The Complete Book of Core Training: The Definitive Resource for Shaping and Strengthening the 'Core' -- The Muscles of the Abdomen, Butt, Hips, and Lower Back

My first introduction to the Brungardt brothers was back in the early 90's. My sisters boyfriend was a firefighter and with their intense training program they used the 'Complete Book of ABS' as their 'standard' training manual - This was the first time I had heard of the Brungardt Brothers and and my B-I-L convinced me to buy a copy. He, back then explained it as the 'bible' of core training and every single emergency response dept - police, ambulance, fire all used it as their main core training book.My original copy was so badly worn from over use that in the early 2000's I lent it to a 'young pup', expecting to get it back but - that was 15 years ago and I've not seen or heard from him since. Our nasty government has made it all but impossible to buy on line these days, and since it is now out of print, only resellers of used copies are available. However many smaller US companies will not sell to my country anymore so the only way Ican get a copy is by EbooksAnyhoo to make a long story even longer - The Complete Bookof Core Training' is available online so I bought a copy - I was not disappointed, although not 'The Complete Book of ABS' it still holds its own in getting me back into a core training program - and again teaching me how to do things correctly.Oh - did I mention that I am now 58, since buying the book I have gone from 98.8 kg's and currently around the 77kg mark and still losing fat - I am now starting to build muscle and at my age, again getting a defined body. - My many thanks to the Brungardt Brothers

I purchased about 10 books from Amazon on abs in order to compare them. This one is fairly big, but there is a lot of white space on every page (you're paying for all of it). It also has confusing lay-out so that it's hard to use. If you're interested to know how it compares with other books, my conclusions are below...If You Want to Trim Your Waistline: You can't trim your waistline without losing fat, and you can't lose fat around your waist without losing it everywhere (focusing on a muscle group like the abdominal muscles doesn't burn fat in that location, just a little bit of fat from everywhere on the body). So, if you want to trim your waistline, skip the ab workout books and go with a good, proven overall weight loss and fitness book like Bill Phillips' Body for Life. The Abs Diet is a similar program, but like all the Men's Health publications, it advertises a 6-week transformation, which is just a little unrealistic. Plan on more like 12-24 weeks to see really noticeable changes if you are fat.If You Want Sculpted Six-Pack Abs: If you are overweight at all, see above--you can't get a six pack while you're overweight, and you can't lose abdominal fat by doing an ab workout, so go for overall fitness. However, if you are already lean, see below.If You Want to Strengthen or Build Your Ab Muscles: If you're trying to improve for work, play, or rehab, you might consider the following books: The Body Sculpting Bible for Abs Deluxe DVD Edition contains decently up-to-date information and tells you exactly what to do and when to do it, based on a six-week fitness course. If you're looking for a similar book with more information, you can choose from The Complete Book of Abs or The Complete Book of Core Training. The Complete Book of Abs (1998) is a little out of date in terms of its dietary/nutritional recommendations, but it focuses more on exercises that develop the external abdominal muscles (the ones you see in a six-pack), including lots of variations on leg lifts, bicycle motion, and sit-ups. It will also give you more resources for creating your own program, and, if that's what you want to do, go with this one instead of The Body Sculpting Bible. The Complete Book of Core Training (2006) focuses more on the functional body core, including internal abdominal muscles, legs, etc., and includes more trendy exercises using medicine balls, exercise balls, yoga, etc. A different sort of book is Stronger Abs and Back (1997), which was written before the current fad of selling "core training," but contains the elements of core training because it gives good functional sports-focused advice. Its dietary recommendations are out of date, but it recommends a 24-week workout plan, which is much more realistic than the 6-week plans advocated by many of the other books.If You Have Back Pain: See your doctor, and if he prescribes abdominal/core strengthening, see above.My one-book recommendation: Body for Life.My two-book recommendation: Body for Life + Stronger Abs and Back.My three-book recommendation: Body for Life + Stronger Abs and Back + The Complete Book of Abs.My four-book recommendation: Body for Life + Stronger Abs and Back + The Complete Book of Abs + The Abs Diet.Hope this helps!!

If you are looking to expand your core this is it. I have lifted for years and years and this pushed me to really GROW my core. I am not talking just losing the body fat but growing and expanding the muscle area. I have a bigger waist than when I started and am hard to the touch when I am relaxed. All my wife's friends say that they see a big deferance. My wife sees me everyday but says she likes the fuller thicker core. I am amazed at the level of strength I have overall. My bench is almost 450 and I have never been able to get 400 up previously. I think all levels can benefit from this book but for the lifer it can help too.

This book is great for helping you mix up your core routine.

This book is very comprehensive and is written in an easy to understand language, I would recomend this book to physiotherapists as well as people who want to work on their bodies and avaid injuries.