Maximum Fitness : The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Cross Training (Paperback)

~ (Author), Peter Field Peck (Photographer), M. Laurel Cutlip LN RD (Contributor), James Villepigue (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Same old same old on the treadmill? Are those dumbbells not making you any smarter? Is your fitness routine a boring routine? It's time to let former Navy SEAL Stew Smith show you the joys of cross-training! For anyone that has ever wanted a year round fitness program that gives you optimal fitness by varying your workouts on a quarterly basis, here's the book for you! This 52- week workout program encompasses all types of workout regimens for all types of exercisers. Beginners, advanced athletes, powerlifters, endurance athletes, teen athletes, people who wish to lose weight, people who wish to gain weight and so many others can benefit from the four programs outlined in this book. Cross training is the smartest way of training if you want to be stronger, healthier and injured less, using periodization techniques to achieve your highest level of fitness. Designed by a former US Navy SEAL, this program can be used for flexibility training, weight loss, speed training, muscle stamina, cardio-vascular fitness, strength training and much more! So join Stew Smith as he shows how to achieve Maximum Fitness.

About the Author

Stewart Smith is a former US Navy SEAL. Stew is Director of the nationwide chain of Getfitnow.com Family Fitness Centers. A native of Live Oak, Florida, Stew now resides in Severna Park, Maryland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hatherleigh Press (March 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578260604
• ISBN-13: 978-1578260607
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #444,839 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book - slight drawbacks, January 14, 2004

By	"oezekoye" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This is the best all around fitness guide that I have ever seen or used. Unlike other similar (Navy SEAL workout) books, this book goes well beyond the BUD/S warning order that is freely available on the internet. The best part of the book is the detailed weekly workout charts, which start off really slow which is good if you are out of shape (like I was).

The only drawback of this book that the workouts can be a little confusing, and it doesn't seem like a lot of effort was put into making the instructions easy to understand (I think another reviewer mentioned this). It is particularly unclear when it is appropriate to take rest between exercises. However, if you use some common sense, these problems are easily overcome.

Another great thing about this book is that the training is broken down into four 13 week phases, each with a specific goal.

1st Phase - general fitness
2nd Phase - mostly cardio and endurance (run/swim/bike)
3rd Phase - weights, PT, and cardio mix
4th Phase - mostly strength training

After completing the entire program, you can go back and concentrate on the phase that best suits your goals. Overall this is the best overall fitness book I've ever used, and the LAST one I'll buy for a long time.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, April 2, 2001

By	John Sifferman (NH, USA) - See all my reviews

This is definitely a great book. I have workout books, which includes the marine corps 3x fitness program, but I've never had another book like this one. This one has it all. Variety, Almost every workout, if not all of them, is different, except when it tells you to repeat previous days (which is very rare). So, you won't get bored with this book. Good illustrations, the pictures in this book are perfect. They couldn't get any better, the paper is nice which makes quality photos. Hard, this is probably the hardest workout program ever. At least out of all the ones I've tried. As the weeks go on, the trials get harder and harder, until the 13th week which is the final test for the 13 week programs. There are 4 programs. They are each 13 weeks long equalling a 52 week workout plan, 1. Calisthenic Base Cycle (no weights), 2. Hardcore PT (Physical Training) Running, Swimming, Biking, 3. Weights/PT/Cardio mix, 4. And the loading phase which is hardcore weight lifting. This book is for everyone, Men, Women, and Teens. This book is also very explanatory. It shows and tells you everything you need to know (how do do certain excercises and stretches, how to go about the order of events in a workout, etc.) This book also has a section on nutrition. It has everything from vitamin descriptions to the foods to eat to get the vitamins you need. This also includes weight loss. Now, that I've got you totally believing that this is the book for you, here's the letdown. You have to be in at least decent shape to be able to do this book. You can be the judge on that. I recommend doing a lot or stretching. Stretching helps the muscles with their every function. So before this books arrives at your house, stretch for 30 minutes a day to get your muscles used to it. The other excercise I recommend is running because it gets the heart going and gets you to use your lungs to a more than normal extent. While going through this book, you may find an excercise that you do well, like pushups for example. If the book tells you to do a specified amount don't do more, no matter how easy it is. All of this equals the best workout of anyones life. If you can survive it, it will reward you like nothing else. I am a teenager who has finally found the right thing for myself. I recommend this book to everyone. I hope this review helps.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maximum RESULTS, March 26, 2001

By	Matthew J Schneider (Annapolis, MD United States) - See all my reviews

An EXCELLENT fitness work! REVOLUTIONARY, Must Have!!!

This book is designed for ANY person of ANY athletic ability including FEMALES that want to be in the best overall shape possible. Whether you are a lifter, runner, swimmer, cyclist, PT-er, or neither you will gain valuable insight into your field and into the benefits of CROSS TRAINING. It is a scientific and fun 52-week program that will allow you to be as fit as a Navy SEAL and revolutionize your understanding of fitness. These are the same workouts that he used to train candidates who successfully completed Navy SEAL training.

The workouts and techniques can be modified to your level, even if you cannot do a single pushup, pullup, or dip. However, it can also be more challenging than Mr. Smith's 12 week Navy SEAL workout. MALE or FEMALE, this will allow you to perform several pullups or complete a TRIATHLON. I definately recommend purchasing this book if you are interested in being seriously fit and looking good.

I have seen dramatic results both in myself and in many other people.

Good Luck!