A highly practical guide to achieving great results with stretching Did you long ago learn to fear and dread stretching because of overbearing P.E. teachers who forced you to touch your toes? It doesn't have to be that way anymore. Stretching is a powerful tool that can bring you new ease of movement, an increase in your physical capabilities, and deep composure that requires you to do nothing more than breathe. You can always have access to it—and best of all, it's free! Stretching for Dummies shows you that stretching is actually easy to do—and reveals how you can reap the amazing benefits of stretching anywhere, anytime. It explains in simple terms how you can stand taller, look thinner, keep stress from getting the best of you, keep your muscles from feeling achy, and nip injuries in the bud. You'll discover: The why’s, where’s, when’s, and how’s of letting loose and snapping back How to keep from hurting yourself The benefits of stretching with a partner How to target specific areas: such as head, shoulders, knees, and toes The art of breathing correctly How to use stretching to sooth lower back pain Stretches to start and end your day right Stretches you can do at your desk Stretches for various stages of life—including stretches for kids and seniors This easy-to-use reference also includes a list of ten surprising around-the house stretching accessories, along with ten common aches and pain that stretching can help. Regardless of how old or young you are, Stretching for Dummies will introduce you to a kinder and gentler form of flexibility that will reduce that nagging tension and tenderness in your muscles and truly make you feel good all over.

A full-color, step-by-step guide to get fit, prevent injury and end pain using your foam roller Foam rolling is not just a fad; if you’re active in sport or work out regularly, you know how crucial it is to keep your muscles limber and pain-free to stay active and mobile. As a form of Myofascial Release Therapy, foam rolling is an effective technique for unlocking your tight muscles and restrictive myofascial connective tissue. Foam rolling helps increase your overall body mobility and joint range of motion, decreases pain and shortens recovery times—and it generally supercharges your body to reap the benefits of your active lifestyle! Written in an easy-to-follow, no-jargon style by NFL physical therapist and trainer for 26 years Mike Ryan, Foam Rolling For Dummies shares proven roller tips usually reserved for professional athletes to help you quickly restore healthy harmony between your muscles and joints. Once you know the science behind foam rolling, you’ll understand how to use specific body-rolling techniques to address specific problems and goals, whether they’re eliminating painful muscle trigger points, loosening tight fascia, improving body flexibility, or just relaxing muscles faster after a workout. Enhance athletic performance Improve injury prevention Learn rapid roller techniques Manage fibromyalgia Reduce soft tissue injuries Understand your myofascial system Reduce painful muscles Whether you want to maximize your fitness program, manage your muscle pain or pursue other health goals, this guide puts on a roll for an enhanced body—and an enhanced life.

A user-friendly guide that teaches you the origins and philosophy of the Pilates method and helps you set realistic fitness goals and custom tailor a program Once the secret fitness weapon of professional dancers, athletes, and movie stars, Pilates is sweeping the country and becoming more popular than ever. If half of what its many fans claim is true, then it’s easy to see why. Combining elements of yoga, dance, gymnastics, and boxing, along with many original movements, Pilates exercises build muscle tone, improve flexibility and balance, lengthen the spine, increase body awareness, and repair past injuries. Most people who’ve done it, even for a short time, say they feel stronger and more energized, centered, and physically confident than ever before. They also like having the flat tummies, tight buns, and long lean thighs of a dancer. Pilates For Dummies is your gentle introduction to the Pilates method without the high cost of private instruction. Packed with easy-to-follow exercises an plenty of photos, it helps you develop your own Pilates fitness program to do at home or in the gym and how to use eight basic Pilates principles to get the most out of your mat-based routines. With this practical guide by your side, you can: Look and feel better than ever Get stronger, more flexible, in control, and less prone to injury Target and tone problem areas Tone and strengthen your abs, buns, thighs, and arms Repair chronic stress and sports injuries Whether you’re just starting out with Pilates or know a few exercises and want to learn more, the book covers: Basic, intermediate, and advanced mat exercises How to use Pilates exercise equipment and accessories How to target specific areas of your body including the stomach, back, thighs, and chest Pilates for the pregnant and recently pregnant body How Pilates can help heal injuries and reform your posture The fun of combining Pilates with other forms of exercise, including yoga, swimming, aerobics, and more Additionally, you’ll learn simple ways to incorporate Pilates into your everyday life, changes you can expect to see from practicing Pilates, and questions to ask if you decide to join a Pilates studio or hire a Pilates instructor. Get your copy of Pilates For Dummies to start designing a Pilates fitness program just for you.

