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Solitary Fitness
Charlie Bronson has spent three decades in solitary confinement, and yet has stayed as fit as a fiddle, gaining several world strength and fitness records in the process. Now, in this no-nonsense guide to getting fit and staying fit, he reveals just how he's done it. Forget fancy gyms, expensive running shoes and designer outfits, what you need are the facts on what really works and the motivation to get on with the job. From his cell at Wakefield Prison, Charlie has complied this perfect guide to show you the best way to burn those calories, tone your abs and build your stamina giving you the know-how you need to be at the peak of mental and physical form.
Without the use of fancy gym equipment, steroids, steaks, supplements, or pills you can pack on pounds of muscle, lose weight fast, and gain superhuman strength.
Without the use of fancy gym equipment, steroids, steaks, supplements, or pills you can pack on pounds of muscle, lose weight fast, and gain superhuman strength.
261 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
256 people are currently reading
1411 people want to read
About the author
Charles Bronson
42 books83 followersEnglish criminal and former bare knuckle boxer.
Bronson is often referred to in the British press as the "most violent prisoner in Britain".Bronson wasa petty criminal before being sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 1974.
While in prison, he began making a name for himself as a loose cannon, often fighting convicts and prison officers. He also embarked on one-man rooftop protests. He was released on 30 October 1988, but spent merely sixty-nine days as a free man before he was arrested again.
Upon his release, he began a bare-knuckle boxing career in the East End of London. His promoter was unhappy with his name and suggested he change it to Charles Bronson. He was returned to prison for planning another robbery and continued to be a difficult inmate, instigating numerous hostage situations.
While in jail in 2001, he married his second wife, Fatema Saira Rehman, a Bangladeshi-born divorcée who inspired him to convert to Islam and take the name of Charles Ali Ahmed.
This second marriage lasted four years before he divorced Rehman and renounced Islam.
Bronson is often referred to in the British press as the "most violent prisoner in Britain".Bronson wasa petty criminal before being sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 1974.
While in prison, he began making a name for himself as a loose cannon, often fighting convicts and prison officers. He also embarked on one-man rooftop protests. He was released on 30 October 1988, but spent merely sixty-nine days as a free man before he was arrested again.
Upon his release, he began a bare-knuckle boxing career in the East End of London. His promoter was unhappy with his name and suggested he change it to Charles Bronson. He was returned to prison for planning another robbery and continued to be a difficult inmate, instigating numerous hostage situations.
While in jail in 2001, he married his second wife, Fatema Saira Rehman, a Bangladeshi-born divorcée who inspired him to convert to Islam and take the name of Charles Ali Ahmed.
This second marriage lasted four years before he divorced Rehman and renounced Islam.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 2, 2012
The most bizarre fitness book I've ever read. Covers exercises for every part of a man.
And I mean EVERY part.
And I mean EVERY part.
December 20, 2016
Do not get this book if:
You give up easily.
You are faint hearted.
You are expecting an easy fitness program.
Then again, what do you expect from a book by Charles Bronson? The man that can punch through bulletproof glass and do 118 push-ups in a minute didn't get his strength overnight. By the end of his 30 day program, you will be hurting, but you will be a fitter and stronger you than before.
This is not for the light skinned. Charlie shamelessly insults overweight persons, claiming they should be shot and that they are repulsive to look at. He also brags about his strength from time to time. But if you can look past this, I assure you, you will find a workout like no other. His exercises cover all parts of the body. I MEAN all parts. Even your, as he puts it, "manhood", and female breasts.
What he says works, however. Before completing the workout I was skinny and not very strong, but now there has been significant muscle growth in my arms, chest, etc. This is a hard workout plan but not an impossible one. For a man who has such unbelievable feats of strength he does not expect too much; burpees, star jumps, squats, sit ups, press ups, they make up the exercises you undergo over the thirty day workout.
Pictures drawn by Bronson as well as diagrams are littered throughout this book, as well as explanations of all the exercises. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. And he's right about you not having to pay for anything (expect for the book, which ironically costs eight pounds), as he didn't have any excess equipment inside his cell. To conclude, if you're looking for a no nonsense workout that works, buy this book.
You give up easily.
You are faint hearted.
You are expecting an easy fitness program.
