Bruce Lee Strength Training
351318
Good info to have on hand.  It may be a little "dated" since now you have many new equipment and machines to use.  But Bruce Lee is "The Man"!  He lived the life taught in the book.
2069928
I have bought quite a few things from David Morris like the dry fire training cards, Chris Graham's 30-10, Insight firearm training's deadly accuracy and speed shooting as well as this product. I am always open to new and old ideas when it comes to CCW because I am always training.

I like the course not because I necessarily learned new things from it because in my opinion if you have good awareness and tactical skills Ron Avery's DVD series Secrets of a Professional Shooter and Brian Enos' Practical Shooting Beyond Fundamentals will probably be the base you will ever need IMHO for firearm skills and development.

A lot of things were not unknown to me but when shown on the DVD made me aware that I do things presented in the DVD. So since I am beginning to teach my wife self defense and to learn to use a weapon, this course allows me to teach her things I do instinctively that I tend not to mention when I am teaching her because it has been drilled into me after so many years of dealing with people and multiple confrontations.

Another reason for me to purchase this was to support a fellow veteran and at the time the proceeds were going to Chris Kyle's widow. The only thing I did not like was the cheesy demonstration of the startle response and method of creating distance. The method itself is sound, but could have been done a bit more professionally. I did particularly like the retention skills shown especially during the scanning process as well as the demonstration of potential flagging during some low ready positions and methods to limit that factor.

Overall, the main reason I like it is due to the repetition. As stated before, a lot of these methods I already knew and just further instills it into you because it ingrains it further and don't have to worry about learning something new. I think it was Bruce Lee that stated advanced skills are the basics perfected.
2529725
I am not involved in the martial arts, although one day I may. In search of a new way to build strength and tone without the nuisance of visiting the gym, I purchased this book. I was not disappointed. Using what is described as "flowing isometrics," (meaning muscle working against muscle, but while moving) you train your muscles without the aid of weights. After a few weeks, I immediately noticed a difference all over my body.
The exercise is not for everyone, because it does take a great deal of concentration and plenty of practice to do the exercises properly. Even done properly over a long period, you probably won't build huge, bulging muscles that give you the power to, say, pull a 747 down a runway, but how often do you need to do that? I have the type of body that does not build heavy muscles, and this type of workout does just what I need.
The advantages of dynamic strength are: A) no weights, B) fast results, C) very low risk of injury, D) supposedly these exercises increase muscle speed--I couldn't tell you if this is true, but I believe it, E) NO #%@$*! WEIGHTS!
The book outlines dozens of exercises for all parts of the body, and thoroughly explains how they're done and how your body, and by extension your martial arts (if you care) will benefit. Plenty of pictures to make it easier.
If you're still not sure, ask yourself: would you rather be strong, or really really fast?
2987627
This book presents information and training programs using high intensity training (HIT). This book follows Arthur Jones' HIT training principles, as opposed to Mike Menzer's way. This translates to 2-3 whole body training sessions each week, using slow rep cadence.

The book starts with history of HIT training. Although this information is interesting, it takes some 75 pages, before the stuff on actual training starts. The training information is presented as a complete training program that is intended for beginners on HIT training. It takes about one year to go through this training program, and after that you are considered as an advanced trainer. This approach is the book's major strength and weakness at the same time. For a beginner, it is very easy to start training, as you have a complete training program ready for use. For a more experienced trainer, however, it can be somewhat difficult to find all the information to construct your own training program. For example, all of the core principles of HIT training are collected in a box, that is for some reason hidden in the middle of section that covers the correct form of some key exercises.

The main question is, does HIT training work? Well, I have been training with weights for almost 15 years, and I have reached a long-lasting plateau in bench press. I trained using the workouts in this book (although I trained only two times each week instead of three) for less than 4 months. After that, I went back to my conventional training program. At the beginning of the renewed conventional training, I noticed that I had lost quite lot of explosive strength I had prior to HIT training. However, I continued the conventional program using lighter weights. Now, after two months of conventional training, my weights in every exercise have exceeded the weights I used before HIT training, including bench press. The conclusion is, HIT training increases your strength level, but at the same time you lose some of the explosiveness. But you regain the explosiveness by using explosive movements, and you'll see that your strength levels have markedly increased.

