Prior to starting the MAX workouts programme, I didnt realise how much my overall fitness had steadily and declined over the past 5 to 10 years. Ive always actively tried to maintain what I would call a baseline level of fitness by doing conventional gym work i.e. isolated weights exercises on multigym type machines combined with conventional cardio.Over the past few years I have been working out at home before going to work; first using a treadmill and then (after it broke!) I bought an elliptical trainer. I managed to consistently perform about four to five 40min sessions per week on these machines over these two years. However, although I saw some definite improvements, I seemed to have reached a personally unnaceptable plateau, which I couldnt improve on without devoting too much time to fitness in an already hectic lifestyle (3 very young children, full time job and studying part time for an MSc.)I intuitively knew that the intensity of my fitness regime needed to increase to turn things round and start to deliver results. Unfortunately, how to achieve the necessary levels of intensity in a structured and progressive programme was a complete mystery to me. I naturally presumed this would require a personal trainer, lots of time and money (i.e. things I dont have!).A few months ago in one of my random internet searches for sound fitness advice, I came across the MAX Workouts programme. After reading the introductory material, it was readily apparent that this was exactly what I needed. It was also clearly obvious that this was not only radically different approach from anything I had come across before, it was also written by a very genuine and professional person who had put a lot of time and effort into integrating and clearly communicating a large body of scientific knowledge and practical experience. That person is Shin Ohtake, a person who for me and probably thousands of people round the world is my personal trainer FOR LIFE; I hope to meet and thank him one day! Since joining MAX Workouts the results have been nothing short of outstanding. Even routine things such as the energy sapping activity of constantly tidying up after the kids has become noticeably effortless! I would summarise the MAX workouts by simply saying that for me it has been a paradigm shift in my approach to fitness (i.e. something so revolutionary that it completely changed my previous understanding of the subject). I challenge you to try it out, you wont be dissapointed.