Synopses & Reviews
An illustrated guide to the anatomy of the abdominal muscles and how to tone them successfully without injury andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andbull; Presents the 16 most effective and safest abdominal exercises for great abs andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andbull; Reveals how common ab exercises, such as crunches, can damage the spine, pelvic floor, diaphragm, and internal organs andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andbull; Offers tips to get rid of belly fat--both superficial fat and deeper visceral fat andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Presenting a new type of abdominal exercise program designed with the bodyandrsquo;s anatomical relationships in mind, Blandine Calais-Germain reveals the 6 underlying principles for working the abs efficiently, 7 exercises to get you ready, and the 16 most effective and safest abdominal exercises for a flat belly. Pointing out that ab exercises are not without risk, she reviews the most common abdominal exercises, such as crunches and leg lifts, and explains how to avoid injury to the neck, lower back, pelvic floor, diaphragm, prostate, and internal organs as well as how to protect these vital structures with appropriate abdominal work. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Exploring this often misunderstood region of the body in her trademark anatomical style, Calais-Germain details the muscular structures that make up the abs, revealing that strength alone is not the sole factor in a flat stomach. Including tips to get rid of belly fat--both superficial fat and deeper visceral fat--this book reveals how to get great abs, lose weight, gain strength, and build your core all without hurting yourself.
Review
andldquo;andlt;Iandgt;No-Risk Absandlt;/Iandgt; answers crucial questions about the safety of abdominal exercises and presents a unique system for stretching and strengthening abdominal muscles without stress to the low back, pelvic floor, and neck.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;andlt;Iandgt;No-Risk Absandlt;/Iandgt; is indispensable reading for movement and fitness educators. Calais-Germainandrsquo;s careful exposition of the anatomical logic that grounds her abdominal regimen will eliminate harm caused by the misinformation and cultural confusion surrounding this region of our bodies. Her approach beautifully contributes to holistic body organization.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;This book is especially valuable for those who work with the elderly or who are returning to exercise after an absence. It would be very hard to go wrong with these moves.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;The focus on how to avoid injury while exercising is specific and black and white illustrations throughout provide specific instruction assuring clarity. Any library strong in exercise programs will appreciate this very specific, clear title.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;This book is as powerful as any exercise machine, filled with solid guidelines for a holistic approach to achieving a strong and healthy body.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Read this book especially if you are a teacher or client with back issues...This is a brilliant book that finally addresses the poor training of abs and the possible effects of this training.andrdquo;
Review
“No-Risk Abs answers crucial questions about the safety of abdominal exercises and presents a unique system for stretching and strengthening abdominal muscles without stress to the low back, pelvic floor, and neck.” < b=""> Colleen Craig <> , author of < i=""> Pilates on the Ball <>
Review
“No-Risk Abs is indispensable reading for movement and fitness educators. Calais-Germain’s careful exposition of the anatomical logic that grounds her abdominal regimen will eliminate harm caused by the misinformation and cultural confusion surrounding this region of our bodies. Her approach beautifully contributes to holistic body organization.” < b=""> Mary Bond <> , author of < i=""> The New Rules of Posture <> and Movement Faculty Chair at The Rolf Institute
Review
“This book is especially valuable for those who work with the elderly or who are returning to exercise after an absence. It would be very hard to go wrong with these moves.” < i=""> Publishers Weekly <> , June 2011
Review
“The focus on how to avoid injury while exercising is specific and black and white illustrations throughout provide specific instruction assuring clarity. Any library strong in exercise programs will appreciate this very specific, clear title.” < i=""> Midwest Book Review <> , August 2011
Review
“This book is as powerful as any exercise machine, filled with solid guidelines for a holistic approach to achieving a strong and healthy body.” < b=""> Vicky Thompson <> , < i=""> New Connexion <> , September 2011
Review
“Read this book especially if you are a teacher or client with back issues...This is a brilliant book that finally addresses the poor training of abs and the possible effects of this training.” < b=""> Lesley Powell <> , < i=""> Movements Afoot <>
Synopsis
An illustrated guide to the anatomy of the abdominal muscles and how to tone them successfully without injury
- Presents the 16 most effective and safest abdominal exercises for great abs
- Reveals how common ab exercises, such as crunches, can damage the spine, pelvic floor, diaphragm, and internal organs
- Offers tips to get rid of belly fat--both superficial fat and deeper visceral fat
Presenting a new type of abdominal exercise program designed with the body's anatomical relationships in mind, Blandine Calais-Germain reveals the 6 underlying principles for working the abs efficiently, 7 exercises to get you ready, and the 16 most effective and safest abdominal exercises for a flat belly. Pointing out that ab exercises are not without risk, she reviews the most common abdominal exercises, such as crunches and leg lifts, and explains how to avoid injury to the neck, lower back, pelvic floor, diaphragm, prostate, and internal organs as well as how to protect these vital structures with appropriate abdominal work.
Exploring this often misunderstood region of the body in her trademark anatomical style, Calais-Germain details the muscular structures that make up the abs, revealing that strength alone is not the sole factor in a flat stomach. Including tips to get rid of belly fat--both superficial fat and deeper visceral fat--this book reveals how to get great abs, lose weight, gain strength, and build your core all without hurting yourself.
Synopsis
Blandine Calais-Germain reveals how to build your core without hurting yourself. Using her trademark anatomical style, this book shows that strength alone is not the sole factor in a flat stomach and includes tips to get rid of belly fat.
About the Author
Blandine Calais-Germain is the author of the bestselling andlt;Iandgt;Anatomy of Movementandlt;/Iandgt;, andlt;Iandgt;The Female Pelvis: Anatomy and Exercisesandlt;/Iandgt;, and andlt;Iandgt;Anatomy of Breathingandlt;/Iandgt;. In addition to being a dancer and a dance teacher, she is a certified physical therapist and attended the French School of Orthopedics and Massage in Paris. Known for her innovative method for teaching the physical structures of anatomy in relation to movement, she teaches workshops to students from all over the world. She lives in Limoux, France.
Table of Contents
andlt;Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Authorandrsquo;s Note andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Acknowledgments andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Part One andlt;BRandgt;What Are the Abs? andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Introductionandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;The Rectus Abdominis andlt;BRandgt;The Broad Muscles and the Abdominal Aponeuroses andlt;BRandgt;The Transversus Abdominis andlt;BRandgt;The Internal Obliques andlt;BRandgt;The External Obliques andlt;BRandgt;Understanding Some Key Words andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part Two andlt;BRandgt;Abdominal Strength versus a Flat Bellyandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Evaluating the Flat Belly andlt;BRandgt;Flat Belly and Protruding Belly andlt;BRandgt;A andldquo;Userandrsquo;s Guideandrdquo; to a Flat Belly andlt;BRandgt;Customized Strengthening Programs andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part Three andlt;BRandgt;The Five Most Common Abdominal Exercises andlt;BRandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Working the Abdominals andlt;BRandgt;Crunches andlt;BRandgt;Leg Lifts andlt;BRandgt;Push-ups andlt;BRandgt;Supine Trunk Rotation andlt;BRandgt;Pulling In the Belly on a Forceful Exhalation andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part Four andlt;BRandgt;Safe and Effective Exercises for Great Absandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;The Six andldquo;No-Risk Absandrdquo; Principles andlt;BRandgt;Seven andldquo;No-Risk Absandrdquo; Preparatory Exercises andlt;BRandgt;Sixteen andldquo;No-Risk Absandrdquo; Exercises andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Appendix. Important Ideas to Remember andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Courses in the andldquo;No-Risk Absandrdquo; Method andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Further Reading andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Index andlt;/Bandgt;