by Calisthenics Academy | Aug 21, 2015
The following are some of the reliable reviews on You are my own gym so you should have a look at them.
Overview
When you hire a personal trainer, you get their undivided attention, encouragement, and professional training to help you workout, set realistic fitness goals, and be accountable. Most personal trainers will also track your workouts, and measure your progress from week to week.
Even when you’ve reached the tipping point to jumpstart your exercise program, sometimes it takes a personal trainer to give you the extra push to make it happen. Some people may live too far from a gym or personal trainer, and it might not be in the budget for others. But that’s not a problem with the You Are Your Own Gym App.
you are my own gym
Details
It’s only $2.99 for the iPhone and just $1.99 for Androids. And you’ll get personal training and instruction from Mark Lauren, a seasoned trainer for the U.S. Military Special Forces. This app is based on his popular book You Are Your Own Gym: The Bible of Bodyweight Exercises.
you are your own gym
The You Are Your Own Gym app includes more than 200 bodyweight exercises (more than in the book). Mark Lauren and a fitness model show you how to perform every bodyweight exercise and provide instructions and details about each move.
You can create your own workout plan based on the collection of exercises organized by push, pull, leg, and core moves and categorized as easy, semi-easy, moderate, semi-hard, and hard. You can also choose one of his training programs also featured in the book based on your skill level: Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced skill levels.
you are your own gym
This is probably one of the most appealing features about the app compared to the book. The app keeps track of your workout. When you’re ready to begin, it knows where you should start based on your last workout. And it records your reps and sets and keeps track of how long you should perform each exercise during a workout. It also includes an option to review your history so you can see how far you’ve come after one of his 10-week programs. One user began by only being able to perform two push-ups and three pull-ups, but after following the 10-week program for beginners should could crank out 15 push-ups and 19 pull-ups.
Mark Lauren also includes a collection of timers with this app that you can use to design your own high intensity interval training workouts, one of the best ways to burn fat and build muscle in the least amount of time.
And if you’ve got a bit of a competitive streak, or just want to share your results with your friends, the app also has an option to connect with social media.
Positives
This cost-effective app is worth every penny. You get a library of exercises you can do at home and a workout program that will give you the results you want.
Negatives
For the price, you really can’t go wrong. Doesn’t include much advice about nutrition. And they try to sell you the book and a companion collection of exercise videos.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a solid bodyweight training program to burn fat, build muscle and get in shape, Mark Lauren’s Your Are Your Own Gym App will help you achieve your fitness goals.
The second review also has got some great points to highlight.
There’s a reason an estimated 68 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. People eat piles of junk food like French fries, soft drinks, and candy bars. And then they sit around watching TV, complaining about their aching body and bulging belly hanging over their belt. And that’s something writer and fitness trainer Mark Lauren wanted to address when he wrote the book, You Are Your Own Gym: The Bible of Bodyweight Exercises.
Many of the very same people who are overweight or obese are paying for a gym membership month after month. And yet they never go. They never log time on a treadmill, pick up a weight, attend a class, or make the rounds on the machines. In a recent survey by the fitness trade publication, Club Industry, an estimated 67 percent of people with a gym membership never check in for a workout. Even the average gym-goer only makes it twice a week to workout, according to the survey.
And that’s not enough to lose weight, prevent weight gain, or keep a growing list of chronic diseases from cutting your life short. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week for best health. But a lot of people skip out on exercise because they’re “too busy.” And that’s one of the reasons Mark wrote this book.
Details
Mark’s quest for ultimate health and fitness began by training elite group of military experts to perform under pressure and meet the physical life-or-death demands these iron-willed men and women might encounter in the field. He’s a seasoned military physical training specialist and a competitive triathlete and boxer. And he’s helped hundreds of special military operatives transform their body through his unique training program based on bodyweight exercises.
In the book, Mark plugs credits his military background for helping him develop his training regimen. He was one of 12 out of 94 recruits to survive the physically grueling Pararescue & Combat Control Indoctrination Course. And he was called upon by high-ranking military officials to develop tailor-made fitness and nutrition programs for some of the toughest military experts in America.
Then he provides a thorough explanation of bodyweight exercises and how you can achieve an incredible physique and level of fitness without packing up and going to the gym. He takes some time to educate readers about the health benefits of strength training. He dedicates a chapter to providing a smart and healthy nutrition plan. He debunks, clarifies and addresses the many myths that exist surrounding the concept of strength training. And before he unveils his workout plan used by the toughest military specialists in America, he dishes out a serving of motivation to get you off the couch, get you moving, and get you in the best shape of your life.
