fitness preps

[bulldogwrestler119]

hey guys, would you recommend stew smiths book or chalkers book. i dont know which one to get.

[Nightfall]

If you are already in good shape, and you are prepared to spend a lot of time working out, then I would go for Stew's book. If you are out of shape, or you just don't have a whole lot of time, then I would suggest Chalker's book.
Right now I'm using chalker's book, and adding weights to the routine. When I get closer to bud/s, and in better shape, I will switch to Stew's. To put things into perspective, Stew said that you shouldn't start his routine unless you can do 100 pullups in a workout.

[msg-84]

In Stew Smiths 12 week workout, he has you working up to 100 PULLUPS in a workout - and 400 pushups. Not for the faint of heart.

It is a great book. He also makes himself available online for questions and tips regarding working out. He is a class act.

Both books are good, but if you are serious about working out then I would recommend getting the Complete Guide To Navy SEAL Fitness.

[Nightfall]

I mean 100 pullups in a workout. Stew is a big fan of the pyramid workouts -- he starts it in the first or second week i think. It goes something like this. you have a pyramid going from 1 at the botom (both sides) to 10 at the top. Each number represents the number of reps in that set. you will do pushups, pullups, and situps in the workout, each with its own multiplier. 1x for pullups, 2x for puships, and 3x for situps. so this is how it works. First pyramid level (left side): 1 pullup, 2 pushups, 3 situps. Remember, you are not supposed rest at any point during this workout. Second level: 2 pullups, 4 pushups, 6 situps. Tenth level (top): 10 pullups, 20 pushups, 30 situps. Now work your way back down. It comes out to about 100 pullups. It is a real bitch of a workout. Remember to keep proper form while doing this -- arms fully extended on pullups and chest touching the ground on pushups. Skimping, whether it be to keep your arms slightly bent at the end of each pullup or to not go completely to the ground on the pushups, will make this routine much easier, but also much less effective.
Stew's routine is hard core. upper body pyramiding is but one part of training. He incorporates running, track workouts, swimming, swimming sprints, lower body PT, ab workouts, his famous Run-Swim-Run and Swim-PT, and several outher workouts. It seems like the best BUD/S prep out there, but you have to be in good shape to start it.
Good luck. hoped this helped.

[This message has been edited by Nightfall (edited 08-11-2000).]

[bulldogwrestler119]

ok, a simple question or 2. during the pullup test, do you have to keep yuor legs perfectly straight or can you bend them. how are the situps done

[Nightfall]

I think you can bend your legs on the pullups. The situps are done with your knees up, and someone holding your feet; touch your arms to your legs at the 'top' of the situp, and touch you shoulder blades to the ground at the 'bottom'.
Some testers do things differently than others, though. I heard that one tester didn't allow you to have someone holding your feet. That would suck. A lot.

[Jims]

Yes it did suck. A lot.

[UFO]

I would get Chalkers book. Stew's book is extremely diffcult, even the beginners section's first day left me winded and I had already done the 5th week of the BUD/S WO. Although Stew's book did drop my running times, I had been using the wrong form. The swimming Stew describes is difficult to understand and I still haven't figured out what he is talking about.

[HighSpeed]

Put it this way, if you do Stew's book then you will be in the best shape of your life. This book will kick your ass from day one...

[HALO11]

The swimming Stew is talking about is the Combat Swimmer Side Stroke and it is the one they will teach you at BUD/S (from what I understand). It is quieter, less visible and more efficient than the regular sidestroke. It allows you extend your arms farther, get a better pull, and also you have a better gliding form. Buy his video, it helps immensely. This is the only stroke I use now and I love it.

[RodeneyKing]

In the pull ups, Your legs may be allowed to bend but you are not allowed to kip. Which means using your legs to get upward motion going.

[docbryantusn]

Semper Fi from an FMF corpsman! Both of these books sound interesting. Where can I go to purchase them?

Doc

[HALO11]

Hi Docbryantusn, you can get Stews book at www.getfitnow.com (http://www.getfitnow.com) It's got a great fitness forum that Stew participates in and his workout is nothing short of excellent. Both the book and the video are well worth the money. I would like to know where to get this Chalkers book though? Later

[docbryantusn]

Gracias, Halo. I'll take a look.

Semper Fi!

Doc

[Mac]

Chalker's book can be purchased at Amazon.com.