Convict Conditioning

Being a physician, martial artist (for over 30 years), and a former US Army commander, I enjoyed an intimate understanding of health, fitness and practical strength. This is one of the finest books I have read on a realistic and healthy approach to tremendous practical strength. I have trained, in the past, with many of the exercises demonstrated in this book but, have been unable to progress, in most of the 6 fundamental movements types, to what Mr. Wade calls, "master step exercises". His 10 step approach for each of the six movements starts at the level of near rehab level and takes you to superhuman levels of coordinated, practical strength in a very doable systematic manner. With this fine breakdown of steps virtually anyone can benefit from this strength program. The program is very portable and inexpensive since it requires no special equipment, except for a pull-up bar. The book seems expensive at first glance but with nearly 300 pages chocked with color plates its a bargain. So much so I bought 2 extra copies for my adult children. I cannot say enough about this revolutionary, systematic approach to strength training using only your body mass...simply brilliant.

I've been working out for a solid ten years now, always trying different books and methods and ideologies, and I am positive that this book the answer to all my years of searching and experimenting.
I am now about fourteen months into this style of training, and the results are absolutely undeniable.
I've posted a picture of my results on facebook with a message condoning convict conditioning and I have had numerous friends ask me about calisthenics and how to begin and all that. Just to give you an idea of the results that I personally achieved at least.
Small caveat, you won't get big. With a shirt on I don't really look any more imposing than I used to, or the average person does, but with a shirt off I am looking muscular and athletic (something I've never been before), statuesque even.

In short, you will gain strength, size, repair damaged areas of your body, build a physique, all without wasting money at the gym or on stupid supplements.
What you learn in this book can be carried over to other exercises which can be added to your routine, for example I've added some gymnastics moves like the iron cross, but it's all built off of the knowledge that I learned in this book.

This book is one of the best purchases I have made in my life, period.
No joke, If I could find my ten year old self and give him some piece of advice or knowledge, I'd hand myself this book.

Convict Conditioning is a game-changer. If you are looking for REAL results, superhuman strength, and rock-hard leanness from head to toe, then Convict Conditioning is for you. Coach understands that looking good and feeling good go hand in hand, and anyone who truly implements the CC principles is not only sure to reach new levels of physical prowess, but also lifelong vitality and joint integrity. Take it from Coach, who understands the philosophies of the greatest minds in the industry, in addition to the evolution of fitness itself, these methods and progressions work.

Coach Wade takes what one could consider "self-limiting exercises" and puts them at the disposal of anyone and everyone who has a true desire for physical superiority - regardless of weight, size or body fat percentage. Convict Conditioning is a must have. Give the progressions a try; you have got nothing to lose except weakness, unresolved injuries and stubborn body fat.

I started to use this book about 5 years ago. During the initial phase of my time processing and putting into action the contents written by coach Wade--I became obsessed. Obsessed not only by the spartan training but by the shear intoxicating notion that I could be strong,agile and lethal all through the methodical training progressions of old school calisthenics. This obsession led me to read the book on a daily basis for 2 years straight (I jest you not). Nuances where (and are) taken to pieces to gain a great understanding of the movements of the big 6.

Any person looking for a manual that's worth its weight in gold,that could serve to fix ailments through systematic and steady progressions this is for you. Couple with the no nonsense yet highly informative writing style of coach wade this book is a win/win for me. Did I add you can get seriously strong as well--YOU CAN. This is NOT an overnight cure to all ills or a snake oil remedy no sir! This is legit solid form of serious training that (cue the double think) is fun as hell to do. The body can really benefit from this book (or series of books) greatly. Take your time with the convict conditioning series of books & a like as it can turn you into brute of awesome strength. Highly recommended nothing but praise for this masterpiece.

Convict conditioning student
Joe

Convict Conditioning has changed my life! A year and a half ago I was 230 pounds and in the worst shape of my life, both physically and mentally. My wife and I split after 20 years and I was in the pits, literally. My brother gave me this book and pleaded with me to give it a try. I was on the brink of diabetes, had high cholesterol and high blood pressure (the cocktail of death). The Doctor threatened me with medication every time I had a checkup. They even scared me with a heart issue putting me through a series of stress tests telling my I have branch bundle block and bradycardia. 15 months later, I am 170 pounds of ripped muscle at almost 51 years old. I can do 10 pullups, and am progressing through all the other standards with great success. I truly love it and I cannot tell you how much it has meant to me to get my life back!

