Fighting Fit: The complete SAS fitness training guide
K**Y
For the hard or the soft, or anyone inbetween!
This book really is very helpful. There is a general section explaining general theories about losing weight, increasing fitness and strength, and improving general fitness, a section regarding nutrition and diet, a section about skills and equipment needed for training if a reader is considering joining the armed forces, and several exercise regimes, ranging from four weeks to four months in duration, of varying difficulty, all of which are tailored to specific goals. At one end of the spectrum is a program for people with a low level of fitness who want to improve fitness and lose weight, but can only spare a little time to exercise, at the other end of the spectrum are intensive training programs for those considering joining the Paras, SAS or Commandos.A nice feature of these programs is the way they are tailored to the requirements of the unit they are designed to train you for, ie the Paras program involves lots of 'tabbing' (high speed marches over moderate distances with weight) and speedwork, while the SAS program involves a lot of long, hard marches over hard terrain with heavy pack.The book also has a lot of information on the requirments to pass selection for the Royal Marines, and the British Army, as well as its elite Regiments (SAS and Paras), which provides excellent goals for those who are seeking to join them to work towards.Although a large majority of people who follow this book will probably not have the eventual goal of joining the SAS, your eventual goals should still be high to gain the most from the book; the beginner and intermediate programs are very good but if you use them alone you will only be using 30% of the book.Currently I am following the intermediate plan, and intend to progress to the full 'Fighting Fit' program, and perhaps after that one of the top level programs in the book. At the beginning that seemed impossible to me but, having followed the book for only three weeks, I can now imagine myself doing those high-difficulty programs, even if I am not fit enough yet.Following the program I have lost weight, gained strength, and most importantly I am much fitter, and have not picked up any kind of injury.An excellent book, useful to anyone, but especially for somebody considering a career in the forces.
K**1
Basic but that's the whole point...
I am surprised at some of the very negative reviews here.This book is designed to break down fitness plans into what you can do or want to achieve. From your desk bound slob looking to start fitness to those aiming for better fitness through to getting fit for the UK's best regiments.There's a ton of guff written about fitness. Mostly about weight training without thinking about functional fitness. I've following the four month Fighting Fit programme and it works effectively. Simple workouts that gradually get tougher. You'd better get used to running and swimming! If all you want is to lift weights then this is not for you. The aim is for fitness and a good functional strength for out in the field.The cooking chapters aren't needed for me but the writer breaks it all down for the beginner. Following the basics works. The SAS and Paras/Marines programmes look very tough but they're needed by some readers. Keep it simple and follow this book. It works.
S**R
Useful to a point...
As has been said many times in these reviews, this book is excellent for people with no fitness background and ok for people with said background. A lot of the beginning of the book would be obvious to the average gym goer/runner, but as the book says, it will help someone who is sat on their couch most nights.The exercise regimes towards the back of the book are really good, especially for the average runner/walker/gym-goer, as they will put you through your paces to see just how fit you are.In summary, I would recommend the book, but if you are a fitness fanatic already, get out and run/cycle/swim for 3 hours a night at 85%!
J**H
Reasonably good workout book apart from the 'tough guy's speak throughout
Reasonably good workout book apart from the 'tough guy's speak throughout. The author describes comments by others as "a lot of bollocks"I along with other high brow phraseology direct from the barracks (or is it that ballacks, can't quite remember) Apparently this character is ex-SAS which of course is the sales pitch. Hard to know, you might get as a good a workout with a Davina McCall workout video.... but then you might not feel like such a 'hard man' on the train when you're reading it.... slowly getting Fed up with the (to quote the author) "bollocks" of marketing books and indeed other products on the strength of perceived perception (i.e. ex-SAS) so punters will hand over their hard earned cash for a pipe dream (i.e. you could be like an SAS man if you do this) That said......sound exercise and nutritional advice.
M**)
Does exactly what is says on the tin...
The greatness of this book is in its simplicity and accesability; it is so easy and pleasurable to read. Of course it is not a ground breaking method of getting fit and of course you will find techneques on the internet to get you fit, such as strength training on Youtube, but you will not find a better single overall strength, stamina and suppleness regime. You will read it for an hour and then itch to get outside and pound the track running.I used this book to learn and get inspiration to build up my stamina by running and this book is directly responsible for me a 36 yo desk bound civil servant to be able to run 10 miles over hills in an hour which I understand exceeds what the SAS require in selection for those of you nutters that really want to go for it. I just brought a fitness book becuase I'm a vain sod who likes to see his cheek bones and abs and look good. It just so happens it was the best buy I have made.For the sake of a few quid, you have nothing to lose.
