INMATE PROFILES & ROUTINES

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As programs from inmates began to appear in Bills mailbox, we realized we needed to learn more about the inmates who had sent them. Their statistics (height, weight and age) important for the sake of exercise, but we learned that the inmates are incredibly resourceful when it comes to finding ways to exercise since weights are gone from California state prisons. Just as the inmates use items from their cells to exercise, you can do the same thing with items from your apartment, home, dorm room, etc. If you dont have dumbbells to work your shoulders, wont cans of soup work especially given the high volume of repetitions youll perform with these workouts? A lot of the inmates use books and/or paperwork as dead weight for their routines. Why not use books in your house/apartment/condo for exercise? The inmates who do not use books often make dumbbells out of piles of magazines. The prison dumbbell is a realistic option if you dont want to spend money on expensive weights. Weve assembled our own prison dumbbell and documented its construction in the appendix at the end of the book.

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Trainer Tips
These workouts are not easy. The inmates have to perform a high volume (i.e. a ton of repetitions) of exercise since they dont have access to weights. Regardless they are very well-conditioned. It is likely you wont be able to perform as many repetitions as they do. The simple trick will be for you to start with fewer reps and build your way up. For example, inmate T-35745 does push-ups three times a week using the following: 5 sets of 50 regular push-ups 5 sets of 30 regular push-ups 5 sets of 25 regular push-ups 5 sets of 20 diamond push-ups 5 sets of 15 diamond push-ups 5 sets of 25 decline push-ups 5 sets of 20 decline push-ups 5 sets of 15 decline push-ups You can start by performing fewer sets and fewer repetitions (10% of his routine). Your push-up program might look like this: 5 sets of 6 regular push-ups 5 sets of 5 regular push-ups 5 sets of 4 diamond push-ups 5 sets of 5 decline push-ups That adds up to 100 push-ups. That may seem like a lot, but mixed-in with calfraises and squats as done by T-35745, youll be surprised by how much you can do right off the bat. Increase your volume each week as you see fit. Any exercises marked with letters (1a., 1b., 1c., etc.) are Supersets and/or Circuits. That means exercises are done is succession without. Rest is enjoyed between SETS. For example: Exercise 1a. Push-Ups 1b. Squats Sets 10 10 Reps 20 20

In this example you would perform 20 push-ups then immediately perform 20 squats. Rest would be taken after the squats, before your next superset starts with push-ups.

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Inmate T-35745
With his workout program T-35745 wrote a bit about why he is in prison and what he does to pass the time: I was arrested just 27 days after my 18th birthday for a string of armed robberies, most of which were committed as a juvenile, to which nobody was physically hurt, thankfully! I credit working out religiously in abling [sic] me to stay focused in not going crazy in this environment. Keeping busy in prison is key in staying out of trouble as well as harms way. Between exercising for 2 hours a day, my job assignment as a teachers aid and my college correspondence studies, it is difficult to find the time for trouble. For my early morning routine, I dont take rest between exercises all of the way through Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4:30am 5:30am (in cell) 1,000 Push-ups, 1,000 Calf-raises and 400 Squats 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 50 regular push-ups 30 regular push-ups 25 regular push-ups 20 diamond push-ups 15 diamond push-ups 25 decline push-ups 20 decline push-ups 15 decline push-ups 50 calf-raises (five sets) 50 calf-raises (five sets) 50 calf-raises (five sets) 50 calf-raises (five sets) 20 squats (five sets) 20 squats (five sets) 20 squats (five sets) 20 squats (five sets)

2:00pm 3:00pm (in recreation yard) Dips, decline push-ups and back-arm presses 1. 2. 10 shoulder-width dips 15-20 decline push-ups (ten sets) 20-25 back-arm presses (five sets)

Chest-width diamond dips

If you noticed, the routines we received from inmate #T-35745 take him one hour to complete

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Inmate T-35745 (contd)

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 4:30am 5:30am (in cell) Curls (shoulder-width) with 40-45lb. water bag 1. 2. 3. 5 sets of 25 5 sets of 20 5 sets of 15 20 Cherry pickers 20 Cherry pickers 20 Cherry pickers

Curls (chest-width) with 40-45lb. water bag 4. 5. 6. 5 sets of 20 5 sets of 15 5 sets of 10 20 Cherry pickers 20 Cherry pickers 20 Cherry pickers

Upright rows with 40-45lb. water bag 7. 8. 9. 5 sets of 15 5 sets of 10 5 sets of 5 20 Chain breakers 20 Chain breakers 20 Chain breakers

Shrugs with 40-45lb. water bag 10. 5 sets of 40 on each side 11. 5 sets of 30 on each side Arm rotations (20 forward and 20 backward) Arm rotations (20 forward and 20 backward)

Remember to work your way up in terms of intensity (weight) and volume (number of repetitions). If you can do all the repetitions with 20lbs., you should then think about increasing the weight to 25lbs. When you find a weight you think matches your limit, you can then start adding volume to your routine. Increase intensity and volume in increments of five (5).

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Inmate T-35745 (contd)

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 2:00pm 3:00pm (in recreational yard) Pull-ups 5 sets of 8-10 (as wide as possible) to chin 5 sets of 8-10 (shoulder width) to chin 5 sets of 5-8 (behind neck) 1 mile jog at regular pace Sunday 2:00pm 3:00pm (in recreational yard) 1 mile jog (fast-paced) 100 Burpies (6-count) 1/4 mile Walking Lunges

This inmate makes a common mistake among gym-going males; He doesnt work his legs enough. How many men do you see in gyms with well-developed upper-bodies and skinny legs? A lot, right? Too often men forget that increased muscle mass in the legs will boost testosterone levels, thus making it possible to maintain and further develop the upper body. Luckily there are several workouts from inmates in this book that do a much better job at training the lower-half of the body.