Then again, what do you expect from a book by Charles Bronson? The man that can punch through bulletproof glass and do 118 push-ups in a minute didn't get his strength overnight. By the end of his 30 day program, you will be hurting, but you will be a fitter and stronger you than before.
This is not for the light skinned. Charlie shamelessly insults overweight persons, claiming they should be shot and that they are repulsive to look at. He also brags about his strength from time to time. But if you can look past this, I assure you, you will find a workout like no other. His exercises cover all parts of the body. I MEAN all parts. Even your, as he puts it, "manhood", and female breasts.
What he says works, however. Before completing the workout I was skinny and not very strong, but now there has been significant muscle growth in my arms, chest, etc. This is a hard workout plan but not an impossible one. For a man who has such unbelievable feats of strength he does not expect too much; burpees, star jumps, squats, sit ups, press ups, they make up the exercises you undergo over the thirty day workout.
Pictures drawn by Bronson as well as diagrams are littered throughout this book, as well as explanations of all the exercises. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. And he's right about you not having to pay for anything (expect for the book, which ironically costs eight pounds), as he didn't have any excess equipment inside his cell. To conclude, if you're looking for a no nonsense workout that works, buy this book.
November 24, 2016
Terrible. I thought this would be a great insight to someone who has spent an insane amount of time behind bars on keeping fit, pushing boundaries and getting strong.
Bronson constantly drives the message of not needing fancy gyms and protein shakes, which is good, but then carries it over into some kind of pissing contest bragging about his achievements, its just the way he writes about it. I got half way through this book and I was sick of these idiot people that kept popping up in the book, shit training methods and constant gloating about how many times he has done 1,000 press ups. Disappointing
Bronson constantly drives the message of not needing fancy gyms and protein shakes, which is good, but then carries it over into some kind of pissing contest bragging about his achievements, its just the way he writes about it. I got half way through this book and I was sick of these idiot people that kept popping up in the book, shit training methods and constant gloating about how many times he has done 1,000 press ups. Disappointing
March 28, 2015
Great book! I was advised to stop lifting weights as I suffer with back problems so was afraid what I would do instead because I love keeping fit. I received this book for Christmas and devoured it!! For around a month or so I haven't lifted any weights. I've just done most of the exercises in this book and I tell you it bloody works!!!
April 5, 2020
As we've all been locked in our respective living spaces and forced to deal with the physical and mental challenges of being quarantined, Bronson's book should be as topical as ever. The notoriously vicious prisoner, Charles Bronson, curses the commercialism of today's fitness work and instructs readers on how to get stronger while confined with no more than a towel and a floor. When writing this book, Bronson assumes the reader has the freedom we used to enjoy, but now we are indefinitely living like Bronson in solitary confinement.
The book can be read in an afternoon and is filled with pictures and exercises that can be revisited. The unfiltered prose contain useless rants about weak people and playground worthy brags, but coming from Bronson it makes the book a more genuine and in my opinion avoids being kitschy.
Bronson knows how to live in solitude, and us readers can really learn a thing or two from him while try not to wither away in our homes.
The book can be read in an afternoon and is filled with pictures and exercises that can be revisited. The unfiltered prose contain useless rants about weak people and playground worthy brags, but coming from Bronson it makes the book a more genuine and in my opinion avoids being kitschy.
Bronson knows how to live in solitude, and us readers can really learn a thing or two from him while try not to wither away in our homes.
March 30, 2013
Strangely, this book led me to make changes in my life, my health, and my fitness which have put me in the best shape of my life at age 36. Entertaining, and with some excellent advice. Take with a grain of salt, of course, as the routines of a man who has loved in prison most of his life don't always translate to the rest of us, but worth the read.
April 2, 2022
"Nobody wants to die! So why do people let themselves go? Why kill yourself off? Stop and think, get fit and strong! Even a good shag will burn the calories off and pump your heart! There is no excuse - you know it!"
There is probably no fitness book as raw as "Solitary Fitness" in the market.
You can hate the man, but you have to admit that he knows thing or two about keeping himself in a good shape even in his 60s.
Great book for people who have just embarked the very frustrating and rewarding fitness journey but has no idea where to start, have limited equipment/room, or are just a bit shy from the public eye.
I would suggest to take his medical suggestions with a pinch of salt and do your own fact-check.
Book includes loads of bodyweight exercises and even monthly programmes.
