A Sound Program from a Master of the fitness world
589199
I enjoyed this book have't gotten to start the program yet so only give it 4stars till I see how it all go's. I think the sience sounds solid and the nutirtional recomendations are farly easy to implement and live with. provided you can handle intermitant fasting.
I like that the program isn't isolated to one training tool leaves lots of room for variety and has routines for those that don't train at a
well stocked gym. There are also programs provided for beginners, Intermiadiate and advanced trainees.
1632956
Having met Darryl Edwards at PaleofX in Austin, Texas in March, one thing is readily apparent. Darryl is enthusiastic about movement! Furthermore, his enthusiasm is contagious. During his Primal Play Workshop, most of us giggled and laughed our way through the most complete full body workout in one hour as I believe is possible. A great workout can be fun- what a breakthrough! My experience with Darryl has inspired me to start a local natural movement group, partially modeled after his workshop. It was for that reason that I was eager to read Darryl's new book, Paleo Fitness. It is a concise, yet thorough, examination of paleo nutrition, but more importantly, it lays out a common sense fitness program emphasizing functional body weight movements. Even better, no gym membership or expensive equipment is required to start. I thoroughly enjoyed Darryl's book, but particularly, his personal story. I can completely relate to his journey through the maze of confusing, oftentimes conflicting, dietary and fitness advise that's out there. Like Darryl, I eventually found my way to a paleo lifestyle. I recommend Paleo Fitness without reservation to anyone on a similar journey.

David Rebarcak, D. C.
672431
The above would be an excellent title for this book because it is exactly that. John Peterson uses bodyweight and muscle tension excercises to develop and enhance his physique(however, where alot of trainers fall short is the fact that while excercise alone, no matter the system, can build muscle and burn fat the biggest step towards those ends is diet. Something that Mr. Peterson supplies in his book. The same diet that all natural bodybuilder Clarence Bass([...]) has used to get such incredibly low bodyfat levels. (To be fair, Clarence lifts weights, but you'll notice his physique from where he started as a strong weightlifter, and then where diet and cardio took him)

One thing I must point out is that while Mr. Peterson's methods can build an incredible physique and incredible strength, it does not create strength specifically for sports such as Powerlifting or Olympic lifting(even though bodyweight calisthenics and weighted bodyweight calisthenics have been used to improve performance in both sports, they are not used exclusively simply because they do not develop the specified strength you need for those sports) And will not create the bulk of large football players or professional bodybuilders(all of whom are on steroids, have incredible genetics anyway, and can workout all day, every day) they will create beautiful, well muscled, natural physiques that become ripped to the bone(if you so desire) with the diet outlined in John's book.

I'd also like to point out bodyweight calisthenics build athleticism as well as muscle mass. Take for example, the furey pushup, or the furey squat, or the atlas pushup, or furey bridge, or atlas situps and leg raises. All of those excercises build incredible athleticism and functional fitness(John's defintion of functional fitness is not merely strength or aesthetics but a number of abilities that you need for long term health and well being) Let an athlete go through these excercises and ask them if they do or do not build true athletic fitness.

I would like to mention that John and I are friends personally, and he helped me lose around (estimates) 9 or 10lbs of fat, and add over 15 lbs to my 6'3 physique(over a period of about 3 months) through using a high volume pushups program, as he describes, and various muscle resistance and flexing excercises.

