Convict Conditioning, Volume 1: The Prison Pushup Series

I am a huge fan of the Convict Conditioning books, so this DVD set was especially enticing. The training methods in the books have allowed me to achieve a level of strength that's unusual for most women. Having attended the first ever Bodyweight Workshop this past summer, I found that the skills from Convict Conditioning and Naked Warrior also allowed me to participate on a very high level. In other words, the methodical training and clear cut paths in the Convict Conditioning books has really worked for me. Sometimes though, it's hard to learn from words and pictures alone. I'm pretty sure I would have figured out several of the steps much easier if I had had a DVD to reference. I'm still chasing the 1 arm push up, but after seeing this, I have a much better idea of what really needs to be done, where to start, and what to fix.You should know that this is NOT a "workout DVD" it's much more like having a coach (Brett Jones and Max Shank demonstrate the exercises with John Du Cane narrating) in a box at your service 24/7. It's made like a reference resource. Whether you've purchased the original Convict Conditioning book or not, you will be able to see, hear and read (the included manual has the entire script of the video, accompanying charts, photos) all the cues and intricacies of each step. I balked at the price until I realized it was more of a training and study tool rather than your typical workout DVD. Since I am an RKC Level 2 Instructor and charge my clients accordingly, I also realized that the price of the DVD set is less than what I charge for a single one on one hour training session.Since the coaching and descriptions are highly detailed, you will want to watch this with the remote handy for pausing/rewinding while you try the movements. If you pay attention, it's very obvious to see exactly what you should be doing. Even though with Max and Brett's skills some of these very difficult movements look deceptively easy. If you really take your training seriously, this product will have a LOT of value for you - over and over again. In fact, I watched the section on push up theory again before leading my group class tonight and used some of the concepts to great effect.My only complaint is that in places (some of the hidden steps) some of the editing moves a little fast, so keep the remote handy.The fact that it's filmed in Alcatraz is a really neat plus. This is a real breath of fresh air for those of us who just want to do some serious training and are tired of mainstream saccharine workout videos. It's literally unlike any fitness video set I've ever seen, can't wait to see the other ones.

I get a lot of DVDs and books to review. A lot. In fact, it is a rare day at the office when Meagan doesn’t say: “Hey, here’s a package.” I am always hoping for wine or checks, but usually it is a new nicely packaged DVD with an attractive woman on the cover doing a curl with a kettlebell. I don’t review more than 10 percent of the materials I receive as I believe that kindness is part of my mission.Having said that, I often don’t get a single good idea out of the pantheon of wonderful superheroes, pin up models and guaranteed stardom programs that promise the world. So, I fully expected to be disappointed with Paul Wade’s Convict Conditioning, Volume I: The Prison Pushup Series. John Du Cane will tell you: I am not a fan of some of the stuff in these books. My family is on the “other side” of the law, except for some of the family members whom we don’t talk about. Making your own booze out of socks and a toilet is information I don’t necessarily need.It’s been said by others that this might be one of the most striking DVDs ever made. It’s on location in Alcatraz, close to my home, and the graphics are pretty amazing. And, as most people know, I don’t care about those things. Years ago, a noted internet boozehound and guru, took a potshot at the low quality of my DVDs. Yet, they are shared and passed around fighting units around the planet for their quality. So, yes, stunning. The DVD from Wade is stunning and very cool. The step by step progressions are clear, logical and can be utilized immediately.Let me just share one thing that leaped out to me as a game changing insight. Brett Jones and Max Shank, who do the modeling, with a fine voiceover by John “you missed your career in acting” Du Cane, do a small thing that might change your strength and symmetry issues over night. They keep their feet together and squeeze everything, like the RKC plank. I stopped the DVD at this point, walked over to the wall and did some wall pushups with my feet squeezed. Then, I attempted one-arm wall pushups and the asymmetry leaped out. I am now taking this basic lesson into my greater vision of teaching symmetry to my clients. I am probably jumping ahead, but try doing one arm rows on rings with the heels squeezed together, rather than wide like suspension for an SUV.The manual that supports the DVD is very helpful as much of the material is done too well in the DVD. Many of us need to take some time looking at the DVD then flipping the manual back and forth to “get it.” The use of the basketball, in fact, the whole “kiss the baby” insight alone is worth one’s time and money.So, let me be candid: once again, there are parts of this DVD and the series that rub me the wrong way. Having said that, I am frankly amazed at the insights of the product here. As a coach, I am better than when I popped the box open. I have a whole set of tools, and the progressions, that I can use tomorrow with my group. That to me is the testimony that people should hear from me: I watched it and I applied it instantly! The last thing this industry needs is more “You can do this and you can do this and you can do that and this and that” DVDs. This one “gets it.” You can apply what you learn instantly and know where you are going from there.I highly recommend it.

I initially became interested in the Convict Conditioning System when I read about the grip training portion from Convict Conditioning II on the DragonDoor Forum. As a bodyweight strength enthusiast with an emphasis on grip training, my curiosity got the best of me and I purchased Convict Conditioning II. I was absolutely blown away by the quality of this book and decided to purchase the original Convict Conditioning book. Once again, I was not disappointed! The theory, exercises (and the reasons for their selection), progressions and the joint mobility segment were amazing. The aesthetic quality of the books were great as well!I could go on for a long time about these books but this review is about the Pushup Series DVD. This video is exceptional (the filming, lighting, sound quality, John's voice over, etc.). The manual that accompanies the DVD is beautiful! The idea to film the DVD at Alcatraz was brilliant!I had already studied and implemented the pushup exercises from the first book and had a very good understanding of the progressions and techniques but thought that it was very helpful to have a video to follow. It helps to be able to view the whole technique in addition to the sequence pictures and written descriptions that are available in a book.The exercises were expertly demonstrated by two exceptional athletes (Brett Jones and Max Shank). I highly recommend this DVD to anyone that is serious about mastering the pushup!Paul Wade has an absolute wealth of knowledge about bodyweight strength training and physical culture. I have become a huge fan!Very Well Done!Brad Johnson, author of Bodyweight Exercises for Extraordinary Strength

I am using this manual and DVD not just for my own training, but for the training of my athletes. It shocks and amazes me how varsity high school athletes can NOT perform a solid push up.... not even 1!Getting them to perform a perfect push up requires regressions, progressions, dialing in the little cues that teach them to generate tension and proper body alignment, ALL of which carry over to other exercises.This manual is an awesome resource for Coaches. It can & should be used to educate those you train as well as shared with your staff.For those who have a love for strength, you will respect all the details given for each and every push up progression and you will use them and apply them.As a Strength devotee for over 2 decades, I've been through the grinder with free weights and injuries, push ups are something I KNOW I'll be doing for the rest of my life which is why I RESPECT this course so much!The lay out of this manual and DVD are also BIG time impressive, the old school look and feel fires me up and makes me wanna attack these push ups!Thank You!

This is a really great product. I can go on and on about it but all the previous reviews written pretty much sum up everything i would write about this. The only problems, if there are any, is that the trainers are walking demi gods and make this look way to damn easy. Another would be the price, but with the content that this comes with, the case, detailed book, location of filming, its well worth it. I just purchased volume 2, and i cannot wait for it to show up. I only wish the rest of the volumes would come out faster, but the ability to become a demi god like Wade and the trainers in this dvd is well worth the wait.