Product Reviews “Relax Into Stretch” and “Forced Relaxation” Book and DVDs by Pavel Tsatsouline The “Relax Into Stretch” book and DVD and “Forced Relaxation” DVD form the basis for Pavel’s flexibility programs. The book outlines 37 stretches as well as several techniques for using your bodies own reflexes and feedback systems to improve your flexibility.  Although some of the techniques described may seem strange to anyone used to regular static stretching they are very effective and I have used these techniques with clients for over 2 years with great success.

Pavels explanations of the techniques are clear and concise and he explains why traditional stretching has failed many people. While the book is an excellent reference the DVDs are even better as they are easy to follow and can be used as a follow along stretching routine.  The “Relax into Stretch” DVD demonstrates the first 24 drills from the book and if you were to practice the whole, ½ hour routine twice a week you would end up with exceptional flexibility. If however you need more extreme flexibility for martial arts or gymnastics then the “Forced Relaxation” DVD covers the remaining 13 drills in the book and will have you doing the front, back and side splits as well as some other body bending contortions in short order! I am a huge fan of these books and DVDs and recommend them to anyone who participates in regular fitness training. Books and DVDs are available from the Training Gear section of our website.

Product Reviews "Super Joints" Book and DVD by Pavel Tsatsouline While “Relax Into Stretch” is a fantastic book and DVD combo for working on your flexibility the techniques are NOT the ideal way to warm up for serious training and therefore Pavel has released “Super Joints” If you want to know why static stretching before exercise is a bad idea go here to our latest article. This book and DVD outlines a series of joint mobility exercises that can be used as a warm up for more strenuous activity or as active recovery or simply as a daily practice to maintain healthy joints and flexibility.

Once again the book provides a reference for how and why the techniques work and the DVD demonstrates the exercises.  My hot tip here is that unless you are a trainer or you REALLY need to know how joint mobility works then you can get away with just buying the DVD.  Don’t get me wrong, the book is excellent however if all you are interested in is the benefits of the program then just follow the DVD and accept that it works. Readers may be interested to know that recently several top weightlifting coaches in Australia have begun phasing out static stretching before training sessions in favour of joint mobility work just like the exercises shown in “Super Joints” Of course the Russians will tell you they knew about this stuff 20 years ago! Books and DVDs are available from the Training Gear section of our website.