I recommend everyone to go to [...] and atleast read the forums and check out the results people have been having, and ask questions about the program and bodyweight training. Just enter with an open mind about bodyweight training and John Peterson,who unlike other authors leaves himself open for questions and constantly checks his forums and answers questions, is a great man and incredible friend.
154683
I have an extensive collection of work out DVD's and most just don't deliver -- they are based on whatever the latest fad is, packaged for mass appeal. As someone who is average height and already athletic, many work outs are designed to build muscle, just the opposite of what I want -- sleek, toned lines and a tighter overall form. But this workout delivers. I usually rotate workouts daily, but decided to give this one a true test -- Tracy Anderson encourages using this workout 4 to 6 times a week to see the changes she promises, so that's what I did. In a month, my legs were tighter, and my arms looked fantastic. Serious arm work is a forgotten art in most of the current workouts, except for those that drill you like a weight lifter and you end up with bulky shoulders, less neck and still have flabby underarms, which is why I just don't do them anymore and my arms did suffer. The seemingly endless repetitions of this program will give great definition without bulk -- you'll want to wear sleeveless shirts every day. I should also add that this is the only thing I've ever done that helps the tendonitis in my wrist. I have read criticism here of her style -- she seems very shy, doesn't count out repetitions, often looks off camera, and once, during the leg work, changes the pattern. To me, her style helps make this a work out you can do over and over to pick up on what is going on, sequence your own counts, and concentrate on what you are feeling rather than the pratter of a perky instructor. I personally do not like the music, but it has grown on me. Eventually, however, I will probably turn down the sound and play something more to my liking in the back ground. I don't know why someone would doubt the "10 years in the making" -- after all, there is nothing truly new in any program, but this comes close, in the variety of angles and ingenoius sequencing. The warm up is nothing new, but at the very least these are interesting twists on old favorites.  There are standing legs and mat legs. There is a standing ab routine that is reminiscent of the only belly dancing class I've ever taken, and I really am not sure if it is doing anything for me, since I have flat abs already, but it is fun, and it is the only break your going to get in what is a very demanding workout. These are long sets that build on each previous move, then wham! take you in a different direction. The first time you do it, don't get discouraged. It doesn't get easier, but it begins to make sense. I wanted a workout that would help me shape up after the Christams season, keep me interested in doing it, and tone but not build. I am really thankful I found this, even though I hesitated to pay so much for a DVD sine I ususally do them  a few times and retire them forever. Many workouts I "fall in love with" the first few times I do them, then either get bored or just don't get any results. I have never done a Kathy Smith workout more than a month or two, which can give you an idea about me and how to rate this review. This work out is a keeper. I hope you like it as much as I do.
2330973
As background, I'm a late thirties guy who has generally been active in fitness and recreational sports, but I've been out of competitive athletics since college.  As such, I started with a good-but-not-great level of fitness.

My reasons for starting included boredom with my routine of weightlifting and kickboxing on alternate days, as well as some reading about the merits of core conditioning as a training approach.  I enjoyed this program from the beginning.  I could detect improvements in flexibility and abdominal strength within a few workouts.  Also, the variety was intellectually stimulating.  I used the program for about 9 weeks, took a break from it, and returned.  Now I am not quite as strict in sticking to the schedules lined out in the book, but rather work them in with other workouts as time and interest allow.

Strengths:
1) The workouts are rigorous and concise.  They seldom exceed 45 minutes if you stick to the rules about the amount of rest between sets, but you feel like you have had a good workout.
2) The program works.  It helped with overall fitness and sport-specific fitness in soccer and karate.  I literally have felt better and fitter than I have in years.
3) The complaint about the science of the book is being answered as research catches up with this training approach.  Dynamic stretching, "core" exercises and interval training are showing up in research studies and in professional training rooms.  I don't think a reader needs to feel that this is an "out there" approach to fitness.

Weakness:
1) The typos should be embarrassing.  Most of the time you can figure out what the author meant, but the website is full of people writing in and asking for clarification.
2) The illustrations leave some doubt as to how the exercises should be performed.  I recommend getting the free 1-week trial from the website and checking out the videos of the movements for all of the exercises.
3) The diet recommendations are not too easy to follow if you have a family.  It ended up being too much of a hassle to be eating completely at odds with mine, so I generally didn't follow this part.
4) You must be OK with the idea that you are doing exercises that nobody else in the gym is doing.  Sometimes folks will ask about it, which can be fun or not, depending on your mood.
5) The circuit exercises are difficult to perform in a crowded gym.  They require rotating rapidly between two or more pieces of equipment, and it's hard to do this without inconveniencing someone.
6) Finally, a word about the pay website - it sure looks like a beta version to me.  I'd recommend waiting for version 2.0 before considering joining.