In the book, Mark provides details descriptions and helpful how-to images of 125 different bodyweight exercises. Like the many variations of push-ups, planks, pull-ups, chin-ups, and creative exercises and interval patterns that will jumpstart your metabolism and help you build muscle and strength.
He encourages readers to follow his guidelines and create their own workout programs. But he also knows some people want a step-by-step guide to losing weight, burning fat, and gaining more muscle and strength. So he also provides a collection of 10-week programs based on ability, so that anyone from the out-of-shape couch potato to the well-trained athlete can pick up this book and get started.
Mark Lauren has also developed a 3-set DVD collection called You Are Your Own Gym: Stay Fit Forever. The DVD program based on the book includes 9 total bodyweight training workouts that require you to workout three times a week for at least 20 minutes. A mobile app with all of the exercises and workout programs is also available for iPhone and Android devices.
Positives
Mark Lauren provides a comprehensive collection of 125 different bodyweight training exercises in this book and results-oriented 10-week programs.
Negatives
While not required, some exercises would be better executed with a pull-up bar and dumbbells.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a bodyweight training program that will help you get in shape, change your body composition, build muscle, and develop grip strength, You Are Your Own Gym: The Bible of Bodyweight Exercises is a good workout program to follow. Put in the work and make time for 30 to 40-minute workouts a few days a week, and Mark Lauren will have you ripped in no time.
Some practical results and insight:
Lose 10 Pounds in 10 Weeks with Bodyweight Training
you are your own gym
When Capetown, South Africa, resident Lisa L. decided to lose 10 pounds before her birthday, the clock was ticking. She was weeks away from completing her final college exams. Between studying, her free time was filled with making plans for a move to a new city and new job. But she wanted to close the school year with a fitter leaner body.
You are Your Own Gym
And that’s when she found Mark Lauren’s book: You are Your Own Gym: The Bible of Bodyweight Exercises. Lisa needed a workout plan that would fit her busy schedule, and the 10-week beginner’s program was just what she was looking for.
“I’m really curious about how my body is going to change and how it will look after 10 weeks,” Lisa said. “I’m going to follow the program for 10 weeks, and I hope to see some progress from week to week.”
Lisa was already eating a healthy and balanced diet when she began the You Are Your Own Gym program for beginners. But she wasn’t as strong as she wanted to be. And she wanted a flatter stomach. And she was willing to earn it. Lisa followed the workout program outlined in Your Are Your Own Gym, performing lunges, crunches, pull-ups, box-jumps, push-ups, and many of the other 125 bodyweight exercises featured in the book.
Sample Workouts
http://www.marklauren.com/20-minute-workouts.html
You’ve Got to Start Somewhere
At first it was tough. She could only crank out one or two push-ups. And she managed to complete three pull-ups in the beginning. Mark coached her through those first few weeks of bodyweight exercise workouts, and things started to happen. She could tell she was getting stronger. Her stomach felt tighter, and she was so happy with her progress she posted her results online.
But that was only the beginning of her transformation based the beginner’s workout in You Are Your Own Gym.
“I could tell I was getting stronger, but I didn’t see any changes in my body at first,” Lisa said. “Then after about week five everything really started to smooth out. My stomach started to get really toned, and I love it.”
Sweet Success
And just like the new recruits Mark Lauren trained for the U.S. Military, Lisa soldiered on for the next five weeks. Around the same time she finished her final exam, she also finished the first 10 weeks of the You Are Your Own gym workout. And the results of working out for 30 minutes four days a week were stunning. She lost 10 pounds. She lost about three inches on her waist and hips. And she was remarkably stronger. She finished her final workout by pumping out 15 pushups, 19 pull-ups, and other bodyweight exercises that transformed her body.
“I’m really happy with the results,” Lisa said. “I was really surprised by the change in my waist. Of the four days a week that I worked out, only one workout a week really focused on my waist and core. But my waist is where I saw the biggest change. That’s because all the other exercises that worked my legs and arms also required core muscles to stabilize my midsection. I’m really happy with the results, and I’m going to move on to the next program.”
by Calisthenics Academy | Aug 21, 2015
Overview
From Kenneth Jay comes a work which has expanded upon and taken inspiration from Pavel’s revolutionary Russian Kettlebell Challenge, where the trainer has taken one full-body exercise known as the “Kettlebell snatch” to design a whole program which seamlessly incorporates strength, conditioning and cardio workouts all into one. Mr. Jay’s Viking Warrior Conditioning program and levels of protocols aim to change the way you approach your training, urging you to ramp up your strength and improve your cardio in a way that you would never have thought of.