M**A
poco utile, si trova di meglio sul web
ho trovato il libro poco utile, ci sono suggerimenti e routines sostanzialmente scontate, si fa prima cercare sul web hiit, crossfit e cose simili
R**N
Physical Fitness tips from the Lords of War
What better way to get into fighting shape than read the time proven techniques of the men who set the standard for Special Operations Operators - the SAS. The best of the best, the men whose techniques inspired the creation of the Army's Secretive and Elusive Delta Force.Even if you aren't a fitness buff, or in moderate shape, this book has simple and realistic fitness plans you can modify and use to better yourself.This book doesn't guarantee you will have Iron Man abs, because there are operators I have seen who have beer guts and can out perform Olympic athletes. So factor in your body type and use it for functional fitness. This book does, however, encourage good dieting practices. A worthwhile read.
D**D
Well done, Mr.Weale!
Indeed, not only a good book.Definitely, the best and most believable book I have everhad about this topic. I guess there are not any equal guidebooks like that.Which were available in German.Not only, if you are thinking about becominga soldier, whether paratrooper, pathfinder or evenSAS. More, the book could be dedicated to everybody.There is much basic stuff, that should be considered, principal things.For example, if you are eating to much of the so called "crap food",if you're smoking or drinking to much, there won't be good results of it.Otherwise, by trying to live in an other, better way, you are healthyuntil an higher age. And you are able to do things in your job or in yourspare time, you never expected to do before. Of course, this messageis not new and already most of people know this.But this book makes it very credible, because it givesimmediately some comprehensible pieces of advice.It is shown: How to get balance, how to keep balanceand improve one's own health and fitness. Forbeing in a good trim.The ways, how to do physical exercises, are well explainedand easy to understand and to repeat. Moreover,the issue is that a gym is helpful but not urgently necessary (of course, forhealthy persons which do not suffer of any corporal problems).The message of the book is:After a while of continuingthis way, it could be interesting to compare yourself with people, whodo not live their live in the same healthy way. This makes you sure,that you have done the right decision. Further, you will get the determinationto continue the new kind of living you chose. This is also a very important approvefor your mind. Because, the biggest problem will not be to do physical exercises.The biggest problem is to keep the discipline without getting back your old habitsand more convenient behaviour for the future.Also cooking is an interesting chapter.Not only the recipes itself. The result of it, would benot difficult or expensive, to eat food, which is good for your health.And, you never need to buy anything special,like vitamin pills or any designed industrial high-nutritious-food.Cereals, bread, vegetables, fruit, milk products, fish, meat and eggs:Based on simplicity, without demanding any higher expenses. That'sit. And anything else is not necessary.Obviously, the writer and his team really were interestedin giving good advise, easily feasible for almosteach one. Step by step, without any high expenses.All the things you need, are available or to arrange without any remarkable difficulties.Finally, the book is written in a good and facile way, with a little bit of entertainment,so it is not "to dry" or to hard to read.
M**E
Hält was es verspricht
Das Buch fängt bei null an. Und wenn ich null sage, dann meine ich auch null: Schlafen, Essen, Klamotten, Verletzungen, Dehnen usw. Alles wird kurz&knapp angerissen: keine langwierigen Erläuterungen.Das Herzstück sind drei rustikale Trainingspläne für die Aufnahmetests der britischen Armee: SAS-Selection, P(aratroopers)-Course und Commandos. Wer nicht vorhat sich diesen Einheiten o.Ä. anzuschließen, kann die Pläne als Inspirationsquelle für den eigenen Sport nehmen respektive Einblick erhalten, was die Jungs leisten müssen. Das Ganze wird gelegentlich garniert mit mit einer Prise britischen Humors.Wer sich in dem Metier ausgekennt, wird nichts Neues entdecken. Soll er auch nicht. Das Buch stellt schließlich eine Zusammestellungen bewährter Ansätze dar: best practice. Gut so.Fazit: Einfacher und ehrlicher Ansatz, ohne jeden Schnickschnack mit dem Charme des vergangenen Jahrhunderts.
W**H
Five Stars
the real thing !!
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