Core Performance

This is an excellent book offering a Core Workout that covers every aspect of fitness--balance, flexibility, power and strength. The exercises are unique and challenging and many require very little equipment. This book is a great choice for anyone who wants to lose weight, get strong and improve their quality of life.

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This is a well-written book emphasizing flexibility, stabilization and functional training. Mark begins with an explanation of our core and goes into a detailed Core Workout designed to strengthen the muscles supporting the hips, torso, shoulders and back--your 'pillar' of strength. The workout begins with an active warm up involving stretches and unique movements designed to heat your body. The Prehab section offers movements for the upper back and shoulder rotators such as planks, pushups and back exercises performed on a ball. The Physioball Section is my favorite with twisting and rolling moves like crunches, knee tucks and hyperextensions to work the stabilizers. The Elasticity Unit involves drills to increase agility and power-you'll need quick feet for these! The Strength Unit covers weight-bearing exercises, some with an element of balance (standing on one leg in dumbbell rows) as well as dynamic movements using a cable. The Cardio Unit provides a chart of zones to work within for maximum efficiency. Last is the Regeneration Unit which includes active isolated stretching movements and following this are workout logs to guide you through the phases, although I wish these had been tear-out sheets. The nutrition section is nothing new--he recommends eating small meals more often and gives info about the types of protien, carbs & fat you should eat. Overall, this is an excellent book with unique exercises that will really challenge you. Highly recommended!