If you are looking for the ultimate calisthenics book, we have it right here for you. 

C-Mass: Calisthenics Mass written by Paul “Coach” Wade is the newest book that outlines the benefits of bodyweight training. 

A huge advocate for using just your body for exercise, Wade explores all of the avenues of calisthenics and how you can use it for building muscle mass. 

Let’s take a look at his book now and meet the man behind the words.

Meet Paul Wade

Paul Wade was born in San Francisco, CA and now lives near London, England. 

Unfortunately, in 1979 at the age of 22, he got in trouble with the law for drugs and spent 19 years in the San Quentin prison. 

While behind bars, he found he could use the weight of his body as a way to get through the long, dreary days.  He once said, “I have no doubt that I would be dead without calisthenics.” 

Weighing 150 lbs when he first entered prison and leaving at 200 lbs in incredible shape, Wade proves that calisthenics can and does work for muscle hypertrophy.  Having a former Navy Seal as a cellmate helped Wade to develop his calisthenic skills. 

After leaving prison, he wrote several books about the training techniques he adapted while behind bars.  The books include Convict Conditioning and Convict Conditioning 2 and, more recently, C-Mass: Calisthenics Mass. 

His first books laid the foundation for his program, where he teaches you six main exercises and how to work them into sets for maximum effectiveness. 

Beginners love his original works to get started in their training.

C-Mass: Calisthenics Mass

C-Mass: Calisthenics Mass explores the world of calisthenics from Wade’s point of view.  Years of training using only his bodyweight, he shares his experiences and busts the myth that calisthenics alone cannot gain muscle mass. 

He explores how using bodyweight-only training involves maximizing your body’s resistance and pushing it even further. 

He teaches different bodyweight exercises like push-ups and pull-ups and works them together to develop a program full of compound exercises. 

One of the book’s best features is the chapter entitled “The Ten Commandments of Calisthenics Mass.”  They include embracing reps, working hard, rest, getting enough sleep, how to eat, training your mind with your body, and more.

Later in the book, Wade provides some basic workouts to start your bodyweight exercise journey.  Keep an open mind when reading, as Wade doesn’t beat around the bush, coddle, or refrain from some profanity. 

However, his to-the-point attitude and profanity-laced rhetoric suggest his passion for the program, and we advise sensitive readers consider that aspect before reading.

What are People Saying about C-Mass: Calisthenics Mass

Reviews are everything these days when you are thinking about a purchase.  The reviews for this book are pretty straightforward. 

Many people suggest reading his first books, Convict Conditioning and Convict Conditioning 2, especially if you are a beginner to bodyweight exercises. 

Wade’s passion for the program shines through based on his experience with having only the weight of his body to train at his disposal in prison.  He can be a bit biased, claiming it’s the best exercise program out there. 

Most reviews agree that the book is a great foundation and worth the price of $24.95 (e-book available for $19.95) for furthering your training and muscle building using calisthenics. 

Even Dragon Door, a popular kettlebell strength training program, promotes Convict Conditioning as one of its top-rated products to purchase. 

Wade is genuinely making a name for himself by promoting strength without all of the equipment.

Pros:

  • Wade’s program proves to be effective for muscle building without equipment
  • He is assertive and to-the-point in his approach
  • Reviews suggest the book is an enjoyable read
  • He includes chapters on how muscles grow and that you should take into account hormone changes as we age.
  • The program is basic and easy to follow

Cons:

  • Lots of profanity is not for the faint of heart
  • Reviews suggest that beginners start with his previous books as this one might be too advanced.

Using Bodyweight Only Training

Several studies have proven that using your body to build muscle and gain strength can increase your performance in other areas.  One of the studies showed an increase in shooting potential for handball players. 

After performing bodyweight training for 12 weeks three times a week, the players have better endurance and extraordinary shooting abilities. 

Another study compared the push-up to the bench press.  It found that push-ups were just as effective for building muscle as a lower-weight bench press after training for eight weeks. 

It is possible to build muscle with this program and see the results with simple exercises like push-ups. 

Disclaimer: When we say simple, we do not mean easy.

Final Musings

Wade takes it up a notch with his latest book to entice bodyweight enthusiasts to push harder and further in their training. 

While his delivery can seem harsh, he knows what it takes to reach the next level, and coddling just won’t do it. 

Pick up a copy and see for yourself what Wade has to say. 

Regardless of your exercise preference, we promise you a fun, enjoyable read.

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