My bro also gave me CC#2 and I will buy CC#3. I quit the gym ( which I never went to anyway) and only do calesthenics as prescribed in your bible of fitness. I jump rope like a boxer for 30 minutes, ride my bike for an hour, run the stairs, paddleboard, surf and have recently taken up skydiving. I am in better shape than most guys I see that are half my age. I am working on the planche and the lever and I feel like a kid at a freaking playground. I do every exercise as prescribed in the book and follow it to the T. Everywhere I go people ask me how I did it and I am more than happy to tell them. Of course the diet is key and yoga as well.

I truly cannot thank you enough for helping change my life!

I have been experimenting with the various exercises in this book for a while now. I am on step 10 for all exercises except the one arm handstand pushup (currently step 9). Since then i have gained 25 lbs of muscle and have lost excess fat. The amount of functional strength I have gained blows my mind. After applying this book I can and always have easily won many fights with guys that are 25-75lbs heavier than me, and have had them surrender in a matter of seconds. I am warning you now that if you buy and complete this book you will be completely unstoppable in power, stamina, and health. 12/10

Hands down, the best investment I've ever made in training. Logical and well thought out progressions allowing for consistent strength gains, and remaining injury free. In fact, the only time I develop over use injuries is when I've strayed away from doing Convict Conditioning and dive into some other training program for a time, over train and end up with Inevitable tendinitis. I then find my self coming back to Convict Conditioning once again, start back on the CC progressions, get strong again while rehabbing the injury and remain injury free. Convict Conditioning is the long haul program of choice. My advice: Don't stray and fall for the latest training fad. Just trust in Coach. He won't let you down.

I've trained athletes, and pre-rehabbed and rehabbed patients, for over twenty years. Body-weight training is hands down the best, but no one has made such a systematic and progressive total presentation of how to apply body-weight modalities.

I use the principles in this book for myself, and for my athletes and patients, and I witness daily the benefits condensed in this book.

Neal Warren, BA, ACSM-CPT

I got this book half a year ago because my friend suggested it. It sat on my bookshelf for about a month or two at first. Upon first glance, I thought I could finish all the exercises detailed in a few short months and decided to combine with weight-training for a while. Results were okay to say the best, so I never truly heeded any attention to it at first. Little did I know that it was actually weight training that ACTUALLY HINDERED my results. A few months ago, I lost my gym membership and had to make due. So I went to a playground near my house and got up on the pullup bar. It has been around a couple months now and the results are nothing short of amazing. My stamina, strength, and flexibility have gone through the roof. I managed to make it to the master step of the leg raise and my waist is slimmer, my core is stronger, and my hips are so much more flexible. This book truly separates the truth from the bull. The modern obsession with getting a toned body rather than one that is truly strong is just ass backwards, because without the strength, you would actually get hurt or burned out doing so much volume. Quit the p90X or insanity programs everyone is obsessed with, and get your ass down on the floor or up against a wall. The only fault that is book has I might say is that the steps do not actually have to followed to the letter, sometimes there is a intermediary step between progressing through exercises. For example, I could not kick up to a wall handstand for months, even though I managed to get through the steps before. So instead, I followed Al Kavaldo's method of doing wall crawls up the wall until I could hold the handstand position for a minute, then the kick came easy because I had the stability in my shoulders. But, that is a minor flaw, because everyone has different problems with these exercises and no book can account for them all. I plan on mastering all of the big 6 in the next few years. Therefore, quit the gym and pick up this book, its much cheaper and better than all the supplements, dieting, and gym memberships, and start seeing your body become pound for pound stronger than anybody in the gym.

I've read, studied and used many strength training protocols over the last 20 years. I've even injured myself a few times by progressing incorrectly in my younger years. But this book has definitely changed my approach to strength training. I'm 47 years of age and have given up on "gyms" with all their associated nonsense that goes on in them. Had been lifting at home using dumbells, deep pushup bars and a pullup rack, when I discovered CC. Now, my wife and I have started over at our age and are seeing and feeling the difference after 3 months and around progression 3 in all movements. We are taking our time and "owning" the movements in slow motion until moving to the next ones. It is truly awesome to be feeling the strength and seeing the thickness gradually being put on, while cuts starting to be defined as well. Thank you for giving this information in a rational manner, for all to enjoy and benefit from.