Book Review: Dad Fitness System

This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Fitness and Exercise. Fitness and Exercise can improve one's overall physique, as well as their health, mind, and attitude. Sean Barker is the Official Guide to Fitness and Exercise.

Dad Fitness System, by Sean Barker, is a valuable resource for people interested in Fitness and Exercise, and it is available through Dadfitness.com.

Book Description

So picture this...you're a dad...you haven't exercised in awhile...work keeps you running crazy...the kid(s) keep you on your toes when you're NOT working...you're expanding in the middle...the belt just keeps on moving towards the outer notches...

And you keep thinking to yourself...

"I'm getting fat and out of shape but I just can't seem to find the time to work out anymore...I wish there was a program that could help me...and not written by some clown who doesn't have kids and doesn't know what I'm going through..."

So if you're in ANY sort of suspense right now, then you obviously haven't read the title of this review...
Review of Dad Fitness

"Dad Fitness" is a book written specifically FOR dads BY a dad.

Sean is a longtime fitness professional who understands exactly what you're going through. And not because he read about it in a book but because he's got a kid of his own and struggles to find the time to train himself, never mind that it's his JOB!

Dad Fitness is all about training efficiency. It's about using training methods (both weight training and cardio training) that pack in the most bang for your buck. What I like about Sean's approach is that he preaches this as a lifestyle change, not a quick-fix diet program that pulls the fat off but leaves you hanging at the end of the cycle.

This approach is exactly what a dad needs (heck, it's what MOST people need, but since this book is about "dad fitness," we'll focus on the subject at hand :)

In the book, Sean takes you step-by-step through everything you need to know to get started and keep progressing.

You should know right up front, the target audience of this book is more in the beginning trainer end of the spectrum. It's excellent information but if you've been training awhile, you will most likely be familiar with a lot of it.

That being said, if you ARE just starting out in training or it's been awhile since you've exercised, this is an EXCELLENT manual to start with. Sean covers the basics very effectively without any filler to waste your precious time :)

Sean includes a number of sample workouts, taking you from total beginner to more intermediate/advanced workouts. You'll also get advice on how to train at home or while travelling, which is nice.

He's also included a separate file containing exercise pictures and how-to information on ALL the exercises included in the manual, so you'll know exactly what you're doing every step of the way. The exercises cover pretty much every major muscle group in the body and the tips are very good.

Overall, this is a solid package. It's effective information, written by a dad who knows what he's doing when it comes to fitness and getting results within the confines of a hectic family life (substituting baby formula for protein shakes is something Sean has had to cope with...)

One thing I would have liked to have seen in this book would be more attention paid to advanced training strategies beyond the basics but I have to say, that's really just my thing coming from my own background.

Sean has picked his target (the more beginning-oriented audience) and really nailed it. You won't go wrong following his advice from start to finish in the book, especially if you've been confused by reading muscle magazines and conflicting "research" in the popular media.

If you're a dad, struggling to find your way back into shape or KNOW a dad facing that same challenge, definitely check this book out. It's good stuff.

Charles Staley
Staley Training Systems