Corps Strength: A Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant's Program for Elite Fitness

by Paul J. Roarke Jr.

Renowned for its rigorous fitness training, the Marine Corps requires every member to be physically fit, regardless of age, grade, or duty assignment. Corps Strength applies the same techniques used to develop and maintain each Marine's combat readiness to a day-to-day program for top-level fitness. Every aspect of training is incorporated into the program including warm-ups, stretching, upper body, core strength, lower body, cardio, running, goal-setting, and motivation. The author has trained thousands of people and witnessed time and again the amazing results achieved by these proven techniques. Regardless of current fitness levels, this personalized training methodology will enable readers to begin today and immediately progress in absolute strength, muscular endurance, aerobic capacity, and joint flexibility. The workouts in this book are packed with grueling mind- and body-draining tasks that test the mettle of any athlete while bringing him or her to top physical form.

Genres: Fitness, Health, Reference

321 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Dustin Kochensparger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and practical system for what the author terms “working fitness” - a level of fitness that allows a person in a physically demanding job to perform at their peak. I liked this approach as it’s very down to earth, avoiding many of the traps that bodybuilding type fitness tends to lean towards. The author covers not only a system of workouts, but also basic eating and nutrition, as well as some practical motivations. Certainly not a magic bullet of fitness, but a very interesting way of thinking that I intend to bring forward into my future fitness regimes.

[farhan maqsood · Rating 5 out of 5]

good nutrition is healthy food

I have a good healthy diet but nutritional deficit and food allergies have made my body more prone for weight gain since fasting has made my weight loss more stable fitness wise than eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables are good and my weightlifting has bodybuilding is strength training is good gym fitness is great for weightlifting is good for strengthening my muscles are healthy for my body more energy.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sensible little book that is put together from a standpoint of long experience. No pie-in-the-sky claims are made, no absurd requirements are levied against those who would do the program. One hour, three to five times per week. Like going to P.E. in school, but better, since there's no dodge ball.

I am into the idea of quick, effective workouts that don't require thousands of dollars of special equipment. Most of Mr. Roarke's exercises can be done freehand, with improvised equipment, or with a few kettlebells. He has a no-nonsense style of writing, and treats the reader like an adult. He often urges us to "use half a brain" and "eat like an adult." He understands that we have other stuff going on, and that our time and energy is precious. The program he's put together will stress muscular endurance and work capacity over sheer beef. It is a program that will help your clothes fit better and help you move that sofa set without feeling it the next day.

Though I didn't learn anything in particular from "Corps Strength", I found it to be a fun read, and enjoyed the way things were put together. The average person looking to get in shape could do a hell of a lot worse than to follow the program. The author is mature enough to indicate that you know how fast to progress, and how much to push. He doesn't urge you into a workout level that is sure to yield an injury, which many programs tend to do. This one would certainly be a good methodology for first responders or people who have to do heavy work in the course of their day. Well done.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down and dirty. Author is a Marine gunnery sergeant, and you can tell. Routines are all basic and old-fashioned (i.e., tried and true), and aimed at people whose jobs require great overall fitness and strength (firefighters, police, construction workers, marines). He makes a good case that everybody would benefit from them.

[Justin Kraft]

This is a smart, no-nonsense guide to fitness and eating right. There's nothing revolutionary here but maybe that's what's so special about it. 80% of the book is about keeping the right mindset and following through. My PT program starts today!

[November Foxtrot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth be told I wasn't expecting much from this, but I was pleasantly surprised. Most military fitness books consist of random exercising. It's a little one dimensional, but it will do the job if you're getting ready for boot/basic or something similar.

[Anish Sana · Rating 4 out of 5]

No non-sense book! Straight to point and highly practical.