Can You Go?: Assessments and Program Design for the Active Athlete and Everybody Else

Dan called me late one night to mention his book was coming out and to send me a review copy. I read half that night, and half in the morning. My quest for consumption was interrupted only by the necessity to sleep, and to say that it was a captivating read is to use the faintest language I can think of.[NOTE: At this point I think it would be pertinent to say I have read and re-read all of Dan John's books, excepting only Intervention (because I have it memorized), every year since discovery.]So you might now be inclined to think that this review is somewhat inherently biased. And I am telling you that it definitely is, and not only somewhat, but entirely. But it is only because I am a Dan John follower and fan, and have been long before Dan himself ever befriended me. I revered his work when I was 18, perusing periodically through the crass absurdities of T-Nation, and I revere it now, still perusing through the no less crass absurdities of that very same website, and no less periodically, I disgracefully admit. Absurdities, that is, but for what Dan writes. In his work, there is only the brazen truth, and a fondness for clear, vigorous writing without any predilection toward posturing or the make believe.I hold Dan at the height of coaching sophistication. He is brilliant in his methodology, and the acme of admiration in his tenderness of spirit and earnest simplicity. When Dan John wants you to get something, he teaches it in a way that is fluid and easy to grasp. He doesn't spew jargon or use ten syllable words to satisfy that deep desire we all have within us to want to look learned in front of our friends, and he isn't a windbag. He talks to the common person like a common person wants to be talked to.But you probably want to hear about the book. So let me tell you what I think of it. Well, I think it is a mighty great work, perhaps, even--and only if I may say it with no discredit to Never Let Go or Intervention--his greatest work.I'll give you some examples, now. The assessments in this book--stand on one foot, waist measurements, "how many pillows"--are getting implemented into my process for clients immediately. Every coach should know them. Same goes for the Venn diagram to determine HOW you ought to train a client after you assess them, with either a shifting emphasis on mobility, strength, or fat loss. It just makes so much sense, and is so easy and obvious.Chapter Ten (the Ten Commandments of Coaching) is worth the seven dollars alone, or whatever it is for the Kindle edition, and should be something every coach reminds themselves of daily, as they would the original Ten Commandments, if they were not a heathen.Now if there is one problem with Dan John's books, it would be this: You pick them up, read them, and think, assessments, programming, exercise, it can't get any easier than this. So you close the covers and resign to never read another page of anything again, because you are so completely full and satisfied. And two to three years go by and you have worn and worked every trick and cue and progression Dan John has taught you to the point they are falling apart at the seams and just really raggedy. Like the get-up with the Dixie cup, for example. No doubt I have worn out boxes upon boxes of Dixie cups with that device, and taught many a thousand people the get-up because of it. It is a brilliant prop, and very useful. That is the problem right there, is that Dan John doesn't put out books quick enough to keep far less imaginative coaches like myself fresh and interesting.If you have read all Dan's books preceding this one, and been to all, or nearly all, of his workshops, as I have, you will find some things that are new here, but also a lot, a lot of refinement. This is the mark of an exceptional coach. I'm talking about consistency.Dan will not fit the message to the market. He says what he believes and will show you what works. He is not into crocks or gimmicks. He doesn't pander. He is honest. I have just described every characteristic that is lost on the majority of authors in this field. And that is why I respect Dan and revere him, and will continue to support his work and shout about it loudly. I think he is the best at what he does, and impeccable in his delivery. He is warm, garrulous and good-natured. He is the crazy uncle of fitness.- Pat FlynnPS - Really and truly, you should get this book. Even after Dan sent me a review copy, I went and bought it anyway, because I have this weird thing where I can't recommend a person buy something without me having spent for it first, plus, I wanted to support it.PPS - To say I am proud to see my work--and more specifically, my book--as the first mentioned resource in "Can You Go" is a temptation my ego can't deny. I HAVE to mention it...

First of all I have to say I am not a trainer or fitness professional. I am an eye doctor who is passionate about physical health with the eye being an extension of the whole body. I encountered Dan John in person at a fitness seminar, offered by Pat Flynn who also reviewed the book, and found Dan's training philosophy easy to understand and inspiring in its simplicity. I love the fact that, that Dan believes in personally working through and testing out programs on himself to really understand whether they in fact they can deliver results. I also find reassuring that he has written a book that both fitness professionals and those just interested in how to train themselves can get enormous benefits from reading.He too sees the body as one unit from head to toe, and when screening clients makes sure that they have been educated about the benefits of things not every one would associate with fitness like having regular eye exams, dental checkups, and medical physicals. ( I have to admit a personal self interest in having everyone have an eye exam but in some case it can save your vision --no joke) https://www.facebook.com/OAEyesDan in previous books introduces the concept of Quadrants that help people identify what phase of athletic training they are in currently, and what level of athletic achievement they needing to pursue in order to attain their goals in each quadrant. He has now gone further and supplemented the quadrants with a Venn Diagram that can allow a trainer or individual to ( after doing a very reasonable physical assessment ) to find exactly what areas they need to work on in their training. Two examples would be Body Composition vs Strength and Flexibility. He then breaks down each of the seven categories of training and illustrates what training in each of these areas looks like.Even I would feel comfortable taking an individual who wanted to know where to start a new program; run them through the assessment and starting them on their path to improved health and fitness, with regularly scheduled assessments to make sure they are progressing. It really is that simple. But, on the other hand he has a life time of focused attention on sport and training and writing to distill all this down in to a book so approachable by the average person interested in achieving their fitness goals.I have to admit I downloaded the Kindle edition last night I am about halfway through the book and I have highlights and bookmarks on numerous pages. I know that the paper edition may be added to my library very soon. I guess that all I can say is that if you know of Dan John and his other books you need this one. If you don't know of Dan John and his other writings and you have even the slightest interest in a lifetime of fitness at all levels of achievement even if you have never picked up a weight in your life you can benefit from this book.Sincerely,Stephen Ebersole, O.D.P.S. thanks to both Dan John and Pat Flynn.

This book is one of the best i have read, straight forward and easy too understand. A definite if your serious about old style fitness!!!

As always Dan breaks it down in a way that feels like he's sat across from you with a coffee. Some great thoughts on program design, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Offers insights into training that we all need to hear.Simple isn't easy.That training plans look easy on paper. Just a few exercises but after going through multiple workouts you start to understand the genius of it.

I've read all of Dan John's books, and I would say that this is his best. It is an "essentialisation" of his ideas about life and training: simplified enough, but not too much.I love the way DJ deals with the fuzziness in our knowledge about training and lifestyle — after all, "everything works". Many authors ignore this point, selling their method as the best, or only approach. Instead, DJ presents a holistic (for want of a better term), long-term approach, while leaving room for different goals, personalities, ideas, and training philosophies within his very practical framework.The chapter on diet, unusually, is perhaps the very best part — almost perfect, in fact. Dan playfully rejects the religious fervour that can surround nutrition, and instead offers a simple way of making sure that you "eat like an adult".Buy it.

If you've already read some of Dan's works you shouldn't even need to read this!A follow up to Intervention -It's aimed a bit more at a Personal Trainer than just a exerciser but don't let that put you off. There is so much knowledge and it's written so simply that you can't help but learn.If you want a programme to bulk you then get Mass Made SimpleIf you want training ideas and laugh out loud stories of fitness its Never Let Go and Before We Go.You're not going to regret buying any of these.Amazing.