i've been reading this recently. Seems to go against all the conventional muscle-building wisdom, what are peoples thoughts on it? anyone switched from the bronson way to the conventional methods or vice versa? his approach appears ideal for someone time-poor and enamoured of his less than perfect dietary approach (that's me btw)
Charlie Bronson's solitary fitness
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Man of Honour
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I haven't read it although I've got some idea about his training methods from documentaries about him and it appears to be something that works for him - I'm less convinced that it would work for everyone though as people can respond very differently to the same training methods so the only way to know is to try it. It's also worth remembering that while it may work for him there's no guarantee that the more accepted methods of training wouldn't have given the same or even better results.
your body is a weight. doing pushups is lifting that weight.
anyway im sure thats not what the book is about ?
"You don't need a fancy gym or expensive gear to be as fit as me"
While I can certainly see how purely bodyweight exercises can help improve your fitness, as far as the OP's thoughts about "muscle-building" go, the book, which is really just a bodyweight exercise book, doesn't hold up.
Before he went to prison, the man worked as a circus strongman and a bare-knuckle boxer, and certainly lifted weights.
While I can certainly see how purely bodyweight exercises can help improve your fitness, as far as the OP's thoughts about "muscle-building" go, the book, which is really just a bodyweight exercise book, doesn't hold up.
Before he went to prison, the man worked as a circus strongman and a bare-knuckle boxer, and certainly lifted weights.
I have had and been using this book for a few weeks now. It makes no claim to be a huge mass gaining bodybuilding book. Bronson explains that while at one of his prisons he had access to a weights gym and was able to use the bodybuilding approach, but despite weighing 17 stone (at 5 foot 10), he disliked the loss of fitness and mobility and decided to change his routine.
The book concrentrates on a lot of home exercises (some of them a really really hard work) that build practical strength, strengthening the muscles that we need the most. In particular, I would imagine the book would be great for boxers/martial artists, especially considering that was Bronsons background for a while.
I wouldn't say it really contradicts conventional muscle building convention, its just a different way of looking at it. The exercises require a lot of balance and composure, two things that the book is very keen to emphasise and build upon.
The dietary and general health advice seems very sound aswell.
Only weekness really is the shoddy picture quality, which means you sometime have to experiment with the routines to hit the right muscles.
The logic behind the exercises is quite simple, yes you can use weights, but our own bodies can be used to generate the oppossing forces nessasary for strength training. Bronsons background reinforces the book, rather than diminishing its value.
Quick edit **
Bronson comes down pretty hard on bad diets, that is one of the things he is quite ruthless about. He dosnt argue with the occasional treats though.
The book concrentrates on a lot of home exercises (some of them a really really hard work) that build practical strength, strengthening the muscles that we need the most. In particular, I would imagine the book would be great for boxers/martial artists, especially considering that was Bronsons background for a while.
I wouldn't say it really contradicts conventional muscle building convention, its just a different way of looking at it. The exercises require a lot of balance and composure, two things that the book is very keen to emphasise and build upon.
The dietary and general health advice seems very sound aswell.
Only weekness really is the shoddy picture quality, which means you sometime have to experiment with the routines to hit the right muscles.
The logic behind the exercises is quite simple, yes you can use weights, but our own bodies can be used to generate the oppossing forces nessasary for strength training. Bronsons background reinforces the book, rather than diminishing its value.
Quick edit **
Bronson comes down pretty hard on bad diets, that is one of the things he is quite ruthless about. He dosnt argue with the occasional treats though.
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There must be some merit in his methods as he is a a very fit bloke and in very good shape.
Given that he has had about 90 days freedom since 1974 and that he is in solitary most of the time, I would be very interested in reading his book.
Given that he has had about 90 days freedom since 1974 and that he is in solitary most of the time, I would be very interested in reading his book.
He seems to put a lot of emphasis on flexibility and dexterity. The book contains a 10-15 minute stretching routine that readers are recommended to follow every day before the strength training.
In his earlier days he did a lot of fighting in prison, and a lot of emphasis is put on this type of pratical strength, eg how to deliver a good punch or explosive reach (legs, shoulders, triceps and abs).
In his earlier days he did a lot of fighting in prison, and a lot of emphasis is put on this type of pratical strength, eg how to deliver a good punch or explosive reach (legs, shoulders, triceps and abs).
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may give this a read soon