Rating: 
Summary: Excellent training program, but incomplete presentation
Review: If it were possible, I would rather give this book two ratings: One for the training program, and one for presentation. The idea of static contraction training is very good, and it's scientific basis is thoroughly explained in the book. And, speaking on my own personal experience, it works! But sadly, the book is not as complete you would hope. There is not a word about warming up, for example. The authors explain in detail the training program and the exercises used, but there is only a couple of alternative exercises to replace the ones detailed in the book, and the authors have not given any instructions on how to perform these exercises.However, the scientific background of the training system is exellent, and you save the price of the book by just reading the information about supplements and the marketing hype. All things considered, I would give the trainig system 5 stars, and the book only two of three. So, four stars in an acceptale compromise.
Rating: 
Summary: AT FIRST DOUBTFUL BUT THEN IN AWE WITH RESULTS
Review: At first I was doubtful. I got this book as a gift and then read through it and doubted it would work and then went on with my regular non-working program. After much frustration I said what the heck and tried static contraction training. Even though I added 1 or 2 more sets than recommended I am making great progress. It sounds crazy to work out only once a week but it sure did work for me. If you buy this book and try the program you will blow up with muscle mass. A MUST BUY!@
Rating: 
Summary: Essentially isometric training with weights.
Review: It seems to be just another "secret" method like negative reps, hundreds rep sets, etc. that pops up every few years to sell magazines and books. If you like switching workouts regularly like I do maybe you mix some of the exercises in with regular training to blast thru a sticking point - but as a complete replacement for a normal workout routine your just wasting your time. The nutrition and physiology info in the book are the same as a dozen other books I've read - no reason to buy the book.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievably Effective Program
Review: Like most of you, I and my friends have been lifting for many years and spent a lot of money reading everything we could find looking for the best natural program that existed. Most programs would work initially then quickly plateau even though we would faithfully continue them for years until we found another to try. A friend of mine went to huge new levels on his bench press and told me to check out a system that sounded crazy at first blush. But since I trusted my friend (and real results more than dogma), I went that day to buy it. SCT and its precursor program, Power Factor Training, are the first training programs that actually delivered measurable impressive strength gains...every session. SCT is both the most effective and safest program I have ever seen. SCT will seem shocking at first. It will overturn almost everything you thought you knew about weight training. But if you suspend your faith in weight training dogma long enough to compare your current training logs to your logs after only three months of SCT, you will be calling all your old lifting buddies and writing a review like this as well.
Rating:
Summary: Don't believe the hype
Review: Do you want to lose muscle mass? Do you want to lose strength? Well then this is the lifting program for you. It worked for me. I lost 5 pounds of muscle mass using this program and 15 pounds off of my bench press. During a ten week trial period of Static Contraction Training, I followed the asinine program exactly as stated. I was holding more weight, but what does that do? Nothing, that's what. The book was very well written. It was very clear what was needed for the now known make-beleive incredible muscle gain that would occur. They had subjects that tried out the method. It somehow worked for them, but nothing was said about what kinds of supplements they were taking except that they were taking the same stuff that they were taking before they started the program. Steriods do wonders, even with a ridiculous lifting program. I believed the hype that I could possibly gain 25 pounds of muscle mass as the cover of the book states. Instead I was left with ten weeks of wasted time and I want them back!
Rating:
Summary: This system works
Review: After working out for twenty years, this is the best system I've ever found. I hurt my shoulder and basically couldn't work out for two years. I just started back training eight months ago, first starting with Power Factor Training 5 months ago before switching to Static Contraction 3 months back. Results have been impressive. I'm far stronger now than I've ever been, can easily bench 200+ pounds (multiple full-range presses), which was an unatainable dream in the past (my best ever was 180). It took a little while for me to build up basic strength, but now progress is accelerating and rewarding. It's a stretch to do this type of training after doing traditional training for so many years. I'm used to working out month after month with minimal progress. I'd never go back to that now. Why waste the time
Rating:
Summary: Results
Review: I normally never express any reviews like this, however I was compelled to give my opinion and experience on the whole Power Factor and Static Contraction Training based on the reviews I read. I was introduced to these training methods by a gentlemen I met in the gym. I helped him with a spot where he was lifting incredibily high weight. He possessed a very muscular & thick physique. He preceeds to tell me about PFT. The biggest points that captured my attention was the fact he has been on the program for over 4 years, only works out 1 time per week and never had an injury despite the high weight. At that moment, I was in mild pain due to my current full range training to my joints and shoulder.
I took the initiative and did my research. Bought the books and looked at the website. Took me over a week to open my mind for many of their concepts shattered what I beleived was true about bodybuilding. I decided to assume they were right and to give the program a try for 10 weeks before I made a judgement.
