The Complete Idiot's Guide to Healthy Stretching

by Verna, Chris; Hosid, Steve

• ISBN13: 9780028621272
• ISBN10: 0028621271
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-01-01
• Publisher: Alpha Books

Summary

You're no idiot, of course. You understand the benefits of good nutrition and regular exercise, and you consult your local sports pro to improve your golf swing or your second serve. But when it comes to stretching, you just don't have the time! Don't get bent out of shape yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Heatlthy Stretching shows you how to find time for stretching s time for tretching in your daily routine--in the car, at your workplace, in the garden, or at your favorite recreation area. In this Complete Idiot's Guide you get:

Table of Contents

Part 1: Understanding Stretching and Flexibility	1	(50)
1 Here's Looking at You, Kid-Your Flexibility Self-Test Mr. Stretch helps evaluate your flexibility. We have to start somewhere.	3	(18)
2 Tell Me a Little About Yourself! Your lifestyle and history-how they affect your flexibility.	21	(12)
3 Your Body's Political System and How it Should Work Together Here's how it's supposed to work. Maybe you need a re-call election.	33	(10)
4 Okay Gang, Here's What Stretching Will Do for You Mr. Stretch puts you on the road to flexibility and feeling better.	43	(8)
Part 2: Stretch the Day: Mr. Stretch's Pick-and-Choose Menu	51	(58)
5 Good Morning: The Wake-Up Wonders Starting your day with a flexible smile.	53	(20)
6 Mid-Afternoon Energy Boosters Keep perky with these quick healthy stretches. Fewer calories and more energy than a candy bar.	73	(18)
7 Nightcaps: To Be Shared With Another Can you think of a better way to end the day?	91	(18)
Part 3: Stretching for Real-Life Situations	109	(44)
8 Sitters of the World Unite: Get Vacationing Muscles Back to Work Stiff necks and sore wrists take a leave of absence as you reboot your body.	111	(12)
9 Physical Professions or Hobbies: Stiffness, Stiffness Everywhere If you lift, pound, bend, or climb, Mr. Stretch has some good stretches for you.	123	(16)
10 Captured Commuters Stuck at 30, 000 feet or in rush-hour traffic? Try these.	139	(14)
Part 4: Good Sports: Mr. Stretch's Program for Flexibility	153	(54)
11 Golf: Rotating All the Way to the Hole With clients winning nine major titles, Mr. Stretch has a program for you.	155	(10)
12 Tennis: Love the Flexibility You'll love the stretching approach to better tennis.	165	(12)
13 Leg Sports: Walking, Rollerblading, Cycling, Running, and Climbing Since you like to move, you'll love these lubricating stretches.	177	(12)
14 Swimming: Fluidity in the Water Different strokes for different floks...and stretches to match.	189	(8)
15 Skiing and Other Winter Sports: Cold-Weather Engine Protection With these stretches you'll never be left out in the cold.	197	(10)
Part 5: Special Situations Require Special Stretches	207	(36)
16 Pregnancy Stretching: Expecting to Be Flexible Some gentle stretches for the changes in your life. Partners welcome.	209	(10)
17 Let's Stretch the Kids: Flexibility for Life Quality time as a flexibility-conscious parent.	219	(12)
18 Senior Flexibility: Healthy Stretching for an Active Lifestyle Stay flexible and enjoy an active lifestyle.	231	(12)
Part 6: Mr. Stretch's Program for Improving the Quality of Your Life With Stretching	243	(60)
19 Healthy Stretching Your Feet, Ankles, and Calves A variety of stretches to help develop and maintain joint flexibility.	245	(10)
20 Healthy Stretching Your Knees, Hips, and Hamstrings Stretches to help you maintain an active lifestyle.	255	(18)
21 Healthy Stretching Your Back and Abdomen Maintaining flexibility to keep you off your back.	273	(12)
22 Healthy Stretching Your Shoulders and Neck Mr. Stretch's exercises for less tension and more flexibility.	285	(10)
23 Healthy Stretching Your Elbows and Wrists Stretches to help keep your arms and wrists flexible.	295	(8)
Glossary Have a question about what something means? Check Mr. Stretch's stretching-related definitions.	303	(2)
Index	305