Product Description

The demands of being a firefighter can be quite high. Firefighters are called upon to perform at peak capacity under the most arduous conditions. Being physically fit can mean the difference between life and death for them or the victims they race to save. New York City fire captain and personal trainer Michael Stefano has come to the rescue with The Firefighter's Workout Book, the thirty-minute-a-day, train-for-life program that's worked for New York City firefighters and will work for you.

The Firefighter's Workout Book covers all aspects of health and fitness, including strength, cardiovascular, and flexibility training. Captain Michael Stefano shows how spending long hours at the gym is unnecessary or even counterproductive. Step-by-step instruction, interspersed with motivational stories based on Stefano's experience as a firefighter, will leave you burning for more.

The workout routines can be tailored to fit individual needs. The illustrated exercise guide features photos of New York City firefighters. You will learn how to stay motivated, set reasonable, attainable goals, and chart your own progress to ensure results. A simple, easy-to-follow nutrition plan is also offered.

The firefighter's workout is a real-life approach to a very common problem: staying in good physical condition with a minimal amount of time and available equipment. With the tools and knowledge provided by The Firefighter's Workout Book, you'll be able to rise above these obstacles to get in the best condition of your life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #141446 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-01
• Released on: 2001-12-24
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Amazon.com
Talk about performing under pressure! New York City firefighter Michael Stefano describes wrestling with a 2.5-inch-thick high-pressure hose gushing water at over 200 gallons per minute, raising and climbing heavy ladders, operating superpowerful saws, and rappelling down the sides of multistory buildings--all while weighted down with bulky protective equipment, and often while soaking wet ("where there's fire, there's water"). Endurance, strength, and vigor are not only necessary for peak performance--they are lifesavers.

The point of The Firefighter's Workout Book is not to make you a firefighter, but to help you transform your personal physical-fitness level, in a program that takes four hours a week. Stefano explains the basics about exercise and gives guidelines for cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility. Explanations are clear and accurate. He also gives nutritional guidelines for losing fat without sacrificing muscle, but his dietary recommendations are curiously outdated: he relies on the old "four food groups," which have been replaced by the American Dietetic Association's food pyramid.

Thirty-one strength-training exercises are well illustrated with photographs, and each step is clearly explained, with "trainer's notes" giving modifications to increase intensity. Most use dumbbells and barbells, though some use just body weight. Thirteen stretches are also illustrated and described. Stefano gives examples of different routines--full body, split, circuit training, pyramid training, and slow-motion training. Firefighting stories spice up every chapter, giving you a good read as well as a good fitness program. --Joan Price

About the Author

Michael Stefano, a captain in the New York City Fire Department as well as a certified personal trainer, has been working with New York City firefighters in the field of exercise and fitness for the past eighteen years. His successful training programs have helped New York's bravest to rise above the challenges and extreme physical demands of firefighting. Using the same principles that worked for firefighters, Michael Stefano has also developed safe and effective exercise routines for the general population. As captain, he is directly responsible for the safety and efficiency of his unit and has been recognized by the department four times for acts of heroism. He lives on Long Island, New York.

Customer Reviews

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This quick read will get you on the road to sculpting any part of your body. There are also great tips to help you keep yourself fit.

Really works!
I tried just the pushups the way he describes and I've finally lost that "droop" in my chest!
Plus how to do the equation on how many calories you burn when working out on any excersise you do.

Good advice for those starting out....
I picked up Mr. Stefano's book shortly after receiving a back injury which sidelined me for several months. As a result, I ended up gaining a few extra pounds which I was eager to be rid of. The book is 8 chapters in under 130 pages, so it's a quick read. The writing style is direct and to the point, and Mr. Stefano throws in stories from his firefighting career to keep things interesting and stress specific points he's trying to make. He addresses topics such as cardio vs. strength training, diet and caloric intake, specific exercises, and staying motivated. The book is directed at beginners, and he gives enough info to be useful, but not enough to overwhelm. I've been working out using the book's techniques for about 90 days now, and in that time I've lost 15 pounds and made noticeable gains in stamina and strength. I think 30 minutes a day is a little optimistic on his part, though. My workouts tend to last closer to an hour, but since I'm achieving measurable results, I don't think that's a bad thing. If you're willing to dedicate a little time and discipline though, you'll find this book to be a worthwhile purchase.