Superfit: Royce Gracie's Ultimate Martial Arts Fitness and Nutrition Guide (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series)

I picked up this amazing, 216 page oversize soft cover (Superfit: Royce Gracie’s ultimate martial arts fitness and nutrition guide by Royce Grace and James Strom with Kid Peligro) book for a bargain price on Amazon. I have been a lifetime student (and teacher) of numerous martial arts (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate Do, Krav Maga etc.) over the years and I am always seeking new and old books on martial arts fitness.I had the pleasure of meeting Royce and Rickson Gracie at one of their seminars many years ago and it was an excellent class. Royce is known for being a physical fitness fanatic and this incredible book shows in full color just how flexible and fit he really is and presents his unique approach to becoming super fit. This book is organized into four parts. There is a short introduction which includes a biography about the authors and how to use this book.Part one covers warm ups, stretching and the Gracie stretch routine. The second part is the longest and covers the actual exercises in this program. Each section covers specific exercises for the abdomen, cardiovascular conditioning, free weights, is laterals, plyometric, and power series. The third part explains how to put the program all together and includes specific workouts for the beginner, intermediate and advanced student. The fourth part covers the unique Gracie nutrition principles and diet.The fantastic full color photographs are clear and easy to follow. I was very impressed with how flexible Royce is when showing the numerous stretching movements. If you are seeking a total fitness approach this book is for you. Whether you are a martial artist or not Superfit has something for anyone who is into physical fitness.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Tactical Principles of the most effective combative systems).

Don't take 3 stars the wrong way. 3 stars is good but not great. People reviewing here tend to give 5 stars to anything they personally like.This book is Royce's personal training programs.Its split into sections:Stretching, abs, cardio, weights, plyometric, power, programs, dietThe stretching routine is Gracie's personal routine and is a 1 person full body routine, paying special attention to the hips, quads, and hamstrings (this is good, most guys tend to be tight in the hips, and what martial artist doesn't want to work toward the full splits!). It also has a section showing some good 2 person stretches.The abs routine is the ONLY jiu-jitsu/grappling specific area of the book. Many of the ab exercises are done from various guard position (feet wrapped around someones waist, or feet under the inside of the thighs). These include twisting motions and full situps while hanging off someone standing up.Good stuff.The cardio section is short and doesn't feature many alternate ways to do your cardio workouts.The weights routines are nothing special or unique, just a large list of the standard body building/strength training exercises you see 99% of people doing at every gym (not that this is bad, just don't expect secret sports specific exercises)The plyometric and power (ie explosiveness) is an interesting read, but much of it is done with a trainer holding the attached bungee cords, providing resistance. A solo option is given - wear a weight vest - but I like most people don't have a trainer with cords, or a weight vest....Other exercises like box jumps are good, if you have really high platforms to jump onto...Still, this is Royce's PERSONAL exercise program so you are seeing what the champ himself does.Included are exercise plans for beginner, intermediate and advanced as well as information about the Gracie family diet and information on what Royce himself does.Its a good exercise book and is interesting to see how Royce trains. I was suprised it had so little sports specific (grappling) exercises because it is possible to combine the two.You can see some of this in Choke (the documentary on older brother Rickson) and in Scott Sonnon's Grapplers Toolbox, Body Flow, and Prasara DVDs.Personally the main thing I'll take from this is the 1 man stretching routine which is quite good and I'll have to disagree with another reviewer who said the routine is good but not worth the price of the book alone. I think it is!Hope this helps you.

Good

This wasn't just a great book for me but I let other people who aren't fighters look at it and they thought it was great as well. Not only does it provide you with some great workout routines but it also develops a concious mind about different types of excercise effects and drawbacks as well as nutritional aspects to really peak your physical fitness.

This book is a very good way to add some variety to your workouts, stretching and overall fitness. Good luck with your training.

Good informative book with great photos and well written

COOL

Full of great stretches.

Worse, Worse, Worse programming and exercise book.

Great book

Great, as advertised.