Rating: 
Summary: Oversimplifies certain biomechanical factors...Read and Heed
Review: I give the book 3 stars only because the authors advocate using a feedback loop of progress. After having trained 5 months on the system these are the flaws that I have discovered. Please read carefully. Power Factor training over simplifies certain biomechanical factors both in the definition of the power indices and in their use in tailoring workouts for maximum effectiveness. Their definition of the power factor oversimplifies the definition of mechanical power by neglecting the distance the weight is lifted. Mechanical power is defined to be the force (F) exerted on an object multiplied by the distance (D) the object traveled divided by the time (T) of force application (5). Power = F * D / T By neglecting distance (D) in their definition of the power factor, the developers have overestimated the value of partial reps in their training scheme since the weight moves over a shorter distance per rep. Furthermore, their definition of the power factor only takes into account the forces exerted on the bar. Higher forces exerted on the bar does not automatically translate to higher muscular tension. Neglecting this fact, the developers have overestimated the value of compound exercises and strongest-range-of-motion exercises. By definition, compound exercises work multiple muscle groups simultaneously, so the power generated is derived from multiple muscles. Therefore, the external power generated in a compound exercise should not be compared to that generated in an isolation exercise in which the power is derived primarily from a single muscle group. For example, the power generated from a squatting exercise contains strong contributions from the vastus, gluteus, and hamstring muscles. One cannot reasonably compare the power generated from a squat to that generated from a leg extension, derived mainly from the vastus. The definition of the power factor also overestimates the value of strongest-range-of-motion exercises since muscular tension is often at a minimum in these ranges while most of the weight is supported by intersegmental joint loads. Therefore, more weight can be lifted in these ranges with the same or reduced muscular tension. For example, Power Factor training recommends athletes to perform partial reps in the final four inches of the squat movement near the lock out position. In this position, the legs are almost straight and relative less muscular force is needed to support any given amount of weight. Also, the power index, which is given proportionally less attention in the Power Factor training system, appears to be the developers' attempt to reconcile the fact that power factors decrease as workout length is increased. If power factor was the only index in the system, athletes would conclude that they should be performing only one set of each exercise. Thus, the developers defined the power index to be the power factor multiplied by the total weight lifted divided by a million to keep the large number manageable. This index biases the athlete to train with more volume since it gives more emphasis to the total weight lifted. The system never discussed how exactly to find the optimal combination of power factor and power index, which is a major shortcoming since improvement in one tends to work against the other. Furthermore, the definition of the power index has no physiological or mechanical basis. CONCLUSION Power factor training is just another system which has touted itself to be the "key" to effective training. Because the developers use mathematical equations, they have fooled some trainers to believe that they are employing real science in evaluating their workouts. However, their definition of the power factor ignores the distance the weight moves, leading to a false rationale for partial-rep training. Furthermore, by only taking into account the weight on the bar and not muscular tension, the system produced a false rationale for the superiority of compound and strongest-range-of-motion exercises. This is not to say that these types of training have no value in a weight training program since there may be other reasons for employing them. The important thing is that the power factor cannot be used as claimed -- as an objective way of determining the muscle stimulating benefits of any workout. Beyond the mechanical oversimplification in their definition of the power factor, is the problematic definition itself. All the literature suggest that instantaneous power during the concentric phase of an exercise is an important training stimulus, not the average power generated over a workout.
Rating: 
Summary: 5 Stars for Partial Reps
Review: Before you even think of getting this book, be prepared to devote a few hours, learning the concept Sisco and Little speak of in this Power Factor title. This book is scientific, and the calculations take a lot of time to get used to. While I don't feel they are 100% legitamite, they are still a good guideline to follow. Face the facts, most bodybuilders don't keep a detailed log of their workouts. I feel the suggestions they provide are basically just to lead you in the right direction for keeping tabs on your workout. Now, as for the workout itself. All I can say is.. "Wow". Who ever thought of strong range training is a genius. Patrial reps have far become my workout of choice, mainly because I believe it yields the best results I have ever seen in my 7 years of training. I have never gotten so much bigger and stronger in such a short period of time. For example, my 1st workout, which included arms, brought my arms up 1/4", after being stuck at the same size for nearly 4-5 months. Power Factor Training makes me feel extremely strong, in and out of the gym, gives me tremendous pumps, and is helping me reach my genetic potential faster than I could ever dream of with conventional training. Sisco and Little adopted the Mentzer principles with working out once every 4-7 days, which I thought was absurd until I tried it. Every workout you come back stronger--every time. For someone who thinks you need to train 3-5 times per week to build muscle, you need to re-evaluate your current situation. I firmly believe this is one of the most valuable books ever written about training, and I would recommend it to anyone I come across. Do take into consideration that you MUST read this book thoroughly, perhaps even 2-4 times to get the grasp of the points they are trying to get across. Do this, and fully expect to gain 15-30 lbs. of muscle in a few short months.
