This guide details muscles used during common martial arts moves and how to more effectively prevent injury and gain strength, featuring more than 100 comprehensive illustrations. The perfect training supplement for martial artists, this book's detailed anatomical drawings show exactly what is happening inside the body while it's performing a physical movement. The detailed illustrations in "The Anatomy of Martial Arts" highlight how specific muscles stretch and contract to create powerful kicks, throws, strikes, blocks, and holds. Designed for those practicing any martial art - including judo, karate, kung fu, tae kwon do, capoeira, jujitsu, muay thai, and hapkido - the book explains the training needs and universal techniques used to strengthen muscle, prevent injury, and improve form and control during each move. It also captions each illustration with the technical terms for every muscle, giving martial artists an in-depth understanding of the inner workings of their body in motion. More than just an anatomy book, each section is accompanied by a series of helpful strength training and stretching exercises to improve the function of vital and vulnerable muscles.

About the Author

Lily Chou is a writer, editor, and martial arts expert. She lives in Berkeley, California. Dr. Norman Link is a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo.