When I first picked up the Shaolin Workout, I was expecting an instructional type guide with a few static pictures featuring movements loosely derived from Shaolin Kung-Fu and applied to a modern day workout program. My assumpions could not have been further from the truth. With over 290 pages, Shaolin Workout is a fitness book, stretching guide, biography, Shaolin Kung-Fu historiography, and journey into the heart of Chan Buddhism. That all of this is done superbly is not yet enough, because the book is presented with beautiful photography making it great for the coffee table as well.

Sifu Shi Yan Ming, a famous Shaolin Fighting Monk and the head of the USA Shaolin Temple, has succeeded in making an incredible fitness book. All of the techniques are based on body weight, flowing movements (often circular), isometric stance work, and progressive stretch thresholds. The book is laid out into four weekly plans with seven sessions throughout the week. With the use of kung-fu movements to create a fitness plan, there are no set time limits to the workouts, and the practitioner should only aim for proper balance, posture, and technique, instead of quickly hurrying through the four week plan. I found this to be particularly invigorating as I not only sought the exercise aspects, but the martial ones as well.

As a martial arts book, The Shaolin Workout may be one of the most important books I have seen lately on the topic of kung fu. Gone are the elaborate forms, kata, or fighting applications, and in their place are isolated movements shown in rich detail. For instance when a front slap kick is shown it is done so with multiple angles and a deluge of description. Later, when it is built upon with the arm rotation and this in turn graduates to the more difficult front flex kick. While the movements could obviously be strewn together to create a form, Sifu Shi Yan Ming put the importance of proper kung fu technique and it shows. Many with backgrounds in the striking arts will have a great time with some of his amazing kicks and movements.

For the Shaolin Kung Fu lover, this book contains a great biographical section on Sifu Shi Yan Ming and an equally excellent history of the Shaolin Temple. Once again, this section is fully illustrated and many will find this area alone worh the price of admission!

Now many non-kung fu practitioners may disregard this book, but these are the people that should really give it a shot. I found that with an open mind, the stretching routines, strength building stance work, rhythmic routine building, and meditation were all very complimentary to creating a strong body and nimble mind for grappling arts as well. Two things are for certain, Sifu Shi Yan Ming is in extraordinary condition and Shaolin Monks are capable of some of the most incredible athletic and mental feats. To me, this guaranteed that I would at least try the workout and see him out.

On the negative side, it was really hard to see too many things wrong with this book. However, I’m sure some people would like more input into the time length of individual workout days instead of continuing to the next period once technical mastery was achieved. Technical profficiency is sure to take a long time, but to be honest I thought that where the real workout was. This is not 8 minute abs and you will be doing kicks and movements until they feel perfect, but there is a really good workout if you focus. So, to be fair, if you are looking for time limits in sets or repetitions, than maybe this is not the book for you.

So, who should get this book? Anyone with an interest in Shaolin Kung Fu, martial arts, loosening up, getting in shape, or just having fun. Personally, it just felt fun to try out some of the more elaborate moves and see if I could build up to that level of mobility. By the end of the book, I was left with a newfound respect for Wushu and kung fu practitioners the world over.

Happy Training,
Kevin