Muscle Mechanics: Correct Technique for 73 Resistance Training Exercises [Paperback]

Unlike many other books on the market, "Muscle Mechanics" is a perfect companion to those who want to really get into the move of things. Using photographs, and easy-to-read type, the book surpasses many professionally written books by top name fitness gurus because. In plain English, this book is similar to a "Dummies" or "Complete Idiot's" guide to weight-resistance exercises. Although I am much more of a pro when it comes to training, this book was helpful in helping me learn several exercises that I was not performing correctly. Overall, the book's design, setup, and price are all added pluses when it came to me in purchasing it.

So, if you're looking for a simple, yet thorough book on weight training, this book is the right choice.

With this in mind I let me list the pros and cons. Pros: 1. By using two colors of ink(black and cyan/blue) the diagrams that show the muscles used in each exercise are excellent. Better than 98% of the books I've seen. 2. The author has credentials including a bachelors degree in exercise science as well as experience as a competitive bodybuilder and coach and in the exercise business. 3. There is a strong emphasis on good exercise form. 4. Although there is not an overabundance of exercises, all the major muscle groups are covered. 5. The author presents three programs to build a sound foundation and progress safely from beginner to intermediate stage. 5.Some of the equipment shown is different than that more commonly seen. Experienced trainees might be interested in seeing Cybex's version of a hip abduction machine for comparison to Nautilus's. 6. The author takes a kinesiological approach to naming exercises. One may or may not appreciate this "orthopedic surgeon's approach" to naming exercises. 7. There are exercises for the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder and their importance in injury prevention is exercised. This is a an feature lacking in older texts. 8. Usually two different versions -- machine and free weight -- for exercises are given. One or two omissions, but the effort is there and most exercises get both coverages. Cons: 1. Commonly used names for common exercises are not given. See 6 above. In effect, the author has created a whole new language which allows the reader to sound pedantic, but not be able to communicate with other trainees or cross reference his text with other exercise texts. 2. I saw no caution against holding one's breath while exerting a strongs effort to lift a weight. This is surprising given the general emphasis on safe technique. 3. I applaud the author's mention of pelvic tilt for safe body positoning. However, it should have been emphasized more. Enlarging portions of the two illustrations showing good spinal positoning and bad (lordosis) and pointing out the difference in the tilt of the hip bones would have been a good idea. 4.In early 2001 Newsweek magazine covered SuperSlow training protocol which was trademarked by Ken Hutchins in 1992 and I first saw used in 1984. Given its radical departure from traditonal weight training tempo and the fact that Wayne Westcott has modified his Nautilus instructions to incorporate it because of its effectiveness and safety makes one wonder why Everett Aaberg makes no mention of it. But then few authors outside of Ken Hutchins, Ellington Darden in some of his more recent books, and Matt Brzycki cover SuperSlow. I regard it as a serious omission.

I checked this book out of our library first and thought enough of it to buy it. If I were on more limited budget or less impulsive, I would not have. It's a good read, but if one already has a good introductory text, then the next purchase should be something else. Authors wishing to write a training book should definitely read this. It's nicely illustrated, well written, and the author does cover some new ground, but still it could be improved. Borrow what's good and fill in the blanks. That's your job.

I think all levels of trainees will find something to like in this book, but beginners more so than advanced. Whether or not they should by it is a different question. END