Average Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Total Number of Reviews: 18
Editorial Review: Develop strength, power, coordination, balance, and core stability using the medicine ball and stability ball exercises included in Strength Ball Training. Preferred by elite athletes, fitness experts, and strength and conditioning specialists, these exercises train the body as a linked system rather than targeting muscles in isolation. Exercises start with the core, where most movements are initiated, and then move out to the periphery, combining strength and balance in all the major muscle groups and the supporting muscles. And the enclosed companion DVD shows you how to perform the most complex and advanced exercises. Strength Ball Training also includes a sample 16-week program with an excellent array of strength, flexibility, and balance challenges that may also be customized to design your own strength ball program.
An Amazing Resource For Strength Ball Training! 5 out of 5
I'm a certified personal trainer and this book was the basis of my most recent CEC (continuing ed.course).
As someone who utilizes functional type training as an important part of my personal fitness routine as well as in designing programs for clients, I thoroughly enjoyed what this book had to offer!
It is extremely well written with a wide variety of exercises, precise instructions, excellent high quality photographs (showing both starting and ending positions) and ways to modify the exercises (to make them easier or more challenging).
The most recent edition (2nd edition) also comes with an excellent dvd which shows a large selection of the exercises from the book.
As with all the Human Kinetics products I have used, the quality of the production is flawless and the book, even though a paperback, is very sturdy.
I can see that this book will be a reference that I will go to over and over again for great ideas to use both for myself and my clients and I highly recommend it!
Outstanding Strength Training Book/DVD 5 out of 5
For a number of years I have been doing a challenging program involving fairly heavy weights, stretching, and aerobic exercise. I was in good shape but not making progress, even when I increased the weight load. Lots of work on ab machines helped but did not completely shape up my core.
Last summer a trainer introduced me to a few exercises using stability balls. A few weeks later I found this book on Amazon. The first thing that impressed me was the quality, the amount of care that has gone into every aspect of the book and accompanying dvd. The introduction explains the approach and cites recent research. The instructions and photo accompanying each exercise are clear and helpful and the beautifully produced DVD demonstrates proper form for many, though not all, of the exercises.
I tried the sixteen-week program and saw dramatic changes not only in my core but also in my upper arms and legs. I'm now following the same pattern using some of the exercises from the program and some new ones, changing the selection every four weeks. Each exercise has advice about progressions so the possibilities are really endless. Some strength training programs are illustrated with photos of people who resemble the Michelin Man. The people in this book look like regular people in very good shape. That's how I'd like to look. Thank you Lorne Goldenberg and Peter Twist.
Detailed, thorough and clear 5 out of 5
I've been working from this book several months now, and the deeper I dig into it, the more impressed I am with its range of exercises, the intelligence with which the exercises were selected, and the clarity of the instructions. And I am a picky editor when it comes to clarity! This book is excellent. Highly recommended.
I liked it! 3 out of 5
Although I knew a lot of the execises what I like most about the book is that it explains the effect of each movement and it shows photos for proper positioning. Each exercise also has a basic, intermediate and advanced version. For me, it was worth the purchase.
A weight lifter sees the light 5 out of 5
This book is worth twice the price. The accompanying DVD is also worth twice the price. It's a lot of information for the money!
Background: until a couple of weeks ago I exclusively lifted weights for strength training. Then I hurt my back, and decided I needed to get some more dynamic training into my regimen. I bought a few medicine balls, and immediately hurt my back again! (In a different spot.) I ordered this book (along with Gambetta's medicine ball book) to teach me the right way to use medicine balls. I was a bit unsure about this book because I really didn't want all those stability ball exercises -- I was just looking for med ball ex's.
In the meantime I went to a few stability ball classes at the Y because I figured that they wouldn't hurt my back. I actually enjoyed them and looked forward to the book's arrival.
The exercises in the sample program look pretty easy, that is until you watch the DVD and learn the *correct* way to do them. For all you macho guys out there who think that stability balls are for sissies, well let's just say that after I completed the beginner workout, I felt like I had been beaten by hammers all over my body. But in a good way! :-)
The DVD is very professionally produced. They film the exercises from multiple camera angles, and use slow- and stop-motion liberally to illustrate the critical parts of each exercise. (My 3 and 6 year-olds were mesmerized!) There is narration during the slow/stop sequences telling you what to watch for.
Short story, I sent Gambetta's book back because it pales in comparison to this one.
By the way, today I went to the Y and it was a beautiful day (60 degrees in February!) so the place was empty. I had my choice of an empty weight room or an empty aerobics studio. I chose the studio and the stability balls! What does that tell you?
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