So if you are reasonably fit and looking for a challenge, and you don't mind some minor irritations, I think it is a great program.
4746376
My sister and I are currently following this program and absolutely love it. First of all, the fact that it gives just about anyone (without a medical condition) however untrained, no matter what age, the chance to one day do one arm pushups, pullups, one leg squats etc is plain glorious! Paul teaches valuable lessons about the exercises and the body parts one is working on and motivates you to take your time to do them and follow the progressions. I honestly believe that in a year's time I can do the final sets and I am motivated to stay the course. I no longer see time as my enemy, I see time as my friend. While 1st of Jan 2016 was the day I tried and couldn't do 10 full squats, December 31st 2016 is my date with destiny doing the one leg squat! Right now, I just finished week 1 on the second steps  for the first 4 exercises. I will give an update on my progress by the middle of the year. I can't wait for next year (and only then), when I will buy convict conditioning 2!!!
3000001
Excellent....well planned program with exercises for you to work on....if you do the work, the program should work...as it is based on the 12 step principles which have been well proven.  This is a spiriutal based program as opposed to Anthony Robbins or other coaching masters who are more neutral in thier approach, from my point of view.

Definately well worth the minor investment in money and time. Great to listen to while you take a long walk and exercise your mind as well as your body.
1207918
I have the deluxe kit with the extra workouts. I've been exercising all my life, and I love this program. It is a lot of fun, and there's plenty of variety, and I'm thrilled with the results that I've achieved in just 3 weeks. It does a great job on your tummy as well. Leandro is a very good instructor -- he's motivating, but in a gentle -- not obnoxious -- way. He gives lots of important tips on proper form, so make sure to pay attention so you won't hurt your knees or back. I recommend going slowly and focusing on form until you get the hang of it. I love that they switch scenes from the studio to the beach, and I can't fathom why this bothers some people. It makes it much more interesting to look at, and they've done an excellent job in splicing the scenes perfectly so there are no blips in your workout. This is a great plan -- cardio + toning -- and it works great as long as you eat healthy too. Start with the 6-day diet plan.
3622183
I first heard about this product through a few friends of mine who raved about it, even though they had only done the first week or the first month. I bought it with the attitude that whatever it takes I will DO this program. I'm glad I did, it's the finest set of exercise videos I've ever tried! It is as advertised: a series of hard workouts that will tone and strengthen your entire body, improving you at all areas of fitness. When I say hard I don't mean joyless, either. Tony is charismatic, hard-working and fun. He knows when to encourage, when to make you watch your form, when to make you smile, when to take breaks and when to not say anything. He is also very good at giving less intense alternatives to many of the exercises, which is crucial in the beginning. The videos are great for variety too, as you will be doing different ones each month. The structure of the program is great, you work out hard for 3 weeks, then you get a rest & recovery week of less intense workouts to let yourself recover. Then the next month you do different videos to work out hard but in a different way. Muscle confusion is the concept, and it really works, ask any trainer. It's a flexible program too: there's the "classic", which is what I did, the "lean" which has less weight videos for women or those who just want to concentrate on burning fat, and "doubles" for those who are hardcore and want more. It's important to note that you are expected to be in some kind of shape before you do these videos! Go to beachbody's website and download the free fit test, then do the test. If you pass it then you're ready.