The ideal hands-on reference for piano students who want to strengthen their skills and refine their technique--and the perfect companion and next step to the bestselling Piano For Dummies. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Stretching has long been regarding as the safest way to keep your whole body - muscles and mind - healthy and working in balance. Athletes employ stretching as a way to warm up, cool down, and generally prevent injuries. Workout experts and gym enthusiasts recommend stretching for non-impact toning and strengthening routines. Stretching can be done anywhere, anytime, and can serve as both a stress reliever and therapy for dozens of physical conditions from strains to sports injuries. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching Illustratedis designed to teach lay and professional readers alike the fundamental techniques of healthy stretching with hundreds of clear, step-by-step line drawings and instructions showing each step. Once the reader understands the basics and the various routines for each part of the body, expert instructor Barbara Templeton presents specific regimens for healing a wide variety of common complaints, from back pain to TMJ, from fatigue to sports injuries.

Tone up, burn calories, stay strong Weight Training For Dummies makes it easy to get started with weight training by offering trusted and straightforward guidance on the latest circuit and resistance training, and all-new information on the highly popular bodyweight and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Whether you're working with dumbbells, free weight sets, or machines, you'll find out how to combine weight training with other exercise to properly strength train and get in the best shape of your life. Along with aerobic exercise and flexibility, body weight training is an integral part of a complete physical activity program. But with all the different equipment and techniques available, getting started can feel overwhelming. Want to get pumped about weight training? Consider these facts: strength training, whether via free weights or a machine, builds muscle. And the more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism and the less prone you are to injuries—in and out of the gym. Plus, strength training promotes bone strength, which can significantly reduce your odds of developing osteoporosis. If that's not enough, strength training—unlike cardio workouts like running—reaps benefits almost immediately. So what are you waiting for? Weight Training For Dummies has everything you need to get started. Provides examples and directions for powerful 20-minute weight training routines for the time challenged Features advice to help you choose a weight training system that you enjoy and that fits into your lifestyle Includes new coverage devoted to warm-ups and the hottest and most beneficial stretches Introduces using weight training to address specific health or orthopedic conditions Whether you're already in the gym several times a week or are just starting out with a fitness routine, Weight Training For Dummies shows you how to use free weights or weight machines to get results—fast.

If you want to shape up or lose weight, get on the ball! It’s inexpensive. It’s something you can do at home. It’s effective! However, unless you have a personal trainer, using the exercise ball correctly to get maximum results can be tricky. That’s where Exercise Balls For Dummies comes in. You’ll discover how to turn an ordinary workout into a super workout that builds strength, increases flexibility, and sculpts a great-looking body. The book includes: Step-by-step details on using exercise balls in your regular workout program Tips on selecting and maintaining equipment Illustrated exercises covering a complete muscle workout: shoulders and upper back; biceps, triceps, and forearms; chest abdominals and lower back; legs and hips: flexibility in general Specific applications for Pilates, weight training, stretching, and aerobic exercise Mat workout routines Admitted couch potatoes can start at the beginning; fitness fanatics can jump right in and integrate the exercise ball into their routines. Exercise Balls For Dummies was written by LaReine Chabut, a fitness model, actress, and writer who owns a women’s workout spa and stars in workout videos. Of course, she makes it look easy!