Whether you're young or old, male or female, seeking better health or better performance, success starts with Strength Basics.
This easy-to-understand guide explains the basics of resistance training and shows you how to design a training program using the most commonly found types of equipment.
Written for beginning and less-experienced strength trainers, the book's practical, how-to advice for safe and effective workouts will ensure you're on the right track. You'll discover the benefits of resistance training, how and why it works, how to choose equipment, and how to get the results you want. More than 140 illustrations show you how to perform the 75 exercises and use the equipment correctly.
Here's what you'll learn:p The theory and benefits of resistance training
p How to set reasonable, attainable, and worthwhile goals
p How to adapt training programs for different age groups and fitness goals
p How to design an individualized program
p Tips for injury-free training, including stretching and warm-up routines
p 22 equipment-free exercises that use your own body weight or inexpensive tubing and exercise bands
p 20 well-balanced training routines using free weights and stack-weight equipment
p 24 advanced exercises to add to your workouts and help fight boredom
p 16 ready-to-use, sport-specific programs designed to meet the demands of your favorite sports or recreational activities
Strength Basics also includes forms to help you get started, monitor progress, and stay on track. Suggested readings list more advanced and specific sources of information.
Follow the sensible advice in Strength Basics and get stronger. It's that simple.
CONTENTS
Strength Through Resistance: An Introduction
The starting point for adding muscle and becoming fit.
Chapter 1. Training for Stronger Health
Learn the benefits of strength training and how to set goals.
Chapter 2. Facts and Fallacies
9 misconceptions about strength training and the facts.
Chapter 3. Strong Terms
Using this illustrated dictionary, you'll soon know strength training lingo.
Chapter 4. Designing Your Program
The ABCs of starting and sticking with your program
Chapter 5. Playing It Safe, Having Fun
Tips for injury-free, training fun.
Chapter 6. Body-Weight Exercises
No equipment? No problem. Use these 12 body-weight resistance exercises.
Chapter 7. Tubing Exercises
10 exercises using surgical tubing
Chapter 8. Weight Training Exercises
20 exercises using free-weights and machine-weights
Chapter 9. More Exercises
24 more exercises to add muscle and variety to your program
Chapter 10. Training for Your Favorite Sport
Tailor a strength program to your main sport
Your Personal Training Record
Recommended Resources
Index
About the Authors
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Coauthors Brian Cook and Gordon Stewart combine more than 40 years' experience in the health and fitness field. They have taught athletes, instructors, and participants the theory and techniques of resistance training and designed countless individualized programs. They also are the coauthors of Get Strong: A Sensible Guide to Strength Training for Fitness.
Brian Cook has a bachelor of science degree in human performance. He has extensive experience coordinating employee fitness programs and developing and managing private fitness clubs in British Columbia, Ontario, and in Singapore. As a consultant, Cook has trained staff in the fields of fitness, sport training, and rehabilitation. He is the senior kinesiologist at a large and progressive physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic.
Cook has competed in a variety of sports, from track and field to
