach you how to do exercises.
Excellent source of information.......2007-05-25
The book is a great tool. It is very concise and easy to understand. Very helpful for any woman trying to target areas.
Womens strength training anatomy.......2007-05-22
Well I really would like to review this book, it seemed excellent and I had heard really great things about it - even from my gym instructors.
However after over a month I still havent received and now I have to haggle with Amazon about it. Boo !
An incredible reference manual!.......2006-10-04
I work out regularly, and when doing strength training, I frequently have questions about which muscles I am working, whether I am performing the moves with correct form, etc. This book, designed specifically for women, is an excellent strength training reference manual. It focuses specifically on the areas which tend to give women the most difficulties, the abs, back, legs, and buttocks (including the hips).
If you check Amazon's "Look inside this book!" feature, you will see that the illustrations are incredible--clear and superbly detailed (although, like another reviewer mentioned, I do think that the female models should have been more appropriately clothed at times). The use of color helps the reader to easily see which muscles are being worked, and the use of labels provides quick identification of each individual muscle. In particular, I appreciated the close-up shots, as these served to highlight exactly how certain parts of the muscular/skeletal system perform; I also especially liked the female versus male anatomy comparisons. The text which accompanies the drawings is concise as well as easily understandable.
Although I sought out this book for the purpose of better understanding my body's movements during exercise, for those wanting to use this book to build their own lower body strength program, it would be excellent. The author provides full-page descriptions of each exercise, often offering several different versions of the exercise on subsequent pages as well as variation insets on the same page. Other within page insets offer form tips, including some illustrating what NOT to do. The exercises are mainly gym-style, using various machines and other equipment which you would find in a typical fitness center, but some of the exercises require no equipment, and alternate methods for working each muscle are always given.
I agree that this book would have been even better with the inclusion of upper body, yet I found it to be more complete than the author's companion work which does address full body (Strength Training Anatomy). Highly recommended as an extremely valuable addition to any woman's fitness library.
Customer Reviews:
Lean for Life by Bass.......2007-10-01
The author integrates dieting and exercise. He advises that starvation
diets ultimately backfire. In addition, exercise must become a permanent
part of the lifestyle. The author calls for tough workouts including
treadmill sessions up to 40 minutes building up to the highest speed levels. He cites the equation: Training + Enjoyment = Success
The body burns 14-16 calories per day per pound. A 165# person requires
approximately 2500 calories per day. Weight training keeps fat burning
because bigger muscles burn more calories. A 155# person burns approximately 90 calories in a simple 1/2 or so walk. This book could
help in losing weight and keeping it off permanently.
Good for Serious Workout enthusiasts, not for the average joe.......2007-07-16
If you have the time and desire to become a 'bodybuilder' or fitness junkie, this book is for you. Excellent psychological and physical information. However, if you are in the remaining 99.99% of average Joes or Joannas and simply want to lose weight and stay healthy, AVOID this book. Mr Bass's discipline is impressive but his technique is not practicable.
Here's the key to fitness and good health for 98% of all normal busy Americans..... A. 90% of the battle: Eating Habits-Eat meats, veggies (no starch) and avoid sugar at all cost. Fats (not trans fats) are OKAY! B. 9% of the battle: Exercise-Simple walking for 30 minutes each day combined with 1 or 2 days of light weight (5-10lbs) dumbell exercises. C. 1% of the Battle: Genetics-My wife can eat 10lbs of chocolate a day and lose weight, however the majority of us cannot. Therefore genetics should not be too much of a concern for us normal folks.
I have tried all the diets, fads, etc. I ended up dropping my body fat down to 6%, reducing waist from 39 to 29, losing 60lbs...All while consuming 4000 calories & 1000 grams of fat per day by simply walking 30-40 minutes each day AND by avoiding all sugars & starches. Kind of a version of Low Glycemic/Low Carb. Not as radical as Atkins, not as liberal as South Beach.
My method is simple routine fitness. Create a simple routine in eating and exercise and you will stick with it forever. Make it complicated, difficult, burdensome, exhausting...YOU WILL QUIT. ALL (yes all) of my low fat hard work out friends go through annual vicious cycles. The older they get the bigger they get. There are a few Jack LaLane's & Clarence Bass's who have the drive, but for us normal folks, we need simplicty. I hope this helps.