Rating:
Summary: Power Factor - The Best
Review: I find this book, written by a follower of the late great Mike Mentzer to be the best method for producing the most muscle in the least amount of workout time. The partial rep method also prevents injuries associated with full-rep joint-stressing movements. For maximum muscle size it makes sense that you must incorporate all fibers (Fast twitch, slow twitch, med twitch), and all fibers are not recruited until the last few inches of the rep. I also think that it is counter productive to tear down a muscle before it is fully recovered, so the longer "rest" periods between workouts is most productive. You can build one heck of a Bruce Lee "2 inch punch" with this training! It is indeed scientific, as you can measure it accurately from workout to workout, and you can find your individual "sweet spot" by simply varying reps/frequency and then looking at the numbers. If you want endurance marathon training, then look elsewhere, but if you want super results, with less time in the gym, this is a great read! :)
Rating:
Summary: Essential Reading if You're Serious About Weight Training
Review: I'm a 50 year-old man. When I found this book I'd been training with traditional methods for nine months. As is typical with those methods, I made good progress at first but leveled-off after a few months. I tried a number of different programs, and made some progress, but it was slow going. With PFT over the last two months progress has been steady, some of it dramatic. The Power Factor on my Seated Overhead Presses has gone up 133%, Bench Press up 78%, and Leg Presses up almost 180% - all in the past month. Amazingly, just before PFT I had been doing heavy, low-rep strength and powerlifting work, not light, high-volume routines, so it wasn't like all of a sudden I was trying heavy weight. This speaks to how productive the strong-range movements are which the authors advocate. The authors were also right in their advice on hooks, and I soon had to start using lifting hooks on my Deadlifts and Shrugs, as my grip could no longer handle the weights I was pulling. These have gone up 37% and 51% respectively in the past 10 days. PFT may also be of benefit to older lifters like myself because of its effect on joints, tendons and ligaments. I used to have to stretch daily to stay limber, now I only stretch on workout days and I never feel stiff anymore (anyone my age knows what I'm talking about). Even on the days I don't work out. Finally, one of the less-heralded benefits of this program is that since you have to reduce your workouts to once every 7-10 days, you are given back something most bodybuilders have forgotten they've lost -- time. PFT lets you work your body effectively, with great results, AND have a life. In my opinion, this book is essential reading if you're serious about weight training. And THIS is the one to read before you delve into the authors' specialization series. This covers it all and does so with logical arguments and an entertaining writing style.
Rating: 
Summary: some good info and some bad info
Review: This book is far too complicated and obscure, it says that the number of sets and reps is going to vary from person to person and that you have to rely on your power factor to tell if your gaining.It makes working out insanely complicated with huge mathematical figures, and a novice body builder is more than likely going to give up on the programme. I recommend buying "High intensity training" by Mike Mentzer. Mentzer and Sisco and Little have similar ideas on training short, hard, and having adequate rest. Though Mike doesn't believe you can skip full range, you really need it for complete development. I think Mike was on the right track as he used full range but ALSO substituted partial reps and even static movements into his routine. For example doing partial squats is going to stress your quads for sure, but if you want your hamstrings to get any workout you need to do full rep squats. And saying the full range movements aren't used in real life just doesn't cut it, body building is not the same as just going to work everyday so why compare the two.
Rating:
Summary: Different Yes, Worthless No
Review: I was encouraged to add my thoughts on this book because of the enormous range of attitudes on the Power Factor training approach. I did this program about 6 months ago when my progress was at a standstill. The Power Factor approach helped me break through the wall and progress. The book is well written and instructions are very clear. It is a VERY different approach then the conventional approaches. However, it does work if you follow the approach. Now, let me say I do not believe one should use the Power Factor approach exclusively. It does, however, have tremendous value when used as a change of pace to traditional methods. The idea of lifting much heavier poundage then your used to in a shorter range of motion and in a short period of time does help muscles grow. I wouldn't do this approach 100% of the time, but if you try it for, say, 6 or 8 weeks, I believe most people will benefit from it. One can use traditional, full range, approaches the majority of the time, but integrating Power Factor methods into your routines will have a great benefit. Those that have dismissed this approach because it's different have lost a valuable lesson in bodybuilding.
Rating:
Summary: Partly superb, partly useless.
