Convict conditioning? Is it for prisoners???
Not really from what I have read of that part of the book it is typical exercise marketing. It uses that to build the story but really they are strength training exercises that are compound rather than isolate and still the standard in gymnastics, martial arts, the military and many other sports that require full body training and a practical application.
It is just a selection different exercises with the target of hitting 6 very difficult exercises (one handed push up, pistol squat, one arm pull up, hanging leg raise, stand to stand bridge, and one handed handstand push up) that require not only strength but balance, endurance and flexibility. Rather than dropping you off at the standard points (squat, push up, pull up, handstand, leg raises, bridge) it starts you off from the most basic level but gives you a strict rules that require you to maintain control and technique with enough reps and sets that they go into endurance before you can move onto the next step, if you are still getting pain it is telling you to stay at that point even if you can hit the targets. I'm just glad about the weather as I have required a lot of cold compresses.