A Real-World Approach to Fitness.......2007-04-10
If you truly want to change your life and increase your help, this book will help you. You'll learn how to control your diet and have consistent workouts.
You can't go wrong with Bass.......2007-02-24
Do you want to lose weight? Are you ready to face the truth about weight loss and exercise?
Bass gives it to you straight up. How to control your diet and how to exercise to consistantly lose weight and get control of your life.
Following the advice of this book will save you years of trial and error. listen to him and do as he says and you will get ripped. Yes, ripped. Bass takes a very real-world approach to this subject and puts it in a life perspective. And he should know, he is, was and will always be ripped.
Bass writes in a great, down to earth style. it is like he is talking to a friend....the reader. Bass doesn't hold back, his advice is solid and proven, just look at his pics on his site and see how he has maintained a ripped physique for DECADES.
If you are ready to experience true change in your life read this and follow even half of it to change your life for the better. Do it for a month and see how your habits change...for the better.
Bass is the king of rip....all hail the king....
Truly the best in a crowded field.......2006-08-29
Clarence Bass continues to prove that his methods are higly effective, sound, and simple to follow for life.
He began with 'Ripped' in the late 70s, a book targeted to
bodybuilders but still one of the best books on getting lean, still applicable 30 years later. His more recent efforts Lean For Life, and Challenge Yourself are in the tradition of the work of the great George Sheehan, MD, both very motivational and very scientifically sound.
I too am a physician, and like Dr. Sheehan, am constanly on the lookout for books I can recommend to patients searching for a way to reverse the damage done by years of poor eating and lack of excercise. In the work of Mr. Bass I need look no further.
Mr. Bass combines both diet and exercise advice into a program that unlike so many others, one can truly follow for life. He emphasizes whole foods, regular aerobic and resistance exercise and motivates like no other author I have encountered. And though his methods are 'common sense' in the best meaning of that phrase, it would take one decades of trial and error to come to the program he has developed.
His books are not only bodybuilding books, following their advice will certainly lead to a muscular lean physique, but more importantly, they are books in the tradition of wholistic health. Following his program will produce an outer appearance that is a reflection of the health within as he has proven in his descriptions of the testing he has undertaken at Lovelace Clinic in Albuquerque.
His intelligence and wit come through on every page and best of all his books are higly readable.
If I could recommend the works of just one author in my practice, Mr Bass would be that author. Do yourself a favor and buy and read all his books. Then as the great Bill Pearl, champion body builder says of Mr. Bass work, read again!
Average customer rating:
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Training for Life: Walk Your Way to Fitness and Weight Loss in 14 Days
Debbie Rocker , and
Laura Tucker
Manufacturer: Springboard Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Weight Loss
| Diets
| Diets & Weight Loss
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Weight Maintenance
| Diets
| Diets & Weight Loss
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Walking
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Walking
| Hiking & Camping
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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Walk, Sculpt & Tone with Debbie Rocker
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Walking for Weight Loss With Debbie Rocker
-
A.M. and P.M. Walking
-
Walking Magazine The Complete Guide To Walking: for Health, Fitness, and Weight Loss
-
Joy Bauer's Food Cures: Treat Common Health Concerns, Look Younger & Live Longer
ASIN: 044658102X |
Book Description
Celebrity fitness trainer Debbie Rocker is one of the original developers of Spinning, the international fitness phenomenon, and a world record holder in cycling. In TRAINING FOR LIFE, Rocker shows readers how to use walking, the body's most natural form of exercise, to achieve total transformation in a mere two weeks. She presents her personalized fitness philosophy in a 14-day program that includes walking basics, dietary recommendations, and additional upper body workouts that tone muscles, build bone density, and speed weight loss. Readers will discover how they can build confidence, attain total fitness, and train their minds to think of exercise and eating right as fulflling, important parts of life.
Customer Reviews:
Training for Life.......2007-05-14
No quick fix, although I don't suppose anything is... It just seems unrealistic to me.
