Isometrics for Mass!

[Guest guest]

Hi Everybody

I am a long time follower of the The Bullworker Club but this is my first

message. Thanks for contributing.

I wonder if anybody of you tried the concepts behind the following article from

t-nation.

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/iso\

metrics_for_mass

In addition to basic classical 5-7 seconds time under tension to gain maximal

isometric strength, it looks like it is possible to use 20-60 seconds long time

under tension to develop hypertrophy.

I am following such a training for about a year. I have a bullworked but

nowadays I am using only self resistance isometrics.

I didn't measure the time under tension very accurately, but it is more or less

45-60 seconds per exercise. I can feel that my strength considerably increased,

but I am not sure if I gained relatively more muscle mass compared to regular 7

seconds time under tension. It may be also related to my age, near 40.

Basically, I don't want to waste my time trying 60 second exercises if 7 seconds

will give the same/similar benefits.

I have another question about periodization of isometric exercises.

I would like to try the method suggested in the following link fro t-nation

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/how\

_to_build_pure_strength

" 5/3/1: The Simplest and Most Effective Training System to Increase Raw

Strength " . The idea is by changing the force and volume, it is possible to have

long term gradual strength increases. However to make something similar with

isometrics looks not so easy, since it is not easily possible to gauge strength

used and adjust it each week/workout to follow the plan.

I would appreciate if anyone has experience following a periodization scheme

similar to 5/3/1.

Thanks, Ertugrul