I am 32 years old and have been lifting weights for over 10 years now. I have tried different programs, attended seminars on bodybuilding and fitness and paid thousands of dollars on different programs. My family was also into bodybuilding and we often compared notes on methods that worked and did not. For the most part, I have a good grasp of what works and what does not for the NATURAL bodybuilder, so I am far from being a beginner in the sport.
I have 3 people currently on the Static Contraction Training program. We are into our 4th week and the results so far are astounding!!! All 3 of our bodies have changed, our strength has increased immensely, plus I no longer have the lingering pain in my joints and shoulders. As a matter of fact, I feel they are getting stronger. I am amazed at the weight I am able to hold thus far (ie. 1000lbs+ on Leg Press, Bench 450lbs+ as an example) and my 2 other test subjects receiving similar results in weight.
My whole point is don't listen to the negative reviews on methods that could profoundly change your body. Judge for yourself and base it on RESULTS. In everything in life there are different ways, blueprints and methods. One author may say one thing is good and another will say it's not despite all their credentials. Who do you beleive? Results never lie. Give it an honest try before you make any judgements. I have followed the program "exactly" prescribed and am thrilled with what I am experiencing so far.
Rating:
Summary: End the Confusion
Review: Hello Everyone.
I read this book 3 times and also read every review a number of times. It's unbelievable to me that opinions here can vary as much as they do. Are some of the reviewers shills? Or conversly, did some people not even read the whole book or try it before saying it doesn't work? I don't know the answer to that. But for all those in a similar position (confused) I have set up a discussion board to talk about the whole thing. I hope that some people who wrote reviews prior to mine show up there because I would really like to discuss things with them. Everyone welcome! Bulls and Bears. Pros and cons. The only way to really review this book is to try the workout for a couple months and see what happens. The proof is in the pudding so to speak. It's not like a work of fiction where you can read it and than write a review. You have to really try the system for a reasonable period of time. So check out the discussion board.
I have just completed my third workout and although things look promising I can't render an opinion quite yet. To get to the board from Amazons home page:
1. Click on "Friends and favorites"
2. Click on "Discussion Boards" On left
3. Click on "Health Fitness and Diet" Also on the left
4. Look through the boards till you see "Static Contraction" and click on it.
5. You should see all the posts to date. As of this writing it's just mine. Post something! Even if it's just to say you found the board and the trail works. That would be encouraging. Incidentally I gave the book 4 stars at this point because I found it very interesting reading. As others have said too many pictures of non-natural body builders for a book that purports to be against that. Overall a good job though and we will see if it works.
Rating:
Summary: Original but flawed thinking that goes nowhere
Review: This book appeals to the people that want "something for nothing",the same type of people who don't want to excercise and control calories to lose weight,but instead search for some easy-way "magic" pill or system to take away the need to exert effort..
The book is very logical,but it's circular logic that goes nowhere..
Here is the fundamental point that collapses their house of cards..
1)If I bench 200 for a single in full range motion,I can probably
bench 250 in partial range,"Power factor" 300 in 4 inch range,and static hold 400 with zero movement..
The point is WHAT does this prove? Answer :NOTHING!!!
I can do all of these things in the SAME DAY,or the SAME WORKOUT..Now I know that I haven't "improved my strength in the last ten minutes,just because I can lift more in a partial range..My muscles are as strong as they were anyway..
Any benefit you get is from static training is through the #1
principle of effective weight training--Milo of Crotona's ancient principle called "Progressive overload over a period of time" anyone who increases strength or muscle must train themselves through hard effort to make the muscle do over a period of time MORE than it was previously capable of doing..
(In good form of course).
Another gripe:If the authors admit to steroids and genetics being key factors in the appearance of the bodybuilding "stars"
then why plaster their book with pictures of these [people]?
My hunch?They want to sell the books,and pictures of average people without steroids and average genetics,just won't sell the books..I find thatdishonest and hypocritical.. Summary:
1)To lose weight:control calories in and increase calories out over a period of time
2)To build strength and muscle:pick the Big excercises such as the squat,deadlift and Olympic variations and focus on progressive resistance over time. Forget wasting money on easy way promises ..
...
Rating: 
Summary: Range of Motion?
Review: The one big question I have is if you are doing a very limited range of motion with each exercise. Doesn't that limit how useful the muscle really is. If you can bench 250 using this method, how much weight can you really lift doing a bench press using full motion? It seems to me this may add weight to you exercises and muscle mass, all for looks but if you an athlete who needs to be strong during a full range of movement I don't think this will work for you. Unless I have misunderstood the method.
| 
