124 books
—
125 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Naked Warrior: Master the Secrets of the Super-Strong - Using Bodyweight Exercises Only” as Want to Read:
The Naked Warrior: Master the Secrets of the Super-Strong - Using Bodyweight Exercises Only
by
Have you noticed-the greater a man's skill, the more he achieves with less? And the skill of strength is no exception. From the ancient days of Greek wrestling, to the jealously guarded secrets of Chinese Kung Fu masters, to the hard men of modern spec ops, warriors and allied strongmen have developed an amazing array of skills for generating inhuman strength.But these ski
...more
Get A Copy
Paperback, 218 pages
Published
January 1st 2010
by Dragon Door Publications
(first published 2003)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Naked Warrior,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about The Naked Warrior
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The Naked Warrior: Master the Secrets of the Super-Strong - Using Bodyweight Exercises Only
This book does help you to become the Naked Warrior. The concepts within these pages are one-armed push-ups and 'Pistols', or one-legged squats. The interval training methods here will definitry help anyone to master bodyweight strength.
I learned about Positive support neural networking in your hands and feet. I learned why it's important to train without wearing gloves and shoes (or flat Chuck Taylors). I learned how to breath properly and learn how to "Zip up" your body to create relaxed tensi ...more
I learned about Positive support neural networking in your hands and feet. I learned why it's important to train without wearing gloves and shoes (or flat Chuck Taylors). I learned how to breath properly and learn how to "Zip up" your body to create relaxed tensi ...more
This book filled in the gaps of progression of convict conditioning. This book does have a lot of fluff to it but aside from that and repetitive bold "quotes" from that very page the book is pretty golden. The book sets its goal straight off the bat strength training as if you were naked with two exercises that will train your whole body. I feel that the book really deliver on this as well as techniques on how to progress to being able to get to the point of doing it. There is a lot of other inf
...more
Generally when this book comes up, people talk about the one-arm pushup and the one-leg squat (pistol), but the real meat of this book applies to any movement you do:
1. Greasing the Groove
2. Tension Development
3. Power Breathing in Compression
Everything else in the book is just gravy. Nice, but not needed for the book to be spectacular.
Considering the scope and quality (ranging from genius to fluff) of Pavel's work over the years, to say that this is one of his best is really saying something. ...more
1. Greasing the Groove
2. Tension Development
3. Power Breathing in Compression
Everything else in the book is just gravy. Nice, but not needed for the book to be spectacular.
Considering the scope and quality (ranging from genius to fluff) of Pavel's work over the years, to say that this is one of his best is really saying something. ...more
Starting this one today. I'm leaner and fitter now than I was when I left the army as I actually work at it rather than have it just handed to me on a plate as it was then. But I'm always up for a challenge and this looks...well, challenging.
I also want to do my bit to challenge the increasingly vocal minority of people who think that fat is okay, that you can have health at any size. I don't deny that some thin people are unhealthy. Patently they are. I know some. But there are no healthy fat ...more
I also want to do my bit to challenge the increasingly vocal minority of people who think that fat is okay, that you can have health at any size. I don't deny that some thin people are unhealthy. Patently they are. I know some. But there are no healthy fat ...more
For anyone interested in strength training, this is a must-read. The principles learned through Pavel's program here really do work; they can be applied beyond the two exercises he covers.
That's right: he covers only two exercises here (one-arm pushups and one-leg squats), but he's chosen those moves carefully. And the benefits are manifold. You will come away appreciating those moves far more, and - even better - you'll be able to get more out of any other move in your strength training reperto ...more
That's right: he covers only two exercises here (one-arm pushups and one-leg squats), but he's chosen those moves carefully. And the benefits are manifold. You will come away appreciating those moves far more, and - even better - you'll be able to get more out of any other move in your strength training reperto ...more
Simplicity and common sense. This is probably the best way to summarize this book, written by a former trainer of Russian special forces Spetsnaz and expert on strength training Pavel Tsatsouline. One of the things I like on this book is that Pavel is not trying to fill it with overly complex routines and training programs. Instead, he shares his 3 main principles for strength training in a very simple and easy to understand way. The same is true about the way Pavel communicates. Don't expect so
...more
One of the premier body weight training guides. This book teaches the correct principles to actually get stronger using body weight exercises. Far superior to this publisher's other book Convict Conditioning. You'll get far stronger doing the one arm push-up/pistol+ pull-ups alongside the principles in this book than you will doing a hundred lower tension movements found in other programs.
...more
A-. Overall this book has given me a few gems that have really helped me progress in my strength training, both bodyweight and barbell.