Book Description
With six Mr. Olympia title victories, Dorian Yates has dominated bodybuilding in the 90's in the manner that Arnold Schwarzenegger dominated in the 70's and Lee Haney in the 80's. Furthermore he has dominated the sport in a white-hot period of competition when standards have never been higher. He has brought a scientific and precise planning approach to bodybuilding that revolutionized the sport. * The life and training philosophy of the World's Best Bodybuilder. The ultimate bodybuilding guide from the ultimate bodybuilder.
* Packed with training advice and methods.
Customer Reviews:
a must read for any bodybuilder.......2007-06-07
This book will contradict antything you have probably read in the past about bodybuilding. The books starts off with a short biography of Dorian Yates. Then it slowy introduces the reader to Yate's training principles. This book teaches short and intense training periods and lots of rest. The principle stressed is High Intensity Training, or HIT. This training method was the brainchild of Arthur Jones, then was the basis for Mike Mentzer's heavy duty training, which is what Yates used tobased his training. Dorian put his own twist to it and calls his version Blood and Guts Training. What this book teaches is highly beneficial book to a bodybuilder, especially one who is not using steroids. Of course Yates used steroids, but his methods will work better for a natural bodybuilder than the methods of most boybuilders, aka High Volume Training. Yates preaches for the bodybuilder to use no more than three sets: the first being a warm up set, and the next two set being to muscle failure. He advises a two day split for the body and in a 2 weeks time you will have done six workouts. It is set up where you do workout one twice the first week and once the second week, and you do workout two once the first week and twice the second week, then the schedule starts over. Yates said this split is near identical to the one he used his first years in bodybuilder. His advanced training utilizes a three day split, but he only used one set per exercise, really putting a lot of effort into intensity.
The informtation in this book i give five stars, but i gave it four stars for another reason, All of the pictures in the book, which are black and white, are grainy and almost blurry. And there are no real good Pictures of Yates really, ther are about five decent pictures of him: the one on the cover, a front double biceps pose (which is used about three of four times throughout the entire book), a side tricep pose, and just a few others are barely decent. Everytime you turn a page in the book it puts a crease in the spine, so if you plan on reading this book a lot you can also plan on eventually losing a page or two. The cosmetics and durability of this book is why it recieved four stars.
Overall, every bodybuilder needs to be familiar with Yates training method no matter how hardcore or serious of a bodybuilder he is.
Worthwhile for any lifter.......2007-05-21
If you are a fan of Yates, you will enjoy reading about his life and about his experiences and injuries he faced while becoming the 6-time Mr. Olympia. If you are just a hardcore lifter, he offers his lifting routines and advice to anyone interested in bodybuilding. His lifting philosophy is a much different approach than the volume training that is widely accepted in the bodybuilding world. If you are looking for an alternative to volume training, this is a great place to start.
Workout Like Dorian Yates.......2007-04-10
Learn the philosophy behind Dorian Yates' success as a bodybuilder. You'll also find various routines for beginning, intermediate, and advanced lifters.
Intensity.......2007-01-18
Dorian is my favorite bodybuilder, so I'm somewhat biased. I grew up emulating Arnold and studying his book, but after a few years the whole high volume routine became ridiculous and a waste of time. Dorian has it right - high intensity, one set to failure, don't hold back. The results tell it all. And if nothing else, it sure makes weightlifting a lot less boring.
I work out this way now and get either the same or better results compared to high volume. Put everything into that one set after a couple of warmups. Of course, many other pros still do high volume, and they're huge, so maybe it's just finding what works for you.
The book is kind of simple, but so is the system. Train all out and become huge. Period. Dorian obviously didn't feel the need to make a bible like Arnold did. He tells it like it is, and that's it. To be fair, there is very good detail on how to train each body part, his life story, etc...a lot of stuff I didn't know before reading the book.
But from a pure training perspective, I'm not sure I learned anything more than I did when reading Dorian's Flex articles when he was competing. But those were great articles! If you don't have those, or want to get more detail or background on Dorian, then buy this book. Some very motivating photos also, and it's not expensive.
Outstanding book .......2007-01-09
Provided the title of the book is taken into account: Namely that this is about both the LIFE and TRAINING PHILOSOPHY of Dorian Yates, this is a 5 Star book.
