Core Performance Essentials: The Revolutionary Nutrition and Exercise Plan Adapted for Everyday Use

As another reviewer mentioned, get this book only if you haven't read anything else by Verstegen, or if you found the material in his other books overwhelming and wanted just the basics - a quick-start guide of sorts.However, note that in the Kindle version, the workout plans have been scanned in so low quality that they are practically unreadable, which is not the case in any of his other Kindle books. There is, however, a table in chapter 10 detailing the set/rep scheme for the movement prep, prehab, and strength elements. As for cardio, you may need to guesstimate the amount of time spent working/resting and the number of intervals, though.

Awesome book. Builds core muscle group regardless of current fitness level. Recommend for anyone with lower back pain whose been cleared by their Doctor to exercise. It helped my back pain significantly. If you work on the exercises and concentrate on the form you will realize how out of balance you've been. Something as simple as climbing stairs, using the correct form demonstrated in this book, will be an eye opener for you. I can climb stairs all day now and never feel anything in my thighs or knees.

I recommend the Core Performance training program, their books and their website for enhancing your health as well as athletic performance. Here's my experience with the book and their web site:"Core Performance Essentials" is about building an exercise foundation for the average person/weekend athlete to improve health and well being."Core Performance" is for the competitive athlete that wants to undertake a comprehensive, rigorous training program to improve performanceThe Core Performance web site contains all of the above training programs and more, allowing you to cycle though different training programs over time. While I was initially put off at the annual price of $80 per year. I signed up after completing "Core Performance Essentials" and consider it to be a good investment.I am a 51 year old male with merely average, not outstanding athletic abilities. I've done basic jogging/aerobic exercise for 30 years every other day. I don't engage in any competitive sports at present. I exercise to maintain overall health, vitality and weight.I followed the "Core Performance Essentials" book for nine months, slowly cycling through the levels of workout in this book. I then progressed to an online membership at coreperformance.com, where I have been through two cycles of one of the many online workout programs, called "Live Better, Live Longer". I am on a rational, time sensitive plan of 3 sessions a week, for 45 to 60 minutes a session.I feel much better on this program. I have better overall body strength. This program particularly emphasizes the stabilization and strength of your major joints - shoulders, hips and knees, and I can tell it. I also simply enjoy the workout sessions better than extended sessions of aerobics and conventional resistance training alone. In general, each session is a blend of basic floor/stabilization exercises, circuit resistance training, aerobic work and stretching designed to improve overall physical fitness.As I read Core Performance Essentials, I found that I agreed with the central premises of Mark Verstegen and his staff. Aerobic exercise alone, and for extended exercise periods greater than 30 minutes, provides limited benefits for most individuals and athletes (unless you are a competitive runner). Extended, conventional weight training is also of limited benefit in terms of improving overall health and athletic performance.Verstegen and staff, having trained and rehabilitated many collegiate and professional athletes for years, also found that conventional aerobics and weight training did little to protect athletes from injury. As such, the Core Performance exercise philosophy encompasses a range of exercises design to prevent injury and strengthen your major joints, back and muscles, as well as improve athletic performance.The vast majority of us are terrible at setting up and going through training cycles with health and performance goals in mind. We all know that we are supposed to change routines every few weeks, but very few of us do. Change and variation is built into all cycles of Core Performance exercise - in the books and on the web site. My web site generated workouts change a little bit every session, which I like.Also of note on their web site, is the fact that all of the exercise routines are demonstrated in short video clips from different angles. I go to the site about once a month to review my routines and brush up on proper form. While it would be great to have a personal trainer help on form, this is a good alternative.Lastly, the nutrition section is sound. Its not a radical departure from current thought in nutrition, but it does give the reader a focused, practical view on how to plan your meals and snacks in regards to athletic performance and weight control.If I wasn't doing this program, I think I would still incorporate the framework of the Core Performance system in some way. Perhaps combining Pilates, Yoga or similar floor/movement exercises with a focused, short aerobics program, for example.If you are looking for an extended program or path to improve your overall health or to athletic performance, I recommend starting with one of the "Core Performance" books and trying out the exercises for 8 to 10 weeks. If you still like it, consider building and progressing your routines with a subscription to their web site.

This book has great rehab/physical therapy exercises. Not really earth shattering stuff but good for people looking to rehab injuries or prevent injuries common with weight training.

For the average user, especially someone who has been physically inactive or out of shape, this is the perfect solution. I have so far lost close to 60 lbs and am only at the end of level 2, stage D (of 4). The approach Mr. Verstegen tries to instill with making gradual change though physical activity,focusing on health, wellness, and over quality of life is evident in the core performance system. I will update this review as I progress through each level, but so far my body has become stable, strong, flexible, and overwhelmingly more mobile. All while decreasing levels of pain I felt from previous inactivity and injury. I would strongly recommend this product, stick with it, give yourself time to grow with it, as emphasized by Mr. Verstegen, there is no race, it's about challenging yourself and staying committed.

I like the book and the content, although it is very similar to the first book "Core Performance" which I also own. As a personal trainer, I am always looking for the latest research and theory's on what is the best exercises and nutritional advice.

I bought the original Core Performance and found it very informative. I was in the mode of lifting to get bigger instead of better. But, I also found the workouts to be very daunting with the time and equipment I have at home. Core Performance Essentials is more for me. It is Core Performance for Dummies, simpler workouts that still improve your performance as a weekend warrior. The only thing I see missing is the regeneration stretches. I gave my copy of Core Performance to a friend and never got it back and wish I still had the list of stretches. I now do yoga instead, FITtv's Namaste Yoga works great. I would recommend this book if you like me want to improve but do not have the time to be a professional athlete.

In early 2012 - whilst skiing in Japan - an instructor said "Improve your core strength and you'll revolutionize your skiing".I only ordered Mark's book as it was well rated on Amazon and I had never before done any pilates, yoga or core exercises.The regime is such a gentle start that you doubt there is any benefit. As you move from level 1 to 2 you really feel it and now nearing the end of level 3 I feel transformed.Bring on level 4!Great pictures. Easy to follow. Very effective.

however, that being said, the formatting is superior to the original. Also, the photographs of the movement prep/stretching exercises give the less flexible among us hope.

Good book if your any type of athlete looking to strengthen your core for better performance.

zu kompliziert in der Anwendung, vielleicht unter Anleitung eines Physiotherapeuten, bei mir kam es nicht an. Eher für richtige Sport Freaks