Positives:
As mentioned above. There are a few gems or strength principles that are found in this book that can be applied to both bodyweight training and barbell training. They will improve your strength game and are enough to make this book totally worthwhile. I almost look at this book as theory that should be learned but then applied to a different more effect ...more
Positives:
As mentioned above. There are a few gems or strength principles that are found in this book that can be applied to both bodyweight training and barbell training. They will improve your strength game and are enough to make this book totally worthwhile. I almost look at this book as theory that should be learned but then applied to a different more effect ...more
I bought this book years ago, when I was going through a calisthenics craze period of my life.
This book did for my bodyweight strength what Power to the People did for my barbell strength. Increased it dramatically.
Buy this book for the techniques, principles and insights into recruiting strength from your body, and then layer that onto a progressive model like Convict Conditioning.
Naked Warrior + Convict Conditioning paired together will take you far in the calisthenics world.
People complai ...more
This book did for my bodyweight strength what Power to the People did for my barbell strength. Increased it dramatically.
Buy this book for the techniques, principles and insights into recruiting strength from your body, and then layer that onto a progressive model like Convict Conditioning.
Naked Warrior + Convict Conditioning paired together will take you far in the calisthenics world.
People complai ...more
There aren't many body exercises here and the book is not concise. I haven't followed through his suggestions but if he is right it isn't because of his general well rounded brilliance. For example, he speaks badly of slow speed lifting by saying that it is done in gyms with pink weights playing boy band music. While I probably hate boy bands more than he does this is pretty poor argumentation. He should be citing studies or at least trials he's done comparing the two (to be fair he does cite tr
...more
"Before I read the book, a one arm one leg push-up was just a push-up, and a single leg squat, just a squat.
After I understood & learned the contents of the book and attended Pavel's Naked Warrior Bodyweight Strength Certification, a push-up was no longer a push-up, a single leg squat, no longer a squat.
Now that I understand the art, a one leg one arm pushup is just a pushup and a single leg squat is just a squat."
-- John Scott Stevens, SFGII, RKC II, CKFMS, SBS ...more
After I understood & learned the contents of the book and attended Pavel's Naked Warrior Bodyweight Strength Certification, a push-up was no longer a push-up, a single leg squat, no longer a squat.
Now that I understand the art, a one leg one arm pushup is just a pushup and a single leg squat is just a squat."
-- John Scott Stevens, SFGII, RKC II, CKFMS, SBS ...more
I decided to pick up this book after my gym closed. I found myself in a lonely calisthenics park on a cold, foggy November afternoon with the ambiance of the whispering melody of nature and the occasional sound of construction echoing in the wind. Dressed up in my Adidas-outfit, I worked on my pistol squats, one-arm pushups, and pull-ups. I could almost feel the National Anthem of Russia.
Pavel Tsatsouline is a legend in the world of strength training. He is known for introducing Russian military ...more
Pavel Tsatsouline is a legend in the world of strength training. He is known for introducing Russian military ...more
An extreme minimalist routine with only two exercises: one-arm push up and one-legged squat. Of course, you can start with easier variations and progress to more difficult ones. The real meat of the book is about maximizing strength and perfecting techniques. Pavel coined the phrase "greasing the grooves" (GtG) which is basically doing several sub-maximal sets throughout the day, practicing a lot while never push yourself anywhere near failure. GtG has gained significant popularity apparently. I
...more
Pavel has been around for ages as a no-nonsense voice of reason in the veritable jungle of modern fitness advice that often focuses on purely esthetic reasons for training.
Although this book has a few years on it, it is still one I come back to over and over again, as I constantly fall into the "latest hotness" in training, only to circle back to the fundamental basics.
If you care about strength, pure strength, and keeping it barebone and simple in the process, then this book is for you. If you ...more
Although this book has a few years on it, it is still one I come back to over and over again, as I constantly fall into the "latest hotness" in training, only to circle back to the fundamental basics.
If you care about strength, pure strength, and keeping it barebone and simple in the process, then this book is for you. If you ...more
Great book. The meticulous principles and techniques written here are golden and I'm sure such technical details will make a big difference in my progress, strenght and health. Although the fact that it only focuses on two major excercices: the one handed pushup and the pistol (one legged squat) is a big dissapointment for me because I personally think there are more essential bodyweight excercices such as: the one handed pullup, the one handed handstand pushup, leg raises and above all, the bri
...more
Classic Pavel
Pavel focuses on pistol squats and 1 leg/1 arm pushups in this book. He provides detailed progressions to help get you there, as these are advanced techniques. He also provides you with breathing tips and concepts like hyper-irradiation that would make this book worth reading even if you never attempted the two specified exercises.