HIT training is both mentally and physically very demanding (much more so than conventional high volume training). It takes very much dedication to be able to push yourself from workout to workout to constantly improve. Therefore I feel HIT is best used as a way to boost your more conventional training. Use HIT principles for a few months before returning to your regular workout schedule, and you will see that the improvements are significant!
1080106
Getting Stronger is one of the best training books that you could possible have. Even though it is an old book, you can always find something in this book that can help you achieve your goal. Thanks
1153845
Body weight training by James O'Dea is a good guide to those who want to achieve the body they always wanted for 30 days by following some workouts listed in this book. I always wanted to get engage to this body weight work out training but I was not able to do so because I am working whole day. Glad to see some work out exercise that I can do at home like plank and squat.
1918033
When I am pressed for time or tired an occasional muscle control session I can  keep my progress in strength and development improvement via muscle control exercises. This old time method is a very valuable technique. Arco and Maxick were very creative and ingenious when they created this fascinating training method....EW
453724
I have been following other of Geoff's programs for about 24 weeks with good results.  At the same time I have been rehabilitating shoulder issues.  His advice is spot on.  And it agrees quite well with advice from some of the bright stars in strength training (e.g. Gray Cook, Brett Jones, Pavel Tsatsouline).  For what it is worth to others, here are some of my take-aways:

Systems:  Nervous + Digestive + Immune + Endocrine + Muscoloskeletal + CardioRespiratory

Nutrition determines 80% of the results;  remainder determined by Strength Training + Adequate Recovery (rest).  Excess stress (from whatever source) leads to inflammation and screwing up the NS/DS/IS/ES resulting in no progress or reverse progress in the MS/CR systems.

Ultimate Fat Loss Blueprint (UFLB):  9 ~ 13 (say 11) x BW = 1,793 calories/day  [measure!]

Low Carb day:  203 grams protein  811 calories;  remainder 1,000 calories (carbs + fats)
[examples: Chicken:  30.8gr/4oz/0.25 lb or 123.2gr/16oz/1.00 lb ==  1 lb 10 oz
  Beef/Pork:  26.4gr/4oz/0.25 lb ;  105.6gr/16oz/1.00lb  ==  1 lb 14 oz
  Fish:  22gr/4oz/0.25 lb ;  88gr/16oz/1.00 lb  ==  2 lb 4 oz
  Eggs = 7gr/ea   29 eggs;  cottage cheese 30gr/cup ==  6.6 cups]

Abdominal (Core) is comprised of the Inner Unit and Outer Unit complexes.  Inner unit functions reflexively to stabilize the spine and must be strong to avoid multiple problems often caused by an imbalanced (i.e. over-developed) Outer Unit taking over the deep core functions with detrimental effects on the whole body.

Exercises:  Coordination;  Stabilization;  Strength

Bird Dogs (knees &/or pushup);  Rocking;  Windshield Wiper;  Planks (front & side);  Squats (front, back, Zercher, Goblet);  Rows (single, double, renegade);  Pull-ups (&/or chins BW &/or weighted);  Clean;  Press;  Snatch;  Jerk;  Dips (BW or weighted);  Knee Raises (supported;  hanging);  Rocky Sit Ups;  Dead Lift (standard & single leg);  Lunges (front, back, weighted);  Push Ups (standard, weighted, elevated feet);  Chops (standing, squat, lunge)

Slight criticisms:  pull-ups photo errors;  some annoying typos (insufficient editing) throughout (e.g. to instead of too;  you're instead of your;  of instead of off;  an instead of and;  in instead of on); but meaning is still clear and my quibbles are just that.
514136
This is a good book for anyone interested in functional strength training. John Brookfield is very knowledgable and accomplished in his training. I'm glad I bought it.
2393635
couldn't,t be better, if you are a Bruce Lee fan, this book goes to the top of my favorite list, easy to under stand, excellent photo,s, I am getting volume 2 also,  iv been into martial arts for 40 + yrs,  this book has insights from one of Bruce lee, students who trained with him personally , it is a must have.
1300674
Noone doubts that Mr. Lee was a master of the fighting arts... His philosophy of getting rid of that which is useless and adding that which will improve an art is seen documented in this book. the overall message of  the book is that you should find what works for you and continually adjust  your style to enhance your fighting ability. it should ne noted that  Bruce's original style was Wing Chun. this book is an incomplete work. the  reader has to piece together the ideas in the book which are in a random  hodge podge fashion. If you are a serious martial artist I recommend this  book very strongly to help spark the more well rounded martial artist in  you. :)
2665882
This is an excellent body weight training book. There are progressions for each exercise so someone with a low fitness level will be able to complete the exercise but somebody at a high fitness level will still definitely be challenged by the more difficult progressions.
2917968
Bob Harper's "Complete Body Power Transformation," is almost non-stop exercise, with Mr. Harper moving quickly from one exercise to another.  There's hardly any time to rest, although he does give you a little pause here and there. He instructs a group of two men and two women.  Two sets of dumbbells are used.

Total workout time (about 1 hour)

Warm-up (about 2 minutes)
Cool-down and stretches (about 5 and 1/2 minutes)

Workout (about 52 and 1/2 minutes): So intense & long, this is hard to do in one session, especially if one is doing it for the first time.  If you have difficulty completing the workout, here's a little tip: break it into two parts, rest, eat something and do modifications.  That's what I did.