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Inmate K-14865
K-14865 was our go-to guy when it came to correspondence. He did a great job of coordinating our efforts within the prison walls to get the exercise programs of other inmates. He is a 31 year-old who tells us hes been in prison for over 13 years. He has been working out for 11 of those years and holds a very fit 185 pounds on his 59 frame. He weighed 215 before he started working out, writing to us that he was Fat & out of shape. No wind, lil muscle mass, & overall just unhealthy. He credits his routine for saving him during a prison attack: I do workout to strengthen myself so if need be I can defend myself to the best of my capability. I have been attacked before, and because I am in shape & by the grace of God, I was able to fight off two inmates wielding homemade knives, with minor injuries. K-14865 tells us he also works out to feel better about himself: It improves my self esteem and helps me sleep sound throughout the night. I feel as if I have to work out; it is a very important part of my daily routine. Day 1 Endurance & Strength Circuits Jogging/stretching 5-7 minutes Exercise 1a. Pull-ups (grip varied) 1b. Dips (grip varied) 1c. Push-ups (grip varied) 1d. Run Mile at 75% of max * Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets This is a monster workout and gives you power and stamina K-14865 starts his routine with back and chest. Remember that pull-ups work your back along with biceps and forearms. Push-ups work chest and triceps. Dips work triceps, some chest and shoulder The running burns extra fat and calories Sets 10 10 10 10 Reps 15 20 20 1

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Inmate K-14865 (contd)

Day 2 Legs & Core Jogging/stretching 5-7 minutes Exercise 1a. Calf-raises 1b. Squats 1c. Lunges Rest 45 seconds between sets 2a. Calf-raises 2b. Jump-squats 2c. Jump-lunges Rest 1 minute between sets 3a. Pistol-squats (each leg) 3b. Step-ups Rest 45 seconds between sets 4a. 20 Hanging Leg-raises 4b. 50 Sit-ups or crunches Rest 45 seconds between sets Unilateral (one-sided) exercises such as lunges and pistol-squats will help address any strength imbalances in your legs When performing jumping exercises you can take extra rest between sets Day 3 Rest Rest does not mean this inmate lays around all day. K-14865 is very athletic and plays sports on days he isnt actively training. He told us I play every sport around here. Basketball, handball, softball, soccer, and I run. My workouts definitely help me perform at a higher level. In basketball & soccer (contact sports) my physical shape overpowers those who dont work out. 10 10 20 50 3 3 10 50 5 5 5 100 20 20 Sets 3 3 3 Reps 100 30 30

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Inmate K-14865 (contd)

Day 4 Strength Training Jogging/stretching 5-7 minutes Pull-Ups Full motion w/pause at top (overhand) Close-grip (overhand grip) Behind neck (overhand grip) Close-grip (underhand grip) Wide grip (underhand grip) Rest 2-3 minutes between sets Day 4 focuses on the back with a simple pull-up routine. Remember youll use a lot of forearms and biceps when you grip the bar with hands facing in If you cant do sets of 20, max out every set Cool down with stretching once youve completed the routine Day 5 Strength Training Jogging/stretching 5-7 minutes Exercise 1a. Dips 1b. Push-ups (grips varied w/ pause, dont fully extend to keep muscles tense) 2. Back-arm presses Sets 20 20 Reps To failure To failure Sets 4 4 4 4 4 Reps 20 20 20 20 20

20

To failure

Day 5 routine is another Chest/Tricep workout with a heavier focus on triceps (the back of the arm) You will have given your chest plenty of rest if you follow this inmates routine. Days 2-4 dont work the chest, making day 5 the perfect time to go back to push-ups and back-arm presses

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Inmate K-14865 (contd)

Day 6 Strength & Endurance 20 sets of push-ups/dips/pull-ups to failure (varied grips) Run sprints for 20 minutes (all-out max for 45 seconds, rest 60, repeat) Remember that endurance workouts are the name of the game when it comes to survival in California State Prison. The high volume of repetitions with make you lean and mean. Sprinting is an excellent way to boost natural levels of HGH (Human Growth Hormone) which in turn speeds recovery and helps build lean muscle Day 6 option Endurance & Cardio 1. 2. 3. 25 Plyometric push-ups 25 Jump squats 25 Jumping jacks

Complete twenty (20) times with little or no rest Finish with 15 minutes of intense jump-rope This Day 6 option is a great total-body routine using body-weight for resistance and incorporating functional exercises in the form of push-ups and squats Establish a steady pace and youll find that this routine is a great aerobic workout that isnt tedious like running on a treadmill Day 6 option Strength Push-ups with 5 different variations: Regular push-ups, wide push-ups, diamond push-ups, decline push-ups and staggered-hand push-ups (one hand in front of the other and vice-versa) done back-to-back to failure with 90 seconds 2 minutes of rest between sets 10 sets, 20 reps of Back-arm presses 10 sets to failure of shoulder pikes Alternate between exercises taking 11 minutes of rest between sets

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Inmate K-14865 (contd)

Day 6 Cardio & Endurance Full-Body Workout 100 25 50 25 50 25 50 25 50 25 50 25 Jumping Jacks Push-ups Squats 6-count Burpies Knees-to-chest Push-ups Lunges 8-count Burpies Shoulder rotations (arms fully extended) Push-ups Calf-raises 10-count Burpies

Repeat 3X resting no more than 45 seconds between exercises Remember that a steady pace will help you get through this routine Its a marathon, not a sprint Lunges are done on both legs. Make sure you do the same number of repetitions on both sides!