From a pure conditioning perspective, it not up for discussion whether or not this program will have its benefits. There is the ability with this book not only to challenge yourself but also to go beyond your own fitness levels until your sweat is drowning you. The program offers you fantastic strength gains at a very high pace to increase your heart rate and stretch your cardiovascular capabilities. The protocols approach to the book allows you to incrementally increase the time and amount of repetitions with the kettlebell as well as the weight you are snatching in order to work your way up to the maximum difficulty. Viking Warrior Conditioning will allow you to see results as you work your way through the various protocols and expand your physical prowess.
The information contained in Viking Warrior Conditioning consists of crystal clear theoretical explanations of why this type of conditioning works. It is also full of graphics and pictures to give you a full visualisation of your exercises and benefits. One big question surrounding the book is whether or not it is value for money. After all, it is not a cheap product. The undeniable thing about the book is that it will provide excellent results, but there can certainly be possible complaints about the length of the book, especially given that many of the pages have no printed text on them. It can be argued that this book can be condensed into a very well written and informative article on the subject of kettlebell training. It may be unfair to make that complaint when the subject of kettlebell training is still very young and a very narrow topic, and Kenneth Jay’s book is a well written insight into this newly discovered subject within strength and conditioning, but there may indeed be similar material available for free online.
The new subject of kettlebell training is an entertaining and fresh addition to the world of fitness and strength training. Viking Warrior Conditioning captures these feelings and brings a whole new revolutionary approach to this kind of conditioning. Featuring very simple and easy to follow instructions and direction, Jay’s kettlebell conditioning program will give you an entertaining and addictive way to get yourself some serious results, and the results are well worth the work.
by Calisthenics Academy | Aug 21, 2015
Overview
If you think today’s mixed-martial arts fighters are badass, you’re right. These fighters kick, punch, grapple,and choke their way to a win with skill and brute strength. But match these guys against Spartan Warriors from 2,500 years ago, and they won’t seem quite as tough. If you were a soldier during the reign of the Spartans, you would have already spent a lifetime proving your physical prowess from a young age to become a part of an elite army made up of some of the most physically conditioned men in history.
Obviously there weren’t any Weider weight sets lying around, universal gym equipment, or a neighborhood health club for the Spartans. But they still managed to develop a chiseled physique and serious strength and muscle power to dominate in combat. There was lots of training in the discus, javelin, wrestling, boxing, and other combat sports. And you can be sure there was plenty of testosterone-driven brawls to prove who was the toughest member of the army.
Now that we’re a little more civilized society, you don’t have to dedicate your life to the art of hand-to-hand combat. But the Spartan Warrior legend has spawned a host of Hollywood blockbusters like Warrior, 300, Thor, and Gladiator. The Spartan renaissance has also given rise to wildly popular obstacle course events that test the will power and physical strength of participants at Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, and the Spartan Race. And now there’s even the Spartan Warrior Workout: Get Action Movie Ripped in 30 Days.
Spartan Warrior workout
Details
In this bodyweight training program by Dave Randolph, you’ll learn how to fire up your metabolism to burn body fat, build muscle strength and endurance, get a handle on your diet, and reveal your true Spartan Warrior body. Randolph is well-suited for the job too. He was among the first disciples of Pavel Tsatsouline to complete the Russian Kettlebell Certification program. He’s a 6th-degree blackbelt in kung fu, and he’s helped thousands of people burn fat and build muscle during his decade as a fitness instructor.
In Randolph’s Spartan Warrior program, he lays out a a challenging body transformation plan that promises results in 30 days based on bodyweight training exercises and Pavel’s favorite kettlebells. You might be scoffing at any program that promises big results in such a short amount of time, but take a closer look at the workouts lined up for Spartan-wanna-bees, and you’ll shudder at the punishment you’ll need to endure to get there.
First, Randolph provides a coach’s style overview of the Spartan workout. It’s kind of like that preseason talk in the locker room when you hear the nitty-gritty on what practice will be like and what’s expected. You’ll get your marching orders to get set up with kettlebells, a pull-up bar, lifting chalk to improve your grip strength, and a few other things you might have at home, or will find at the gym.
