Overcoming Isometrics: Isometric Exercises for Building Muscle and Strength (The Grind Style Calisthenics Series)

Static Isometrics is a new concept to me. I am in my mid-seventies and since my mid thirties I have exercised hit & miss. In my thirties I was in excellent condition, hitting the free weights four times a week. Of course, that conditioning is long gone. Because of my age and wear & tear, I have no desire to pump iron again. I’m sure it would do more harm than good. So, I purchased this great book and am going at it three times a week. Matts back story is a great read. The details on how to perform the moves are easy to follow. I already feel physically and mentally better and I’ve just begun the journey into Isometrics. Buy this book, follow the instructions. I believe you will be pleased.

This is a very fast read. Most of the pages are illustrations on how to actually do the exercises. I've been doing isometrics for about 35 years. I think I have read every book on the subject. This one added information not available in other books. The author is right, Isometrics activate the nervous system. These exercises create a stronger ability to contract the muscle. A strong isometric contraction is the hardest work your muscle can do. The book also offers several hybrid exercises that involve an overcoming isometric contraction coupled with a yielding isometric hold. Do these for 30 seconds and feel the burn. Something I haven't seen in other books on isometrics is how to do a squat that amplifies the tension, using an inexpensive strap. Well worth the price of the book alone. These are several exercises for the core, and for the legs that are generally lacking in other books on the subject. At the end of the book, you get sources for a few pieces of equipment that will make the exercises easier to implement. But you can just use a towel or a rope if you like. If you do these exercises, you'll notice that your muscles get really hard when you flex them, and you get a moderate increase in size, with a greater increase in strength. These exercises are also useful if you have an injury you need to work around. I'm glad I bought the book.

Very easy to read and make sense of. I worked through the book in my room in just about 20 minutes and my body says “give this a 5 Star review” so I comply. It’s so simple you wonder why you haven’t been doing it. But you haven’t.... I really did begin to notice over the decades of weight training that something is not quite working....ya I can do a lot and be in shape but the more I read about the neural component of strength the more I’ve come to realize this dimension needs more focus. It’s not just about muscle strength....and so I highly recommend this book. Absolutely worth a buy. We’ll done Matt. By the way, after you read this, you’ll probably get “enervated” enough to go searching for more info on neural muscular proficiency. This book will lead you right into Cal Dietz Triphasic Training.... That book is hard to read and follow, extremely geeky. This one here is a great foundational read for Dietz. Just my rantings...I see a connection.....anyway, good one here. Get it!

Very excellent book on Isometric exercises. I own and use the Worldfit Isometric band and use it religiously along with self resistance isometrics. The mind-muscle connection cannot be overemphasized here. It is a direct key to development that all other books on the subject omit. One small thing I believe the author left out is Isometrics only make a muscle stronger within a 15 degree radius of the angle you are doing the hold. Therefore you need to do all holds at 3 places: fully extended, midway, and peak contraction. You only receive the full benefits of the holds in that way. Otherwise, this book is invaluable.

This is a simple book on this subject. It gives you a good starting approach to try and implement in your regular training activities or try as a training option by itself.

So many books on fitness ... and sadly, too few of them written well. Matt’s book is not only comprehensive but so well written it’s been a pleasure to read. Coming back from injuries and I’m now working out with pain. Isometrics are brilliant, and Matt explains the why, not just the how. He’s also a very organized thinker .... how he divides his workout is just bloody intelligent. After devouring this book, I’m on to reading his others. My husband and I have a bookcase just for our fitness books, and this may honestly be one of the best.

Good book. Does not go super deep into the physiology of isometric but gives good exercises.

The book was okay. Well written. As far as isometric exercise, I get more out of doing yoga.

Very useful exercises

Its written well for understanding. Not too long, coming straight to the point. I‘ll definitely adding it to my dynamic routines.

Está bien para aquellos que quieran ejercitarse con ejercicios isométricos. Una buena cantidad de ejercicios explicados en el texto.

The book provides detailed instructions on how to correctly perform isometric exercises, ensuring that readers can derive the maximum benefit from each workout. "Overcoming Isometrics: Isometric Exercises for Building Muscle and Strength" offers an innovative approach to isometric training with clear instructions and a variety of exercises. If you are willing to invest time and consistent effort, this book could be a valuable tool to improve your strength and build muscle.

Excellent instructions with straightforward explanations and motivational reasoning