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Inmate K-16233
For those of you reading this book who are not in their mid-20s, youll be happy to learn that this particular inmate is older than many of the other people who have written us. K-16233 tells us hes in his mid-forties and he has learned that the explosive strength exercise puts strain on [his] kness as well as joints. K-16233 really watches what he eats: I dont eat butter, mayonnaise, white bread, cakes, frosted corn flakes, pancakes or french toast. I watch my diet and instead of eating 3 meals a day I eat 5 small meals throughout the day. My lunch snacks (like gummy bears, graham crackers, peanut butter crackers or any junk food) are traded for the lunchs fruit. This diet is imperative to the success to my health, my strength in exercise and size. With these elements my routine will succeed in my physical training. You can see from what he wrote that his diet is not impossibly strict and detailed. He simply makes sure he stays away from processed carbohydrates (sugar-laden food that does nothing but add extra calories), junk food, fatty food and other edibles that dont have any nutritional value. When asked why he works out, K-16233 wrote us the following: Mostly I work out to reduce my stress level. I also workout to stay healthy. I have back problems. So I work out to keep my back strong and to keep all my muscles and joints healthy and strong. Plus being healthy also does protect the body from disease. Theres a lot in here. Ive been lucky. When it comes to injuries and the benefits of exercise he tells us: I have two interanular tears L5 and S1. They dont limit my exercise routines but after I work out my body starts aching. I rest up on the weekends and start all over again on Monday. With all my pain I dont take no pain medication, not even aspirin. At 43 years of age Im getting stronger and stronger and I feel as I work out doing different routines it is shocking my physique making me stronger and healthy as I get older. One of the greatest benefits from working out is the stress release. I have peaceful days and I dont feel so much anxiety after my workouts. Thats the best benefit I get out of all my workouts peace of mind.

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Inmate K-16233 (contd)

Week One and Week Three Overview Monday: Push weight exercises Tuesday: Calisthenics, martial art and shadow boxing exercise with stretches Wednesday: Pull weight exercises Thursday: Calisthenics, shadow boxing, martial art defense and stretch exercise Friday: Push weight exercise Week Two and Week Four Overview Monday: Pull weight exercises Tuesday: Calisthenics, martial art shadow boxing exercise with stretches Wednesday: Push weight exercise Thursday: Calisthenics, martial art shadow boxing exercise with stretches Friday: Pull weight exercise

Youll notice in the Week 1 and Week 3 overview that K-16233 performs his push weight exercises twice and the pull weight exercises once. He then reverses the routine and does pull weight exercises twice (in Week 2 and Week 4) and the push weight exercises once. That reversal is a smart way to make sure muscle groups receive equal amounts of rest and exercise during a given program. Because of his age (as of May 2009 K-16233 is 43 years-old) he rests on Saturdays and Sundays. He may be active with sports on the weekend, but he refrains from any strenuous activity to let his body recover properly.

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Inmate K-16233 (contd)

Push-Weight exercise routine Exercise Lateral raise with a book Sets 3 Reps 15

I strongly recommend you start with a small book and work yourself up to a tenth edition Webster Curl & Press 10 As many as possible in a 30 sec. Kneeling Paperwork Press 3 sets with 25lb stack 3 sets with 35lb stack 4 sets with 25lb stack Push-ups *Squats 10 10 20 15 To failure 20 25 To failure

Go at an easy pace with no rest between sets * Superset squats with push-ups

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Inmate K-16233 (contd)

Pull-weight exercise routine Bicep Curls (with 45-pound prison dumbbell) Exercise Curls Single-arm curls Curls (30-second rest between every set) Lawnmowers (widely known as a Dumbbell Row) Weight 35 pounds 45 pounds 25 pounds Sets 3 3 4 Reps 20-30 10-20 To failure Sets 3 4 3 Reps 20 6-8 To failure

K-16233 makes no mention of doing pull-ups during his pull-weight days. His age and previous injuries (he mentioned an old shoulder injury) likely prevent him from doing pull-ups.

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Inmate K-16233 (contd)

Calisthenics routine (3 cycles as fast as possible) 25 50 50 20 75 25 50 50 15 20 50 Push-ups Jumping jacks Squats Atomic Sit-ups Mountain climbers Push-ups Jumping jacks Knees to Elbows Atomic Sit-ups Push-ups Squats

K-16233 wrote to us admitting that due to his age he no longer does what he considers explosive exercises so he does not attempt any kind of burpies for aerobic exercise.

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Inmate #V-43776
Weve learned a lot about the young men who gave us their workout routines. Even those who didnt write a lot about themselves left plenty of clues . . . V-43776 is 25 years-old and has been in prison since he was 18. He weighed 110 lbs. upon entering prison and currently weighs 150 lbs. V-43776 made an important point when he gave us his workouts. He reminded us that on some days inmates are not allowed out of their cells. Prison administration would tell us that these lock-downs are for the safety of inmates as well as prison guards. On such days inmates alter their workouts. When prohibited from leaving their cell, inmates have no access to pull-up bars, dip bars, a track for running or the rest of the prison yard to play sports. Such cell workouts translate easily to programs that can be performed outside of prison. Do you travel for business? Have you ever been stuck in a hotel room because you have no access to transportation, youre in an unfamiliar city and the only solace you find is in basic cable? This situation is the perfect opportunity to complete one of the workouts provided to us by V-43776. The only items youll need will be the hotel bed (to put your feet up for incline push-ups), your suitcase (for curls and upright rows) and enough floor space to shoot your legs out into a push-up position (for burpies). ALL hotel rooms have enough room and furniture to finish a CELL workout. These workouts dont take long.

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Inmate # V-43776 (contd)

Monday, Wednesday, Friday (Cell workout) Stretches (10-15 minutes) Cross-arm shoulder stretch Overhead tricep stretch Toe-touch Standing Quad stretch Jumping-Jacks (50) Exercise 1. Ten-Count Burpies 2a. Regular Push-Ups 2b. Squats 3a. Wide Push-Ups 3b. Calf-raises 4a. Incline Push-Ups 4b. Squats 5a. Diamond Push-Ups 5b. Calf-Raises 6. Oblique Crunches 7. Reverse Crunches 8. Modified V-Ups Sets 1 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 Reps 50 25 20 25 25 25 20 25 30 15 15 15

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Inmate # V-43776 (contd)

Tuesday, Thursday (Cell workout) Stretches (10-15 minutes) Cross-arm shoulder stretch Overhead tricep stretch Toe-touch Standing Quad stretch Jumping-Jacks (50) Exercise 1. Ten-count Burpies 2a. Single-arm Book Curls 2b. Upright Rows 2c. Back Arms (25-second rest between sets) 3. Oblique raised-leg Crunches (15-second rest between sets) 4. Reverse Crunches (15-second rest between sets) 5. Modified V-Ups (15 second rest between sets) 7 15 7 15 7 15 Sets 1 10 10 10 Reps 100 15 15 20

