I must say this is an awesome book for one who wants to get into shape. The only problem with it is, I bought the machine in the back of the book for doing pull ups and latts but Mark Desile never shipped. It was a 144 dollar purchase, and the author took my money and ran. I have attempted to recieve reimbrushment but the author seems to be out of business. Trust me it is a great book, but never buy anything from it. The author and his company do not practice sound business practices.
I don't agree with some other reviewers that this book gives inadequate information or that people can get hurt easily using the program. I'm a 42-year-old male who had been lifting weights sporadically for years without seeing much improvement. Within a few weeks of starting Mark's program, I noticed increased definition all over, especially in my arms and abs. Unlike weightlifting, I've had little soreness. Also unlike weightlifting, it's impossible to drop a barbell on your foot, since you're only using your own bodyweight for resistance! I think most people would be more likely to hurt themselves using weights or even weight machines.
For anyone who is even remotely in shape already, the only way to really get hurt with this program would be to do too much, too soon. Mark emphasizes repeatedly that beginners need to take it easy, and the beginner routines involve minimal repetitions. I found the progression from beginner to intermediate levels to be clear and logical (you work up to the next level gradually; you don't just jump from one level to the next.) I also found the explanations and photographs of the various routines to be adequate to permit proper form.
Maybe this isn't the ideal book for former couch potatoes, but every book doesn't have to serve every possible audience. I recommend Mark's book highly.
Buy The Navy Seal Workout : The Compete Total-Body Fitness Program Now
Navy SEALs are renowned the world over as being among the most-physically fit men alive. In this book, Mark De Lisle, who became a Navy SEAL at age 27, adapts various workout routines and methods from his training to be useful to the 'average' civilian who wishes to work out hard.
There is no substitute for Navy SEAL training, and if you are looking for precise programmes of fitness routines and performance standards of SEALs here, you will be disappointed. For one thing, most people cannot come by the equipment required in SEAL fitness training. However, there are standards and performance measurements that can be attained in a number of ways, and De Lisle provides a good adaptation here that calls for a minimum of special equipment and settings, but still requires a maximum of dedication and drive.
De Lisle provides a brief description of the history of the SEALs as well as his own introduction to the training. De Lisle is an inspiring writing, giving details of his own performance failures and working through these one thing he emphasises over and over is that determination and definite goals are important.
The first section is on stretching, an often overlooked part of training. Pre-workout stretching should take at least 15 minutes following these routines. In all, there are 18 different stretching exercises detailed. Each has description and basic photographs of the movements. There are stretches for all parts of the body, upper, lower, etc., as well as some stretches that could be done by two people. Working out in pairs can help with motivation.
The second section is on upper-body workouts. It is very tough. Five of the ten exercises listed are variations of pull-ups, and four are variations of push-ups. For these, some place for doing pull-ups will be necessary, as well as dips. De Lisle gives charts for beginning, intermediate and advanced pacing. These are all body-weight exercises; there are no weight-machine or free-weight exercises here. This is a book about fitness rather than body-building.
The third section is lower body exercises, primarily meaning abdominals (many exercise manuals classify these with upper body exercises). There are 13 exercises here, that will give a good all-around burn to the midsection. Again, De Lisle gives general tips and hints on exercising and maintaining proper form, so as to minimise the chance of injury.
Sections 4 6 look at running, swimming and combined run/swim programmes. There are few leg-strengthening exercises built into the exercise routines, as that is accomplished through the running and swimming. These include sprints, stair-climbs, and other methods to keep the legs and the aerobic system in good order.
There are two final parts of the book, one on maintenance and one on progress charts. De Lisle gives basic nutritional information (it seems few exercise books are complete without requisite but basic nutritional guidelines; these include here both suggestions for losing weight and for gaining weight). Progress charts are highly recommended, as they are very motivational, and SEALs are big on motivation.
The photography in the book is basic black-and-white, no real glamour shots here. De Lisle and a partner illustrate the exercises; in between are a few 'mood' shots, but these are few and far between. The book is really about working out.
Read Best Reviews of The Navy Seal Workout : The Compete Total-Body Fitness Program Here
After having quadruple bypass, open heart surgery, I thought, "What could this program do for me?" How about a new life! I originally purchased Mark De Lisle's first book, "Navy SEAL Workout." The results I experienced were nothing less than phenomenal. As soon as I found out that Mark had completed "Breakthrough To Master Level Fitness," I had to have a copy. Breakthrough blows away anything else I have encountered in the fitness market. I have purchased other Navy SEAL workout books and videos but they were either too incomplete or did not sufficiently layout an effective program. Breakthrough however, contains exercises for upper body, legs, cardio workouts, sprints, long distance running, abs and plateau breakers such as Burn Outs, Intervals, and Circuit Training. And with 12 Weeks To Better Than Ever, which lays out routines on a day by day basis, you can't wander off the path to improvement.
With the 12 Weeks, I simply took the evaluation test and checked off each day. The routines were laid out right before me. It even told me when to do my burn outs, intervals and circuits. With the new book combo, I have been able to take myself up another notch. For a middle-aged business executive with heart disease, I need every edge I can get. I highly recommend this book combo over any other SEAL/fitness exercise book or video. Thank you Mark De Lisle, your program is saving my life and dramatically improving my lifestyle.
Want The Navy Seal Workout : The Compete Total-Body Fitness Program Discount?
First off, I just want to clarify that all these people who say you won't be a Navy SEAL after reading this book are right. The only way to be a Navy SEAL is to go train with them. That said, this book is excellent for an ordinary person who wants to get in great shape. I am using it to train for rugby and the strength excersises are what I find most helpful. Using body weight has left me less sore than using dumbbells but a lot more tired. This program is primarily for building muscle endurance, though you will get stronger. I recommend it more for a high school/ college athlete as a supplement to whatever your coach has you do. This is NOT a book for someone who wants to try out for any kind of a Special Forces job.
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Being a student of rainforest medicinal plants myself, I found this book one of the best, published or unpublished, to-date. The drawings are excellent, making field identification easy. The presentation of both the common and scientific names of plants is invaluable. I found it interesting that the Carribean people of Belize and the Carribean people of Costa Rica (where I am) use the same names and uses for many of the medicinal plants. This book is a wealth of information for such a small price, not to mention, motivation for further inquiry. Thank You!
