Maximum Fitness : The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Cross Training Paperback – March 15, 2001

I have been a physical fitness fanatic for more than 65 years and even though I am well into my senior years I still maintain a rugged 6 days a week fitness routine. When I saw this fantastic 196 page oversize soft cover book (Maximum Fitness: The complete guide to Navy SEAL cross country training by Stewart Smith, former U.S. Navy SEAL, M. Laurel Cutler, and James Viillepigue, photos by Peter Field Peck) for a bargain price I decided I had to have it for my personal fitness library.There are many things I love about this book, one of them being that it has a 52 week workout program which includes the entire realm of physical fitness. It is also designed to get an individual from a very basic fitness level to an advanced rugged fitness level. This book does not focus on just one or two fitness activities but covers a wide and far reaching total fitness program that includes strength training, power training, running, swimming, circuit training and numerous other activities.The following material is covered in this fully illustrated text: concept of the 52-week workout, flexibility program, PT and weight exercises, PT workout plans, swimming, running and biking workout plans, weight training workout routines, the workouts, nutrition and weight management and much, much more.If you are seeking a book that covers every aspect of getting into top physical condition this book is for you. This book is one of the best books I have ever read on physical fitness and how to get into fantastic shape. I also recommend the author’s other books on U.S. Navy PT programs and other related topics.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Chair/Seated Tai Chi, Qigong and Yoga stretching for seniors and the physically challenged)

Follow this book to a "T" and you will not regret it. Stew Smith nails it with this one. It allows for those not preparing for BUD/S but simply wish to get into great shape, though serves equally as well to prepare young men for the rigors and demands of service life. Follow it as best you can and be smart about your body. Follow the stretches religiously - they are the key to maintaining your health and keeping soreness at bay throughout this regimen, so don't rush through them and feel free to add a few of your own if they will help.As I mention above, if you follow this book as it is written, you will see massive leaps in performance and feel and look great.Heads up: the book is spot on with its plan, but it is written somewhat haphazardly. As I read before ordering and as has proven true, if you apply a little sense it is easy to figure what the plan is. Just piece it together and if you're not sure what a particular workout is, look it up.Have fun with this. The workouts (with a full stretch before) take relatively little time, but will require commitment. As with any workout, consistency is key. Do it as it is written, and do it every day it is written. After a couple weeks it becomes part of your routine and you won't think of dropping it. It will get challenging, but it pays off big. Remember, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Enjoy!

I'm a huge fan of Stew's concept of prioritization. I live by it now. I've being doing this as much as my schedule can handle. Stew's workouts are very well-rounded. There were a couple that did not have pictures or explanations. I think they were "side ab" exercises or something. Didn't exactly explain so I took it as "russian twists?" a small critique. I did make a couple of minor changes depending on what I felt like I needed to work on more. I write his workouts down on a 3x5 card and take them with me to the gym. It's worth it having a plan in writing. Overall this is a great program to start off on especially if you are in the military. Some good knowledge that is important to understand if you want to be healthy and strong with functional fitness. I can do Stew's program and look and feel better people who only know how to lift. Functional fitness is everything. I have changed a couple of tiny things when I do them based off preference. Glad I found this. Stew is definitely an expert at this stuff.

Great book, not your couch to hero book. Assumes you already have a pretty good level of fitness due to the training commitments required and the workouts from day one.More relevant to the British army now the fitness tests are changing.Reccomend it

This is a good but aimed more at people with a lot of time and seriously high fitness levels.

If you are the sort of person who needs to get fit, military fit, then this book will be for you. Basic and no nonsense, the few words that describe each workout don't cover the effort needed to complete them. I only ever wanted it to get some new ideas to keep things interesting for my own fitness and this book did not let me down.

Awesome book and programming.

Ich selbst war 2 Jahre in der Armee (Infanterie) und betreibe seit 1,5 Jahren Kraftsport.Da ich vor kurzem merkte, dass meine Kondition seit verlassen der Truppe nachgelassen hat, beschloss ich dies nachzusteuern, um wieder auf Infanteriesoldaten-Niveau zu kommen.Was kommt da gelegener, als ein Cross-Trainingsbuch von einem Ex Navy-Seal?Pro:- Ständig neue Trainingspläne, alle 2 Wochen neue Belastungen- Von Laufen über Schwimmen, bis hin zu Kraftübungen mit Körper- und Zusatzgewicht (Geräte) ist alles an Übungen enthalten- Ernährungs-tipps und Pyramide- Deckt Ausdauer, Agilität und Kraft rundum ab- Viel Wert auf Stretching und Warm-Up/Cool-Down (sehr wichtig, wird oft unterschätzt)- Einfaches Englisch, dass man mit Grundkenntnissen bestens verstehtContra:- Viele der Kraft- und Kraftausdauer bezogenen Trainingseinheiten sind viel zu lasch. Hier musste oft das Doppelte bis Dreifache der Wiederholungen gemacht werden, um es anspruchsvoll zu machen- Manche der Trainingstage widersprechen sich selbst, ein Beispiel: Dienstag: 1:Stretching: 15 min, 2: "Day off stretching" / "Heute kein Stretching"... Ist da vielleicht etwas verrutscht? Grober Fehler!- Vieles ist der Eigeninterpretation überlassen (nicht sprachlich, sondern inhaltlich)- Die Ernährungstipps sind leider ziemlich oberflächlich, es wird zwar jedes einzelne Vitamin/Mineral erläutert, jedoch vermisst man einen vollwertigen Ernährungsplan/PläneFazit:Für Einsteiger und Ausdauersportler ist das Buch bestens geeignet.Es hilft einem beim Start in den Breitensport und auch alte Hasen finden die ein oder andere Nützlichkeit.Krafttraining sollte zusätzlich noch eigenständig gemacht werden, da die Übungen im Buch einen trainierten Menschen weit unterfordern.Das Training ist sehr zeitintensiv und sollte auch wirklich so durchgezogen werden, wie es im Buch steht.Da ist kein Platz für "Heute regnet/schneit es, ich geh nicht laufen" !