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Inmate # V-43776 (contd)

Monday, Wednesday, Friday (Yard workout) Stretches (10-15 minutes) Cross-arm shoulder stretch Overhead tricep stretch Toe-touch Standing Quad stretch Jumping-Jacks (50) Exercise 1. * Wide-grip Pull-ups 2. * Close-grip Pull-ups 3a. Dips 3b. Regular Push-Ups 3c. Back Arms 4. Regular Push-Ups 5. Wide Push-Ups 6a. Hanging Oblique Knee Raise 6b. Hanging Knee Raise 6c. Straight-arm Oblique Knee Raise Rest 30 seconds between each set The inmate does wide-grip pull-ups with his hands twice as wide as his shoulders. He holds his body at the top of the pull-up for seven seconds before lowering himself down slowly. V-43776 has his hands touching (all the way together) for close-grip pull-ups. Sets 5 5 10 10 10 5 5 8 8 8 Reps 10 10 10 25 20 25 25 5 10 10

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Inmate # V-43776 (contd)

Tuesday, Thursday (Yard workout) Stretches (10-15 minutes) Cross-arm shoulder stretch Overhead tricep stretch Toe-touch Standing Quad stretch Jumping-Jacks (50) 1 Mile Run Exercise 1. Behind the Back Pull-Ups 2. Close-grip Pull-Ups 3a. Behind the back Pull-Ups 3b. Incline Push-Ups 4a. Diamond Push-Ups 4b. BackArm Presses 5a. Hanging Alternating Oblique Knee Raises 5b. Hanging Knee Raises 5c. Straight-arm (on dip bar) Alt. Oblique Knee Raises * 30 seconds of rest between each set and/or superset Sets 5 5 5 5 5 5 8 8 8 Reps 10 10 10 25 25 20 5 10 10

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Inmate V-70887
Mondays and Thursdays Arm Routine Exercise 1a. Concentration Curls 1b. Back-Arm presses 2a. Standing Dumbbell Curl* 2b. Back-Arm presses (as slow as possible) * 3 second raise and 4 second release 3a. Hammer Curls* 3b. Back-Arm presses * 2 second raise and 3 second release 4a. Reverse Curls 4b. Hand ball squeezes (each hand) 5a. Upright Row 5b. Lateral Arm Raises (no weight) 6a. Front Raise (palms down) 6b. Arm Rotations (each direction) Rest 1 minute between supersets 4 4 4 4 4 4 20 10 15-20 30-50 4-6 75 4 4 6-8 Failure Sets 4 4 4 4 Reps 10 30 6-8 15

You should have a good pump on shoulders, delts, biceps and triceps. Routine should take no longer than 40 minutes because you didnt take no breaks! To increase weight loss, do 15 minutes of cardio. Do 50 jumping jacks, 50 mountain climber (each leg), 25 palm-kicks (each side). Do 4 to 6 sets how ever many you can in 15 minutes non stop.

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Inmate V-70887 (contd)

Tuesdays and Fridays Chest Exercise 1. Celly/Partner push-ups 2. Celly/Partner Mattress Bench Press 3a. Dumbbell Single-arm Flies 3b. Push-Ups 4a. Push-Ups 4b. Jumping Jacks 5a. Push-Ups 5b. Mountain Climbers 6. Push-Ups with alternating legs kicks Sets 5 4-5 45 4-5 4 4 4 4 4 Reps 6-8 8-10 8 25 25 50 10 10 15-20

This six step chest routine should take 40 to 45 minutes. Do a 15 minute cardio 50 Jumping Jacks, 1 Squat then stick out left arm straight out. Left palm facing down. Bring right foot to kick left palm. 1 Squat reverse right arm, kick left foot. 25 each kick, total 50 squats, 40 wind mills. Do 4 to 6 sets. 15 minutes non stop.

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Inmate V-70887 (contd)

Wednesday Endurance & Power 1. 2. 3. 4. Hand-stand Push-Ups (10 reps) 10 Push-ups into 10 Mountain Climbers (repeat five (5) times) Knee-tucks (40 reps) Progressive/Pyramid Burpies Do one burpie with a push-up at the bottom. Complete two squats before starting the next burpie. On the next burpie you will do two (2) push-ups. Complete three (3) squats before starting the next burpies. The next burpie will include three (3) push-ups. This progression continues until you perform 20 squats and 20 push-ups with the last burpie.

Do the 4 exercises. 6 sets in the following above order. This routine should last 25 to 35 minutes. Then do 15 minutes cardio. 50 Jumping Jacks, 40 mountain climbers each leg, 50 Squat Palm-kicks. 4 to 6 sets for 15 minutes.

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Inmate #T-79116
Before going to prison this 30 year-old weighed 198 pounds. Thats pretty heavy for a man whos 58. Hes now a very respectable 151 pounds. He wrote explaining that his workouts help in multiple ways: It does help pass the time and also I like to be in good shape so I can protect myself if need be, but I try to avoid that by having the utmost respect for everyone. I also like to work out to help keep my mind strong and keep me from going insane because Ive got so much more time to do left (27 years) My workouts benefit me by keeping the weight off. I gain bad weight easy (fat) and lose it very slow, so I do a ton of cardio to be lean & ripped. My cardio workout consists of burpies, running, jump-roping, and playing sports mostly basketball. This inmate also uses a tape measure to see where he loses and/or gains size on his body. Measuring is a great way to track progress. T-79116 also expressed an important point: if my body is sore I do listen to it and take a few days off so that I dont hurt myself How many people do you know who injured themselves because they tried to work though pain and ignored the warning signs their body gave them? Have you ever known someone who was happy to have injured themselves rather than taking it easy? Injuries take months to heal. Preventative rest/recovery takes a few days. Tuesday Arms Exercise Bicep Curls (10 wide-grip, 10 shoulder-width, 10 close-grip) Back-arm Presses Sets 5 5-8 Reps 30 50

