The Whartons' Stretch Book: Featuring the Breakthrough Method of Active-Isolated Stretching

Hands down, best stretching book out there!

Although I agree with many of the reviewers that the program takes much longer (45 mins to 1.5 hours for me, but after a few times you can do it in front of the tv) than the authors claim, it works so well, and the other stretching methods I've come across work so poorly, that I must give this book 5 stars. You can really feel the difference using this technique. With traditional stretching, I might feel a little bit more flexible for a couple of hours, but with AIS I feel significantly looser even the next day. Caveats: It's not the best-written book and the idea that the stretching programs are customized for your sport is kind of silly, since the "customized programs" are mostly "all of the stretches," "all of the core and lower-body stretches," or "all of the core and upper-body stretches." Some of the ideas aren't fully explained.

Excellent book that actually works. Allow at least three (3) hours on your first day to give yourself time to take the initial self evaluation. It takes some thought, but it will prove to be invaluable in the long term.

I gave this book 5 stars, not because it is faultless, but because the exercises are so effective. There is a learning curve involved here, and I think that puts some people off. And I'll agree that some of the exercise descriptions are a little tough to decipher. But I was in pain, and now I'm not.My opinion: skip their initial evaluation step where you write down your movement ranges, etc. I think that is an awkward, tedious, and unnecessary time investment. Get into the exercises and hang with them.

I am a nurse massage therapist. I use this book for my clients that are in chronic pain. It works for most all of them, rather they are athletic, or not. I have had clients that started back playing golf, after a chronic back problem, with these 2 sec. stretches. I think it is a wonderful book and recommend it to almost all my patients.

In summer of '97, I was fortunate enough to take the stretch class with the Whartons at a dance convention in Chicago. After the hour-long class I was amazed at how light and comfortable I felt. I own a dance studio where I work with children and adults. We've had great results with the Whartons' active-isolated stretching technique. Great improvements in flexibility are noticed immediately, and continue to improve. This book is well organized and the technique is explained in an easy to follow text. I highly recommend this book to any person involved with dance, aerobics, sports or anyone who wants to maintain or improve flexibility.