This is not a book for a beginner to exercise—in my opinion. I think anyone interested in serious training would benefit from reading this, though.
Pavel focuses on pistol squats and 1 leg/1 arm pushups in this book. He provides detailed progressions to help get you there, as these are advanced techniques. He also provides you with breathing tips and concepts like hyper-irradiation that would make this book worth reading even if you never attempted the two specified exercises.
This is not a book for a beginner to exercise—in my opinion. I think anyone interested in serious training would benefit from reading this, though.
This book is poorly organized and written. It seems like a set of internet forum posts, because it indeed came from such a setting. It can be summarized perhaps in in two to three articles. Nevertheless, the key messages of this book are few but really powerful like the concept of greasing the groove, repeating very low intensity exercises in oder to drill the exercise in your nervous system and hence it becomes easier.
The exercise principles of GTG (Grease the Groove) are interesting and do help one to develop their strength.
But the strength tips outlined to generate more tension in one's muscles to be able to perform difficult exercises such as the one-arm push-up or pistol squat are very novel and haven't been featured in many other books of similar scope.
A very good read for anyone looking to get fitter, especially those interested in calisthenics and bodyweight exercises. ...more
But the strength tips outlined to generate more tension in one's muscles to be able to perform difficult exercises such as the one-arm push-up or pistol squat are very novel and haven't been featured in many other books of similar scope.
A very good read for anyone looking to get fitter, especially those interested in calisthenics and bodyweight exercises. ...more
Worth reading but not buying. Some of his other books are better but the style is the same. A lot of quotes and forum inserts next to full and half page pictures. The actual meat of the book needs to be maybe 50 pages long with pictures but anyone with some background in strength training could get most of the great points out of 10 pages or less I think.
Straight to the Point
Like all of his books, Pavel goes right to the heart of the matter. My advice: sit back, relax and take it all in like a good novel. You’ll come away with plenty of life long knowledge for a happier and more satisfying training experience.
Like all of his books, Pavel goes right to the heart of the matter. My advice: sit back, relax and take it all in like a good novel. You’ll come away with plenty of life long knowledge for a happier and more satisfying training experience.
Writing style is not great and repetitive BUT solid ideas. 3.5 stars. Book could be half its length.
reading it is the easy part
My strength definitely improved a lot thanks to these tips.
Basic Calisthenics for strength
Good book. Definitely worth reading. If you get bored with your workouts, you now have a choice for something else.
Good book. Definitely worth reading. If you get bored with your workouts, you now have a choice for something else.
Well explained guide through key exercises. The book had a great combination of practice and theory.
Fantastic resource for anyone working out at home or outdoors. His other books are solid too.
This is a great book overall. I think it could certainly be considered a must-read for both strength training enthusiasts and martial artists alike.
This is the second time that I have read Pavel’s The Naked Warrior, I remember the first time reading it and being blown away, but never actually applying the lessons to my life. I was younger then and more concerned with my size, and of a mindset that more training equaled more strength, that might be true in some cases but it also means more injuries.
I am now almost 30, and I find rereading this book and some of the other Pavel books to just be pure gold, the lessons make more sense to me now, ...more
I am now almost 30, and I find rereading this book and some of the other Pavel books to just be pure gold, the lessons make more sense to me now, ...more
This book is essentially about how to construct an effective strength regimen with no equipment, using two exercises and their variations: the one legged squat (a pistol), and the one armed push-up. Since most people won't be able to do those right away, he covers a progression that will get you there.
The problem is that this is really not enough material to fill out a book, so he has to pad it with less than useful information and extremely large fonts. For example he some how managed to spend ...more
The problem is that this is really not enough material to fill out a book, so he has to pad it with less than useful information and extremely large fonts. For example he some how managed to spend ...more
This book is deceptively simple. There's a tendency these days to think that complicated means better. In my experience the opposite is usually true. One of Pavel's great talents is really understanding fitness and strength training at a deep level. To newbies, his advice may seem overly simple, but if you're advanced or you've been training for a considerable amount of time you'll recognize the pure gold in most of his books.
Before reading this book I could hit 70-80 push-ups but I could never ...more
Before reading this book I could hit 70-80 push-ups but I could never ...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
Related Articles
Discover lots of new and upcoming nonfiction reads this spring
with our author interviews, articles, and book lists!
Interviews with...
4 likes · 3 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Shrugging your shoulder and/or letting it move forward will destroy your shoulder and your power alike—whether you are punching, benching, or doing pushups.”
—
3 likes
“Tensing your abs will amplify the intensity of the contraction of any muscle in your body.”
—
2 likes
More quotes…