This Tuesday workout is done with supersets Each set of curls is followed immediately by a set of back-arm presses. Rest one minute between supersets

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Inmate #T-79116 (contd)

Wednesday Exercise 6-count Burpies Pull-ups/Chin-ups Sets 1 10 Reps 500 10-12

In between each set of pull-ups power-walk one quarter mile Thursday Exercise Side Busters (each side) Crunches Lower back extensions * Above performed any time before 12 noon 5-mile run Push-ups Dips 10 10 50 15 Sets 3 3 3 Reps 100 100 100

In between each set of the two exercises, power-walk one quarter-mile lap Friday Exercise Side Busters (each side) Crunches Lower back extensions Above performed any time before 12 noon 4-mile run 6-count Burpies 1 500 Sets 3 3 3 Reps 100 100 100

Remember this inmate admits to doing a ton of cardio because he puts easily puts on weight. Each day he power-walks 10 laps, that adds up to 2.5 additional miles of aerobic exercise.

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Inmate #T-79116 (contd)

Saturday Abs & Cardio Exercise 1a. Side busters (right side) 1b. Crunches 1c. Side busters (left side) Sets 3 3 3 Reps 100 100 100

* In between each set of abs, do 100 lower back extensions Above performed right after breakfast 3 Mile Run 500 6-count Burpies Sunday Abs & Legs Exercise 1a. Side busters (right side) 1b. Crunches 1c. Side busters (left side) Sets 3 3 3 Reps 100 100 100

* In between each set of abs, do 100 lower back extensions Above performed right after breakfast Exercise Squats Note: The last 15 reps of each set is jump-squat Sets 10 Reps 100

* In between each set power walk one quarter-mile lap

Working out is about feeling it. Some days will be better than others. You wont complete all workouts all the time, so dont get depressed if you dont finish. Just remember, you have to build up to everything. This is a full body workout enjoy and listen to your body.

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Inmate #T-44462
This 27 year-old has been in prison since March of 2001. His workouts take him only 45-60 minutes each. More importantly he mentioned the benefit of exercise that everybody can appreciate: It makes me feel good about myselfgives me self confidence. Its also a big stress reliever. When I feel a little stressed or depressed I work out. The physical benefit of exercise is well-documented, but we often forget the psychological benefits. T-44462 reminds us that self-confidence important, both in and out of prison. His confidence may prevent other inmates from trying to take advantage of him. Working out also relieves his stress. He kills two birds with one stone when he exercises; his self-confidence goes up and his stress levels go down. Who doesnt want that in their life? This inmate may work out only three times a week as he mentions below, but remember he stays active. The fact that he enjoys playing sports while in prison makes staying healthy and fit that much easier. If you find an activity you enjoy doing as well, youll be fit and healthy without even trying. Ive tried to do the Monday-Friday routine but I found it made me always tired, weak and bored. The every other day routine I saw the most results in and I felt more energy. The thing that keeps me in shape the most is I think sports. You got to be really active and full of energy and youll notice once youre done your whole body will be tired.

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Inmate #T-44462 (contd)

Monday and Friday Warm-up: 50 jumping-jacks Exercise Back-arm Presses Curls Sets 10 10 Reps 10 10

* 30 push-ups between every set of Curls and Back-arms * Rest 20 seconds between every set of the three exercises 1 Mile Jog Exercise Behind neck pull-up Bar Dips Sets 10 10 Reps 8 25

* 20 second rest after each set of dips Exercise Pull-ups (underhand grip) Bench dips Sets 10 10 Reps 8 25

* 10 second rest after each set of dips 1 Mile Jog Cardio Handball and Basketball

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Inmate #T-44462 (contd)

Wednesday Warm-up: 50 jumping-jacks Exercise Squats (with weight) Jump Squats Lunges Sets 5 10 10 Reps 25 15-20 25

* 20 seconds of rest between each set of all three exercises

1 minute rest before beginning Push-up and ab routine below

Exercise Hand-stand Push-Up Diamond push-up Sit-ups Crunches Leg lifts

Sets 5 5 10 10 10

Reps 5 30 25 50 10

* 30 seconds of rest between each set of the five exercises Before prison this young man tells us he was Skinny, no definition, no energy, no wind, was only able to do 20 push-ups; Now I do up to 50 & 60. He has actually added 13 pounds of muscle since he started these workouts. He also revealed he knows how to work around injury: I have a back injury. It started off as a spinal cord injury from a car accident that now over the years of sleeping on steel beds and no pillow has progressed into a herniated disc which I treat with medication prescribed for nerve damage. I also take other over the counter medications (motrin, muscle relaxer, etc., etc.). The medication is what helps me work around the injuries and pain.

101

Inmate #J-30121
This six-footer tells us he likes to work out for self-defense and that minor injuries dont bother him because he knows how to stay off any body part that is giving him pain. He admits his endurance has greatly improved with the workouts he currently does in prison. Due to my exhaustive exercises, I feel like a linebacker! I feel powerful! Im 215 pounds and 36 years old, so Im surprised that my health, flexibility and energy is as good as it is. Being my age, Im now focusing on my abs, legs, chest and arms. But I train myself to be in good condition. I do a lot of shadow boxing because it keeps you tight and lets you know how fast of slow you can go if you need to defend oneself. Shadow boxing and front kicks are great warm ups!!! Sometimes Ill do 10 sets of one hundred punches, 15 push-ups, 15 front kicks (each leg) and 15 jump squats. Ill do my 10 min ab work out before and after this exercise and believe me, youll get a great sweat and it will make one feel like a champ! When asked how he learned about fitness, he gave credit to the following: Reading magazines, books and from those who knew about exercises. Mostly reading about it. I took an interest in the specials ops (like the Navy S.E.A.L.s) exercises, because they train to keep their bodies in the best shape. We believe stretching is best after a workout and that a warm-up should last between five and ten minutes. This inmate stretches before his routine. While we question its benefit, we want to share with you exactly what these men do. Stretching before all workouts for 30 seconds each side: 1. Wide stance toe-reach 2. Wide stance torso stretch with one arm up 3. Wide stance ground touch (bent-over at waist) 4. Close stance toe touch (head touching knee caps) 5. Standing knee hold (pulling knee in toward chest) 6. Standing quad stretch (pulling heel back toward buttocks)

