DVR's vs. calisthenics

[stingray]

Are DVR's more time economical than Power Calisthenics? Will I get similar, or the same results doing DVR's than PC's?

[bennyb]

Are DVR's more time economical than Power Calisthenics? Will I get similar, or the same results doing DVR's than PC's?


From that point of view I believe that if you want to get results you have to go to an exact source to get those results. If you want results from PC's do PCs. If you want results from DVRs do DVRs. Now they both teach different aspects of what you want to achieve. DVRs teach how to use tension in various areas, PCs teach how to use your body as a whole. So in my opinion in terms of results once you understand how tension is used bring that to PCs and you have a combination which brings a whole new light interms of what you want. Like I said they teach different things but when used together then you have something to get a hold of. It also depends what type of results you're looking for. Other then that experiment and see what works best for you.

[inertia]

When I do DVRs the reps are slow and higher intensity. I like more speed on the PCs and higher rep counts. For me they take about the same amount of time and they're both effective.

[Andy62]

DVRs are better for building internal strength and NERVE FORCE

[John Peterson]

C'Mon Gordon (Andy62),

Don't soft peddle it. You and I have both used DVR's to break past certain Power Calisthenic plateaus. This is especially true when breaking past barriers as relates to Pull-Ups( Why? I don't really know). So the bottom line is this. In some ways DVR/VRT can be superior to Power Calisthenics. At least that has been my experience.

---John Peterson

[douglis]

I'm a huge DVR fan so i'm a little prejudiced here but those who can't decide can try another option.
A combination between DVRs and calisthenics.DVR push ups for example.

[divebomber]

Just like recommended by Douglis, I'm exploring the various ways of combining PCs and DVRs.

I found the following workout to be among the most demanding upper-body ones I've ever done (though it looks harmless on paper):

Set-up: pushup bars, hanging gizmo or similar for body rows

Warm-up: Do 5-10 slow body rows and 5-10 slow pushups

Workout: Do one DVR reinforced body row at max tension. Grip the handles hard and flex all your arm and upper body muscles before initiating the ascent. Squeeze hard on top and "push" yourself down, feeling chest and triceps contract. This one rep should take between 6 and 10 seconds. Rest for a couple of breaths, then turn over and do one DVR reinforced pushup at max tension - really focus on pulling down on the bars, and squeezing all upper body muscles on the way up. Again, this one rep should take between 6-10 secs. Repeat as often as desired (in my case, 5-10 reps of each exercise are plenty).

You won't be able to judge the actual impact of this workout until you have tried it (especially the day after).

In general, I regard both PC and DVR as invaluable tools, and I would never ditch one in favor of the other. For some time it might make sense to focus on one of them exclusively (if only for getting a change of pace), but over the long run integrating both definitely is superior IMHO.

[Flash11740]

When people first start doing DVRs they experience a lot of shaking which can be mildly unpleasant. Over time this effect is diminished and it becomes possible to generate ever more powerful muscle contractions. This process is incremental rather than say the immediate hit and plateau effect of weight training. There are no plateaus with DVRs just a gradual improvement over a very long period. Eventually you start to feel the entire core contract with each motion, regardless of which muscle group is being targeted.

I believe that the reason for these effects is the growth of additional motor neurons. These nerve centers provide the impulse to contract the muscle groups. The more motor neurons the more sensitive the control we have over the muscle. The presence of additional motor neurons also supports and encourages an increase in muscular size and definition (the opposite happens in the disease ALS). But all this is just speculation based on my own observations of the effects that DVRs have on my body.

One of the principle benefits I have noticed comes when I'm sparring. I've developed increased speed and much greater sensitivity which enables me to better target and execute my blows. I can hit smaller gaps in a shorter time frame. Like Bruce Lee said "I don't hit - it just hits".

Personally I feel that a combination of cals and DVRs to be worth much more than the sum of their parts.

[Greg Newton]

My personal preference is power cal's 60-70% and DVR,DSR, or ISO 30-40% of my workouts. Its the synergy of the different styles of training done together that brings the best results. From a purely bodybuilding point of view, and this is put simplistically, the power cals bring blood to the muscles to feed size, whereas the others create the muscular tension that brings shape and muscularity.