Braeden BaadeThe Nature Physique: Bodyweight + Resistance Band Training

Twitter is how I discovered Braeden and his Nature Physique. A random post I responded to and he offered me a free copy if I'd review the publication. Well, I slept for a month it would seem and missed the opportunity so I purchased the book instead and here I am. It's a nice softback book great for stowing away in your rucksack with your resistance bands as you trek to the local park to work out. It's straight forward - I recommend reading his bio as well as the rest of the book from cover to cover. Braeden provides a lot of concise, important information that will help lead you on your quest for physical fitness. I'm an older guy with issues like arthritis, degenerative shoulder joint disease and cardiovascular disease - so let me iterate that if you do not suffer from nonsense like what's wrong with me then you have absolutely no excuse. Because you utilize resistance bands combined with body weight exercises as outlined you will strengthen your body, improve your stamina and coordination, improve your sex life, and give your body the care it so desperately needs in a stressed out world we live.Physical book, Kindle - either method works. For me the physical book is worth it's weight in gold and I'm glad I made this purchase. Braeden is a fit guy that wants to help people achieve their goals thru fitness and confidence. Buy his book and change your life.

I bought the book because I'm trying to figure out what the "natural" state of a man's body should be. Like most people, I've noticed that movie stars today are "bumpier" than movie stars of a generation ago. When Hugh Jackman or Brad Pitt appears half naked then look very different than Cary Grant or Burt Lancaster or Charlton Heston. When AIDS showed up, (gay) men started to change the way they looked to make it obvious that "they didn't have 'the disease.'" Almost immediately, some straight men who had eschewed bumpy bodies started working out to achieve them. The Bill Rodgers look was out and the current look is in (and has been for a generation). I have long been curious about what men "should" look like if they live a primitive life like our ancestors did. I've scanned through National Geographic and learned that there are a lot of weird looking folks--very chubby guys who appear to get all the food they want, guys with skinny legs and arms and distended bellies.

This is a good solid book that doesn't get too muddled in the science but certainly seems to show that you can improve your physique with his direction. There are plenty of reviews that praise the major points of the book so I would encourage you to read them.As far as flaws I would mention the following:His "nature-ism" can be a bit overwhelming. The science isn't preachy but his devotion to "mother earth" is definitely preachy. Also, he could have added more about nutrition instead of one example for each dietary consideration. Finally, he could have listed alternative exercises for those people unable to do a crunch or other exercises. He did it twice with exercises that mimic the pushup and the pullup and said to transition to the real thing when you are stronger. He did not do so with other exercises when he could have. I am sure there are exercise band workouts that copy the movement but I will have to do that research myself.

I was drawn to the book because it outlines workouts that combine body weight and resistance band exercises and felt this would be a good info when traveling. The routines aren't revolutionary (it's body weight and resistance band, that's pretty simple!) but they are solid, well laid out and will no doubt increase overall fitness if you are willing to work at it. The body weight and resistance bands will also be easier on the body and, therefore be good for those of us who have a few more years of wear and tear on our bodies. Besides, I hate going to the gym and would rather get up, get my exercise in and go on with my day - beats waiting around for the gym rats to get off of the machines and weight benches.However, it is a self published work (nothing wrong with that!) that could have done better in terms of the layout and pictures which are a bit small and rather dark. I feel that for what it is, $18-$20 would have been a more fair price.

I won't lie, I was just a bit hesitant to buy a book from a guy I only know from Instagram. I shot him an email asking about the types of exercises as I have two bum shoulders, and he assured me there shouldn't be any issues. He was 100% right. I went through the entire book. Five stars. Here's why:-the twelve meditations are easy to do and don't require you to be an expert in anything.-the workouts are straightforward, and the accompanying pics make them easy to follow.-there's three different workout plans, all of which can be done with light resistance via weights or resistance bands (his preference is bands). Having three simple plans makes it easy to mix things up week after week, and the fact you need equipment you can buy pretty cheap at any big box store means working out at home is a snap.I've done the fad exercise programs and have the injuries to prove it. For a quick, simple, and most importantly, SANE workout program, I absolutely recommend this gem, which will cost you less than $3.

I've had resistance to working out ever since I was a kid. I could theorize, but I really don't know why when push comes to shove.I've gone to the gym on and off, but can find excuses not to pretty easily.What Braeden's approach does is make working out the same thing as living life and being kind and thinking things through comtemplatively instead panicking or shoulding on myself. He is offering an approach, if you will, to the bodysoul, the whole person, seamlessly. The natural world is not quite as welcoming here in Ohio as it is in California, especially in the winter, but, his ideas work in my warm loft just fine.I know Braeden from IG too, and he exemplifies everything he says in the book as a person. I know the book is written more for people like me than any of my bodybuilder friends. But that makes me especially glad to be me right now. (giovanniguiderini on IG) marco in columbus

I appreciated the one-page per exercise format with a description and photos. It’s important to have these references and will make it easier to use as a guide while working out. Packing a band on a trip or even a hike is easy and this guide is a handy reference on what to do with them.