In addition to the videos there is a nutrition plan also. Please do NOT ignore this! I think one of the chief reasons I succeeded when my friends didn't was because I followed the nutrition plan. It is well laid out and makes sense, specifically designed to help your body fuel and recover itself for these intense workouts. I followed it pretty religiously and did not cheat and my body did not let me down during the videos. A word of advice: go to beachbody's site and sign up so you get support. It's free and the folks there really helped me. Your first week you will be sore from head to toe and might be tempted to quit. After this you won't be sore and your body will adjust! I'd recommend getting cheaper alternatives to the P90X equipment you should buy with the exception of the Rest & Recovery drink, it really is the best. Don't be intimidated by this program, you will thank yourself for getting it and you will be a different person by the end of it!
104506
A great gift for those who like a healthy exercise program.
2328908
I have the complete program including the DVDs.  After completing the 9 week program I was bored.  I missed my other workouts including kickboxing, Jazzercise, weight lifting, pilates, and yoga.  While this program may be great for those who are just getting back into an exercise routine it may not be effective for those who already have a consistent routine.  I actually felt I lost muscle tone. The manual includes solid, scientific info about rest and metabolism and the trainer gives helpful information along the way as the exercises are being completed.  Just as any exercise program it may work and be the key to success for some, but it is not the end all be all for everyone as the author would like you to believe.
2535302
There are two 30 minute routines on this DVD - one for "beginners" and one for "advanced".  The dvd quality is excellent.  The location is a well stocked and attractive indoor gym.  The only piece of equipment used during the exercises is a metal folding chair.  The music is unobtrusive and doesn't compete with Dolvett's instructions.  Dolvett is encouraging and his pacing and cueing are excellent. During the video, there are a female and a male doing the exercises with him. However, if the thought of stepping up onto a chair with your full weight or doing push-ups or one-leg squats scares you, this is NOT the video for you.  In my opinion, this is a unique strength and toning program for people who are already in good shape and want to maintain their condition.
4500904
The P90X series is a great, varied workout.  After only one month, I'm already seeing improvements in my body.  My only complaint is that the trainer, Tony Horton, is an obnoxious "bro".  It's like being trained by an overgrown 45-year-old frat boy who calls you "boys and girls" or "kids" about 12 times per workout.  He talks and talks, but without much substance.  I'd prefer him to be explaining proper positions or helpful hints while he's talking, but it's like he's just talking so it won't be silent.  Thankfully, I think the producers of P90X realized this and they created an option on the title menu for just "Cues and Music".  I highly recommend using this feature.  You see his lips moving, but you only have to hear what he says when it's relevant to the workout.
867184
After working out with EA Sports for some time, I thought I was ready for Jillian and Bob to rough me up a bit. They haven't let me down. This software is filled with fitness tips, calorie counters for foods (along with suggestions for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) and also comes with one month of free Biggest Loser Club. You can choose a Beginner workout, Intermediate or Expert. Knowing Jillian's tactics like I do (I've seen every single episode of The Biggest Loser), I chose Intermediate. You *will* sweat. You get a nice warm up,, great workout and a cool down with all the extras I mentioned and more. You can choose a quick exercise or set up a workout plan to lose a little weight, lose a lot of weight, or tone up and work out certain areas. You can choose between a 4 week, 8 week or 12 week plan -- but once you set it up, you're committed to it, so choose wisely. Your "character" is one of the past contestants (you choose one), but you set the game up with your own stats. It tells you that you will compete with past contestants and weigh in just like the show, but obviously I haven't gotten that far yet. I just bought the software this morning, so I'm sure I will uncover more features as time goes by, but I know some of you would like a review before you purchase -- and I don't blame you. So far I think it is worth the money for this complete workout plan.
4004525
Another of Muscle and Fitness 101 series, this time concentrating on fat loss and shredding / cutting.  As usual, the book is well done, although I have two suggestions for them, see below.  The workouts are excellent, well laid out for 4 - 5 week snapshots of various programs.  The pictures are motivational of successful muscle men doing the workouts or preparing meals.  The information is excellent, well explained,  but scattered through the book.  The nutrition is of several philosophies and combined with exercise in various programs, all of which I am sure will lead most men to fat loss and better muscle definition.  The book is honest with the difficulty in changing eating and exercise habits to these newer philosophies of high intensity resistance training and short burst cardio.

The lay out of this book is of the philosophy to fill every available square centimeter.  This is very hard to do, and it is well done, packing the information, programs and motivational pictures in tightly.  But there is minimal white space, making the book very dense.  And several areas use black space for emphasis.  Better clarity could have been obtained with a different layout philosophy, utilizing more white space.  IMHO, more readers would benefit from a less dense approach to the page layouts.

There are several excellent combination exercise and  weight loss programs, mostly concentrating on "high intensity resistance training and cardio combined with a clean diet."  (back cover).  All the necessary information on diet and weight loss is scattered throughout the programs.  Thus, the reader has to work through the entire book for the information, digest each program, and then synthesize it himself into a practical program for himself.  A intro chapter leading the reader into the various programs with a quick statement of each program's philosophy would make this book  and its programs more accessible, and the readers task of personal program outlining easier.

