Tom Danielson's Core Advantage: Core Strength for Cycling's Winning Edge

Tom Danielson's Core Advantage offers a simple, highly effective core strength program for cyclists. This comprehensive approach shows the 50 essential core workout exercises that will build strength and endurance in the key core muscles for cycling--no gym membership required. Professional cyclist Tom Danielson used to have a bad back. He shifted in the saddle, never comfortable, often riding in pain. Hearing that core strength could help his back, he started doing crunches, which made matters worse. He turned to personal trainer Allison Westfahl for a new approach. Danielson and Westfahl developed all-new core exercises to build core strength specifically for cycling, curing Danielson's back problems. Better yet, Danielson found that stronger core muscles boosted his pedaling efficiency and climbing power. Using Danielson's core exercises, cyclists of all abilities will enjoy faster, pain-free riding. Cyclists will perform simple exercises using their own body weight to build strength in the low back, hips, abs, chest, and shoulders without adding unwanted bulk and without weights, machines, or a gym membership. Each Core Advantage exercise complements the motions of riding a bike so cyclists strengthen the right muscles that stabilize and support the body, improving efficiency and reducing the fatigue that can lead to overuse injuries and pain in the back, neck, and shoulders. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced training plans will help bike racers, century riders, and weekend warriors to build core strength throughout the season. Each plan features warm-up stretches and 15 core exercises grouped into workouts for injury resistance, better posture, improved stability and bike handling, endurance, and power. Westfahl explains the goal for each exercise, which Danielson models in clear photographs. Riding a bike takes more than leg strength. Now Tom Danielson's Core Advantage lays out the core strengthening routines that enable longer, faster rides.

About the Author :
Allison Westfahl is a certified coach, personal trainer, and founder of The Athletic Edge, a fitness consulting company based in Boulder, Colorado. She was named the youngest-ever Director of Personal Training at Boulder's prestigious Flatiron Athletic Club, named in 2006 by Men's Journal as the Best Gym in America. She holds an MS in Exercise Science, a coaching certification from USA Triathlon, and has earned a CPT and PES from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Westfahl has worked as a personal trainer to amateur and youth athletes as well as elite cyclists Tom Danielson, Ryder Hesjedal, Timmy Duggan, Blake Caldwell, and Mike Friedman. She has contributed to the Denver Post and Bicycling magazine.

Review :
"Even if you're not suffering from back pain, [these 50 exercises] are a helpful, practical and surefire way to improve your riding."--RoadBikeRider.com "In their book, Danielson and Westfahl discuss the importance of core training and offer plans for cyclists of all levels."--The Olympian "A strong midsection makes for a more efficient stroke. Try the 50 exercises in Tom Danielson's Core Advantage."--Bicycling magazine "Tom Danielson's Core Advantage argues for a different kind of core training than the traditional parade of crunches. The style of training works for everybody who exercises and especially for those who are getting older and are familiar with nagging back issues."--Denver Post "Tom Danielson's Core Advantage provides both a solid basis of theory and practical exercises for improving our cycling. Designed specifically for cyclists from the ground up to prevent cycling injuries and with the specific posture and motion of cycling in mind. Holistic and progressive workouts. Absolutely no equipment of any kind is needed."--Pezcyclingnews