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Inmate #J-30121
Day 1 Routine 1 Mile Run (First quarter-mile is done slow, middle half-mile you pick up the pace to a little less than half speed and the last quarter mile is done a little quicker than half speed) Five (5) circuits of the following with 4-6 seconds of rest between each Exercise 1a. Regular Pull-ups 1b. Bicep Curls 1c. Incline Push-Ups 1d. Dips Sets 5 5 5 5 Reps 5 10-20 15 10

Five (5) circuits of the following with 4-6 seconds of rest between each Exercise 1a. Behind-the-head Pull-ups 1b. Bicep Curls 1c. Incline Push-Ups 1d. Dips Sets 5 5 5 5 Reps 5 10-20 15 10

J-30121s Day 1 routine is a great upper body circuit. The sequence of exercises are very smart He starts with back before going to biceps (a muscle that assists in all back exercises). He then switches to chest and finishes with triceps (a muscle that assists in chest exercises).

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Inmate # J-30121 (contd)

Day 2 Routine 1 Mile Run (done in the same fashion as Day 1) Exercise Alternating Forward Lunges Calve Raises Alternating Reverse Lunges Calve Raises Hanging Leg Raise Roman Chair Sit-Ups Sets 1 1 1 1 5 5 Reps 100 (each leg) 200 100 (each leg) 200 5 10

Day 3 Routine 1 Mile Run (done in the same fashion as Day 1) Exercise 1a. Palm-in, Palm-out Pull-Ups 1b. 6-Count Burpies Sets 20 20 Reps 5 10

* 20 Supersets are done with just 10 seconds of rest between sets

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Inmate # J-30121 (contd)

Day 4 Routine 100 side-busters (done after stretching but before the 1 mile run) 1 Mile Run (3 Minute rest after mile run) Exercise Step-Ups knee-crunch (2 minute rest after step-ups) Calf-raises Squats Calf-raises Squats Sets 1 Reps 100 (each side)

1 1 1 1

200 100 200 100

Day 5 Routine 1 Mile Run Exercise 1a. Decline Push-Ups 1b. Back-arm presses 1c. Hanging leg raises 1d. Reverse Curls Sets 20 20 20 20 Reps 20 10 25 20

* 20 circuits of the four exercises done with 20 seconds of rest between sets

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Former Inmate H-17796

Nobody has been more helpful in our pursuit of inmate programs than this individual; Hes the man you see demonstrating many of the exercises with tattoos and the super-lean physique. Shant sent us his workouts a few months before his release in September of 2008. Weve gotten to know him over the course of writing this book and hope he can remain free from prison. Day 1 6:00am Stomach Exercise Cross Leg Sit-Ups (left/right) Oblique Crunches (left/right) Leg Lifts Crunches 8:00am Chest/Triceps Exercise Regular Push-ups Regular Push-ups Wide Push-ups (hands pointed out) Diamond Push-ups Double-handed Kick-outs Single-handed Kick-outs Palms-down Back-arm presses Palms-in Back-arm presses 3:00pm Exercise Burpies
1

Sets 5 5 5 5 Sets 1 10 10 10 7 7 7 7 Sets 1

Reps 15 15 30 30 Reps Failure (x)1 .5(x) .35(x) .35(x) 20 10 20 20 Reps 100-300

One set of regular push-ups to failure will determine the number of repetitions performed during other sets. One-half or one-third of the number of repetitions done to failure will be the number of repetitions done in subsequent sets. For example: If you perform 100 push-ups to failure, you will do 50 push-ups in other sets and 33 in others (1/2x and 1/3x respectively)

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H-17796 (contd)
Day 2 6:00 am Stomach Exercise Cross Leg Sit-Ups (left/right) Oblique Crunches (left/right) Leg Lifts Crunches 8:00am Calisthenics Exercise Jumping Jacks 6-count Burpies Squats 3-count Chain Breakers 8-count Burpies Lunges Belly Busters 10-count Burpies Butterflies Navy Seal Burpies Calf Raises Arm Rotations 6-count Burpies Squats Windmills 8-count Burpies Lunges Cherry Pickers 10-count Burpies Jumping Jacks 3:00 pm Exercise Burpies (your choice)

Sets 5 5 5 5

Reps 15 15 30 30

Sets 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Reps 100 20 50 50 20 50 50 20 50 20 150 300 20 50 50 20 50 50 20 100

Sets 1

Reps 100-300

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H-17796 (contd)
Day 3 6:00 am Stomach Exercise Cross Leg Sit-Ups (left/right) Oblique Crunches (left/right) Leg Lifts Crunches 8:00am Biceps/Shoulders/Forearms Exercise Curls Reverse-grip Curls Single-arm Curls Hammer Curls 21s Bent-over Row Upright Row Double-hand Front raise Lawn Mowers Front Shrugs Behind back Shrugs Wrist Curls Reverse Wrist Curls 3:00 pm Cardio Exercise Burpies (your choice) Sets 1 Reps 100-300 Sets 7 7 7 7 5 7 7 7 7 10 10 10 10 Reps 20 20 10 20 21 30 20 10 15 30 30 25 25 Sets 5 5 5 5 Reps 15 15 30 30

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H-17796 (contd)
Day 4 6:00 am Stomach Exercise Cross Leg Sit-Ups (left/right) Oblique Crunches (left/right) Leg Lifts Crunches 8:00am Rodeo of Burpies Exercise Navy Seal Burpies 10-Count Burpies 8-Count Burpies 6-Count Burpies 3:00 pm Cardio Exercise Burpies (your choice) Sets 1 Reps 100-300 Sets 1 7 7 7 Reps 100 100 100 100 Sets 5 5 5 5 Reps 15 15 30 30

You may have noticed the workouts provided by H-17796 contain no pull-ups or dips. The reason for that fact is simple; These routines come from inmates who work out while in a Security Housing Unit (SHU) during Administrative Segregation (similar to solitary confinement). For their own safety and the safety of others, many inmates are kept separate from the rest (for a predetermined amount of time) in order to keep gang-related violence and other incidents to a minimum. While placed in the SHU/AD-SEG they do not have access to pull-up bars or dip bars. H-17796 informs us that inmates can always tell when an inmate is released from the SHU theyre always shredded.

