Anatomy for Strength and Fitness Training: An Illustrated Guide to Your Muscles in Action

The muscles fascinate me. And when I plan my workouts, I like to plan them according to the needs of my muscles. For example, if my back is bothering me, I try and plan exercises that will soothe and strengthen my back muscles and not further injure them.If I want more strength in my upper body, I want to train the muscles that will help me accomplish this in the fastest, most efficient manner. That's why I find this book so helpful.The book shows you all of the muscles that a person uses in most all compound and isolated weight bearing exercises. Also you'll find the muscles used in yoga and stretching, fitness in general. So it's a book for everyone.Exercising without knowing what you're doing, what muscles you're working, is not a good idea. It's more fun and more productive when you understand what muscles you're working and exactly how to work them to get the most benefit. That's why you need this book.There are other books on muscular anatomy. But I find this one to be the best.You'll discover how often and for how long you'll need to workout to accomplish your own unique goals. You'll also learn how to deal with injuries. I was a bit surprised, however, that the book failed to give modifications for many of the exercises. Unfortunately, most books of this type have the same failing. I guess it's expected the reader will know the modifications. Fortunately, I do. I hope you do to. If not, you need to invest in a book that shows the different modifications for those with injuries or limitations.I suggest you read at least the first part of the book. Then you can skim the rest if you like. But carefully read the information about the muscles and exercises you're going to do. It's not a book you'll necessarily want to read cover to cover. And, you won't necessarily need to.But you will want to refer to it often. So always keep it handy. Keep in in your gym bag or your workout room and use it when planning your workouts for the week.The exercises in the book are mostly using your own body weight or simple free weights. Only a few use machines. So you can select the ones you want and for which you're equipped.This is an excellent reference and I highly recommend it to you.- Susanna K. Hutcheson

Wow. As a new personal fitness trainer, I was struggling the clarify which muscles are being strengthened or stretched with each movement. Vella's book makes my life so easy. It is clearly written, beautifully illustrated, very straight-forward and will be at my side for the remainder of my professional career. It's not only a terrific reference for professionals but I will be able to show my clients what's happening with their bodies -- thereby making their workouts more effective. Absolutely indispensable book for anyone in the bodywork or body training field. Thank you, Mr. Vella.

I am studying to complete my Master Trainer at the moment and have found this book to be invaluable, all PTs and Gym Instructors should use this book and the Institutes should promote it, it is easy to use, very practical and you get a visual understanding of all muscle groups and how the exercises that you may prescribe will help your client. Invaluable in my opinion.

I purchased this as a required text for a Equinox personal training course. However, I constantly refer back to it for various reasons. It has useful exercises that are better understood in the context of the drawings and detailed instructions. It also has a good section on stretching. It is also a good source to analyze aches, pains or strains and to better understand how muscles are inter-connected. I have also used it to better explain exercises and target muscle groups to family and friends - a picture is worth a 1000 words. I consider it very user friendly.

I use this book weekly. Recommending this book to all personal trainers and those that want to know how the body works when you work out and what muscles you use when doing certain exercises. Great photos, easy to understand. The book arrived in the condition it stated and arrived on time. I would look for more books by this author and purchase more books from this store.

This is an Excellent Reference and Training material that helps you see All the multiple muscle type effects of each individual workout you use and which ones you may want to use or avoid depending on your circumstances ! This book,IMHO,is Not difficult to understand and has a Lot of Bang for the Buck compared to other mediums that I explored here at Amazon. If it looks good after you check it out a little,I'd go for it :)

From the illustrations to the detailed explanations this is a superb guide. Found it as one of the best read for showing in great detail the muscles involved in essentially every possible core exercise. If you are serious about resistance training or want to learn more this book is it. Not overwhelming just GOODJohn Gregory Vincent[...].The "CURE" for the Common Workplace

Really helpful book it helped me on the planes of motion. It is also very good for trying new exercices.

Very informative a great buy

Great info!

Clear, thorough and well illustrated. Highly recommended.

Excellent!!

pleased with item, will come in handy for coursework