Post: #1

I posted this as a comment in a related thread, but they were looking for blogs rather than books:

There is a very infamous British prisoner called Charles Bronson, Tom Hardy played him in an art-house movie about his life.

He's written a book which is essentially an authentic convict workout. He's been in solitary confinement for most of his adult life. He does 3000 press-ups (push-ups) a day, although I don't think that's mandated in the book.

The reviews are very good anyway. I've put up the amazon.com link rather than the .uk as there's more Americans on here.

http://www.amazon.com/Solitary-Fitness-C...ry+fitness

Post: #2

Link doesnt work guvnor

Post: #3

Try that one dude, fixed the link

Post: #4

I bought and read Solitary Fitness. He even has a way to make your dick bigger, so there's that. There's also a lot of pseudo medicinal advice like bowel cleansing.

My biggest problem with Solitary Fitness was the ridiculous amount of isometric holds, stretches, and yoga-ish positions he used to get around the lack of a pullup bar.

He did incorporate explosive stuff like "star jumps" and squat thrusts too, if I'm not mistaken. That's one thing that many strength programs lack (mine as well, but whatever, I'm no athlete).

It wasn't a bad book and it does have reviews and stories of people who actually went along with the program and did well with it. I can't say the same for some other general fitness books.

He's done some pretty ridiculous shit in prison, like throw a refrigerator at a prison guard.

Post: #5

Yeah, I'm sure there are problems when you don't have access to a pullup bar and have to write a book about fitness...Its one of the best exercises there is. Its an awesome one, both chin ups and pull-ups.

Haha yeah Bronson is a certified nut-job, but from anecdotes I've read, he's pretty funny too. That said, I certainly wouldn't want to share a cell with him!

I struggle to imagine what that amount of years in complete solitary does to a person.

Post: #6

The way he writes his book is very endearing. You can tell from reading it that he wants people supporting him to get out of prison, even if he doesn't seem to want to make the effort himself (because he's crazy as a shithouse rat).

The book will inspire you to knock out a couple hundred pushups, that's for sure.

Post: #7

Yeah I've read one of his other books, its called Insanity, rather fitting. It made me laugh at loud, some of the crazy people he encountered at a mental institute he was in for a while... One guy used to run as fast as possible, head first, into walls so often he had to be fitted with a crash helmet! Haha!

Post: #8

Do you English blokes know who Tony Moran is?

Post: #9

(02-05-2013 05:36 PM)Fisto Wrote:  Do you English blokes know who Tony Moran is?

Afraid not mate. Who is he?

Post: #10

(02-05-2013 05:48 PM)Teedub Wrote:  

(02-05-2013 05:36 PM)Fisto Wrote:  Do you English blokes know who Tony Moran is?

Afraid not mate. Who is he?

He's a pretty damn tough fighter. Fought for the English title in boxing. Apparently has become pretty good mates with Charlie Bronson.

Post: #11

Here's a message from Tony

No mate genuine, weve bcum firm friends. Il send u his address later for u 2 write him. He wil prob send u 1 of his famous sketches of art, once u explain who u r. He respects fighters an loves interesting stories. Did my manager eva get in touch with u? hope ur wel bro

and

How he remains so full of life given wot he has endured is truly awazing. He not an evil man at all *Fisto*. just a tough 1 who wont b broken. fit as a fiddle 2. did 86 press ups in 30secs last time i went in 2 c him and he is 60. An thai land eh. Lady boys giv the best sucks haha

Post: #12

Awesome, yeah just looked him up, he's a fighter from Liverpool. How do you know him?

Here he is talking about Charlie: http://www.cageamateursuk.com/Charlie-Bronson.html

Post: #13

Tom Hardy used a lot of the exercises I expect are in that book. Big respect for Hardy, he's also huge in Batman and Lawless.

Post: #14

How does this stack up with convict conditioning?

Post: #15

(02-07-2013 03:21 PM)Teedub Wrote:  Awesome, yeah just looked him up, he's a fighter from Liverpool. How do you know him?

Here he is talking about Charlie: http://www.cageamateursuk.com/Charlie-Bronson.html

We trained together in a couple camps. Friends with a lot of the same guys. He's a real good dude.

Post: #16

Bought his book couple of years ago and used it to get over a plateau at the gym. His shit works and is great for when traveling or if you don't have access to a gym. Also, gives you more of a brute strength.