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H-17796 (contd)
Day 5 6:00 am Stomach Exercise Cross Leg Sit-Ups (left/right) Oblique Crunches (left/right) Leg Lifts Crunches 8:00am Legs and Lower Back Exercise Squats Lunges (each leg) Single-leg Squats (each leg) Bulgarian Squats (each leg) Double-leg Calf Raises Single-leg Calf Raises Toe Lifts Good Mornings Windmills (with weight) 3:00 pm Cardio Exercise Burpies (your choice) Sets 1 Reps 100-300 Sets 10 10 7 7 5 5 5 10 10 Reps 20-30 15-20 15-20 15-20 50 30 20 15 15 Sets 5 5 5 5 Reps 15 15 30 30

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H-17796 (contd)
Day 6 6:00 am Stomach Exercise Cross Leg Sit-Ups (left/right) Oblique Crunches (left/right) Leg Lifts Crunches 8:00am Calisthenics Exercise Jumping Jacks Push-Ups Navy Seal Burpies Squats 3-count Chainbreakers Push-Ups Navy Seal Burpies Lunges Belly Busters Push-Ups Navy Seal Burpies Butterflies Push-Ups Navy Seal Burpies Calf Raises (each leg) Arm Rotations Push-Ups Navy Seal Burpies Jumping Jacks 3:00 pm Cardio Exercise Burpies (your choice)

Sets 5 5 5 5

Reps 15 15 30 30

Sets

Reps 50 20 20 30 30 20 20 30 30 20 20 30 20 20 100 300 20 20 50

Sets 1

Reps 100-300

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STRETCHES

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Cross-Arm Shoulder/Back Stretch

By simply holding your arm across your chest you stretch the middle part of your back (trapezius, rhomboid) along with your shoulder (deltoid). Stand up straight and hold your core tight while doing any standing stretch.

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Standing Toe Touch

Stand with your feet hip-width or closer and reach down to touch your toes. This stretch lengthens the hamstring group as well as the lower and middle part of the back. You can bend your knees slightly if the stretch is too much to handle at first.

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Wide Leg Reach

Stretching at different angles is a great way to target different muscles. When doing a wideleg reach you target your hamstrings and back along with abductors and adductors (outer and inner thigh).

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Standing Quadricep Stretch

There is no re-inventing the wheel in doing this stretch. From a standing position, pull your right foot up and back toward your rearend while keeping your knees under your hips.

TRAINER TIP: To intensity the stretch move the knee of the leg being stretched back, further lengthening the quadricep and hip flexors.

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Standing Knee Pull

This stretch is an excellent way to target the glutes (your rear end) and upper part of the hamstring group. This stretch is also a good test of your balance. Stand and pull your knee into your chest. Hold your shoulders back and keep your core tight.

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Overhead Tricep Stretch

After a workout full of dips or back-arm presses, be sure to complete this stretch. Hold your arm straight up over your head and let your hand drop below your neck.

Your non-stretching arm can be used to simultaneously pull your elbow back and push your forearm down to intensify the stretch.

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Hip Flexor Stretch

This stretch does a great job of lengthening the quadricep (front of the thigh) and iliacus/psoas major (hip flexors). If you sit at a desk all day your hips are flexed for hours. If you then exercise with movements similar to running or lunging you are then actively flexing those muscles. Use this stretch to counter the effects of all that hip flexing.

The more you lean into the position and pull your heel toward your butt the more you will feel this stretch. Keep your shoulders, hips and front foot all facing squarely in the same direction.

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DIET

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Prison Cuisine Can you imagine what inmates are fed in state prison? If you dont want to try we dont blame you. They are given poor-quality food yet the inmates who exercise consistently are still healthy, amazingly fit, lean and strong. Whats your excuse? If the inmates are lucky enough to have friends or family who still care about them, they have the opportunity to receive one (1) package quarterly with various items including food. If you go to the website californiaqp.com you can see all the food items family or friends can send to inmates. Unfortunately loved-ones cant send leafy green vegetables, fresh fruit or lean meat. Every food item that comes from the quarterly package program is processed or just plain junk: cheese puffs, cookies, popcorn, pastas, chips, pastries, candy and crackers of all varieties are available. Bill and I sent these inmates quarterly packages as gratitude for their written routines. Being fit and educated on diet, they all avoided the pitfalls of asking us to send them junk. A couple of them asked for candy on their order forms (and we happily obliged), but it is obvious to us that the sweets they ordered are rare treats they afford themselves (and rarely receive). Most of the inmates asked for items that arent edible: socks, toothpaste, deodorant, coffee, headphones, sneakers, hats, vitamins, body wash, pencil sharpeners, pens, shorts, bar soap, toothbrushes and laundry detergent. By and large the inmates avoided getting junk that would otherwise negate the hard work they put into their workouts/bodies. You must do the same if you want to stay healthy and survive as they do.

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Dietary Guidelines Check out the following site: www.usda.gov Every five (5) years the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture update its view of what habits are best for people eating solid food. The guidelines havent changed much over the years. Why? It isnt rocket science. Personal Accountability January 2nd marks the day when nearly every TV talk show in the U.S. begins talking about how best to shed pounds gained over the holiday season. That date also marks when trainers start hearing the following questions: Ive heard its good to eat no carbs and lots of protein. Is that true? Should I supplement? Is sugar bad for me? How many calories should I take in each day? Ive heard I should graze all day and eat small meals. Is that true? The answers are simple and havent changed: No. You shouldnt have to. No. It depends on your desired weight and activity level. Yes. We cant do your homework for you. Weve found great workouts to get you in shape but you are accountable for your own well-being and thus need to research what it means to eat right. Well give you a few places to start, but all-in-all it is in your hands.