The book provides a nice insight into Yates' past and present (as of the publication of the book) life, and also into the progression of his weight training. As such, the book will be an excellent primer on weight routines that should work nicely for beginner, intermediate, and advanced lifters.
Couple this book with a Kinesiology book such as Dr. Yessis' book on Kinesiology, and you would have the beginnings of an excellent library on bodybuilding.
Book Description
Ensure optimal results for your clients with the most efficient training and teaching techniques for resistance exercise. Covering all the major muscle groups, Resistance Training Instruction provides all the tools to improve the function, performance, and appearance of your clients.
Detailed illustrations combined with expert technical guidance demonstrate how to target specific muscles as well as the most efficient alignment, positioning, and lifting technique for each exercise. In addition, you will learn how and when to vary intensity, volume, recovery, and exercise sequencing to customize any routine.
Organized by movement function, emphasizing the connection between technique and results, each exercise provides the following:
- Step-by-step instructions for setup and technique
- Guidance on monitoring, cueing, spotting, and coaching clients for the safest, most effective training
- Full-color anatomical illustrations that depict muscle use throughout each exercise
With sample periodized programs, Resistance Training Instruction demonstrates how to develop base strength, improve whole-body fitness, and design advanced split routines by selecting, combining, and sequencing the best exercises for each client.
Used by the renowned Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research to certify personal trainers, Resistance Training Instruction makes it easy to achieve maximum gains for all of your clients.
Customer Reviews:
muscle mechanics updated.......2003-01-07
I disagree with other reviewers on a couple of key points. First, Aaberg's MSUCLE MECHANICS is not basically the same book. It lacks crucial information on exercise tempo, periodization, etc. MUSCLE MECHANICS has a list of references that RESISTANCE lacks. RESISTANCE has acknowledgements, but Charles Poliquin's name is spelled incorrectly (Poliquin is author of THE POLIQUIN PRINCIPLES). If you don't already have MUSCLE MECHANICS, then opt for RESISTANCE TRAINING PRINCIPLES. If you do currently possess MM, then go for Aaberg's other book STRENGTH, SPEED, & POWER. It does cover tempos, etc. as well as being a good intro to functional training.
A second disagreement I have with another reviewer concerns partial movements. As a long time trainee I have learned through bitter experience that, "The body never forgets an injury". Aaberg's advice regarding the disregarding the "full range of motion" philosophy (a philosophy that will take many years to kill)is right on the money. Using heavy resistance in the "red zone" of a joint on the premise that it is necessary or useful for "fully developing the muscle" or that it will increase or maintain flexibility is an invitation to injury. This may be one of the reasons that the Westside Barbell Club spends very little time doing full range bench presses and instead chooses partial movements such as board presses and floor presses for much of its training.
RESISTANCE TRAINING INSTRUCTION is too short to illustrate every exercise. Happily, it does not show potential shoulder wreckers such as upright rows, lat machine pulldowns behind the neck, or presses behind the neck. Nor does it show stretches. The routines do have exercises for the rotator cuff. This is a huge plus. Aaberg at times announces quite clearly that some subjects are beyond the scope of his book.
At the present time -- January 2003 -- this is one of the best introductory texts on the market. If you're looking for a single text that covers everything, forget it. If there is one, it will probably be outdated in one month. When I read most training texts my BS detector goes off several times. When I read Aaberg's stuff it's pretty silent.
too basic.......2001-07-03
The kind of book well accepted at health clubs where members mainly socialise instead of seriously work out. Too cautious about injuries prescribing three quarters of movement in reps (mainly in eccentric part of the rep) instead of letting muscles function on all its amplitude or range of motion. Think the method prescribed by Aaberg will lead us nowhere hypertrophicly speaking. It realy disappointed a lot!
read.........2000-06-23
this was a very good book but do know that if you already have Muscle Mechanics that you have basically the same book (ie the pics are the same wording etc). the difference here is in that spotting techniques by personal trainers is covered.
