Frederic Delavier

I was surprised when I was awarded this book. As you may guess, I’m not an MMA fighter, nor have I aspirations to be. Given the subject matter of this book, I expected to be lost. I was not. The fact someone with my lack of knowledge easily followed this book speaks volumes to me. Delavier did an amazing job of keeping the text jargon-free while still making it specific to MMA goals.
Divided into three parts, this book is clear, logical and easy to understand. Detailed, specific movements show more are difficult to translate into written word, but Delavier does so in clear, precise terms. Between the layout of the text and the marvelously detailed anatomical drawings, replicating these movements is simple (and yes, I tried a few, much to my husband’s amusement.). In particular, the instructions helped me understand what each movement was for, not just what muscle, but what move, what goal, why it was important as a fighter. For example, page 98 is instructions for Leg Lifts on a Pull-up Bar. This is to strengthen the “rectus femoris, psoas, iliacus, abdominal muscles, and arms,” (Delavier 98). It’s under the Kicks and Knee Strikes chapter. But the author instructions you to do the leg exercise will contracting the arm muscles because when you in an actual fight, you will most likely be contracting you arms at the same time as you legs in this move. This is brilliant!
As a female, I feel compelled to add in a woman’s viewpoint. As no time did I feel this book was angled towards only male MMA fighters. Yes, most of the models were men. This makes sense. Most MMA fighters are male. But all instructions are gender-neutral and open to either sex.
Delavier included citations and reference to medical studies about muscle power, control etc. This gave me confidence in his instructions. He also included many points of warning about how to prevent injury in the gym and in the ring. While fighting is throwing a punch, it’s also about withstanding a punch, and Delavier encouraged the reader to prepare for that.
I also found the programs at the end very helpful. Part 1 is general instructions, Part 2 the individual exercise, and Part 3 puts it all together. This gave a beginner like me much confidence. At the same time, it’s obvious an experience fighter would be able to use the instructions to create a program tailored to them. Delavier did an excellent job of writing a work that spans novice to professional with ease.
My only qualm, and it’ a small one, is that some of the male models wore shorts entirely too small for a man – I’m looking at you, shoulder-star-tattoo dude on page 88.
In the end, I would recommend this book, not only to MMA fighters (if I knew any) but to anyone interested in learning specific way to increase strength, power and endurance. While this book is most definitely written for fighters, the information is helpful to anyone looking to become more athletic.

The received this book free as part of LibraryThings’ Early Reviewers Program in exchange for my fair and honest opinion show less

Most of us are familiar with the importance of visualization as a tool to achieve your goals. People pay expensive fees for seminars on how to visualize for success, and therapists of all kinds promote this skill for their patients. Even advanced cancer treatment centers are including visualization as a valuable tool in their overall arsenal. Why? Because visualization works.

Delavier's Sculpting Anatomy for Women makes it easy to visualize which parts of your body are involved in various show more exercises and activities through extensive, beautifully rendered detailed illustrations and photographs. More than that, it also teaches you how each part works together for a healthy, energetic body.

Every Devalier book provides detailed step-by-step guidance, has what amounts to coaching comments and warnings for each exercise so you do not harm yourself. The illustrations help you understand exactly which muscles are being targeted; visualization made easy. Another plus: there are illustrated variations in case you need to modify it for your current needs.

Most exercises in the book do not need special equipment. Some may require a bench, a chair. or weight lifting gear, but they are the exception not the rule.
There is a short but comprehensive chapter on nutrition at the beginning of the book that gives you real insight into why modifying your diet is a crucial companion to exercising effectively. The book's final chapter helps you plan a program that will maximize results by helping you define your body type - which in turn determines what kind of exercise program will be most effective for you.

What I appreciated most of all was the positive attitude towards age. The author emphasizes though it may take longer for women over 30 to achieve realistic results, those results are possible if women take a slow and steady, dedicated path to them. He assures us we can continue to build muscle " . . . even to the age of 70."

Another positive is that the author maintains that exercising at home can be as effective as doing it at gym. Imagine saving time and money and avoiding humiliation as slender young things flounce about - undermining your confidence and sapping your hopes. This book makes you feel you truly can achieve a better core, butt and legs by following its suggested exercises and guidelines. It feels as if you have a personal coach with you in the privacy of your home; a coach who believes in you and wants you to succeed. show less

When it comes to fitness and anatomy you could say that I know less than nothing and you would be overestimating, so I can't speak to the accuracy of any of the information provided in this book. I can, however speak to the legibility and usefulness for a complete beginner, and I have to say that this is an incredibly useful introduction to training with a focus on particular skillsets. It breaks down exactly what sort of movements you should be making, how to make them when focusing on show more particular types of development, why they are useful, and explains how to develop an overall program, and what to do before and after you train in order to maximize your results. Even though there seemed to be a lot of information, none of it felt overwhelming, and the book was heavily illustrated to show not just proper form, but also the parts of the body effected.

Now the next step is actually putting this information to use. show less

Although I received a review copy of this book over a year ago, i misplaced it during a move. I am so thankful I found it because it is one of the best training manuals published. Delavier's Mixed Martial Arts Anatomy by Frederic Delavier and Michael Gundill.

Just like other books published by Human Kinetics, it makes sure that the reader knows not only the how and the what, but also the why of training your body to achieve specific goals. For some, it may be "too much information," but for show more the thoughtful reader eager to fully understand how exercise impacts the human body, and to know how to avoid injuries, this and others in the series are excellent resources. It is must for people training for specific sports and for those who train them.

Even if you are not an athlete, you can benefit from this basic knowledge of how your body works, how to strengthen it, and how to avoid harming it. Everyone can benefit - and I mean everyone. For example, if you are older and have balance issues, if you discover which muscles stabilize the ankle; therefore, you making your day safer. If you want to do martial arts, that same knowledge can help you perform kicks while standing on one leg. It doesn't hurt to have the additional information that those same muscles also protect your tibia during kicks. Within reason, you cannot be too old or too young to benefit from knowing how your body works and why.

The book is divided into three main sections: principles of strength training, strength training exercises for fighting, and specific training programs. Each is subdivided into segments which provide in-depth explanations accompanying beautiful illustrations and photos as well as warning boxes to alert you specific safety concerns.

Some of the exercises require nothing more than moving as directed, some require or are recommended to be shared with an exercise partner, and others involve equipment ranging from simple hand weights to regular gym-quality machines. This book will give you what you need to make informed choices regarding creating a specific regimen for your needs and levels of fitness.

I loved the question-answer format and the sections on secrets to successfully performing a routine. It is as if you have your own personal coach - as long as you read and follow the text and illustrations/photos carefully. I would recommend reading the book, then re-reading specific sections that you want to apply. There is so much information that I believe the only way you could fail to improve is if you fail to read the book carefully. It is that good.

Many of the strengthening routines are exactly what physical therapists have recommend to me during recuperation from a fall or a strain so that increased my trust in the book. I may not have bought this book, but I am grateful that I finally found it amidst the moving books. It is going to be placed on a shelf so it doesn't get lost again, and pulled out repeatedly to help me understand and improve my body., even as I enter late middle age. show less