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Simple dietary rules Start eating less! If youre overweight you eat too much. There may be other reasons you carry extra weight, but wed be willing to bet YOU EAT TOO MUCH Dont you dare start thinking that you can eat more now that youre exercising (especially if youre overweight). If you want to slim-down you need to burn more calories than youre eating. Put your fork down and do some burpies Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat are all important macro-nutrients that you need, so dont eliminate any of them. The food pyramid outlined by the USDA will give you a good idea as to how much of each nutrient you should consume (not all fat is bad, by the way!) Cut out the sweets Eliminate sugar-saturated drinks from your life (its an easy place to cut calories). Juices, sodas, alcohol and energy drinks all have calories you simply dont need. Cut out fried foods Eat more vegetables Eat more fruit Eat less starchy foods like pasta and bread. These foods arent bad for you, but because they add too many calories and dont fill you up it is recommended that you limit your consumption of such things.

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APPENDIX :
PRISON DUMBBELL

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Prison Dumbbell from Inmate #V-70887

When exercising biceps, shoulders (traps, delts) forearms and triceps a prison dumbbell is necessary. A prison dumbbell consists of about 40 magazines (GQ, Stuff, King, Latina) are all close in size, with good weight to them. Legal paperwork, transcripts, Case Law of at least 15 inches thick, combined with the 40 magazines will give you about 50 lbs or so. To Make a Prison Dumbbell: 1. After gathering magazines & paperwork youll need to rip fairly new bed sheets into 5 length-wise equal strips. 2 to 3 inches in width (You may need a tape measure to ensure your sheet strips are of equal length. Scissors come in handy to cut the sheet (theyre hard to come by in prison) and tape also helps later in the process) 2. Stack magazines & legal work on top of each other evenly (As we constructed our dumbbell, we used twelve (12) magazines of equal size. Our dumbbell weighs approximately 10lbs. We estimate a stack of forty (40) magazines will weight between thirty (30) and thirty-five (35) pounds. You can easily adjust the weight of your dumbbell by simply adding or subtracting the number of magazines to suit your current level of strength/conditioning.)

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Prison Dumbbell (contd)

3. Tie one strip of rip sheet around the paper stack. Directly in the middle/center as tight as possible. Then tie another strip to the left of the dumbbell, then tie the right side with another sheet strip. Note: All three sheet strips must be evenly tightened. If not, dumbbell will be uneven. Muscle growth will be unbalanced and may cause injury to your body. Then tie a 4th sheet strip to the sides of paper & magazine stack to secure paper in position.

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Prison Dumbbell (contd)

4. Handle for dumbbell Roll up a magazine into a firm bar about 1 inches diameter. Once magazine is rolled up tie a shoe string in the middle of it so it wont unravel or tape the whole rolled up magazine. Note: The handle you just rolled up will have a small see-through hole at the end of both sides like youre looking out of a telescope. Your 5th sheet strip goes through it.

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PROBATION

128

Out of the California Clink

Probation \ pr-b-shn \ 1. critical examination and evaluation 2 a: subjection of an individual to a period of testing and trial to ascertain fitness (as for a job or school) b: the action of suspending the sentence of a convicted offender and giving the offender freedom during good behavior under the supervision of a probation officer c: the state or a period of being subject to probation Probation: No word could be more perfect for the journey youre about to take. Youre going to put yourself through a personal evaluation to see if you have what it takes to get fit outside the walls of both a prison and a gym. Think of it as a virtual release. You are now out of your gym prison. You now have the tools to exercise wherever your imagination takes you. You are bound by no equipment. You are bound to no corporate gym taking your money, telling you how their facility is the key to a healthy lifestyle and fit body. In this modern day you have all the necessary information at your fingertips to educate yourself about how to survive in this technologically advanced world.

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It is back-to-basics fitness. Youll be using your body weight as it was meant to be to propel and maintain itself as the most intricate, well-designed and fascinating machine in the world. Without clean fuel any machine will break down. Without proper maintenance any machine will break down. Who would have thought the users manual for such a complex machine would come down from west coast prisons? The training programs sent to us by the inmates of the California State Prison system show no mercy to any muscle group. Your chest, back, legs, shoulders, forearms, biceps, triceps and abdominals will ache with glorious soreness after you complete one of these workouts. Youll curse our names as you get out of bed the morning after a workout. Youll curse our names as you get out of your car the day after a workout. Youll curse our names for days. For weeks. For months. Then a change occurs. Once you see your body begin to respond to these routines you will no longer curse the authors of this book. You will begin to see definition in your body you havent seen in years. You will feel a lightness that has been absent since college or high school. You will be the envy of strangers at work. Doctors will praise you. Friends will pester you to share your secret. Family will pretend they are not jealous that YOU have unlocked your inner inmate. Be cool. Behave. Be well.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

William "Bill" Kroger, is a criminal attorney in Los Angeles. In his 12 years of practice he has visited dozens of jails and prisons throughout the United States. When visiting his clients in prison he noticed they were always in great shape. When he saw them upon their release he was amazed at how fit they had become. Being an avid rock and ice climber and an expert skier, Bill was used to working out on a regular basis with weights and machines, but upon trying the prison workouts he found them to be extremely challenging and fun. At age 50 Bill is a dedicated father and courtroom warrior, and is in the best shape of his life.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Howard Teufel is a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), lover of baseball and all things fitness related. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, raised in Erie, PA and educated at Indiana University (Bloomington), he has been a personal trainer for nearly a decade in the demanding cities of New York and Los Angeles. His clients fear him before sessions, hate him during sessions and love him after sessions. Howard now lives in Los Angeles around the corner from Bill which has allowed them to train on a weekly basis for over two years.

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