The movie with Tom Hardy is dope as fuck.

Post: #17

(02-08-2013 03:55 AM)Fisto Wrote:  

(02-07-2013 03:21 PM)Teedub Wrote:  Awesome, yeah just looked him up, he's a fighter from Liverpool. How do you know him?

Here he is talking about Charlie: http://www.cageamateursuk.com/Charlie-Bronson.html

We trained together in a couple camps. Friends with a lot of the same guys. He's a real good dude.

That's pretty fucking awesome. Are you a professional boxer or something in that field then?

Post: #18

(02-08-2013 01:46 PM)Teedub Wrote:  

(02-08-2013 03:55 AM)Fisto Wrote:  

(02-07-2013 03:21 PM)Teedub Wrote:  Awesome, yeah just looked him up, he's a fighter from Liverpool. How do you know him?

Here he is talking about Charlie: http://www.cageamateursuk.com/Charlie-Bronson.html

We trained together in a couple camps. Friends with a lot of the same guys. He's a real good dude.

That's pretty fucking awesome. Are you a professional boxer or something in that field then?

Used to be. I don't know what I'm doing now....haha

Post: #19

^That's amazing. Takes real dedication and immense conditioning to get anywhere in boxing. To what level did you get? I'm not trying to pry, I'm just genuinely interested and impressed.

Post: #20

(02-08-2013 02:47 PM)Teedub Wrote:  ^That's amazing. Takes real dedication and immense conditioning to get anywhere in boxing. To what level did you get? I'm not trying to pry, I'm just genuinely interested and impressed.

Tony and I were hired for some sparring for some top level MMA fighters. We met for a title fight camp and I was the main sparring partner. Some will say that's being a glorified punching bag, and to an extent I'd agree, but I was also the best guy they could find to emulate the opponent who was the champion.

My forte has always been wrestling but I trained a lot in BJJ and striking with some of the best guys around and feel my overall game is pretty good (not to blow my own horn)

That said, I've never made it to the big show. Sometimes from pure bad luck. I was supposed to fight on the undercard of that championship fight but two weeks before camp was over, had my nose shattered.

Honestly I feel like the best fighter. Who has never done jack shit.

Post: #21

Well you've already achieved more than many, many fighters. You have actually made money out of it, most don't! I've done a bit of boxing, I used to train religiously about ten years ago, in my teens, but over time I sort of just stopped. Should get back into it really, as its great for fitness and confidence.

Post: #22

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

What are some of the best exercises you learned from it?

Post: #23

(02-05-2013 03:50 PM)Teedub Wrote:  I posted this as a comment in a related thread, but they were looking for blogs rather than books:

There is a very infamous British prisoner called Charles Bronson, Tom Hardy played him in an art-house movie about his life.

He's written a book which is essentially an authentic convict workout. He's been in solitary confinement for most of his adult life. He does 3000 press-ups (push-ups) a day, although I don't think that's mandated in the book.

The reviews are very good anyway. I've put up the amazon.com link rather than the .uk as there's more Americans on here.

http://www.amazon.com/Solitary-Fitness-C...ry+fitness

Thanks for the referral. Just got my hands on a digital copy.

Post: #24

I read the book. It's not bad but it's not great either. The dietary advice is all over the place but it's generally solid and worth taking in small doses. It's understandable considering that he's in prison and doesn't get to decide what he eats.

The fitness advice is pretty good but it lacks in a few major compound movements, instead going nuts on isometrics and holds that would not be as effective as a regular elbow lever.

If he added the planche or one arm elbow lever (God knows he's had enough time in prison to develop both), the handstand pushup, more leg raise variations, an L-sit, and some other stuff besides pushups - those are a huge mainstay in his program - it would balance it out a bit. The isometric holds he has invented are all a little strange but it's because he has no pullup bar and can only do holds or presses. If Bronson could get a coach to come and visit him he would probably develop all of these floor gymnastic skills within three months, but I find it strange that he hasn't considered this already, he probably has access to a library.

Like Hannibal said you're going to have a good laugh at the penis enhancement section, as it's probably good info and I don't doubt it works well.

The book in itself is worth reading just because it's very funny and will teach you how to work around limitations and still be a fridge-hurling terrifying brick shithouse. The pictures and artwork are all hand drawn by him and they're hilarious. It's clear to me that the book he wrote is a labor of love. Incredibly entertaining.