This product would rate 5 stars if the 'basic' and 'intermediate' workouts had been follow-along. The title gimmick not withstanding, I modified the workout a bit, adding a leg exercise with every cycle, so there is always a push-leg-pull or abdominal-leg-upper body cycle of 3 sets, and I followed Steve's timing, 3 sets of 8, and 4 cycles of exercises:
This took more than 30 mins, taking only a break in between to drink water as in the DVD, and I could not finish the last cycle! Now that I have done this workout several times, I can see a difference. My clothes fit tighter, my muscles have become denser, etc. If I can stop feeling sore after every workout, I might do it 2/week.
Jose C. Amram - Altamonte Springs, FL
The workout itself, for men with low fitness level, who want to improve his strength, stamina and flexibility(not the main focus) in home environment(without expensive equipment, mostly bodyweight) is one of the best. Common bodyweight exercises, not Pilates or Yoga if someone expect that.
My friend asked me to make exercises program for him. I had not time to measure his strength level, calculate the weight for exercises, etc and gave him this DVD. Explanations are detailed, easy to understand, Maxwell even says how to breath(what is very important and unfortunately missing from many exercises DVDs) and you can combine exercises from different levels(begins-advanced) to make your own workout if some parts of your body is stronger. My friend is excited with the result/time what this workout gave him, and I think the same.
Conclusion: for the office worker, without time for personal trainer and going to gym, this is very good do it yourself workout. Also true, the price is higher than it should be, but workout really make you better.
Imre Veres - Zagreb, Croatia
Steve Maxwell takes you through a circuit of ten exercises that use just body weight and a pull up bar. The idea is to perform thirty reps of each exercise before moving to the next exercise. You may need to do say 10 reps, rest 10-20 seconds, then do 8 reps, rest, do 6 reps, etc. until you finally reach thirty reps.
Steve also points out ways you can modify the exercises in case you are able to perform the full exercise. For instance, if you cannot do a full pullup, then you could use a lower bar and rest your heels out away from the bar so you only pull up a portion of your weight. Over time you can raise the bar incrementally until you are able to do all 30 pull ups from hanging position. Likewise, pushups could be started on a raised bar so you are at an incline and only pushing a portion of your total weight.
The Spartan reference is not needed. It plays off the popularity of the film "300" and the legendary toughness of the Spartan warriors. But it does emphasize the point that this will get you into super "functional" shape.
You could use this workout as a basis for designing your own weekly workouts, or as a periodic test of your overall conditioning. There are no gimmicks and minimal equipment, and he carefully demonstrates and explains how to do each exercise as he is performing the entire 300 reps.
J Bryant
This is a great concept and challenged presented in a way that is easily understood. All of the exercises are excellently demonstrated and a plan for attaining the final goal is presented.
David M. White
This type of training has really taken the fitness world by storm and is highly effective for men as it raises the testosterone levels. This is the same style of training that was used to get the actors in 300 is such great shape. It is important however to do the right type of exercises in the right sequence or you will not be able to sustain the correct level of intensity for maximum effect. Maxwell in fact does a great job on this DVD teaching this same style of Spartan training because he really knows this type of training and is a highly regarded strength coach. I have some of his Kettlebell DVDs and the guy is very knowledgeable and in amazing shape. Steve breaks the training down into three levels with superset exercises. He takes a very kinetic approach and I have seen some awesome results using this workout. In only about 3 weeks, I have jumped from being able to perform 7 pull ups in a row to 15. That's double! My endurance has also jumped quite nicely. I am still working on the first level and will not most likely not see level 3 for quite some time. If you can get past the whole Spartan thing, you will really like the workout. I am waiting for a more in depth DVD at this type of training to come out after the 300 movie dies down.
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