There is probably no fitness book as raw as "Solitary Fitness" in the market.
You can hate the man, but you have to admit that he knows thing or two about keeping himself in a good shape even in his 60s.
Great book for people who have just embarked the very frustrating and rewarding fitness journey but has no idea where to start, have limited equipment/room, or are just a bit shy from the public eye.
I would suggest to take his medical suggestions with a pinch of salt and do your own fact-check.
Book includes loads of bodyweight exercises and even monthly programmes.
January 31, 2020
An amusing book for sure. Picked this up after watching Tom Hardy's portrayal. Much of the advise around fitness and weight loss is spot on which kind of surprised me. Near the end there's an entire chapter dedicated to "the solitary organ" 😂 with a 9 point tip on the jelq technique. 😂😂😂 Later in he even goes over male and female pelvic floor health - tips for everyone.
May 27, 2020
Bronson's demystification of the now corporate world of fitness is extremely important. No special products or pills are required for good health. No gym membership or other expensive marketing ploy. Bronson teaches us that our health is our responsibility.
February 19, 2025
What a load of garbage. He has no idea what he's talking about. The book is full of the rants of an old prisoner who's definitely gone senile and has a fan following in his own head.
I would highly recommend not following this homophobic, misogynistic, self-centered fossil's advice.
In case you don't believe me, I'll share a few things:
1. Dude claims to have done 132 push ups in 60 seconds with proper form and ROM. That's 2.2 push ups a second. That's literally impossible and, even if Barry Allen blesses him, the minimal time under tension will give 0 results
2. He draws attention to the concept of dynamic tension (the only good thing about this book) but then suggests the most worthless exercises that barely have any ROM, necessary in activating muscle.
3. His diet tips are just crap
4. He believes in the archaic concept of BMI and then contradicts himself by being overweight (according to the BMI scale)
5. His chapter "Solitary Organ" will just lead to injuries that a man may never recover from.
6. Storm, the steroid abusing model that he has used for the purpose of "displaying each muscle and how it functions" (his words, not mine), does nothing but smolder in photograph; maybe with an intention to titilate his perverted followers.
Just don't waste your time with this book.
I would highly recommend not following this homophobic, misogynistic, self-centered fossil's advice.
In case you don't believe me, I'll share a few things:
1. Dude claims to have done 132 push ups in 60 seconds with proper form and ROM. That's 2.2 push ups a second. That's literally impossible and, even if Barry Allen blesses him, the minimal time under tension will give 0 results
2. He draws attention to the concept of dynamic tension (the only good thing about this book) but then suggests the most worthless exercises that barely have any ROM, necessary in activating muscle.
3. His diet tips are just crap
4. He believes in the archaic concept of BMI and then contradicts himself by being overweight (according to the BMI scale)
5. His chapter "Solitary Organ" will just lead to injuries that a man may never recover from.
6. Storm, the steroid abusing model that he has used for the purpose of "displaying each muscle and how it functions" (his words, not mine), does nothing but smolder in photograph; maybe with an intention to titilate his perverted followers.
Just don't waste your time with this book.
August 21, 2014
This is without a doubt the most entertaining and arguably the most practical fitness book I have ever read. It makes me want to read Bronson's other books.
The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is I'm skeptical about the efficacy of dynamic tension exercises, which is the primary paradigm espoused by the book. I have heard good things about such an approach, but I'm too scared to give up my current workout routine to try these techniques, so I should probably at least give it a shot before knocking it, but I probably won't.
Also, if you follow the program, some days you'll have some very long workouts. And, I, for one, am lazy and the only way to get motivated to actually get off my ass is to know that I won't be working hard for more than 30-40 minutes.
Other than that, it's a very comprehensive book with lots and lots of pragmatic advice. The chapter on the cow punch is something anyone who is halfway serious about fitness and/or spirituality should read. There is something about these people who spend their lives pushing the limits of their physical abilities that lends them to having spiritual awakenings (see also: Joseph Greenstein, The Great Gama, various martial artists).
In short, this book is a great gift from a complex man. Get it. Read it. Put it to use.
The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is I'm skeptical about the efficacy of dynamic tension exercises, which is the primary paradigm espoused by the book. I have heard good things about such an approach, but I'm too scared to give up my current workout routine to try these techniques, so I should probably at least give it a shot before knocking it, but I probably won't.