Then, you’ll get a detailed nutrition plan largely based on eating whole and unprocessed foods. That means more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nuts and legumes. But you won’t have to become a vegetarian follow the Spartan diet. These warriors also ate their share of protein-packed lean meat to build muscle strength and size.
After Randolph lays out your eating plan, it’s on to the exercises and workouts. This four-day split training program is designed to maximize muscle growth while burning body fat. And if you’re true to the workouts, Randolph won’t disappoint. Randolph’s two-part program will hammer your body with pull-ups, push-ups, box jumps, floor wipers, squats, and dozens of variations of these exercises, that will give you a glimpse into the life and suffering a Spartan Warrior endured to be so physically powerful.
Check out these Spartan Warrior moves by Dave Randolph:
the Spartan Warrior workout
Watch the video by visiting the link.
Positives
This 30-day plan based on Spartan Warrior training will help moderately-fit people get stronger and reveal more muscle definition with four workouts a week.
Negatives
If you’re super overweight, you’ll still be able to lose weight and build muscle strength, but you might not be six-pack ripped in 30 days if you have a lot of weight to lose. Also for bodyweight training purists, there are some barbell and dumbbell exercises.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an honest, kick-ass workout that will test your physical boundaries and transform your body, you’ll get results by sticking to the Spartan Warrior workout for at least 30 days.
by Calisthenics Academy | Aug 21, 2015
Overview
About 300 years ago, Russian military leaders were looking for a way to turn their soldiers into lean, mean, fighting machines with incredible strength and muscle. So they melted down a pile of cast iron into a ball and attached a handle, and the kettlebell was born.
Since then, this single piece of exercise equipment has spawned an entire industry based on building muscle and strength, cardiovascular endurance, and the kind of calorie burn that can rev up your metabolism and help you lose weight.
Do a quick search for “kettlebell” online, and you’ll find an estimated 2.1 million kettlebell references on Google, and about 3,000 books, products, programs, and DVDs on Amazon.com
That’s clearly more than you have time or money to invest in if you have an interest in kettlebell workouts. But not to worry. The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning: 45 Powerful Kettlebell Workouts and Training Programs to Inspire You in Your Quest for Athletic Excellence is an excellent resource that can help you swing your way to better health.
Details
This book created by Dragon Door Publishing features 45 workout programs, tips, advice, exercises, and motivation from leading kettlebell experts in the fitness industry. And it doesn’t matter if you’re an out-of-shape channel surfer, or dedicated fitness guru. These 45 unique workouts include something for everyone.
You’ll find workouts for runners trying to improve strength and speed in the program designed by Keith Weber, “The Strong and Fast Running Program.” If you’re trying to lose weight and tone your muscles, Delaine Ross will coach you through the “Kettlebell Recomposition” program. And if you’re crunched for time, but want a kick-butt workout, Lauren Brooks will turn your kettlebell into a fat-burning, muscle-building machine with her workout called, “When You Only Have 20 Minutes.”
If you’ve ever flipped on the TV and saw a late-night infomercial for a kettlebell exercise program, you probably saw people performing the classic kettlebell swing. But this single piece of exercise equipment can actually be used to perform hundreds of different exercises that can transform your body and help you get into top physical condition.
the rkc book of strength and condiitioning
The kettlebell swing is one of many kettlebell exercises featured in The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning: 45 Powerful Kettlebell Workouts and Training Programs to Inspire You in Your Quest for Athletic Excellence
In the 45 workouts desgined by kettlebell experts, you’ll learn how to perform the kettlebell swing, kettlebell row, figure-8, front squat, lunge press, Russian twist, windmill, deadlift, clean, military press, and literally hundreds of other exercises that you can easily perform at home, or on the road.
One of the key elements of building muscular strength and endurance is varying your workout programs. You should change your workout every 4-6 weeks to keep your muscles guessing and growing. But that’s not the only reason. If you get bored with a workout, you’re less likely to stick with it. But variety in your workouts isn’t a problem in The RKC Book of Strength and Conditioning.
The 45 kettlebell programs in this book give you plenty of workouts to follow. You can also combine your favorite exercises to create your own kettlebell workout that will keep you engaged for months. It’s truly one of the most comprehensive kettlebell resources available.
And every kettlebell trainer in the book offers up their own personality that adds a unique flavor to the book. Most of the featured trainers have their own successful personal training programs or products, and a following of fans. So if you’re particularly inspired by one of the 45 kettlebell workouts, you can easily find more kettlebell workouts and training tips from your favorite instructor online.
the rkc book of strength and conditioning
Positives
This book of kettlebell workouts is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to get a kick-butt workout with a single piece of equipment.
