Ultimate Flexibility: A Complete Guide to Stretching for Martial Arts Paperback – Illustrated, March 1, 2004

Ultimate flexibility is an excellent book for those who practice the martial arts, regardless of their current flexibility level. It's even great for those who don't. My wife (who doesn't practice martial arts) joins me for flexibility exercises and enjoys the workout quite a bit.The book is divided to 3 main categories.The first chapters deal with the scientific background. What are the mechanisms behind flexibility; what can be improved; what are the limitations; and what are the potential hazards for the un-educated, practicing flexibility. It details the major muscle groups and explains the benefit of having each flexible. It has good suggestions in terms of keeping workout logs and setting goals.The second part has actual flexibility exercises, all clearly explained along with a photo for each. Some exercises are presented with a few alternatives-- easier versions and harder versions.The third and last part suggests flexibility workouts. That is, what a workout should include depending on your background and goals.Ultimate Flexibility has helped my flexibility tremendously. It's educational, clear and concise and most importantly, motivating. I now look forward for some time off so I can go out and practice some flexibility.Bravo.- Petel

this book is insaneit has step by step instructions for beginners and pros it also shows warmups for mma, boxing, weapons, splits, grappling, and high kickingI highly recommend this book

I just received and skimmed through last evening, and this appears to be exactly what I had hoped. I'm now in my late 60's, with a goal of joining my granddaughter in TKD classes by the end of this year, and so I have some serious conditioning to do. The book is very well organized. I particularly like the suggested workouts in Chapter 7. These are two page step by step diagrams that take you through each of 14 stretch areas -- with page references for each stretch. For the beginner, it's a great starting point and can be readily changed up as one's fitness progresses. So looks to be exactly what I need.Pages lay out flat for the most part, which is good. Spiral bound would have been a nice touch for this type reference.

I needed it it was fun

This is really a nice text with photo plates on a number of stretches (basic to advance) for almost anyone, but geared especially for those practicing some martial art. Although it's an older book, the information is still solid, readable with key points, and in one bound volume. Dr. Kim's organization and simple teaching method is great, bearing in mind, with these types of books you're generally learning on your own. If you're in a class, talk with your co-students and teacher to supplement Dr. Kim's instruction. They can agree or disagree. All in all, an excellent resource to browse and refresh one's memory of stretches for various parts of the body.

This was a used book - like new. From Bookworm. Advertised as like new. The binding indicates the book was never opened. This is really a brand new book And a hard cover. Thank you.As for a stretching guide for martial arts.... This book is the top of the chain. Sang H Kim is in an art that needs extreme flexibility and these are the practical basics. I already have a copy but it is often loaned to friends. (Parker Kenpo / Jay Small Circle / Jim Dohan)

I'm using the kindle version of this book and find it exceptionally poorly designed which ultimately makes it very frustrating to use.The first half on the book is informative giving the basic physiology etc behind stretching and I enjoyed it very much. The stretches themselves seem rather basic and and explained a little too simply. It would have been nice to have the science mixed in so I could understand what I was doing with my body with each stretch. I feel there is little here in terms of stretching that I haven't already tried. The best parts are where some of the stretches have easier and more challenging variations.Going back to the poor design each stretch is not on a fresh page and at times you don't realise that you have moved on to the explanation of another stretch. There are suggested routines at the back which list stretches and pages numbers. There are no links back to the pages and flicking back and forth is very annoying and incredibly time consuming.Ultimately I wouldn't encourage anyone to buy this as a kindle version though the physical book maybe less frustrating.

I found this to be an excellent and comprehensive resource on stretching.At age 55, I am a new choi kwang do student, but am quite flexible due to a background in ballet and yoga. This book enabled me to integrate my experience with stretching into martial arts, gave me more confidence in what I already knew, and helped me to understand what stretches are particularly helpful in martial arts. I have limited knowledge of the different types of martial arts, but feel that the material is not specific to any particular style but useful across the board..I bought a copy for myself and then bought a copy for my teacher as a Christmas present.