Rick Wilson, the author of this post, runs the Wilson Karate School. His study of the martial arts, which started as a child, has lead him to a deep exploration of the traditional martial art of Uechi Ryu Karate. His love and respect for the system prompted him to found the International Uechi Ryu Pwangainuun Association in order to thoroughly explore the roots of the art. He was one of the earliest adopters of the Bodyweight Exercise Revolution material, and has been gracious enough to forward the following synopsis of his experience with the programs. I hope you enjoy it and are inspired to new heights of your own using bodyweight exercise.
The Bodyweight Exercise Revolution (BER) is a wonderful new Circular Strength Training program created by CST coaches Adam Steer and Ryan Murdock. I’ve gotten such value from it that I feel compelled to share some of my thoughts on how this valuable asset can fit into your training goals. There’s so much to say cutting it short might be hard so I will at least try to organize my thoughts in categories.
What Is The Bodyweight Exercise Revolution?
BER is a tremendous, economical, efficient, comprehensive and portable exercise package.
The entire program is based on using only one tool to exercise – your body.
The most portable exercise program is one without equipment and BER is totally designed without equipment. Instead, just like the CST programs FlowFit and Forward Pressure (more on them in a moment), the movements you perform give you all the exercise you need.
Your body is your exercise equipment. And if you think that would not be challenging – try it. The movements are amazingly simple yet so comprehensive in working the entire body.
I also found it very efficient because the movements can be done in a small space. When space is an issue or for the traveller this is an idea program to be working on.
Where To Start? A Common Refrain
The most commonly asked question on the RMAX forums (home of CST) is “where do I start?”
The sheer variety of programs available is daunting to people.
Which program?
Are they worth the money?
In today’s world cost is a factor so starting out people want to put their toe in the water and see what they get for their money.
(For the record I have invested more in CST training that any other form of exercise and every single program is worth much more than I paid for it.)
And of course, cost aside, we all still want a little of everything.
So where can people start to really get a taste of the CST world of health?
Certainly Intu-Flow is without a doubt the foundation of CST training and everyone needs that program.
But that FlowFit looks great.
And Forward Pressure sounds intriguing.
And that flowing Prasara Yoga sounds wonderful.
You see? So much great stuff to choose from where and when do I start?
BER is a synthesis and expansion of those programs.
With BER you get a thorough sampling of CST, which makes it an excellent starting point to enter CST.
You get a fantastic and complete program that gives you a little taste of so many products.
There is an Intu-Flow warm up so you do not injure yourself. Doing that warm up gives you an excellent feel for the program and I recommend you go from there to acquiring the original Intu-Flow DVDs.
BER uses movements from FlowFit to work the core, among other things. So if you want to explore it further you can order FlowFit, knowing you will love it.
BER uses movement from Forward Pressure to work strength. So if going farther in that direction seems intriguing, you can order Forward Pressure knowing you will love it.
BER uses Prasara Yoga movements as a cool down compensatory program. If you enjoy the cool down then look into Ageless Mobility, Prasara Yoga Primer and Prasara Yoga Instructional. You already know you will enjoy the Prasara Yoga programs.
The BER programs are designed around the 4 x 7 principles set out in the RMAX program 4 x 7: The Magic In The Mundane. It is a fantastic approach for progressing quickly along an exercise program and eliminates those plateaus we tend to hit. If that format intrigues you, and you want to go deeper into to it, then you can order the 4 x 7 program knowing it is something you will enjoy.
However, BER is not just those programs! Do not let the seeming crossover between products mislead you. Most RMAX products draw and build on each other. They build and expand and so does BER. It is not just those programs, it includes useful parts and expands and grows from there.
For the newcomer to CST, it is a great program to touch on some of the foundation programs and see which ones intrigue you most. (They all intrigued me so I have them all as well.)
Why Do I Thrive Off Bodyweight Exercise Revolution?
One of the theories of CST training is to cycle, not cocktail, your training. There are many reasons for this but one of them is to eliminate boredom.
I was just finishing a CST workout at the gym, and while I was getting changed a guy came in and commented that he was glad he had gotten his exercise program “out of the way.”
I was thinking “I wish I had time to do more.”
People tend to try and do everything in one workout and create a self defeating prophesy for exercise. The same thing day in and day out is going to bore anyone. And trying to do all things at once will not get you the progression you want.
Boredom and failure to progress will kill anyone’s motivation to exercise.
The variety of the CST programs is one of the great things. You cycle through programs always reaching and working on some new aspect or new skill.
BER is packed with five programs for specific purposes and each has the usual progression to challenge you.
Each of the five programs will keep you busy and certainly not bored for a long time.
Need More Reasons To Love Bodyweight Exercise Revolution?
One of the things I truly liked about BER, beyond the actual program, was the understanding it gave me of the 4 x 7 protocol and how that can be adapted to each and every individual and how it could carry over into progressing with the other RMAX programs.
The E-Book is clearly written and illustrated giving details of how each of the five programs is set up and how you can alter them to progress at your own pace. This teaching can be carried over into using the other RMAX products to create your own progressive programs.
BER was my first E-Book and it was great not to have to wait for the mail to arrive. I started the program the moment I purchased it because it was right there on my computer.
The video clips of each program’s components take the illustrations in the book to that next level by animating them.
I love reading and I learn a great deal from being able to pour over the words but when it comes to physical movement having a video clip eliminates any questions or misunderstanding that might come from our own misinterpretation of what we have read.
CONCLUSION
You might have guessed I am a fan of the BER program.
I started out with the Level 1 Fat Burning and lost 2 inches from my waist. I jumped to Level 2 and lost another inch and a half.
Lots of success and 56 days of exercise where I was never bored.
Give it a try.
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I just want to take a second to thank Rick for this generous report! Can’t wait to see what you do next with CST Bodyweight Exercise man!
Cheers,
Adam
Thanks very much Rick for that stellar review! It’s tremendously helpful to read what worked for you – we’ll take that into account and strengthen it in Volume 2 of the 4×7 Wave series.
Best of all is the results you’ve acheived! Great work brother. Can’t wait to see where you take it next
ryan
I, too, Ryan agree that this review was stellar and I love how he notes of the synthesis of CST that the BER notes. I’m in the middle of TACFIT Commando presently (I’m an ex-soldier who loves this stuff), but I keep on returning to BER for inspiration (I also have the Big Blackbook, so obviously I trust you and Adam in my fitness exploration. Thank You!).
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