The 54 exercices

Single front arm swing
Arm swing with side jump
Snatch series with shoulder press
Shoulder press
Snatch series, with side swing, with shoulder press
Shoulder press
Double arm swing
Cable fly/cross
Biceps curl in squat hold
Lunge with lateral raise

Lunge pulse with extended arms
Lunge hold with lateral pulse
Seated upper body press, to press hold
Run in place
Sprint
Cable fly/cross
Biceps curl in squat hold, to biceps hold
Lunge with front raise, to front hold
Seated upper body press, to press hold
Run in place

Sprint
High to low plyos
Around the world push-ups
Plank
Row
Rear fly
Side burpee
Side plank leg raise
Around the world push-ups
Plank

Row
Rear fly
Row
Weighted jumping jacks
Weighted sumo squats
Squat hold, to lateral raise hold
Plyo sumo squat
Squat hold, to lateral raise hold
Pike plank
Dive bomber

Pike plank shoulder press
Pike plank
Jumping jacks
Prisoner lunge hold, to alternating jump
Russian squat kick
Dive bomber push up on one leg
Prisoner lunge
Russian squat kick
Chair pose
Sumo squat

Dive bomber push up on one leg
Plank
Around the world push ups
Bridge series

I found the Russian squat kicks new and interesting.  The around the world push-ups are also new to me.

"Bob Harper: Total Body Transformation" DVD actually contains two workouts.  I already reviewed the first one in the above paragraphs.  Here's the second one, "Body Power Quck Bonus". One dumbbell is used.

Workout (under 13 and 1/2 minutes):  This one starts out with a bang, by running in place, which serves as the warm up.

Run in place
Jumping jacks
Scorpion series
Jumping jacks
Scorpion series
Low jacks
Alternating side scorpion
Plank
Pike shoulder press
Low jacks
Turkish get-ups
Single arm shoulder press
Turkish get-ups
Single arm shoulder press
Low jacks
Chair pose series

Cool-down and stretches (about 45 seconds)

Compared to the longer workout, this shorter workout was easy, but I did avoid doing the Turkish get-ups which I alway find uncomfortable to do.
4066861
Mr. Franco does it again. He has created a dvd for the average guy who simply wants "nuts and bolts" information on how to use the Heavy Bag to improve his chances in coming out on top in a dangerous "kill or be killed" street situation. This dvd contains simple, effective, and efficient training information that anyone can begin to implement into their training without having to have the athletic abilities of a professional or amateur boxer or MMA fighter.

I purchased another dvd from Mr. Franco a while ago entitled "Ground Fighting in the Streets." I have a background in BJJ with the Gracies, but when I decided to begin teaching my son ground fighting, I wanted to teach him just the practical skills necessary to survive and the ones that really work. For the past year and a half, we have been training only the basics as outlined in the "Ground Fighting in the Streets" dvd and my son (who is now 12) is extremely capable of handling himself.

Now that I want to add striking to my son's training, I went back to the one source I trust for practical, no bull information. I plan to spend the next year or so teaching my son striking techniques and drills explained on the "Heavy Bag Training" dvd and I'm sure the results will once again speak for themselves.

Most individuals who want to improve any aspect of their fighting skill set would be best advised to do two things first and foremost: master the basics until they become automatic and only practice those skills and techniques that can be used in the street: "When hell comes to breakfast." This is my philosophy and apparently Mr. Franco agrees.

If you are looking for training dvd's devoted to "where the rubber hits the road" philosophy of fighting and self-defence, Mr. Franco's are a hell of a place to start.
3265009
My son has used the training principles outlined in this book coupled with copious amounts of protein powder to add about 25 pounds of lean muscle mass over the last year.
2898477
The moves do not look hard, but let me tell you, your arms and shoulders get a workout!!!! This is a nonimpact video which makes this appropriate for beginners and for people who cannot do high impact. You will get a great strength training workout for your upper body. I love Ellen Barret as an instructor and have several of her dvd's. Try her out. You'll really be glad you did!!!!
3975021
As one of the busiest writers in the martial arts today, Martina Sprague never fails to nail a subject like a well-placed front kick. In her latest book Strength and Power Training for Martial Arts, she tackles the subject with knowledge gained from years of training experience and practical application in the ring.

I've been training since 1965 and over the years I have learned that there are few absolutes in the martial arts. But there is one that's close: fighters who train with resistance - weights, machines and Swiss ball - are almost always superior to those who don't. It just makes sense: resistance exercises, properly done, increases your power, explosiveness, and speed. Not a bad deal for two or three 30-minute sessions a week.

Now, there are definitely wrong ways to go about resistance training, but fortunately Sprague shows you how to do it right. She discusses the various muscle groups, explains how they are used in the martial arts, and then shows you the best way to develop them. She also discusses concepts of cardiovascular training, the impact of flexibility on strength, and how to use your mind in training.

No matter what your fighting art, this books works.

Loren W. Christensen - author of Solo Training and Solo Training 2.