Resistance Training Instruction

Rating:
Summary: muscle mechanics updated
Review: 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 If there is one, it will probably be outdated in one month.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.

Rating:
Summary: too basic
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: read..
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Take Your Workouts To The Next Level!
Review: 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