Isometrics and Maxick

- Isometric Training FAQ 15 -

By Paul "Batman" O'Brien 

B.A., N.C.E.H.S., Dip. Acu., Cert Clin. IMed., Dip. Adv. OBB, Dip. CHM, Pn1, PN-SSR, PN-NCA, M.AFPA., M.C.Th.A.

Isometrics and Maxick - the Isometrics FAQ no 15, part of the Readers Questions Sections, where each issue I'll highlight a new question and provide you with a detailed answer.....Feel free to contact me with your questions here - contact me.

This week I'll be answering several of Anthony's questions on Isometrics and Maxick, the different effects of Isometric contractions and more...let's take a look ...

Anthony Asks:

I did a lot of reading and research the past couple days on maxick and what's called maxalding. They recommend sub-maximal Isometrics at below the shaking point. Maxick really stresses the importance of not going above shaking point in his opinion it isn't "as good".

He is all about coaxing the muscle never using strenuous effort and just contrasting it for 5 breaths or until instinctively it feels done. Which is great for recovery and nourishment as you've mentioned but maxick used that alone as his muscle building which baffles my mind that such low intensity developed such muscle he did it in a different way which is pretty cool. 

Anyway's in Dynaflex the Perfect Body bonus book by mike marvel he believe the muscles need to shake as do you do and all out effort. Mike marvel said at the end of the manual that if exercises aren't performed to full intensity en he think they are worthless... Yet they aren't worthless they are actually quite beneficial in their own way and even for building muscle because look at maxalding philosophy and results. What do you say about about this?

My Answer: 

The Maxick exercises are my used to supplement my Isometrics Program - they aren't the primary method of training 

As mentioned I find them useful for active recovery after an PB Isometrics session. It's not essential but helps flush the muscles you've just worked with blood and jump start the recovery process. Holding them with sub maximal tension (i.e. below the shaking point) for 7-12 seconds, with steady breathing, normal deep breathing, after you've done the PB workout for that group. The muscle should become pleasantly warm. This is due to an increase in blood flow that will aid repair. 

It is important to note though that Muscle control and even Maxalding was NOT the actual method he used to get in great shape. Muscle control is vastly different. Maxick taught his method of isometric muscle building through personal correspondence courses. That means he adjusted the length of times and intensity to suit the individual student. The Maxick e-book I have with Perfect Body isn't a personalized course, just one of his reference texts.

As for Dynaflex it is included as a bonus program for historical context and interest. The dynaflex program is not based on scientific analysis or fibre ratio and recovery rates as mine is and therefore doesn't deliver the same results. That said it can be interesting and produce some benefit such as the leaning out with to calorie depletion (though a more effective method for doing this is included in my Slim in Seconds program). Nice to play around with though. ;-)

All the best,

Batman

Anthony Asks:

Why was Maxick against using the shaking point in many of hos writings? Also he said he wouldn't do weightlifting because it would toughen the muscle and that wasn't good for him. He said in Muscle Control he exclusively used the sub-max contractions to nourish the muscle.

You said that actually he used both in his private courses... Why was he against the shaking point of max effort isos on some of his writings? Yet its the best way to build muscle you say. Is it different to the muscle toughening of weightlifting though? :) Thanks again

My Answer: 

I don't know why Maxick said that, I wasn't there when he wrote it. All I can tell you was that it was likely his sincere belief.

Today we have scientific analysis to inform our opinions and we have been able to determine in numerous experiments what the most effective contraction times and intensity's for a given goal.

What I can tell you is that during a maximal contraction of Isometrics blood flow is temporarily constrained unlike in a sub 60% contraction. However this is momentary and once the contraction is released a HUGE surge in blood uptake and vasoldialation occurs. 

In the NEXT FAQ we'll examine the different recovery rates for you muscle fibres and differences between Perfect Body and Static Contraction. 

You've been reading about Isometrics and Maxick, the Isometric FAQ no. 15. Check out the other Faq's - here. 

Read up on the Dangers of Static Contraction before the next FAQ - here

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