Also, if you follow the program, some days you'll have some very long workouts. And, I, for one, am lazy and the only way to get motivated to actually get off my ass is to know that I won't be working hard for more than 30-40 minutes.
Other than that, it's a very comprehensive book with lots and lots of pragmatic advice. The chapter on the cow punch is something anyone who is halfway serious about fitness and/or spirituality should read. There is something about these people who spend their lives pushing the limits of their physical abilities that lends them to having spiritual awakenings (see also: Joseph Greenstein, The Great Gama, various martial artists).
In short, this book is a great gift from a complex man. Get it. Read it. Put it to use.
May 24, 2016
This book is filled with great anecdotes about fitness and deep insights that will definitely improve your workout routines. Charlie is a natural entertainer and has a conversational style of writing that makes for a pleasurable read.
Due to his incarceration, Charlie has found ways to turn anything he can get his hands on into gym equipment. It's actually a more unfortunate aspect of reading Solitary Fitness, as many of Charlie's exercises are unique and his descriptions of them feel overly brief, possibly relying on visuals and photography that are not well presented. I not sure if this is a side effect of the book being produced while he's incarcerated, or if he just got saddled with a subpar publisher. Great read—or not, an exercise book that can't teach you the exercises has limited value to me.
Due to his incarceration, Charlie has found ways to turn anything he can get his hands on into gym equipment. It's actually a more unfortunate aspect of reading Solitary Fitness, as many of Charlie's exercises are unique and his descriptions of them feel overly brief, possibly relying on visuals and photography that are not well presented. I not sure if this is a side effect of the book being produced while he's incarcerated, or if he just got saddled with a subpar publisher. Great read—or not, an exercise book that can't teach you the exercises has limited value to me.
September 7, 2015
This is one crazy book :)
September 13, 2017
Useless.
October 30, 2018
Exercises are poorly depicted (few illustrations). There are many body weight exercise books out there that do a better job describing the exercises
July 5, 2020
I only remembered about this book towards the end of the lockdown but either way thought it could be an interesting read.
Solitary Fitness had some good ideas, misses some but unfortunately also provided a lot of nonsense.
Bronson was quite the motivator, here he did everything right. He wanted you to take responsibility for your actions and start your fitness journey as soon as you started the book. The language was simple and a little crass but this kept the mood light and allowed to easily speed through the book.
The majority of the solitary workouts are isomeric holds which are understandable but not always used for the right muscle groups.
Due to a lack of load progression the program implements progressive overload via metabolic stress rather than mechanical tension.
There were bizarre cleansing cleansing methods mentioned in the book as well as activities to strengthen and stretch your...manhood. As I’m not too familiar with these subjects my only comment here is that’s it’s definitely entertaining.
The suggestion that BMI is a good way of setting the proper height to bodyweight ratio is preposterous. Bronson didn’t mention that it is only ideal for those who never worked out or carry significant muscle mass.
It was noticeable that the chapters on nutrition were co-written. The information here was solid for the most part and delivered in a more verbose manner.
On multiple occasions Bronson expressed his disdain towards steroid use (keep in mind the goal of this program is to get fit, not big and muscular), yet it boggles my mind when I look at the woman (“Storm”) who models the exercises in this book, let’s just say she hasn’t been skipping any meals...and by meals I mean test shots. This is clearly a double standard that is ignored in order to sell more copies, if you preach about the evils of steroids, don’t make a roid head your poster girl.
My final thoughts on the book; It works well as a source of entertainment and motivation, Bronson encourages you to enjoy your workouts. Unfortunately as a training system it falls short. Being rampant with misinformation or incomplete information, some exercises are not explained properly and thus feel unfinished.
Solitary Fitness had some good ideas, misses some but unfortunately also provided a lot of nonsense.
Bronson was quite the motivator, here he did everything right. He wanted you to take responsibility for your actions and start your fitness journey as soon as you started the book. The language was simple and a little crass but this kept the mood light and allowed to easily speed through the book.
The majority of the solitary workouts are isomeric holds which are understandable but not always used for the right muscle groups.
Due to a lack of load progression the program implements progressive overload via metabolic stress rather than mechanical tension.
There were bizarre cleansing cleansing methods mentioned in the book as well as activities to strengthen and stretch your...manhood. As I’m not too familiar with these subjects my only comment here is that’s it’s definitely entertaining.
