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Pushing the Limits! Total Body Strength with No Equipment
What is more satisfying than OWNING a primally
powerful, functionally forceful and brute-strong body?
A body that packs a punch. A body that commands
attention with its etched physique, coiled muscle and
proud confidence…A body that can PERFORM at
the highest levels of physical accomplishment…
Well, both Al Kavadlo—the author of Pushing the Limits!
—and his brother Danny, are supreme testaments to
the primal power of body culture done the old-school,
ancient way—bare-handed, with your body only. The
brothers Kavadlo walk the bodyweight talk—and then
some. The proof is evident on every page of
Pushing the Limits!
Your body is your temple. Protect and strengthen your
temple by modeling the methods of the exercise
masters. Al Kavadlo has modeled the masters and
has the “temple” to show for it. Follow Al’s progressive
plan for primal body power within the pages of
Pushing the Limits!—follow in the footsteps of the
great bodyweight exercise masters—and you too can
build the explosive strength and possess the
magnificent physique you deserve.
"When people ask me about bodyweight strength training, I
point them to Al Kavadlo. Pushing the Limits! is a
must-have for bodyweight training enthusiasts or
anyone looking to build strength without lifting weights.
Al lays out dozens of effective exercises for
every fitness level,while making the journey fun and
encouraging."—MARK SISSON, author of
The Primal Blueprint
"This book is bodyweight strength training for the ultimate
purist!" —PAUL WADE, author of Convict Conditioning
powerful, functionally forceful and brute-strong body?
A body that packs a punch. A body that commands
attention with its etched physique, coiled muscle and
proud confidence…A body that can PERFORM at
the highest levels of physical accomplishment…
Well, both Al Kavadlo—the author of Pushing the Limits!
—and his brother Danny, are supreme testaments to
the primal power of body culture done the old-school,
ancient way—bare-handed, with your body only. The
brothers Kavadlo walk the bodyweight talk—and then
some. The proof is evident on every page of
Pushing the Limits!
Your body is your temple. Protect and strengthen your
temple by modeling the methods of the exercise
masters. Al Kavadlo has modeled the masters and
has the “temple” to show for it. Follow Al’s progressive
plan for primal body power within the pages of
Pushing the Limits!—follow in the footsteps of the
great bodyweight exercise masters—and you too can
build the explosive strength and possess the
magnificent physique you deserve.
"When people ask me about bodyweight strength training, I
point them to Al Kavadlo. Pushing the Limits! is a
must-have for bodyweight training enthusiasts or
anyone looking to build strength without lifting weights.
Al lays out dozens of effective exercises for
every fitness level,while making the journey fun and
encouraging."—MARK SISSON, author of
The Primal Blueprint
"This book is bodyweight strength training for the ultimate
purist!" —PAUL WADE, author of Convict Conditioning
- GenresFitnessHealthNonfiction
211 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2013
36 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 3, 2023
This was a good start to learning how to use only bodyweight calisthenics to boost strength. Al Kavadlo focused on three exercises: the push-up, the squat, amd the back bridge. He did a great job of explaining the mechanics, focal points, and aims of achievement for each exercise.
The text had lots of pictures for progression exercises, alternative exercises, and advanced forms of the three foundations in the text. I would recommend this and the two-volumed Convict Conditioning by "Coach" Paul Wade that are also published by Dragon Door. Thanks!
The text had lots of pictures for progression exercises, alternative exercises, and advanced forms of the three foundations in the text. I would recommend this and the two-volumed Convict Conditioning by "Coach" Paul Wade that are also published by Dragon Door. Thanks!
October 21, 2018
A very good introduction about the author section, & another section on the benefits of bodyweight training & walkthrough on how to design your own workout at the end, sandwich about 150 pages of what is basically an atlas of bodyweight training.
Pros:
- Wide variety of exercises.
- Heavily illustrated .
- Step-by-step instructions.
- Standard fitness test to assess strength provided.
Cons:
- Step-by-step instructions quality varies. Some are puzzling.
- Some exercise variations are questionable (e.g. L7 push-up)
- Needed more anatomical illustrations on which muscles are worked by each variation.
- Steep price of an e-book!
Pros:
- Wide variety of exercises.
- Heavily illustrated .
- Step-by-step instructions.
- Standard fitness test to assess strength provided.
Cons:
- Step-by-step instructions quality varies. Some are puzzling.
- Some exercise variations are questionable (e.g. L7 push-up)
- Needed more anatomical illustrations on which muscles are worked by each variation.
- Steep price of an e-book!
February 11, 2015
A great book on bodyweight training. I would highly recommend this to people of all fitness levels.
The book takes you through progressions from people who can't do press ups on their knees, through to people who want to do handstand press-ups.
I think if you train hard enough all of these things are possible. Being able to handle and manipulate your own bodyweight should be a requirement for any self respecting man. A chin up is far more useful than a bicep curl and you can choose to focus on the muscle or focus on practical strength.