Overall, an excellent book, but the density of the layout and the lack of an introductory chapter, IMHO, limit its readership.  I feel many readers will be frustrated by the layout.  I realize both of these decisions may have been deliberate editorial decisions attempting to attract the HIRT type, class A personality, of reader.  And for the modern alpha male this may be the correct approach.  Perhaps my age is showing.

I just disagree with the presentation chosen.  The information and programs are excellent.
4592434
Judith Vimala Anderson has created an artistic way to demonstrate yoga and other exercises that when combined in her flowing program, will confer to the user a better fitness level, including improved balance, coordination, and flexibility. Her settings are beautiful spots in Hawaii and the Florida Keys, and she has a nicely coordinated sound track of various musical influences that compliment the sets of exercises and yoga asanas she has strung together into a comprehensive workout that encompasses total body involvement. Judith demonstrates almost all of the workout for her audience, and her fitness level is not only obvious, but quite pleasing to watch. This is a very low-impact set, but going thru the entire workout as shown will require some effort for even the fittest of participants. I had to take a few breaks to get all the way thru, and I am experienced with Hatha Yoga and in fairly good shape. The DVD has a lot of pretty scenery, including Judith, and the music flows nicely with the demonstrations. There is a lovely photo collage at the end of the tape that gives opportunity for relaxation and warm-down at the conclusion of the set. I have tried many yoga demos and video exercise programs, but "I~Change" is unique, artistic, and will work wonders for anyone who gives it some time and effort.
392680
A number of years ago, I happened to buy a great program called&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Yourself-Fitness/dp/B00061NL7W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Yourself Fitness</a>, first on my PS2 then on PC so I could have multiple platforms depending on the time and my location.  I loved it.  It gave a basic set of goals, started with a basic test of current fitness, then created a program of fitness.  It was flexible, creative, and offered a unique experience each time I played it.  It would slowly increase difficulty the more you maintained a steady discipline of exercises, and it would mix up the kinds of exercises you did each time.  Very adaptable.

Your Shape Fitness is, without a doubt, more robust, more complex, and more involved. The Kinect interface works well, though certainly not perfect, putting the player into the screen.  You can watch yourself as you exercise and the game gauges how well you are performing each exercise. Again, this isn't perfect--sometimes it lets you pass with less than perfect moves and other times it just doesn't seem to see that you're doing exactly what it asked.  But, while not perfect it really is astounding how well it works.  It's close enough, I think.

More, there's an immense amount of variety, an amount of variety that is expanding as they release more downloadable content.  There's everything from yoga and related stretching, to boot camp style exercising, to dance classes from a variety of styles, to jogging through virtual cities, to hitting blocks.  You don't need to pay a monthly membership at a gym, because this game offers just about any class you would want.  The sheer variety and different skill levels in each makes for an immensely robust exercise program, where the only barrier to fitness is yourself.

That all being said, I have some minor frustrations.  First, for all the options, Your Shape seems a whole lot less, well, personal. Yeah it tracks calories and allows you to choose some kind of goal. But it's all impersonal and not very adaptive.  You pretty much can go in and choose what you want, it suggests classes but doesn't really set a strict order or give a set exercise program to start each time you turn it on. In a way, it has too many options and then just lets you choose among them.  It's like going to a huge exercise gym and walking in on any class you want at any point. No one knows you and won't remember you.  The exercises don't get progressively harder you just pick a different class.  Making it all feel a lot more robust, but also a lot more clunky.

The downloadable content somewhat makes up for this, adding a few more weight loss variety options that seem more like the Your Self fitness options, but this means you have to pay yet more money for what the older program automatically came with and was, then, more progressive in training than this is now.

So, in some ways while the technology and options and interactivity is much more robust, there are still some steps backwards, that occasionally cause me to think about just getting my old PS2 out again.

That complaint out of the way, I still highly recommend this as a one stop exercise program that will most likely satisfy your whims and interests for regular exercise.