The suggestion that BMI is a good way of setting the proper height to bodyweight ratio is preposterous. Bronson didn’t mention that it is only ideal for those who never worked out or carry significant muscle mass.
It was noticeable that the chapters on nutrition were co-written. The information here was solid for the most part and delivered in a more verbose manner.
On multiple occasions Bronson expressed his disdain towards steroid use (keep in mind the goal of this program is to get fit, not big and muscular), yet it boggles my mind when I look at the woman (“Storm”) who models the exercises in this book, let’s just say she hasn’t been skipping any meals...and by meals I mean test shots. This is clearly a double standard that is ignored in order to sell more copies, if you preach about the evils of steroids, don’t make a roid head your poster girl.
My final thoughts on the book; It works well as a source of entertainment and motivation, Bronson encourages you to enjoy your workouts. Unfortunately as a training system it falls short. Being rampant with misinformation or incomplete information, some exercises are not explained properly and thus feel unfinished.
September 13, 2018
Giving it three stars as I was quite surprised at how in depth it goes at points and I think there are someone genuinely good ideas within. I like how it is written and found it very interesting to hear about him putting it into practice in a 'cage'. Say what you want about CB, he clearly has strong determination and enthusiasm. A genuine thirst to learn about this stuff.
What I dislike about this book is that it starts off very promising.. slating the fitness industry myths and claiming you don't need supplements, powders and all that crap. Then suddenly does a 180 and starts to spout all the same usual rubbish about how much protein you need and the like. I wanted to read this to find out how a guy in solitary manages to stay so strong with such little equipment, space and planned food.
The exercises were interesting and I'll try some but was really put off when he suddenly uses a 'powerlifter' friend to teach us about diet and tell us what supplements to buy. Pretty much going against everything the book claimed beforehand. Charles at one point claims you can't build muscle on stodgy carbs and we should listen to his friend yet tells us he eats pies, chips, swill, porridge, salad etc. doesn't use any weights and can walk into a gym and bench press 130kg 10 times. Very confusing.
Never the less it does contain some actual pretty good information on nutrition and why it's important to keep fit etc. I love that he stresses the importance of water intake, breathing and other health related thing you probably wouldn't expect. And although I find some of his information dated now (dairy for calcium? nah), he clearly is interested in proper health and not just looking good. I genuinely found his to the point no BS attitude hilarious too.
Just maybe pick around some parts of it, including how to make your penis larger!
What I dislike about this book is that it starts off very promising.. slating the fitness industry myths and claiming you don't need supplements, powders and all that crap. Then suddenly does a 180 and starts to spout all the same usual rubbish about how much protein you need and the like. I wanted to read this to find out how a guy in solitary manages to stay so strong with such little equipment, space and planned food.
The exercises were interesting and I'll try some but was really put off when he suddenly uses a 'powerlifter' friend to teach us about diet and tell us what supplements to buy. Pretty much going against everything the book claimed beforehand. Charles at one point claims you can't build muscle on stodgy carbs and we should listen to his friend yet tells us he eats pies, chips, swill, porridge, salad etc. doesn't use any weights and can walk into a gym and bench press 130kg 10 times. Very confusing.
Never the less it does contain some actual pretty good information on nutrition and why it's important to keep fit etc. I love that he stresses the importance of water intake, breathing and other health related thing you probably wouldn't expect. And although I find some of his information dated now (dairy for calcium? nah), he clearly is interested in proper health and not just looking good. I genuinely found his to the point no BS attitude hilarious too.
Just maybe pick around some parts of it, including how to make your penis larger!
October 27, 2019
'Samson didn't do drugs and Hercules didn't need expensive running shoes - they both had more sense.'
Charlie Bronson has been in solitary confinement for over 30 years and yet unlike millions on the outside has stayed as fit as an athlete, holding several world records in the process. How?
Exactly what I was thinking as I began this book. Without fitness gyms and access to the performance enhancing drinks that I can access second nature, how on earth can he do it. Incredibly as it may seem, I have learnt more from this book than I have most fitness books that I have read and Charlie has a way of getting it into you, explaining in minute detail why this stretch is good for this muscle and how that ingredient will do your stomach better.
