Hard Work Pays Off: Transform Your Body and Mind with CrossFit’s Five-Time Fittest Man on Earth

I pre-ordered this book around 9 months before it was released. As soon as I heard Mat Fraser was releasing a book, I was excited to pick it up. Mat Fraser recently broke the record for the number of times a male has won the Crossfit Games; winning it in dominating fashion 5 times. A feat many feel is unlikely to be repeated. No one really understands how he is as dominant as he is, he's seemingly on another level, so this felt like a great opportunity to learn form the man himself.This book really is a mashup of autobiography, food recipes, training templates, favourite workouts, weakness templates, technique, advice based on experience and observations. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about this: I was hoping for an autobiography, personally. I expected the standard 'child to champion' memoir that the majority of athletes release shortly after they retire...However, as I began getting into it, I found that the book did have a solid narrative to it: essentially that telling of Mat's story from being an Olympic hopeful to being injured to finishing second at the Crossfit Games to developing a mentality to destroy all his weaknesses - which he believes is the key to his dominant wins - that I'd hoped for. But, in addition to that, the training templates, technique analysis, etc were used both to break up the text and give deeper insights into Mat's methodology - in a more practical and applicable sense. In their own right, they were enjoyable, educational and I'm excited to use them in my own training.As an example, in the first chapter on strength, Mat goes into detail on his experiences growing up as a weightlifter and eventually getting to workout in the Olympic Training Centre. Every few pages, you'll have a breakdown of a movement, variations of a movement, strength session templates, templates to work on weaknesses, or some WODs (such as Grace or Fran) that involve strength/barbell cycling. The weakness templates range from improving your Squats with prescribed sets and reps for movements such as Overhead Squats through to improving your Snatches with Hangs, Powers and Snatch Balances. These are all coming from Mat Fraser who is not only a multiple Crossfit Athlete, but student of multiple Olympic-level weightlifting coaches.The other sections in the book are: Endurance (essentially running, swimming and ERGS), Speed (short section on strategy and efficiency), Coordination (Gymnastics and movement quality), and Mentality (giving your all and overcoming obstacles). Each one follows a similar format to the above with a narrative and then plenty of illustrations, technique breakdowns, workout suggestions, and tips to bring into your own training.I really liked the illustrations in the book. They are all of Mat doing techniques, but not photos: it's this fun, interesting cartoon-y style. The layout of the book was good too, although there is a lot of stuff in here: from workouts to pictures to text to tips, the book never feels messy or cluttered. The cover is nice and the hardback edition I picked up has a cool HWPO silhouette with Mat in the centre. This would make the perfect gift for a Crossfit fan, but I don't think you'll be at all disappointed if buying this for yourself.Overall, I'm really happy with this book. It isn't the autobiography I was expecting when I ordered it, but it's a fantastic insight into Mat Fraser's methodology and mindset with SO MUCH I can take away and apply to my own training. I genuinely think this book will make me a better athlete and, at very least, it's fired me up to put more effort and thought into my workouts going forward!

This is mainly a list of very general workout descriptions (with a few CrossFit hints and tips), autobiographical nuggets and random recipes. I think if you are a big fan of Matt Fraser it’s probably worth the read. If however you’re looking for some exercise science, structured training, advice on programming workouts etc - sadly you won’t find any of that in here. I certainly can’t imagine people transforming themselves purely through using this book.

Interesting and informative read👍

Matt Fraser is an absolute legend winning crossfit games 5 times so anything he writes is well worth the read.

I’m not upset I’m just a bit disappointed.If you have followed even a bit of Mat’s career in CrossFit none of this is new unfortunately. A lot of old stories that you’ve probably heard for free in the documentaries and on YouTube.The idea this is a training book is a bit of a joke. It’s maybe a training book for someone who doesn’t understand what CrossFit is and hasn’t trained for anything in their life. Most of it is all stuff you can google or training principles shouted the world over like technique before weight on the bar. If you have an idea of how to train for CrossFit then you’re not learning anything here.Worst off is the writing though. Whoever shadow wrote this did a rush job. Barely any sense of Mat’s usual charm and voice in it. Not to mention basic issues with communication eg. Describing an open workout as 4 minutes of 15 SETS of thrusters and pull-ups. We all know it’s supposed to be reps but just goes to show it was rushed out and the shadow writer didn’t take the care and attention needed to tell this story right.Overall, I’d avoid. Regret purchasing it myself.

Any book by the legend MF is a must. Great read, full of hints, tips and ‘cheats’. A must read

This book is awesome, for the moment you start reading it you won’t put it down !! I recommend this to anyone wanted to get into fitness or CrossFit or already into it and want to exceed

I’ve only had the chance for a quick flick through the book. It’s comprehensive and full of excellent information. A book for any CrossFit fan or wannabe athlete. It is excellent for the average gym goer too.