Michael Stefano is a 20-year veteran of New York City Fire Department, currently serving in the rank of captain, as well as author of The Firefighter's Workout Book. He is also a certified fitness instructor with the American Council on Exercise, and holds various certifications in Hatha Yoga instruction. Stefano has been trained as an emergency medical technician, adding to his understanding of human anatomy and physiology. He has been developing exercise programs for the firefighters he's worked with, and civilians for the past fifteen years.
His workout routines and articles have been featured on such internet giants as America Online, Yahoo! and eDiets.
From Michael's Book:
Chapter One: The Early Days
Working out had always been a way of life for me, so when I began training specifically for the New York City firefighter’s physical aptitude/endurance segment of the firefighters entrance exam, I didn't have to make that big of an adjustment in my regimen. I set up most of the test events in my parents' back yard and began preparing for the grueling test with the enthusiasm and discipline of an Olympic athlete. My preparation included an obstacle course with an eight-foot wall, a one-mile run, a 150-pound dummy that had to be carried up a flight of stairs amongst others. I spent many hours preparing for that big day and it paid off. It was something I wanted really, and I was (and still am) willing to work for it. Thirty thousand people took that test and fewer than four thousand were actually hired.
What separated the top ten percent from everyone else were the desire, discipline and knowledge to get into the kind of shape demanded of a New York City firefighter. If you want to get into shape you face a similar (albeit less grueling) challenge. The desire and discipline must come from you. You’ve got to reach way down inside yourself and decide what is important in your life right now. Start by asking yourself: “Are a few hours a week worth having a stronger, healthier, leaner body?” If you’re really serious about looking and feeling better, the answer will be a loud and clear, “Yes!”
I can give you the information and knowledge to help you achieve your goals with a minimal amount of time and effort. You heard me -it’s unnecessary and even counter productive to spend hours at the gym or doing endless aerobics. In fact, most firefighters train while at the firehouse either before or even during their shift. Usually a long arduous workout isn’t even possible between alarms and also because the equipment is often limited. What’s needed is a short, rather intense (intense for your own level of fitness at the time) type of workout that doesn’t leave you totally drained and overly fatigued and doesn't require sophisticated or expensive equipment. I needed something that you could accomplish quickly and recover from just as fast but still works. Hence The Firefighter’s Workout was born.
The Firefighter's Workout Book : The 30 Minute a Day Train-for-Life Program for Men and Women
Michael Stefano is author of The Firefighter's Workout Book, as well as a twenty year veteran of the New York City Fire Department. His simple, yet highly effective training programs are used by firefighters across the country, and the general population alike.
