In this engaging discussion, Josh Bryant, a powerlifter and coach, shares insights from his book, 'Jailhouse Strong.' He reveals how inmates utilize their creativity and determination to stay fit with minimal resources. Josh emphasizes the importance of the 'gas station ready' mindset, encouraging preparation for real-life challenges. He explains effective bodyweight exercises that can enhance anyone's fitness routine, along with a beginner's training program and techniques to adapt workouts for strength gains, all inspired by prison fitness methods.
44:53
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Tactical Training
Tactical training prepares you for any situation, similar to functional training.
It emphasizes being "gas station ready," a mindset of preparedness for unexpected conflicts.
insights INSIGHT
Gas Station Ready
"Gas station ready" describes a mindset and training philosophy of preparedness.
It means being ready to handle any situation, whether physical or mental, prioritizing self-protection.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Training Philosophy
Stick to the basics of training.
Prioritize work ethic and maximize what you have available.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Jailhouse Strong offers a unique approach to fitness by exploring the training techniques used by prisoners, often with minimal to no equipment. The book includes programs for bodyweight exercises, lifting, and conditioning, along with unarmed combat techniques. It emphasizes building functional strength and stamina, making it accessible for anyone to improve their physique and fitness level.
When you're in prison, you've got a lot of time on your hands, and a lot of inmates spend this time exercising. With little or no equipment and sometimes just the space available in their cells, prisoners are able to get incredibly big and strong. Learning how prisoners do these bodyweight workouts can be useful for those who aren't in jail, but want to get fit and don't have access to exercise equipment.
My guest today got the lowdown on the methods prisoners use to get strong by interviewing bodybuilders who also spent time in the slammer. His name is Josh Bryant, and he's a powerlifter and powerlifting coach and the co-author of the book Jailhouse Strong. We begin our conversation discussing the mindset with which Josh approaches fitness training, including what he means by being "gas station ready." We then discuss why being big and strong is oftentimes a matter of survival for prisoners and some of the famously fit former inmates Josh highlights in his book. We then dig into the specific bodyweight movements prisoners typically use, how they can be incorporated in your own workout routine, and the various ways you can modify and make the exercises harder. We discuss programs prisoners often use and how Josh has enhanced them with his powerlifting background. Josh then lays out a beginner's three-day-a-week bodyweight program, explains the way prisoners incorporate "deloading" or taking a break from their workouts, and talks about his all-time favorite conditioning exercise.
The Art of Manliness 
