Since I first became interested in Isometrics in the 1950s I have read every article and book that I could find on them. "The Isometric Power Revolution" is by far the best and most comprehensive book ever written on the subject. It features 282 information packed pages covering every aspect of isometrics. It contains 8 chapters, is fully illustrated, contains numerous photographs and exercise descriptions and will definitely become the classic of the field.
Isometrics may be the ultimate stand alone form of exercise,but certainly they are an indispensible part of any strength and muscle building exercise program. They got a bad rap in the 1960s when it was discovered that their main promoter and advocate, U.S Olympic Weightlifting Coach Bob Hoffman, in addition to training his lifters with isometrics was also using steroids and people wrongly assumed that the fantastic strength gains that the lifters were making were totally the result of the steroids.
Isometrics are being rediscovered and and their popularity has been increasing recently , however, the use of isometrics to develop muscle and strength goes back to ancient times. The Isometric Power Revolution has an excellent fully illustrated chapter on the history of isometrics that contains over 50 pages.
Isometrics are superior to regular weightlifting because of the 'synapse' effect . When you are performing a standard bench press, for instance, it will take you one or two seconds to move through the entire range of motion yet there is only one point in the range of motion where you are applying maximum strength and the duration of the effort at that point may last only a fraction of a second. Our bodies use only the minimum number of muscle fibers required to perform a movement so the maximum number of fibers are only used at that point of maximum intensity which lasts only a fraction of a second. Conversely with an isometric exercise you are applying maximum tension for the full duration of the contraction whether it be 10 seconds, 12 seconds or longer and as a result you are contracting maximum muscle fibers for the entire length of time that you are performing the exercise.
The author,John Peterson is the President and founder of Bronze Bow Publishing and is the creator of the Transformetrics™ Training System which provides a person with everything they need to know to become supremely fit. He has over 30 years experience as a strength and fitness expert and is the author of several exercise books and DVDs in addition to "The Isometric Power Revolution," including "Pushing Yourself To Power," "The Miracle Seven" and "Thje Trinity Of Health."
The "Isometric Power Revolution " is a must for anyone seriously interested in the development of strength and muscle.
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