I won't be following the programme entirely (and the author in fact recommends you develop your own programme). I will be working some areas I want to focus on in to my current crossfit and Olympic limiting programmes.
The book takes you through progressions from people who can't do press ups on their knees, through to people who want to do handstand press-ups.
I think if you train hard enough all of these things are possible. Being able to handle and manipulate your own bodyweight should be a requirement for any self respecting man. A chin up is far more useful than a bicep curl and you can choose to focus on the muscle or focus on practical strength.
I won't be following the programme entirely (and the author in fact recommends you develop your own programme). I will be working some areas I want to focus on in to my current crossfit and Olympic limiting programmes.
May 1, 2013
The driving force behind how great this book is is Al Kavadlo himself. He's got the best personality and attitude for what he does, and even in print that comes across. You might think he likes having his picture taken too much, as about half this book is full color photos of him, but for some reason just seeing him grinning through crazy-ass poses and exercises keeps the reader into the book.
Not to mention the tons and tons of variations on three really basic exercises that would help out anyone at any age be less of a useless, rotting vegetable.
Not to mention the tons and tons of variations on three really basic exercises that would help out anyone at any age be less of a useless, rotting vegetable.
March 5, 2015
Hugely inspiring and fun read. The amount of exercises as well as the progressions will give me enough to keep coming back to this book for years ahead. Al's easy writing style was enjoyable. Only criticism was he was a little too light in terms of putting together a progressive routine. I would have liked some more on stretching and "active rest" exercises, too. Will definitely be buying the rest of his books.
October 20, 2017
Love it!
A beautiful combination of a workout philosophy to attain a physical strength that I always wanted explained in the most logical and sensible way that is applicable to novice trainers like me. It can be a blue book for anyone who wants to focus on body weight exercises.
A beautiful combination of a workout philosophy to attain a physical strength that I always wanted explained in the most logical and sensible way that is applicable to novice trainers like me. It can be a blue book for anyone who wants to focus on body weight exercises.
December 1, 2022
Excellent read
This is the second al kavadlo book i have read. The approach is super down to earth but extremely informative. Totally professional in every way. What really comes through is that any person can follow this and make improvement. I have to say welldone for keeping in the gradient approach, it really is awesome. I am looking forward to applying what i have read!!!
This is the second al kavadlo book i have read. The approach is super down to earth but extremely informative. Totally professional in every way. What really comes through is that any person can follow this and make improvement. I have to say welldone for keeping in the gradient approach, it really is awesome. I am looking forward to applying what i have read!!!
January 11, 2015
Great information!
Great book. Goes through three main calisthenic exercises: Pushups, Squats & Inversions.
Al goes through the various progressions to become elite level at these moves, recommends guidelines for workout routines, reps and a general program.
This book is strictly on the three calisthenic exercises. There is no nutrition guide included, which is why I rate this book four stars. However, I'd still HIGHLY recommend this book for the information. There are plenty of other books out there to go over nutrition.
Great book. Goes through three main calisthenic exercises: Pushups, Squats & Inversions.
Al goes through the various progressions to become elite level at these moves, recommends guidelines for workout routines, reps and a general program.
This book is strictly on the three calisthenic exercises. There is no nutrition guide included, which is why I rate this book four stars. However, I'd still HIGHLY recommend this book for the information. There are plenty of other books out there to go over nutrition.
July 15, 2015
Great book on bodyweight training
I have to say first off that I will pick this book up and look at the beautiful pictures to get me motivated. I love the urban assault look. Second I Live Al's infectious love of life. Makes me smile when I get on his youtube videos. 3rd the book is a great source of bodyweight workouts. If you want to start training this way, this is a fun and very informative book to get.
I have to say first off that I will pick this book up and look at the beautiful pictures to get me motivated. I love the urban assault look. Second I Live Al's infectious love of life. Makes me smile when I get on his youtube videos. 3rd the book is a great source of bodyweight workouts. If you want to start training this way, this is a fun and very informative book to get.
June 18, 2013
Un ameno e interesante manual para aproximarte a los ejercicios de peso corporal. Los pros: es breve, excelentemente ilustrado y bien explicado. Transmite entusiasmo y eso es bueno. Los contras: si tienes Convict Conditioning o You Are Your Own Gym te lo puedes ahorrar. No trae rutinas o programas bien definidos. Dependes de otro libro para la parte de las dominadas.
December 23, 2014
Excellent guide to body weight training. Focuses on push ups, squats, and inversions starting from the absolute basics and works up to advanced variations. Well written, comprehensive and easy to follow.
March 13, 2014
Well written and laid out fitness manual. Written from an advanced perspective for all levels of all genders in a friendly and approachable turn. Definitely a book to visit and revisit.
May 12, 2014
An excellent compendium of bodyweight exercises to try. More than enough to challenge me for years to come.
Read
June 17, 2014Brilliant and fun.
April 17, 2015
A complete, well explained and well illustrated guide to body weight exercises.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews