Stronger, Faster, Smarter: A Guide to Your Most Powerful Body

Like the average law abiding reader, I probably had some morbid curiosity about what goes on inside the big house. I actually pre-ordered this book; I wanted to read about a real life Andy Dufresne and how he triumphed in the face of adversity, and on top of that he's eager to tell you how to get fit! After I finished it, I kept vacillating on my opinions about this book. Here are my thoughts. His approach was down-to-earth. I mean, he even told you he smoked. There were moments with which I identified and laughed out loud, like when he talked about protein bars and women I said to myself um yeah like in Mean Girls, and that's exactly what he said next. I excitedly thought wow finally a health nut who thinks like the rest of us and can eloquently express his thoughts. How many gym rats have you heard use the word vicissitude?Different people exercise for different reasons. Ryan's was straightforward- he wanted to get big and look good. There's nothing wrong with that. But then he kept emphasizing about how looking fit and muscular would give you an advantage in landing jobs and being successful in life, as if anyone less than this societal ideal were inherently inferior. Yes, we are all superficial in life to a certain extent, but a gross generalization like that hardly resonates with me. Just what kind of job would I land successfully with 18” biceps? Bounty hunter in Camden, NJ?Now, onto the main point of this book- fitness. In the first chapter where he actually discussed specific exercises, I suppose since he was gearing it towards the general audience and was trying to motivate them, he'd go oh this is so easy just do it anyone can do it right at home so you have no excuse!- 5 pull-ups rest 30 seconds then repeat for 30 minutes. Gulp. And, I quote him, “This routine is fairly simple...yep, it's that easy!” Then he asked people to do handstand pushups. Please tell me this is some inside joke among meatheads. If I could do 200 pull-ups and push-ups on my head with ease, I'd be swinging from tree to tree with the monkeys and most certainly would not be needing any DIY fitness guide. Most of the fitness section reads like a Planet Fitness commercial gone bad with a palpable risk of a C2 fracture.The diet section was great. Nothing revolutionary, but he nicely consolidated ideas that we should have known all along, just needed some reinforcement in print. Yep, eat natural foods. Nope, you can't frequent the pastry section. Before I read this section I thought to myself, “Please don't tell people to eat kale. Please don't tell people to eat kale.” Then he suggested, yup, kale chips. Of course. I suspect anyone who tells me he willingly and happily eats a vegetable that tastes like a dirty fern. My grandmother is 98 and has never subjected herself to kale. The best tip I got out of his diet discussion were the protein bars. Ryan's right. Finally, protein bars that don't taste like you're chewing through a used jockstrap. They're so awesome I bought a whole box.Read this as a story of inspiration; it is really quite incredible what Ryan went through, so we really have no excuse not to go to the gym, but as a fitness instruction book, it reads like a manual of defeated horror to someone of average fitness level such as I.

You did it. Strong determination and resilience!

I have been reading numerous books lately on physical fitness. I purchased this 162 page soft cover (Stronger, faster, smarter: A guide to your most powerful body by Ryan Ferguson) book and found it to be a compelling read. The author had been wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit and served almost ten years in prison before he was finally released because of a lack of evidence and of the discovery the witnesses lied.Being a survivor kind of a person he developed his own fitness program while in prison in order to cope with the many challenges of being locked up with so many violent criminals. The first part of the book explains the incident which changed his life and how he was wrongly convicted of a murder he did not commit. Reading about his experience with the criminal justice system is heart wrenching.The ten chapters cover the following material: Chapter one (Fight or Flight) explains his initial experience in prison. Chapter two (Get smart) deals with his adjustment to prison life. Chapter three he covers “the big six moves” in his fitness routine. Cardio work is explored in chapter four. Chapter five is about (the forever diet) his diet program. “Maximizing your gains: rest, recovery and supplements are covered in chapter six. Chapter seven is about working your abs. The remaining chapters cover keep moving, be consistent, belief and will power.Even though I was quite familiar with the exercises shown in this book; nevertheless, his approach to fitness is what makes this book a compelling read. If you are seeking a reasonable approach to achieving good physical condition you may want to check out this book.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Tactical Principles of the most effective combative systems)

.....I've yet to finish the book however, given the amount of pages I've already read AND that this is a true story it’s amazing that Mr. Ferguson had the inner strength to survive an impossible situation AND continue on to write about AND with a purpose to inspire others. I've seen his two interviews with Matt Lauer on NBC's The Today Show. Although short interviews, Mr. Ferguson's incredible personality came through clearly. If I understand correctly he will be on the "motivational speaker" circuit sometime soon. I'll be in the audience when he comes to Los Angeles. Apparently he also has become a member of an organization that advocates for the release of innocently convicted people.....the type of organization that came to his rescue. While my first reaction to his story was to wonder if he had one of the best attorneys around so that he could rightfully sue the incompetent and "criminal" law enforcement AND prosecutors that put an innocent Mr. Ferguson in prison based upon some of the most obvious incorrect facts, lies, and intentionally hidden truth......Mr. Ferguson is amazingly "calm" in responding to questions on how he plans to deal with those that illegally placed him in prison. I would not be so calm....and like many....due to my justifiable anger, could even make the mistake of doing something that would foil the process of holding the useless law enforcement and prosecutors responsible for their actions.

I pre-ordered and purchased this book as I have been following Ryan's story for sometime now and I was interested in his story behind bars, the miscarriage of justice and how he has overcome/overcoming it, not so much in 'getting fit and healthy'. I was aiming to skip through the those bits! I'm also a great admirer of Kathleen Zellner and her work.However, the book surprised me. I'm a slim size 8/10, a vegetarian, I hardly ever exercise but when Ryan said 'go and do 10 squats and 10 push ups NOW' - I did! Truth be told I don't know how to exercise. In the past I've brought INSANITY, various other fitness DVD's and books and joined gyms, because I want to get toned and healthy only to quit a few weeks later. By reading this book, I feel I've got myself a 'blueprint' on 'how to'. I am also going to research how to get more protein in my diet. I must admit, I did fly through it, his style of writing is easy, honest and down to earth, flows nicely and I will go though again at a slower pace and TAKE ACTION!There is enough in the book for the readers who do purchase for the same reasons I did, however you may find yourself being surprisingly inspired to get fit and healthy. An excellent first book, I very much look forward to next.Sarah, UK

A good work on his workout. Thought it would cover a little more about his life.

While this book does relay an intreating story, it doesn't nothing in term of what the title says. Good for absolute beginners, worthless to everyone else.