The Great Balance and Stability Handbook Paperback – July 31, 2009

On the surface, this doesn't look like much. Sure, there are lots of pretty color pictures of the exercises and a good description of the different equipment needed but the book itself is very small. However, in that small package the author has managed to cram a lot of good exercises. I've only been using the book for a couple of weeks and I can already feel a difference in my abs and my balance has improved. I really wish I'd purchased this book years ago because I could have saved my self about a dozen serious falls and several ER visits.

I loved the thought and organization put into this book. Having said that I was somewhat at a loss as to what to rate it because some of the pluses could also be considered minuses. It covers 4 pieces of stability equipment: Bosu Trainer, Extreme Balance Board, Balance Cushion and Wobble Board. On the one hand these pieces of equipment are readily available, but since it only covers these 4 pieces of equipment you are limited to these. The book is around 60 pages, small enough to put in a gym bag (and it is part of a series that appears to be designed for that purpose) and handy for reference, but some may feel it is more of a booklet. The exercises are divided into upper and lower body exercises and the pages are color coded on the edge so you can easily locate these sections. The exercises are further defined by type: static, dynamic, reactive (act-react) and by novice and advanced. Each exercise shows what muscles are worked and which of the other pieces of equipment can be used as a substitute. There are also some body diagrams so the muscles can be identified if you are unfamiliar with the names/locations. Everything is kept brief, but clear. Personally I prefer the small book to the huge, heavy exercise bible you will probably never pick up and refer to.

If you are looking for an introduction to balance training with a clear set of instructions on using balance training tools, this is the book for you. This is really a pamphlet, only 63 pages, but packs a lot of info. It starts with introduction, safety tips and a balance assessment as a starting point. The strengths of the book are it covers many different balance tools, and the exercises are graded for beginners vs advanced with clear pictures and descriptions. There are upper, lower body and core exercises, lots to choose from. However, I would have liked more about how and when to progress to the next level of difficulty. Overall a good addition to workout routine.

Good starting place for balance, a lot of information, but I expected a little bigger book. This is more like a booklet.HOWEVER, if you're really new to core exercises or can't afford a trainer at the gym but need some pointers, this book might be good for you. Its a lot better if you can find online videos though because this shows you start and end positions. You don't get to see the actual exercises being performed and in any exercise, form is everything. It doesn't matter how many reps you can do, how much you can lift, or what you use if you break your form. You have to have someone show you good form though and have either a mirror or excellent proprioception awareness.Use this book in addition to either a "spotter" or videos. Also try this guy's website, he has crazy awesome balance skills:[...]Also if you can't afford the bosu ball and all the rest of that stuff, you can make a pretty cheap balance board from Home Depot by getting one of their round 1" thick pine pieces & a round wood knob with center screw (about $15). Attach them and you have virtually the same thing as the cheap plastic balance board on the front cover, lower left of this book.I recently purchased an Indo board & would highly recommend it to anyone who really has core issues. Combine that with the TRX or a Theraball and you have an awesome workout.

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK TO HAVE WHILE YOU WORK ON YOUR BALANCE AND STABILITY. THERE ARE COLORFUL PICTURES ON EVERY PAGE WHICH CLEARLY SHOW YOU HOW TO DO AN EXERCISE. FIRST, THE BOOK GIVES YOU FRONT (ANTERIOR) AND BACK (POSTERIOR) COLOR BODY DIAGRAMS. THIS HELPS A LOT WHEN YOU ARE WORKING ON SPECIFIC MUSCLE GROUPS.THE AUTHORS OF THIS BOOK STATE YOU WILL NEED AN EXTREME BALANCE BOARD, BOSU BALL, A VERY SMALL BALANCE CUSHION (PERSONALLY, I THINK THIS IS A USELESS ITEM), AND A WOBBLE BOARD. IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/EXAMPLES EXACTLY AS THEY ARE PRESENTED IN THIS BOOK, THEN YOU WILL NEED THE EQUIPMENT LISTED ABOVE (EXCEPT FOR THE WORTHLESS BALANCE CUSHION). HOWEVER, JUST ABOUT ALL OF THE EXERCISES WITHIN THIS BOOK CAN BE ACHIEVED BY USING A BOSU BALL AND AN EXERCISE BALL. NO OTHER EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED. SOME OF THE EXERCISES ARE VERY EASY, THEN THEY GRADUALLY INCREASE TO MORE DIFFICULT EXERCISES.I am 5'7" AND A #65 EXERCISE BALL IS PERFECT FOR ME. IF YOU ARE SHORTER OR TALLER, THEN PURCHASE A EXCERCISE BALL WITH EITHER A SMALLER # OR LARGER #, RESPECTIVELY. ALSO, SMALLER EXERCISE BALLS HELP ME WITH PRACTICING EXERCISES WHICH ARE MORE DIFFUCULT. I'M NOT NEARLY AS CONCERNED WITH HURTING (FALLING OFF OF THE BALL) MYSELF WHILE LEARNING TO MASTER THE EXERCISES.THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK, BECAUSE YOU DEFINITLY WILL GET MORE IDEAS ON HOW TO PRACTICE BOSU BALL EXCERCISES, AS WELL AS, INCREASING THE DIFFICULTY OF YOUR BOSU EXCERCISES.***I SUGGEST YOU PURCHASE 'BALANCE TRAINING: STABILITY WORKOUTS FOR CORE STRENGTH AND A SCULPTED BODY' BEFORE YOU TRY TO TACKLE THE DIFFICULT EXERCISES SHOWN IN THIS BOOK.***OTHER BOOK WHICH WILL HELP YOU IS: 'GET ON THE BALL'.

So I PAID for a book of ads for additional equipment. I'd give it a minus 5 if I were allowed.

I have received some balance equipment over the years (perhaps I'm a bit unbalanced?). Before I got this book, I didn't appreciate all the things I could be doing with my balance board or balance disc. This book has many exercises that you can do on your balance equipment - it is great!

Arrived on time and as stated.