Starting with a long list of supporters of the book, Charlie takes you through his 28 day process of fitness, and advises that Sunday is a day of rest. He further explains it in his usual humorous if serious wit, his way, cleanse, diet, cow punch, organ (the p**is and how to strengthen it), fat loss, oils (including how a certain oil is supposed to help with cancer), tips and extras.
I would definitely read more from Charlie as his style is relaxing and easy to read.
Charlie Bronson has been in solitary confinement for over 30 years and yet unlike millions on the outside has stayed as fit as an athlete, holding several world records in the process. How?
Exactly what I was thinking as I began this book. Without fitness gyms and access to the performance enhancing drinks that I can access second nature, how on earth can he do it. Incredibly as it may seem, I have learnt more from this book than I have most fitness books that I have read and Charlie has a way of getting it into you, explaining in minute detail why this stretch is good for this muscle and how that ingredient will do your stomach better.
Starting with a long list of supporters of the book, Charlie takes you through his 28 day process of fitness, and advises that Sunday is a day of rest. He further explains it in his usual humorous if serious wit, his way, cleanse, diet, cow punch, organ (the p**is and how to strengthen it), fat loss, oils (including how a certain oil is supposed to help with cancer), tips and extras.
I would definitely read more from Charlie as his style is relaxing and easy to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2017
Read this to know countless exercises for every body part(it even contains penis enlargement and erection strengthening exercises, colon cleaning, nose cleaning) that you never knew existed.
Exercises given can be incorporated in your daily workout routine with ease to increase overall health or can be used to recover from injuries. Most routines are only few minutes long.
But, I think, using this book as your only workout guide isn't a good idea. There are much better alternatives out there such as convict conditioning. Why to limit yourself to resources of a prisoner when you are fortunate enough to live outside prison.
Using this as your main workout guide is a good idea in case you are an aged person with various joint or other problems or only interested in leading a healthy life without caring how your body looks. This will make you stronger and healthier but won't make you ripped.
Note:- A good portion of the book contains bragging about Bronson's superhuman feats and ridiculing gym-rats and can be skipped.
Exercises given can be incorporated in your daily workout routine with ease to increase overall health or can be used to recover from injuries. Most routines are only few minutes long.
But, I think, using this book as your only workout guide isn't a good idea. There are much better alternatives out there such as convict conditioning. Why to limit yourself to resources of a prisoner when you are fortunate enough to live outside prison.
Using this as your main workout guide is a good idea in case you are an aged person with various joint or other problems or only interested in leading a healthy life without caring how your body looks. This will make you stronger and healthier but won't make you ripped.
Note:- A good portion of the book contains bragging about Bronson's superhuman feats and ridiculing gym-rats and can be skipped.
May 26, 2021
It's true, you do not need a gym to get fit, but you do need discipline to be consistent if you are working out at home. This is a perfect book for students or people who do not have much space (Mr Bronson did them in a prison cell) to work out and perhaps not the time or money (or do not want to waste the money) to spend towards a gym card.
The book holds plenty of exercises for different body parts for you to make your own program but it also has finished programs for you to follow.
There are pictures of workouts, but only one for each workout and sometimes you look on the wrong picture or read the wrong text because of the books formatting. It also has pictures of different muscles that the book references in the exercises so you know where it is supposed to feel while working out.
I can also recommend the movie Bronson:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172570/
It also goes into diet and like any book on diet you have to take it with a grain of salt. Nothing works for everyone.
The book holds plenty of exercises for different body parts for you to make your own program but it also has finished programs for you to follow.
There are pictures of workouts, but only one for each workout and sometimes you look on the wrong picture or read the wrong text because of the books formatting. It also has pictures of different muscles that the book references in the exercises so you know where it is supposed to feel while working out.
I can also recommend the movie Bronson:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172570/
It also goes into diet and like any book on diet you have to take it with a grain of salt. Nothing works for everyone.
June 17, 2018
Straight to the point. You don't need to go to a gym to keep fit, strenght exercises are enough and you can do them at home (if you want to be lean, that is!). There's good and useful advices on diet, and he has (overall) a solid understanding of human anatomy.
