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 am on my third copy of Maximum Fotness and it gets better and better every time. It takes the thinking out of working out. All you have to do is work it. Exercises are variable so you can change them based on your ability. Has a workout 6x a week for a year. Can you hang? I got it this time!

This is a very good fitness program. As the other reviewers point out, this book is based on periodization over 52 weeks and there are four sections to this book: 1. calisthenic base cycle; 2. hardcore PT; 3. PT, weights, cardio; 4. power/strength. As an aging althlete, I agree with the author that periodization is the key to continued performance at a high level without injury.His work outs are intense, you do 100's of calisthenics mixed with running (lots of intervals) and swimming during the hardcore pt phase. Even if you don't have access to a pool, the book is still excellent for providing hard and interesting workouts. The plans/phases are logical as well, you build up a base in each phase that prepares you for the next phase and ramp up the intensity.This book is geared more toward what everybody now calls "functional" fitness. You do the basics: running, swimming, calisthenics, basic lifts for weight training phase. Its functional because his plan focused more on muscle endurance through high rep calisthenics and working your cardio system, which gets you used to moving your bodyweight, making you stonger, more agile and durable/endurance for your daily living.You do have some power training in the forth phase, but Stew still has you do alot of reps with the weights rather than real heavy and low reps (with the exception of a couple weeks), you run less and do less calisthenics in this phase to give your joints a break from the prior phases ( smart training). I found the power training phase to be enjoyable too, you can see the difference as you pack on some muscle after getting ripped down from the prior phases. I can also confirm Stew's statement that you will keep 80% of your weight training strenght gains even though you are doing predominately calisthenics during the other phases.Stew's system is designed for people who are going to become tactical athletes - cop, military, fireman. You become proficient at moving your bodyweight and running. If you are thinking of joining the military and particularly if you want to be in an elite unit, whose training runs you into the ground - this will prep you for it.But it is also a great program for anybody - from the beginer to the conditioned athlete. You don't need much equipment and for much of it you don't need any equipment, except maybe finding a pull up bar or some monkeybars on your running route.Stew also gives some nice extras, like workouts to do if you don't have time for a full on workout, nutrition and explainations of periodization and why he believes in it.I gave it four stars because it has some editing problems that make some of the workout descriptions a little confusing. its not a slick book by any means, but the poor editing is a little annoying. However, this is pretty minor compared to its value as training tool overall.I first came across Stew Smith on the internet. He has an excellent website full of free workout advice and plans. Stew also does a great public service through his work with Heros of Tomorrow, where he trains people -for free- who want to go into public service (cops, firemen, armed forces, etc.).Here is my the testimonial: I used his work out plans to train up for the Tough Mudder. At 40 years old, I followed his workouts and used his training plan as the frame work for my training and cranked through 32 no joke obstacles for 12 miles, fast enough to qualify for the World's Toughest Mudder event and passed guys half my age all along the way.Following his plan will get you in great shape, maybe the best you've been in and you don't get in a rut because you change up your work outs every couple weeks. Adding this book to your fitness library is money well spent. You can tell Stew Smith is really dedicated to helping people reach their fitness goals, including those who go on to serve, so you can feel good about buying his book for that reason too.