Review: I must admit that at first I didn't believe a word about PFT: training as seldom as once a week and achieving results that previously only were imaginary...? I thought: "No way, this can't be done!". How wrong I was... for a while... After having trained according to PFT for only five weeks my arms, my calves and my thighs had grown by an inch and my chest by 1,5 inch; I was also able to benchpress about 30 Ibs more than prior to my training according to PFT; I had gained 12-14 Ibs of muscles. After 5 months my quadriceps had added 3 inches (!). It's fantastic, not to mention the enormous amount of time I have saved (I used to train for 1,5-2 hrs five times a week; with PFT I trained for about two hrs a week). By all means, buy this book, it's really worthwhile. However, I advise you to keep the following in mind: 1. Read the book thoroughly before you start training. People who claim that this book is not efficient, have usually neglected to read carefully about all the important principles of this method of training. 2. You should have trained according to orthodox training principles for at least 18 months before you start with PFT, otherwise your muscles may not be able to support such enormous overloading. 3. You will be very bored and won't know what to do for all the hours you used to train during, but do NOT attempt to train more often that the book directs you to, that is 3 times a week for about 3-5 weeks, then twice a week for 5-8 weeks, then once a week only. The book's creed is Rest & Grow! 4. Forget about the gym as a place to socialise. 5. Lots of people will think you are strange or that you are cheating whilst training. Nevermind them, and remember the look at their faces when they see the tremendous results you'll have achieved after only a few weeks. There are, however, some extremely important downsides to PFT, which is why I have given it only a mediocre grade. 1. The authors do not mention ANYTHING about proper nutrition for this form of training. 2. This system is very efficient, but injuries can occur VERY easily. 3. The authors will give you the impression that this system is applicable indefinitely. Wrong! PFT is usable for maybe 3, at the most 4, months. Using PFT for longer than that will make training pointless at first, since your growth will stagnate and culminate, and, after a not very long while, overtraining and/or injuries will be virtually inevitable. 4. Growing megalomaniac is very easy. You will want to grow more and more, and improve yourself more and more, in less and less time. You will eventually overextend yourself and overtraining and/or injuries may occur. I have now gone over to a system called HIT (High Intensity Training), which is at least AS efficient and a LOT safer. However, this book teaches some very important principles about bodybuilding.
Rating:
Summary: misleading
Review: Who would really benefit from this system?: 1/Someone who's busted their #** with full-range exercise for years , and needs something-anything to get out of a rut,(and even then, as a temporary measure). 2/Power lifters who need special training to get past a sticking point. 2/ Injured,or otherwise incapacitated trainees who can still safely/painlessly train part of their range. For the great majority of us, this is just a way of continuously, arbitrarily changing our short-attention-span workout, NOT GOOD. It does NOT convert to to full-range strength in the great majority of practitioners, and it does NOT change one's genetically limited ability to add lean mass,(if anything, very low time under tension has most of it's effect on the central nervous system ,and -less- on tissue). You'll temporarily thrill yourself with supernatural 'strength' gains,which soon end at the equipment's limitation,(unless you get their special,(dynamomometer?), machine, which I'm sure will show a readout making you the strongest man in the world in about 13 weeks), you'll be putting ten times the weight that you actually needed to put on your poor tendons and bones. The best time to use 'power factor' training is AFTER -full range- strength has been used up in a set, and you can still lift the weight a little bit, and hold it. This has two benefits:1/ The weight is a safe one. 2/You'll know you've had a full traditional workout, and are going for some TRUELY extra benefits.
Rating:
Summary: Just another training program, not a breakthrough
Review: I bought "Power Factor Training" and tried doing only partial reps for a few months. While I did add pounds on the bar faster doing partial reps, those pounds didn't translate to an equal amount of pounds added for the full-range version of those exercises. I agree with another reviewer who said by taking distance out the their power factor formula they have overstated the benefit of partial reps. Partial reps did help me get little stronger in some exercises though. Partial reps can help you get past a leveling off of progress. When I used partial reps only for the bench press for 4 months then went back to doing full range bench presses I found that I lost 25 pounds strength for that exercise! What a bummer! But the strength in my curls increased more than I thought it would. The reason I believe is because in curls I did the partial movement in the hardest range of the movement and in bench press I did the partial movement in the easiest part of the range of movement.
They do have a point when they say the stronger you get the longer it takes you body to recover for the next workout but be careful not to take off to long. I tried doing full range bench presses every other week and I just couldn't seem to get stronger then I changed it to once a week and I have been making progress again.
They also say people have a sweet spot in what number of reps bring brings about the best gains. I found this to be true.
This book has some good points but in short it's just another training program, not a breakthrough. I recommend reading "Beyond Brawn" instead. Also I recommend reading books by Clarence Bass such as "Challange Yourself" and "Ripped 3".
Rating:
Summary: You're Limited With This "Approach"....
Review: The reason why I say that is because you WILL need expensive equipment that the book asks you to use. For instance, you need a... Smith Machine for the bench press, equipment for handling very heavy poundages, stopwatch.....and, most importantly, patience. I realized I was gaining the same amount of muscle mass in my original FULL rep workouts, whereas this approach convinces you to do more reps that are PARTIAL for more intensity. Thus, I was wasting valuable time because I was doing more reps that were PARTIAL but not FULL. And, the fact that you have to use lots of mathematics and configuring in finding out the amount of weight per min, Power Factor, Power Index....this took me about a half hour! Just one workout! And yet, I was getting the same results concerning muscle mass without the Power Factor "approach". I'm all for Power Factor's philosophy on nutrition, which is well-thought out and I agree highly on it. They say that you should not take in 350grams of protein because over half of it is wasted, excreted, or turned into fat. I followed that and I noticed that I was starting to lose saturated fat by not eating excessive amounts of protein and more definition. All in all this book does contain good information on nutrition, but in the Power Factor "approach"--just doesn't make it because you're wasting valuable time by doing easier, partial reps instead of you're original weightlifting routine--full reps/less time...and you gain the same amount of muscle mass and definition--either way. So stick with what makes you gain mass effectively.
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