Take Your Workouts To The Next Level!.......1999-08-12
Whether you are a personal fitness trainer looking for new movements for your clients or a self-starter who wants to learn from the best, this is the book for you. Everette Aaberg is one of the nation's premier personal trainers and biomechanics experts. I had the pleasure of learning and studying biomechanics and advanced biomechanics from Everette at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas. Biomechanics is the study of human movement with a weight bearing load, force or resistance and how these forces affect the body both in a constructive and sometimes destructive manner. Peforming movements "biomechanically correct", as Everette suggests, is a formula for efficiently working your muscles while protecting your joints and avoiding injury. I have learned the power of his theories first hand with my personal training clients. Lift safe, the way your body was meant to move, and the results may astonish you. Proper form and technique is explained throughout with excellent anatomy illustrations of what primary and secondary muscles are being worked. A good variety of exercises for the entire body are included. Every fitness enthusiast should have this on their bookshelve. You may find yourself dragging it to the gym with you. - Michael J. Merlino, Certified Professional Fitness Trainer
Book Description
The Handbook of Sports Medicine presents basic clinical and scientific information in a clear style and format as related to specific sports events drawn from the Olympic Summer and Winter Games. Each handbook is written by a small team of authorities and coordinated by an editor who is internationally respected and recognized in the particular sport activity. The Handbook on Strength Training for Athletes presents both the basic concepts and theoretical background for sports-specific strength training as well as the practical consideration in designing the overall program. Separate chapters deal with periodization, gender differences, detraining and over training. Sample programs are presented for soccer, volleyball, wrestling, endurance running, swimming, and shotput and discus.
Covers periodization, gender differences, detraining, and overtraining
Sample programs presented for soccer, volleyball, wrestling, endurance running, swimming, and shotput and discus
Endorsed by the International Federation of Sports Medicine
Book Description
In this book the author offers 30 minute circuit-based works that build muscles and burn fat fast, build mental endurance and agility, build energy through a detailed nutritional plan and much more.
Customer Reviews:
Fun and Challenging Workout.......2007-05-03
The thing I love most about Simon Waterson's "30-Minute-A-Day Body Challenge" is that it really has the potential to challenge anyone--from the novice to someone who is already at a high level of fitness. The book starts out with a chapter on building mental strength (really, indispensable if you want to make being fit a part of your lifestyle) and continues with a chapter on no-nonsense dietary guidelines. This isn't one of those silly fad diets that you start on with the full knowledge that you'll never be able to continue until you're 80. (Seriously, can you imagine drinking your two Slimfasts until you're a grandma? Bleck.) After this introduction, Waterson jumps into explaining each exercise and how to do the circuit training.
The reason this book will work for anyone is because you do as many reps as you can within 30-60 seconds. If you're just beginning, you'll only be able to do a few; if you're an elite athlete, you'll be pumping them out. But either way, your body will be challenged. I also like this book because you don't have to go buy a ton of equipment. You'll need a pair of weights and a jump rope, max.
So many magazines and books today take you through workouts that don't build strength and endurance. They don't move you to a point where you can see results. Judging from the fact that this guy was the trainer for Daniel Craig in Casino Royale (as well as Halle Berry and Pierce Brosnan in their Bond performances), you will see a difference in your body. Believe me.
A note to the buyer: a couple of the pictures do not match their descriptions. However, it is not difficult to figure out the exercises because of this.
Book Description
The story behind America's iconic patch of sand-Muscle Beach, California.Almost half a century before health clubs, fitness videos, and weight training became American obsessions, a pioneering enclave in Santa Monica, California, started the physical culture boom. In the 1940s, Jack LaLanne, Vic Tanny, Joe Gold, Les and Pudgy Stockton, and others like them drew thousands of visitors to the beach to watch their feats of strength and acrobatic displays. More and more viewers became participants, and these pursuits, originally on the fringe, came fully into the cultural mainstream. Muscle Beach is full of rich, new material about the original Muscle Beachers-many of whom are still alive and testaments to the benefits of a life devoted to fitness. With its fresh anecdotes and thirty-two rare and wonderful photographs, this history brings this legendary stretch of beach into clear focus.
