Get Strong: The natural, no-sweat, whole-body approach to stronger muscles and bones

by Philip Maffetone

Our ancestors were physically active with strong muscles and bones. Today, most people on earth are no longer naturally active, or strong. Most of us can’t return to nature, so the next best thing is strength training that produces very similar natural muscle and bone strength. This is much easier than you think. In fact, just picking up a weight, standing and holding it, then placing it back down begins the process of getting stronger throughout the body. This simple approach, along with other strengthening options, if you want them, is what this book is about. My workout is part of my day. I don’t change clothes, wear special shoes, drive anywhere, pay a membership or even get sweaty. It’s I don’t want to bulk up or enter any weightlifting competition — I just want to improve overall health and fitness by making my entire body stronger. The MAF Strength Training method is simple, safe, easy, effective, fast and free. It’s a natural activity, developing strong muscles and bones similar to those conditioned through outdoor work, such as lifting and carrying logs or rocks, building a stone wall, or digging the garden.

Genres: Fitness, Nonfiction

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2020

Reviews

[Chuck Huckaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shorter than expected …

Ok this book was important to me for several reasons - it confirmed some things Pavel T has been writing about training with long recovery periods and what many have written about “greasing the groove” (focusing on one exercise multiple times per day).

It was disappointing in its brevity and information provided, though in general I like and respect Maffetone’s work.

[João Maia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bem interessante e algo na linha do que já imaginava e fazia quando treinava. A parte de alimentação só não cobre p/ quem é vegano.

[Chris Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

You may know Dr. Philip Maffetone from his heart rate-based training called either the Maffetone Method or just MAF. His theory, in short, is to go slow to get fast. He just came out with a new book called Get Strong: The Natural, No-Sweat, Whole-Body Approach to Stronger Muscles and Bones, which aims at keeping as much gas in your tank as possible while still transforming your sedentary body with very little pain or suffering.

MAF Strength Training includes MAF Slow Weights
Get Strong: The Natural, No-Sweat, Whole-Body Approach to Stronger Muscles and Bones by Dr. Philip Maffetone

Since I read Don Fitch's deceptively easy Get Fit, Get Fierce with Kettlebell Swings ebook I have focused more on doing a moderate amount of functional fitness over the course of the day rather than maxing out killing myself at the gym by doing focused workouts. Recently, Dr. Philip Maffetone published a book, titled Get Strong: The Natural, No-Sweat, Whole-Body Approach to Stronger Muscles and Bones, that mixes slow rowing, slow running, slow jogging, and Don Fitch's kettlebell swing method and mixes in a little bit of Pavel Tsatsouline's Kettlebell Simple & Sinister method into an extremely sustainable functional fitness routine that can add easy strength, fitness, bone density, and health without ever needing to go to the gym, but on workout kit, or even change your shoes.

[Gary Godard · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book on strength training

I loved the information contained in the book describing his strength training techniques which actually makes sense since you're not creating soreness you are able to strength train daily. I disagreed with much of what he had to say about diet and his recipe for a low carb protein bar, was not low carb! a quarter cup of honey is pure sugar. even though that's going to make 12 bars that is still a lot of sugar per bar. he also seemed to steer clear of telling people that animal fat and protein are healthy for you, you now know that this is the healthiest food on the planet. I will not be taking his diet advice as I have already found what works and was able to achieve significant hypertrophy on my current meal plan now I am looking to build strength without adding stress and recovery time. I believe he confirmed what I thought would work as he has backed it up.

[Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and to the point, the ideas presented here are ones that I wish more people would learn to embrace and therefore be more likely to implement. I hope my 3-star rating (meaning that, yes, I did indeed like it) won't turn anyone off to this book. If you're not trying to look like a bodybuilder and just want to be healthier and stronger, I highly recommend this book.

[Igor · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the message is certainly useful, the book is a bit meager ... . Additionally, doing what is advised in the book, I injured my left Achilles tendon. I do like the Maffetone advice on Zone 2 running, & I applaud his effort to get runners to lift, but I did not like this book. For reference, I read & enjoy all of Dan John's work .... .

[Chris Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fitness

I think that thebook





I think that this book has needed writing to cut through the confusion that is arriving from pressure being placed on exercisers by marketing savvy trainers trying to make a good living from the mystique of fitness.

[Rhema Provance · Rating 5 out of 5]

for Over 60 and my grandkids.

Safest, most doable getting stronger plan. Short, Straight and simple. By a qualified individual.

Parents need to consider making this a family affair. Don’t leave strength to the school system unless your child is in football or track.

[Dick Felton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the approach and concept but found the book "lite" It is short enough that I will read again, right away to solidify the information and see what I missed first time through

[Sauggie]

Phil keeps it simple and based on his past successes with health and world class endurance coaching, it's difficult to discount his advice.

[Sidharth Subramanian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple short and to the point, I appreciate that. But really, added nothing new to the discussions that have been happening in this field

[Aaron Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really really surface level. Decent info, some of it very poorly presented (the latter portions of the book repeatedly describe a deadlift as "squatting to pick something up").

[Preston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting things in here. I wouldn't call any of it revolutionary but I will give the 'slow strength' protocol a try for a month or so to see how it works out.

[Niketh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Should've been an article. The entire subject (grease the groove) this book deals with can effectively be summed up in about 3 sentences.