Having said that, I wouldn't rely on it too much. He adresses every part of the body (and I mean EVERY parts, to the point of being ridiculous and questionable -penis? Really!?). The list of exercises is therefore frankly overwhelming, needlessly time comsuming, and thus most irrelevant depending on what you want to achieve (just pick and choose! Besides, not everyone is in jail and has nothing else to do the whole bloody day!). I also felt it was mostly targeted at people wanting to loose weight, which is not my case (hence my disappointment maybe?).
All in all, it's not a bad book. Just questionable on some points, going all over the place and, as far as I am concerned, not really relevant.
Having said that, I wouldn't rely on it too much. He adresses every part of the body (and I mean EVERY parts, to the point of being ridiculous and questionable -penis? Really!?). The list of exercises is therefore frankly overwhelming, needlessly time comsuming, and thus most irrelevant depending on what you want to achieve (just pick and choose! Besides, not everyone is in jail and has nothing else to do the whole bloody day!). I also felt it was mostly targeted at people wanting to loose weight, which is not my case (hence my disappointment maybe?).
All in all, it's not a bad book. Just questionable on some points, going all over the place and, as far as I am concerned, not really relevant.
April 13, 2022
Bronson the notorious prisoner.
Most dangerous prisoner in the British system.
I can assure you, Bronson is not the most dangerous.
Well, I can't assure but the Prison office I've spoken to can.
And I believe it, just a charismatic individual that has stories.
But by no means is this man not intelligent, the books themselves detail serious issues within the system and this man has gone through all of them.
I would give credit to anybody that has lived through that level of pain and austerity.
Definitely read, great books to read for entertainment. Especially crime-related.
Most dangerous prisoner in the British system.
I can assure you, Bronson is not the most dangerous.
Well, I can't assure but the Prison office I've spoken to can.
And I believe it, just a charismatic individual that has stories.
But by no means is this man not intelligent, the books themselves detail serious issues within the system and this man has gone through all of them.
I would give credit to anybody that has lived through that level of pain and austerity.
Definitely read, great books to read for entertainment. Especially crime-related.
December 30, 2019
I read this for my Book Written in Prison for my 2019 Read Harder challenge. Charles Bronson lives in a penitentiary in the UK and has been for years. He spends the majority of his sentence in solitary but is still very physically fit. This book is his fitness plan. Although it’s not something I can personally follow or recommend, it was interesting to see his plan for those of us on the outside.
August 23, 2017
Hai que tomalo polo que é: un manual de fitness escrito polo enemigo público número un en Inglaterra. Ou seña, unha pasada. Aprenderás a poñerte en forma nun entorno carcelario só coa axuda de lerias como a túa liteira, a toalla, o carrito dos libros e o teu propio peso corporal. Bronson promete ensinarte a potenciar e fortalecer tódolos músculos do teu corpo. Sí. Todos.
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May 29, 2020This is the perfect book for anyone that wants to get fit during lockdown or isolation.
You don't need to ware Lycra, join a pausing Gym, buy stupid machines that take up space and have little real benefit. Sure buy lots of junk and make those selling it happy but ultimately your fitness is what you put it.
(I wouldn't like to meet Mr Bronson on a dark night)
You don't need to ware Lycra, join a pausing Gym, buy stupid machines that take up space and have little real benefit. Sure buy lots of junk and make those selling it happy but ultimately your fitness is what you put it.
(I wouldn't like to meet Mr Bronson on a dark night)
July 20, 2023
Damn good. I've been swimming, going to gym before but after first day of solitary training by Charles Bronson Salvadore I feel my every muscle. Fully recommend to everyone, Charles is extremely based person, well written, said plainly, enriched by authors art. Can recommend to everyone. You will be strong, from arms, to legs, ending at your penis and you will like it
June 7, 2018
Excellent book that shows unique ways to train and workout, whatever might be our environment. The author has painstakingly build his fitness even when locked in prison, by using some ingenious workouts given the constraints of his prison environment. Nice book and great read.
October 28, 2017
Believe it or not the best fitness books I've read have been written by inmates. Body weight exercises really are the the best. If you havn't seen it yet watch the movie "Bronson:.
December 20, 2018
Highland entertaining and surprisingly efficient. Good book for fitness enthusiasts.
June 26, 2020
Solid
Absolutely amazing book, full of humour, keeps everything real and to the point. Recommend to anyone that wants to improve their life.
Absolutely amazing book, full of humour, keeps everything real and to the point. Recommend to anyone that wants to improve their life.
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