Negatives
There are probably a few too many product endorsements and invitations to buy other products created by the kettlebell instructors featured in this book.
Bottom Line
You don’t have to go to the gym to get a serious workout. And you don’t even need to lift barbells, or dumbbells to build muscle, strength, and endurance. Armed with a kettlebell you can use at home, or in a hotel room, this book gives you 45 workouts and hundreds of ideas to turn your kettlebell and your body into a fat-burning machine. Go ahead, pick up that piece of cast iron and give it a swing.
by Calisthenics Academy | Aug 21, 2015
Overview
There are made-for-TV strongmen who perform stunts and feats of strength with the benefit of digital editing and special effects. And then there’s the real deal. A powerful Roman Greco wrestler with enough strength to toss an opponent like a ragdoll. An unassuming karate master who can deliver a crippling message with a single blow. Or a grizzled military expert with enough strength to climb, rappel, and prevail in hand-to-hand combat if necessary.
While pure strength isn’t glamorized in popular media like a ripped physique may be, the power of your body can help you accomplish some amazing feats. And building that kind of strength isn’t as complicated as you might think. If you want to add a lot of firepower to your muscles, you’ve got to work for it. But it doesn’t mean you have to spend countless hours in the gym lifting weights.
In fact, you can develop the same kind of strength as Roman wrestlers, Kung Fu masters, and season military pros, with a workout that only requires your body and a willing mind. That’s the focus of the program by former Russian Special Forces physical fitness trainer Pavel Tsatsouline called The Naked Warrior Master the Secrets of the Super-Strong Using Bodyweight Exercises Only.
the naked warrior
Details
Pavel’s approach to building superhuman strength is based on two bodyweight exercises. The one-arm one-legged pushup, and the single-legged squat. It seems simplistic, but go ahead and get out of your chair and try it. Most people probably can’t perform either of the exercises. But in The Naked Warrior, Pavel walks you through the exercises and provides detailed instructions about how to build pure strength and go from “zero to hero” in a matter of weeks.
One-armed one-legged pushup
One-armed one-legged pushup
Single-legged squat
Single-legged squat
The book begins with Pavel’s explanation of creating body tension. Strength is an important part of completing the two essential exercises, but it’s not the only factor. He also describes focusing on keeping your muscles tense as you perform each exercise to maximize the strength your body can collectively exert.
He also provides well-guided instructions on proper breathing techniques to perform these strongman exercises while maintaining maximum tension with each repetition. If you can’t do the two essential exercises out of the gate, Pavel’s getting-started guidelines help you learn how to breathe from your diaphragm, and perform simple body weight exercises to strengthen your muscles that will prepare you for pumping out one-armed one-legged pushups and single-legged squats.
Once you’re strong enough to perform one-armed one-legged pushups and single-legged squats, Pavel provides many variations of the exercises to build maximum strength. And he closes the book with a well-thought-out Q&A section that answers many common questions about bodyweight training and his Naked Warrior principles.
Positives
Pavel’s approach to building strength works. Pavel offers a practical approach to building strength. The book also includes useful images for these exercises and well-organized instructions to help you learn the techniques.
These two exercises (one-armed one-legged pushups and one-legged squats), along, with their many variations, target all the major muscle groups in the body. Pavel offers a practical approach to building strength mixed with a little “Evil Russian” bad-guy humor, and it’s a nice mix of being a good read and practical guide. The book also includes useful images for these exercises and well-organized instructions to help you learn the techniques. For bodyweight purists, this program is perfect for those who want to focus on building strength without the hassle of hitting the gym or buying equipment.
Negatives
If you crave variety in your bodyweight training workout like many popular no-gym-required programs, you’ll be disappointed by The Naked Warrior. Basically, the entire program is based on performing the two essential exercises.
There’s some variety in the beginning with the exercises and breathing techniques Pavel recommends to build strength. And over time, you’ll work your way up to completing multiple reps and sets throughout the day. But ultimately, the program is based on the same two exercises (one-armed one-legged pushups and one-legged squats).
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a bodyweight training program to build maximum strength, following The Naked Warrior program will produce results. But keep in mind, it’s a strength building program, not a get-ripped or aerobic conditioning program. If you’re willing to go the distance and pay the price of focusing on only two essential exercises, you may well be on your way to rivaling the strength of Roman Greco wrestlers, kung fu masters, and even muscled military soldiers.
the naked warrior
