I usually like to review books that have a story to them. I read a lot of “How to…” books, but never review them. If I like what I read or implement something from the book, I might blog about that. But this book is different. I liked it so much, I thought I would break away from the norm and write about it.

The book is called “Get Strong: The Ultimate 16-Week Transformation Program for Gaining Muscle and Strength Using Body the Power of Progressive Calisthenics” (that’s a mouthful). It is by Al and Danny Kavadlo and was published in 2017.

The book takes the reader through a 16-week exercise program using body weight exercises and calisthenics. Each session can be done in about an hour (most of the time it is less than an hour) and there is no need for a gym or weight equipment. You can do it at home or go to a local park and workout. The book teaches the importance of things that can go relatively unnoticed in other books such as warming up, form and breathing (there is a whole chapter on breathing). The programs are simple and easy to understand, explanations on the “gotchas” one might run into with every exercise and when to breath during each exercise. There are also pictures to help one understand about form for each exercise.

I have read a few of the Kavadlos’ books and this is the best by far. Most of their books are very motivating and go over a host of body weight exercise (which I have loved doing since the army). But they have never really had a solid program to follow. What makes this program a little different is that it does start from the beginning. I have found a lot of other programs I have read about (and I have read about a lot of programs) require a lot of time (which I do not have) and are still too hard for building up to the harder exercise (I would like to do a one-armed push up one day). The beginner exercises are challenging but not so much so that I would not be motivated to workout. I have also tweaked the routine a bit, adding exercises to make it a little challenging without actually hurting me (I added a routine for handstands).

This is a great book and I find myself going back to it again and again. If you are interested in a fitness program that is cheap and can be done anywhere, I suggest picking this book up. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

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Pictures courtesy of:
Amazon.com
Bodybuilding.com
Dragondoor.com