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!

Been waiting ages for this book to be released, expected much better.The autobiography part barely scratches the surface of his life. You'd learn far more just watching any YouTube video on his channel or the crossift channel.The random recipes appear to be just thrown in to promote his feedingthefrazers channel. The workouts are ok but other books are available with crossift athletes providing workouts for an entire year or programming which are far superior.

Bought this book as I have an interest in CrossFit style training. I am also a fan of Mat Fraser, so when I saw this book I thought I best get a copy of it.Am I happy with my purchase, yes I am. As an example of what May has done in the past with his training, the book is good for an example.Now why the four stars then, well this book felt rushed just to get it out after Christmas.For example there are no actual pictures of Mat which is very disappointing.With the chapters in the book they feel like an example of what could have been a series of books by Mat. For example he could have brought books out on strength, endurance, etc.Also just a quick point, don’t do any Olympic lifts from a book this is just asking for trouble, get proper tuition for these moves.This book feels an example of what Mat could have brought out, for his first book it’s not bad and will be a winner for him but as an overall book on his training, it misses the mark by a long shot.Overall not bad as a first book but don’t expect to learn a lot from it, also be careful with the Olympic lifts, very dangerous learning these from a book.

I have no doubt that Matt Fraser knows about fitness and training, but he does not know how to write a book/manual. At best this book gives an insight into this man, but it does not really give you any meat as to how to train, how to put a session together to get fit nor a recipe for those already doing CrossFit. There is too much about trying things out for yourself and find what works for you! Overall I have respect for the athlete but would not recommend this book as either an introduction to CrossFit or for a seasoned CrossFit exponent.

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.