nicely formatted sections and stretching routines ( )

I absolutely LOVE the Human Kinetics publications. I have [Dance Anatomy], [Stretching Anatomy], and [Fitness Illustrated]. I love the layout, the depth of information, and most of all the illustrations that highlight exactly what area is being worked. That is THE #1 selling point to me.

But Full-Body Flexibility has a different layout and none of those awesome illustrations. There's a ton of great information here, and the photos are crisp and clear with fit models. Instructions are clear, too. And this one has the exercises broken down into sections passive and active. The coolest feature is in Chapter 10, General Stretch Routines organized by minutes. Only got 10 minutes to move through standing stretches for the whole body? It's here. You want to do a 10-minute yoga-inspired stretch warm-up? It's here. So are stretch workouts for 20 and 40 minutes. It's a great tool.

My gripe is that I'm totally spoiled by the other format of the Anatomy Series books. They aren't trying to fool the reader; this one doesn't even have "anatomy" in the title. It's my hang-up. If it weren't for that, I'd probably give this baby 5 stars. Yeah, 5 stars. Jay Blahnik's 3-step method is to maximize, minimize, and equalize. Overall, it's a great book. It's not his fault the publisher spoiled me with those illustrations. If you love/need/have to stretch, this is an excellent book no matter what your level. ( )

This book is a very thorough compendium of stretching exercises, complete with pictures, step by step directions, and breathing suggestions for over 200 different stretches. A chart at the beginning shows what each stretch targets and allows customization of routines, while the latter chapters give you specialty routines for particular problems. My one wish would be for a blank chart to record personal notes and personalized routines; I looked on the website but saw nothing there either. ( )

Full-Body Flexibility could not have come into my hands at a better time. I am in the process of regaining full mobility of one of my knees as the result of knee replacement surgery. I was becoming frustrated with the lack of progress through the routines prescribed for me and felt I needed something different. This helped me immeasurably.

Let me begin with a disclaimer: consult you medical provider before you undertake any change in your present workout routines. What works for one person may not work for another. Listen to your body and your medical provider if you have any problems with these exercises.

Jay Blahnik has done a great job of collecting truly useful stretching exercises that incorporate some of the latest in sports medicine. What sets this book apart is not the exercises, but the clear language used throughout to explain the background of why stretching is so important, the easy to follow directions for each stretch and the accompanying photographs.

I am far from the most athletic person in the world, and I am approaching a “certain age”, yet I had no problems with most of the exercises shown. Yes, some of the more extreme stretches are beyond my capability, but the author does not make anyone who cannot do ALL the exercises feel inadequate. Quite the opposite: I’ve become inspired to do more.

Once you have some of the basics mastered, there is a section on the back, Part III, with suggested routines you can incorporate into your present workout. They are divided up by time and related activity, so you can easily tailor the routine to your needs.

If you are presently active, becoming more active or want to increase your activity and mobility levels, you owe it yourself to acquire this book. Excellent reference material and excellent all the way around. ( )

This book is brilliant in its simplicity. It's filled with easy-to-follow stretching exercises that target all the different parts of the body. With this book, you can really go beyond old school techniques and learn to properly improve your flexibility. Utilize one of the many individual exercises or try one of prepared routines for a specific area or purpose. Everything is accompanied by colorful photos to show you the correct movement, and there's even a chart directing you to which stretches work for specific muscles. And you don't have to be a health nut or a yoga master to get value out of this book. This is something that could benefit all people in their everyday lives. ( )