“Having studied the mechanics of injury for the past 20 years, I can attest to the importance of proper form with respect to resistance training. In this respect, Fred and Rachel have created a wonderful guide, appropriate for the beginner and professional alike. The authors provide a comprehensive, evidence-based manual that emphasizes correct form through user-friendly text and clear step-by-step instructions and photographs. The attention to detail is unparalleled among other texts in the field. If you were going to read and use only one book on weight training, this would be it!”
—Christopher M. Powers, PT, PhD, FACSM, FAPTA, Professor, USC Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy
“It has taken me almost a lifetime to build a champion body. I have entered and won many competitions, most notably Mr. Universe. The key to achieve a champion body is to weight train consistently, with proper form to prevent injury. Weight Training Without Injury is brilliant—it educates the novice, as well as the professional, on how to train without injury.”
—Dave Draper, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Mr. World in several competitions, 1965–1970, author of Brother Iron, Sister Steel: A Bodybuilder’s Book
“A clear and comprehensive guide, backed by scientific evidence and decades of real-life experience. A must-have for anyone needing to weight train safely—which is just about everyone.”
—Frank Winton, MD, Family & Sports Medicine
“Weight Training Without Injury is an essential book for all ages to improve muscle strength and endurance without causing harm to the musculoskeletal system. The information presented is simple and concise, with formulas and schedules that are easy to follow. The chapter on proper squat exercise alone is so important that I have already changed the way I teach this exercise in my practice.”
—Stuart C. Marshall, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Specializing in Sports Medicine and Trauma
“I absolutely love Stellabotte and Straub’s book, Weight Training Without Injury! Having started fitness training in my early teens, in the weight room and in sports, I wish I’d had a guide like Weight Training Without Injury. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced lifters and trainers can benefit from this book as it demonstrates the right and the wrong way to do all the activities in the gym. It has a strong focus on feet and hand placement, head and neck alignment, spine and hip range of motion, and shoulder and knee joint stability. Science in the weight room—LOVE IT!”
—Stew Smith, CSCS, Former Navy SEAL, Tactical Fitness Author, Special Ops Team Coach at the US Naval Academy, Founder of Heroes of Tomorrow and Stew Smith Fitness
“Stellabotte, a personal trainer and veteran of the U.S. Navy, and Straub, an exercise physiologist, have built a clear and comprehensive manual that lays out the foundational basics of how to use weights and explicitly demonstrates the differences between safe, or “correct,” movements and injury-causing “incorrect” ones. The book is divided into seven sections, kicking off with a crucial introduction to selecting the right workout regimen. Subsequent sections focus on different parts of the body: legs, back, chest, shoulders, arms, and the all-important core. Along with the essential weight exercise for the body part in question, these sections go over necessary equipment, key points for safe and effective movement, and “Master Techniques,” the more advanced exercises. The writing is clean and straightforward, effectively communicating what to avoid and what to do, as incorrect form can be dangerous. Color photographs appear on nearly every page illustrating the authors’ tips. This guide is essential for anyone who hopes to get into weight training, and it should be mandatory reading before setting foot into any gym.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Weight Training Without Injury is a tremendous resource for all types of athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and professionals. The methodologies in this book are sound, with scientific backing, and are presented in a very organized and easy-to-read manner. I definitely recommend this book to everyone that wants to train with great technique and excel in their respective fields.”
—Jon Sanderson, MS, CSCS, RSCC, SCCC, USAW, FMS, TPI, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, University of Michigan, Men’s Basketball, Men’s/Women’s Golf
“Weight Training Without Injury is an indispensable, user-friendly guide, especially for the beginning lifter. The clear and simple instructions, along with the photos of correct (and incorrect) body positions throughout the range of motion for every step, make it possible to master proper technique when lifting weights—which is essential to avoid injury and maximize the benefits of resistance training.”
—N. Travis Triplett, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, Professor of Exercise Science, Appalachian State University
“Written by two eminently qualified authors, this guide offers sensible instruction for exercising the entire body using free weights, exercise machines, and the trainee’s own body weight. The authors state that this book is intended for all levels of exercisers, but it seems more probable that it will appeal to beginners. Explanations of each exercise and the use of each machine or piece of equipment are clearly provided and supplemented with over 350 full-color photographs. Correct and incorrect forms are illustrated to emphasize safety. Unlike many exercise books, the model used here is not a body builder or fitness instructor but an average, middle-aged woman—a difference that beginning exercisers may appreciate. The first chapter gives advice for designing a workout plan. Subsequent chapters cover exercises targeting separate body parts. The writing is easy to understand, making the exercises simple to follow. More advanced exercisers can benefit from the explanations of proper form and the coverage of other fundamentals. This title is recommended for all libraries needing a basic but comprehensive full-body workout guide. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers.”
—J. B. Napp, University of Toledo, Choice Reviews for Academic Libraries
(Editors’ Top 75 Community College Resource for Dec 2016 in Choice Magazine)
“Wow! These folks should write a book on ‘How to Write a How to Book.’ From identifying their audience down to truly extraordinarily professional illustrations, the authors did everything right with this book.”
—Judge, Dan Poynter’s Global Ebook Awards
“A clear, concise, and carefully illustrated guide to weight training—with the minimal risk of injury. Showing both correct and incorrect postures, this guide is as close to a personal trainer as you can get in a book.”
—Judge, Dan Poynter’s Global Ebook Awards
“From beginner to professional, anyone can benefit tremendously from this book! Thanks to Fred Stellabotte, I not only know how to train effectively, but more importantly, how to train safely without injury. I have had the luxury of training with him, and if you wish to gain the same knowledge, this is the book for you. You will see the correct and incorrect way to train as if he were right there with you!”
—Richard Diaz, Arizona, USA
“After months of physical therapy for my frozen shoulder, Rachel introduced me to the Complete Shoulder Move, featured in Weight Training Without Injury along with a wealth of invaluable training and advice. Rachel forever changed my life and healed my frozen shoulder.”
—Eric Grotzinger, PhD, Associate Dean, Mellon College of Science, Carnegie Mellon University
“Fred and Rachel have achieved a truly remarkable training manual that provides step-by-step pictures for each exercise. But here’s the most important part: additional pictures illustrate what not to do—a unique feature of the book.
“This system is truly weight training without injury. Whether you are a professional athlete, a person … who needs to know how to get stronger safely, or a person who just wants to become fitter, you will be able to reap great benefits from this book.”
—Linda E. Savage, PhD, licensed psychologist, author of Reclaiming Goddess Sexuality
“… Completely illustrated with high quality photos, this book leaves nothing to wonder about with regard to weight training. In addition to all this, there are professional tips to make the workout program conducive to one’s goals, whether it be to enhance safety or exercise selection, making this book a Bible for those involved in weight-training practice. This is an excellent companion for all athletes to achieve a thorough understanding of how to weight train—especially without injuries.
“The comprehensive notes accompanying each illustration and the index at the end elevate the status of this book to that of a reference manual, which is useful equally for the novice, professional, or trainer.”
—Roy T. James for Readers’ Favorite