This is the time of year when I get pitches for new fitness books. This one seems, um, criminal to ignore:
"CONVICT CONDITIONING: USING THE LOST SECRETS OF SUPREME SURVIVAL STRENGTH"
The book, published by Dragon Door Publications, is by Paul "Coach" Wade, who is billed as a "23-Year Veteran of U.S. Maximum Security."
It's 304 pages and is available for $39.95.
The pitch doesn't talk about Wade's crimes -- and after reading a few reviews, it doesn't sound like the book goes into it.
The pitch does say Wade "has put together one of the most compelling books ever written about how top convicts train on the inside ...from a true insider. No weights. No gym membership. No machines. No easy solutions.
"Most physical training systems are designed for the 'domesticated' human animal. That is to say, us humans live lives of such relative security that we cultivate our strength and power more out of pride, and for a sense of accomplishment, than out of an absolute need to survive in the wild. There remains one environment where exuding the necessary degree of authoritative strength and power can mean the difference between life or death: the Maximum Security Prison."
The book promises readers can learn "The Big Six Power Moves," how to do a one-armed push-up
and one-armed hand stand, among other moves.
Wade apparantly learned these things while trying to survive in San Quentin, Angola and Marion.
Wonder what Suzanne Somers, 70s TV babe and author of "Sexy Forever: How to Fight Fat After 40," did for her research.
Photo courtesy of Dragon Door