Customer Reviews:
Fitness America: The Colorful History of Muscle Beach.......2007-10-02
This is one of the several books available about the history of Muscle Beach that paved the way for fitness, aerobics, weight lifting, and body building. The athletes who made it possible, especially the ladies of Muscle beach, are the real stars. Women of modern generation must be highly indebted to them for popularizing a sport that was considered freakish and outright unfeminine. These women worked in 1930s and 40s when the land was highly conservative, and Santa Monica was no different. Strong pressure from local government through legislations, and public opinions through media were always unfriendly to women of Muscle beach. Muscle beach started around 1934, although few claim the foundation were laid as early as early 1920s. In its heyday, Muscle beach was made of men, women, and children who were learning and performing athletic feats, and acrobatic stunts to delight beachgoers. Some of these performers emerged as top class athletes, stuntman, bodybuilders, gymnasts, fitness consultants, and entrepreneurs. It is a long list of names that includes; Abbye "Pudgy" Stockton, Les Stockton, Jack Lalanne, Vic and Armand Tanny, Ran Hall, Frank Jares, Steve Reeves, George Eiferman, and so on. Many of them in later years became gym owners, trainers, authors and consultants.
Women performing stunts include; Pudgy Stockton lifting a man with one hand or support him on her shoulders; Pudgy or Relna Brewer would tear a book in half, and Relna would wrestle men and toss him like a rag doll. Women were considered equals by men on the platform. In the early 1940s WWII sent many men away to the warfront, this left women to join the workforce, and fill the void left by men at Muscle beach. Pudgy Stockton was a very powerful role model for women because she was not only muscular, and athletic, but also beautiful and feminine as a woman could be. When she died on June 26, 2006 at the age of 88 due to Alzheimer's disease; Boston Globe ran in its obituary column under the title "Queen of Muscle Beach." She was also called ``the First Lady of Iron," and ``America's Barbelle," in her time.
Many Hollywood stars hung out near Muscle beach. The list includes; Jane Russell who met her husband, Bob Waterfield, and Jayne Mansfield met her husband, Mickey Hargitay, a bodybuilder. Mae West known for her interest in men with good physique invited; Chuck Krauser, George Eiferman, Mickey Hargitay and Joe Gold for her live stage revue. Chuck Krauser and Mae West remained as couples until her death in 1980.
The athletes of Muscle beach were called "wackos, fruitcakes, hippies, and bums." The fall of Muscle beach started from 1952 - 1953 when the platform was taken over by the iron sports; weight lifting and bodybuilding, and the traditional acrobatic acts of Muscle beach was on its way out. Winning a competition was the main strategy of many iron sportsmen made them less social than acrobats. A combination of events that followed in late 50s may have closed the doors on the Muscle beach of Santa Monica. The events includes; car parking problems faced by the locals due to visitors to the beach; suggestive seminude poses, and physical touching of all male bodybuilders; Joe Weider's controversial publications that were aimed at gays; and a sex case involving a group of weight lifters and underage black girls sensationalized Santa Monica beach. In later years, Muscle beach reappeared at Venice beach, just south of the Pier, but it lacks the magic of "historical" Muscle beach of Santa Monica.
The athletes of Muscle beach have endured a great deal; it was a time when doctors told patients that muscle is bad; women may lose child bearing capability, and men may become impotent. In spite of all odds, they pursued their interests, and prevailed. They did not use steroids, and many were philosophical about life. George Eiferman printed his business card bearing his mind over body philosophy; a list of ten daily exercises, and one of them was; "We are never alone. Walk with God."
The author tells the story wonderfully and I did not find anything in this book that is either bigoted or unfair to any section of the society. I recommend this book to all fans of Muscle beach.
1. Remembering Muscle Beach: Where Hard Bodies Began : Photographs and Memories
2. Muscle Beach
Homophobic Garbage by a Bigoted Author.......2006-05-13
It is amazing the extent this author went to in trying to portray the early male bodybuilding champions as "normal" heterosexuals, while excluding the "fringe" elements of homosexuals. This book should be viewed as one bigot's attempt to rewrite the facts of history to fit her own purposes and bigoted viewpoint. Don't waste your money!
The *rest* of the story..........2006-01-14
My dear father is now 86-years-old and his memory has grown weaker with age. I try to visit him frequently as I know his time on this earth is drawing to a close. One night, he started talking about his memories of his family home at 213 14th Street in Santa Monica. He told me that he and his twin brother Ed Fuller would go down to the Santa Monica Beach and hang out.
