The Navy Seal Workout : The Compete Total-Body Fitness Program

The Navy SEAL Workout doesn't disappoint. The program will build tremendous upper-body strength and muscular endurance through a series of pull- ups (there are five variations on this exercise), dips, and push-ups (four variations). But that's the easy part of the program; the advanced lower-body workout includes an astounding 18 exercises for midsection muscles. (There are beginner and intermediate versions of these workouts before you get to the advanced level.) And you do all that before you run and swim--the other two components in the SEAL program.

A fitness professional might quibble with some of the choices of abdominal exercises--they can overwork hip-flexor muscles, which can lead to lower back strain--but the overall program is a guaranteed fat burner and muscle tightener. It's not designed for building huge muscles--you'll need a weightlifting program for that. But when you're in good enough shape to join an elite combat unit, who needs big muscles? --Lou Schuler

Product Description
"Many people believe the only way to get in shape is by putting a lot of money into trendy fitness centers, or spending hard-earned cash on a variety of workout videotapes. In the end, these methods seldom provide the results we're all looking for. But don't get me wrong--I am not demeaning gyms or workout tapes; in fact, I still enjoy the benefits of a gym to keep fit. Weight-lifting rooms and other facilities can be extremely beneficial. However, to obtain and maintain supreme cardiovascular fitness and a rock-hard body, I must continually use the training regimen I learned as a member of the Navy SEALs." -- from The Navy SEAL Workout As the world's most elite combat unit, the Navy SEALs have long been known for their tremendous physical fitness and mental stamina. Their training program has also carried somewhat of a mystique, as so few people actually enter and stay in the program. Now Navy SEAL Mark De Lisle reveals the no-frills workout that has conditioned some of the best bodies around. From stretching through cooldown, including a variety of running and swimming workouts as well as tips on top-notch nutrition, The Navy SEAL Workout can improve any committed participant's cardiovascular fitness and overall shape and tone. "After 27 years as a Navy SEAL, I feel The Navy SEAL Workout program is the best one on the market, encompassing the physical training regimen required of a Naval Special Warfare Warrior. The levels of intensity, from beginner to advanced, are so well laid out that both the biggest 'couch potato' and professional athelete can see improvement after a short period of time." -- Allan Starr, Command Masterchief, Naval Special Warfare Command Group One "In The Navy SEAL Workout, Mark De Lisle has developed a program soundly based in a state-of-the-art knowledge of exercise physiology and principles. This book would be a valuable addition to the library of anyone who is interested in peak performance." -- W.K. Prusaczyk, PhD, Exercise Physiologist, Navy Health and Research Center "It has been interesting to note the numerous SEAL-related materials that have come out in recent years. As a former Marine, I salute you for your fine work with the SEALs and in promoting fitness to the masses." -- Harvey Newton, Director of Program Development National Strength and Conditioning Association Mark De Lisle became a U.S. Navy SEAL at age 27. He lives in San Diego, California.

I came across THE NAVY SEAL WORKOUT and thought I'd give it a chance. Let me tell you, this workout is really great. First, you don't really need any major weight equipment, the program uses your own weight. The only equipment you need is a pull-up bar and a dip bar (which saves time, because you won't have to wait in lines at the gym). Second, the system of reps De Lisle has you do is really effective (2-3-4-5-4-3-2, etc.). And the exercises are easy to understand.

Don't get me wrong. They are challenging. When I fist flipped through to book I almost put it down because the exercises almost looked too easy. I couldn't have been more wrong.

If you keep with the program, steadily, for a couple weeks, you WILL see results.


Good but don't by anything from the book   March 17, 2000
andrew jennings
17 out of 19 found this review helpful

I must say this is an awesome book for one who wants to get into shape. The only problem with it is, I bought the machine in the back of the book for doing pull ups and latts but Mark Desile never shipped. It was a 144 dollar purchase, and the author took my money and ran. I have attempted to recieve reimbrushment but the author seems to be out of business. Trust me it is a great book, but never buy anything from it. The author and his company do not practice sound business practices.


Mark De Lisle Fitness Program   January 29, 2003
Scott Joseph (Cleveland, Ohio)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

After having quadruple bypass, open heart surgery, I thought, "What could this program do for me?" How about a new life! I originally purchased Mark De Lisle's first book, "Navy SEAL Workout." The results I experienced were nothing less than phenomenal. As soon as I found out that Mark had completed "Breakthrough To Master Level Fitness," I had to have a copy. Breakthrough blows away anything else I have encountered in the fitness market. I have purchased other Navy SEAL workout books and videos but they were either too incomplete or did not sufficiently layout an effective program. Breakthrough however, contains exercises for upper body, legs, cardio workouts, sprints, long distance running, abs and plateau breakers such as Burn Outs, Intervals, and Circuit Training. And with 12 Weeks To Better Than Ever, which lays out routines on a day by day basis, you can't wander off the path to improvement.

With the 12 Weeks, I simply took the evaluation test and checked off each day. The routines were laid out right before me. It even told me when to do my burn outs, intervals and circuits. With the new book combo, I have been able to take myself up another notch. For a middle-aged business executive with heart disease, I need every edge I can get. I highly recommend this book combo over any other SEAL/fitness exercise book or video. Thank you Mark De Lisle, your program is saving my life and dramatically improving my lifestyle.


Book offers challenging workouts for various fitness levels   September 24, 1998
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

Mr. DeLisle challenges the readers of his book to raise the bar on their fitness level. After an educational and inspirational introduction, he offers up workout plans for beginners to experts. I have been doing the beginners workout for three weeks, and am making remarkable gains in strength and definition. The pyramid system that is used for the upper body portion of the workout is very effective in fatiguing the muscles involved. If you follow this program you will definitely see results. Other reviews of this book have mentioned the lack of a lower body section. While it is true that leg training is not given its own exlusive section, I feel that the stair sprints that are included from the second week of the beginners running workout on are sufficient.The author also advises the reader to include hill running, which many pro-footbal running backs include in their workout. So leg training is technically included. The most impressive part of this book is that the author gives readers a phone number and makes himself available to answer questions about the program(within reason). An excellent book for those interested in achieving an exceptional level of fitness without investing hours of time and large amounts of money.


This book is incredible   January 19, 2000
Vinny Poltowski (Memphis, Tennessee)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

I'm an 18 year-old college freshman. I often saw the covers of Mens Health at the grocery store featuring men smiling while flexing their abs. Wishing to look like that, I began doing crunches. Yet after 2 months I never saw any real change in definition. I was so disheartened that I never went to the pool once that summer. I was too worried about the all too common gut that was beginning to hang over my pants and which plagues guys everywhere. On a chance visit to the library at the beginning of this winter I saw this book lying in the open and decided to try it out. Like some other reviewers have commented, at first glance the exrcises looked too easy, and I was very skeptical. Yet after completing just the abdominal workouts, I was ready to eat my words *ketchup please*. I knew the exercises were doing something when my stomach felt sore the next day, something I never experienced in my workout of just crunches. In just 3 weeks, if I flexed hard enough, I could actually see the six-pack! I can't wait to see how they look after a few more months. I know I'll be going to the pool a lot more!