The book is published by Price World Publishing, Chicago and retails for $17.95. Jim McHale is an endurance athlete and ex-amateur boxer with more than ten years experience designing gym circuits. He has experience competing in Ironman Triathlon and other long-distance events including the 190 kilometer Libyan Challenge Desert Race.
Chohwora Udu has more than thirty years experience in boxing as both a professional fighter and as a coach. He has trained both professional and amateur boxers and he holds YMCA qualifications in gym instruction and circuit training.
Circuit Training Focus with Illustrated Exercises
Hardcore Circuit Training for Men claims to be unique as the first training book to exclusively feature circuit training for men.
I like the idea of focusing on circuit training because this is a great way to develop fitness beyond the benefits of static muscle building and weight training workouts. The short breaks and relatively constant movement ensures high continuous heart rates and the cardiovascular benefits that go with it -- as well as building muscle and strength.
The authors warn that these exercises and programs are not for the unfit. It's not called "hardcore" for nothing. This is not a starter program, although many of the exercises could be used in less intense workouts.
Even so, exercises like one-hand pushups and single-leg squats will really sort out the men from the boys (and most girls). The swimming sessions, including butterfly, will test technical skills.
Advice on warm-ups and cool-downs and how to calculate target heart rates for the circuits are provided.
The Workouts and the Exercises
The circuit workouts include:
- Body Weight Workout
- The Bench Workout
- Kettlebell Workout
- Plate Workout
- Barbell Workout
- Swiss Ball Workout
- Hill Workout
- Multi-Machine
- The 4 Miler
- Swim Circuit
There is a lot of variety here to choose from. The swim and hill circuits are interesting additions. I'm not too fussed about some of the curved back exercises like situps and V-crunches, but for those with good foundation fitness the risks are probably minimal.
Fitness and Strength Tests
The third section of the book takes you through three fitness protocols to test your endurance, strength and power:
- The Multistage Fitness Test (shuttle runs)
- The 300 (The Spartan Workout)
- The 1 Rep Max Test
A workout log and useful index completes the book. The book is built around exercise illustration, so there's not too much reading, which is not a bad thing. Links to useful web reference sites are included.
Criticisms are minor for this style of book. I would argue about the authors' contention that many small meals and raw foods should dominate your diet, but in the context of the main message this is not a major criticism.
Overall, Hardcore Circuit Training for Men is a somewhat different yet useful publication in the swarm of books about fitness and weight training. I liked its simple, illustrative approach and "hardcore" message.