My father was a very handsome man in his youth and very strong. He and Ed began working out on the beach and one day, the Lifeguard down at the beach referred to them as "The Muscle Twins."
Before long, more men and women started joining their little mini-fitness craze and lifting weights on the beach. Sometimes, their antics would draw quite a crowd. My father and his brother would get very competitive and see who could lift the most weight.
As my father told this story, I grabbed a pen and started making notes. He mentioned several names, including "Pudge Stockton" and more. I scribbled away as he talked. I had my doubts. After all, my 86-year-old father was telling me that he and his brother Ed started the phenomenon known as "Muscle Beach"?
As a surprise, I ordered a couple books for my father (including this one) and when it arrived, I found the same names my father had mentioned.
My father's joy at receiving this tome was beyond words.
It did everything for him that I had hoped it could and would do, mainly bring back many joyous memories.
Rose Fuller Thornton
daughter of one of the original "Muscle Twins"
gentlebeam@hotmail.com
Fun Reading.......2004-04-21
Living at the beach in Los Angeles, I have a great interest and love of the culture which continues to intrigue and influence the rest of the world. Today's current focus on health and body building largely stems from the Muscle Beach phenomenon. This book puts that lifestyle into historical context in an enlightening and entertaining fashion.
Terrific Read!.......2004-04-02
Marla Matzer Rose's highly readable book beautifully captures the 'slice of life' that was Muscle Beach in its infancy. Especially delightful are the photographs from that period, which wonderfully capture the flavor of the time. Well researched, well written. An excellent read for history and fitness buffs, or for anyone curious about the glorious days of early Los Angeles. I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!
Book Description
Have you stopped experiencing increases in strength and mass? Do you equate the bench press with shoulder pain? If so, your muscles may not be functioning at 100 percent. Optimal Muscle Training is a unique book and DVD package that will show you how to achieve the highest level of muscle function.
The book provides information on how muscles develop imbalances, how testing can pinpoint problems, and how specific training to correct imbalances will optimize muscle function. The DVD enhances the information presented in the book with practical exercises and three levels of muscle testing that you can use to develop an individualized training program.
This fully integrated package allows you to learn the subtleties of muscle testing and exercises. Optimal Muscle Training—with its testing procedures, technical instructions, anatomical considerations, exercise demonstrations, and training guidelines—is one powerful training tool!
Customer Reviews:
Train well with weights.......2005-07-14
Two quotes every athlete hears from nineth grade till the last day of collage:
"Coach says we need to focus"
"Coach says to lift in the off season"
That second recomenation- to lift weights- seems present in just about every sport. Why is this? Not because weight lifting is fun, but because it conditions the tendons, strenghens the muscles, and soldifies ones' balance to such a degee that many people get results even if they are doing it "wrong". An added bonus is that skeletal muscle, like cardiac muscle, is the stimulator to burn fat. Anerobics is now as highly recommended as aerobics!
Unfortunately we don't all have "bodybuilder" friends or the money to hire a personal trainer. Therefore, I was very pleased to find this book/DVD set. The DVD shows proper form for the most common lifts, and the book shows both the right way AND the wrong way to perform these exersizes. Bravo, Mr. Kinaken.
I also recommend:
"Getting Stronger"--B. Pearl (beginning and advanced weight routines)
And "Fitness is Religion"--R. Kybartas (motivation and inspiration)
A must for personal trainers.......2004-05-17
This book is a must for personal trainers. The DVD enclosed with the book goes through assessment procedures that are crucial when prescribing weight training exercises to your clients. For the novice weight trainer, it will definitely clear up any misconceptions you might have about how each weight training exercise should be performed in order to ensure efficiency and safety.
Also recommended for personal trainers:
Muscles: Testing and Function by Florence Kendall
Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques by Kisner and Colby
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Books Index
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Strength Training Anatomy: `
Stretching Anatomy: Your Illustrated Guide to Improving Flexibility and Muscular Strength
Women's Strength Training Anatomy
Anatomy of Stretching
Bodybuilding Anatomy: Your Illustrated Guide to Increasing Mass and Sculpting Physique
