The Men's Health Cover Model Workout: Body-Sculpting Secrets of the World's Top Fitness Model

by Owen McKibbin, Kelly Garrett

You would think that a guy who has been on the cover of Men's Health magazine 15 times would be a perfect genetic specimen. And yet Owen McKibbin has been plagued by catastrophic injuries, a potentially crippling birth defect, and a family history of obesity and premature death from heart disease. Owen's message is one of profound hope and personal empowerment. In revealing how he persevered through athletic injuries, he shows readers how they can work past the obstacles in their lives to achieve a level of health and fitness they dreamed about but never imagined possible. Among the features in the book: -The four-part, 16-week Cover Model Workout. This is a 0-to-60 exercise program designed to help any guy build muscle and burn fat. -His unique strategy for avoiding injuries and preventing future ones. The secret: 'integrity days,' wherein he spends one workout a week shoring up the muscles and joints most susceptible to injury. -The Cover Model Diet plan Most of all, Owen shows readers how to approach fitness and exercise as a lifelong habit.

326 pages, Hardcover

First published April 19, 2003

Reviews

[Dan]

Done with the first month/phase - I leaned out quite a bit, but lost just 2-4 pounds, which is good. Although I have not been doing pullups, I can crank out 10 a lot easier than in the past.

Completed the four month program in June. Definitely leaned out. In March I was in the 189 range, now I am in the 181 range. Definitely stronger though. I hadn't done a barbell bench press in over four months so I put 160 on after my workout - felt really light, cranked out 10 reps no problem. Put 170 on, still easy. 180 still pretty easy. I upped it to 190, but since I was by myself and using free weights I did a few reps and had to stop.

I am almost at 3 sets of 10 for pullups and chinups. Just a two to three reps off of my final set.

The program gave me the determination to hit every single set hard. That is not always the case, but for the most part it is good. A good cup of joe before my workout always helps.

I was thinking about starting over with phase I since I got good results, but I believe it is good to change up routines so I am going to do StrongLifts 5x5 or PowerFactor Training - both require a squat rack though which I am shopping for right now.

Of note, I have been doing two days of interval training (run for 45 seconds at 90%, rest for 1:15 at a walking pace eight times at 4.5 incline) and some sort of cardio on a third day. So that certainly helped me lose weight - specifically in the love handle area.