Innovative abdominal exercises to help tone the abdomen, improve posture, and build a strong back using the Swiss exercise ball.

• Offers a 10-minute and 20-minute workout for all levels of fitness.

• Shows how the mobility of the ball targets underutilized muscles.

• Shows how traditional sit-ups and ab machines limit how much abdominal muscles can be trained and also aggravate lower back pain and neck tension.

A strong, stable core is the foundation of virtually all physical efforts.

Pilates and yoga practitioners as well as dedicated athletes are familiar with the concept of "core stability." They understand its importance in achieving and maintaining superior fitness. A strong and stable core improves athletic performance, increases power and endurance, reduces stress on the body and minimizes the chances of injury. It helps to improve balance and posture, alleviates back pain and minimizes fatigue. Even everyday actions are easier, whether climbing stairs or lifting a box or holding a baby.

The muscles most responsible for core stability run the length of the trunk and torso. They include the famous "six pack" abdominal muscles, the muscles that underlie the spinal column and neck and which help to rotate the back, the oblique muscles, and the muscles of the hips and thighs. Exercises designed specifically to address these muscles are the only way to build a stable core.

Anatomy of Core Stability features such exercises. They are designed to work the entire core musculature, from the major muscles in the abdomen, spine, lower back, torso, hips and thighs, which endure the greater effort, to the smaller assisting muscles, which support the larger. Many exercises use inexpensive equipment such as a stability ball, medicine ball, free weights and wobble board.

American Reference Books Annual praised this series' first book, Anatomy of Exercise, as "fascinating" and recommended it to "medium-sized and large public libraries as well as high school and undergraduate collections." This latest addition to the series will prove equally commendable and is an important purchase.

The "Anatomy of..." series has revolutionized how people can approach their fitness needs. The books are ideal references for beginning exercisers and amateur athletes, elite competitors, trainers, physiotherapists, coaches, sport injury clinics, yoga, pilates and fitness instructors, team doctors and specialist professionals.

Women are joining gyms and running in marathons in record numbers. They are also learning about the preventive effect of exercise on diseases and conditions, including depression, heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia and breast cancer. Anatomy of Exercise for Women provides women of all ages with exercise programs that will bring great benefits in physical fitness, psychological well-being and meeting the challenges of daily life.

Like all of the books in the series, this title contains:

• Detailed, full-color anatomical illustrations for all the exercises
• Annotations identifying the active and stabilizing muscles
• Concise how-to instructions for each exercise
• Identification of the specific muscles that benefit the most from each exercise
• Suggested modifications for different levels of difficulty
• A glossary of anatomical terms.

Exercises are presented individually and then also in pre-designed workouts that let women focus on what they want most to improve: Leaner Legs, Thighs and Glutes; Arm Toner; Core Strength and Stability; All-Over Toner; and Working the Waistline. The Beginner's and Back to Basics Workouts are excellent overall programs. Stretching exercises help to alleviate stress and fatigue, improve posture and increase flexibility.

The "Anatomy of..." series has revolutionized how people can approach their fitness needs. The books are ideal references for beginning exercisers and amateur athletes, elite competitors, trainers, physiotherapists, coaches, sport injury clinics, yoga, pilates and fitness instructors, team doctors and specialist professionals.

It doesn't matter if you're a fitness novice or an elite athlete. You should be starting each workout exactly the same way--with a stretching regimen designed to warm up your body and help you achieve a new personal best each time. Without the expertise of a professional trainer and without an expert's understanding of muscle anatomy, it can be hard to know what exercises are best. In Anatomy of Stretching, renowned trainer Craig Ramsay shows every exerciser how to get limber and prevent injury.

Five-time Mr. Universe, seven-time Mr. Olympia, and Mr. World, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the name in bodybuilding. Here is his classic bestselling autobiography, which explains how the "Austrian Oak" came to the sport of bodybuilding and aspired to be the star he has become.

The complete program for building and maintaining a well-conditioned, excellently proportioned body--for a lifetime of fitness and health.

Prepare to look, feel, and perform better than you ever have before

Why bodybuilding? Put simply, lifting weights--or resistance training--is one of the best ways to achieve total body health and fitness. Research has shown time and again that pumping iron provides a host of benefits: Bigger muscles, of course, but also greater strength, higher bone density, and improved cardiovascular capacity. Adding muscle also naturally ignites your body's internal fat-burners, increasing your metabolism while lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol. Oh yeah, and you'll look terrific.

Here's all you need to start building serious muscle, including crucial information on:

• Complete workouts and techniques to maximize results
• Specific tips on achieving more defined abs, arms, legs, chest, and back,
• How bodybuilding is different and better than other training methods
• Basic anatomy and physiology
• "Gym jargon" via a special decoder
• How long and often you should work out--and how much recovery time your body needs

Building muscle has never been faster or easier than with this revolutionary once-a-week training program

In Body By Science, bodybuilding powerhouse John Little teams up with fitness medicine expert Dr. Doug McGuff to present a scientifically proven formula for maximizing muscle development in just 12 minutes a week. Backed by rigorous research, the authors prescribe a weekly high-intensity program for increasing strength, revving metabolism, and building muscle for a total fitness experience.