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View Full Version : IPR Powerflexing, a thank you to Gordon, and other observations


Greg Newton
05-25-2010, 06:33 PM
It has been quite awhile since I’ve done the Powerflexing exercises in IPR. I used to do them with my wife Lori. Tonight I decided to start back with them. You see, normally I run, do pull-ups, or do a G.U.T.S. version and then I spend 20-25 minutes doing DVR’s or DSR’s with Lori. But here lately, due to stress and time constraints, I’ve had to shorten my workouts and do only DVR’s or work with the Isometric Belt.

This was one of the days where I seemed to stay aggravated. As a school teacher you have times you battle students, your peers, and administrators, even when you’ve got good students, peers and bosses. Today so much I wanted to tell people what I REALLY thought. But, I kept my mouth shut and smiled that big ole possum smile when I really wanted to start a verbose, cutting lecture on my student's character flaws. So, by the time I picked Lori up this afternoon, the smile was worn shoe leather thin and she knew I was extremely angry when she saw my face.

When we got home we agreed – WORKOUT. I did G.U.T.S. and then we did the power flexing with a few of Johns classic isometric contractions thrown in. I couldn’t believe the euphoric feeling I felt. It was similar to the feeling I used to get when doing KI exercises. Too, I found that from a year of the Isometric Power Belt I could do much stronger contractions and got quite a pump as well.

Gordon Anderson knows what he is talking about. For several years now I have read over and over again how he battled the stress of a divorce, a job change, and other life changing circumstances by doing a program involving isometric power flexing. In the worst of times when stress is weighing one down, a vigorous regime of exercise is not always possible or desireable.

BUT, the power of muscular tension and relaxation, with copious deep breathing is just what the doctor ordered for those high stress times. As Gordon has said, you develop focus, mental clarity and the tenacity to overcome tough situations. And, of all the exercise modalities practiced here, Gordon has said the power flexing exercises were the ones he found most beneficial.

There is something special about the static Power Flexing. Every modality here has a place and a purpose, but this one is particularly good for the nerves, the nervous system, and for energy.

This is a little off topic but these are my experiences with the different styles of exercise John recommends.

Pushups, situps, deep knee bends, and pullups - these are the engine that pulls the rest of the train. You can get by with the first three, but adding pullups gives you an extra special look and strength as I've found out recently.

Dynamic Self Resistance - in high reps these have the ability to beautify the lines of the body like no other form of exercise can. Many are also great for rehabbing and keeping the lower back, hip joints, and shoulders strong and flexible.

VRT/DVR - These are the ultimate healers because of the contraction and relaxation of the muscles and the blood flow that increases because of it. They also build strength from multiple angles and planes of motion.

The Isometric Power Belt - greater overall body strength and a thickening of the musculature.

Isometric Powerflexing - They bring blood to the innermost fibers of the muscle, circulation is increased, and because of the deep breathing, waste products are exhaled from the body. The face looks younger, the skin looks healthier, and energy increases.

The Warrior Power Tees - these are in a category all by themselves. They increase overall balance, strength, and coordination. They force one to concentrate on their deep breathing. I know Gary Bowes initially created this to create punching power, but I strongly believe these would be beneficial for track and field athletes as well as others.

John Peterson
05-25-2010, 07:55 PM
WOW! Thank You Greg! I look at Isometric Power Flex exercises as the Ultimate NERVE FORCE Builders that one can do. There is both an energizing as well as calming and centering effect that these exercises have on me that I have never felt with any other form of exercise. In fact, on days that I feel over trained and take a day or two off from every other form of exercise I find that if I take two full days of Isometric Power Flex exercise I always come back stronger and literally feel a need to move my muscles through ranges of motion.

---John Peterson

MikeNY
05-25-2010, 08:58 PM
Greg great thread! I love Isometric Powerflexing and DSR exercises! Great observations; Gordon and John know!

duff
05-25-2010, 09:33 PM
Well put, Greg. I think perhaps what's going on is in "fight or flight" stressful situations where we can't actually fight or run, the stress gets stored as trauma until we can release it safely. Isometric Power Flexes and DVR (or even just a few sets of vigorous pushups) helps release that built-up energy safely which both gives release to the stress as well as building a sense of self-control.

Big Bear
05-26-2010, 05:23 AM
This is truly a fantastic post Greg!

you know you had me smiling with the 'possom smile' routine,so true,so true my Brother!

peace,
jason

jan
05-26-2010, 01:26 PM
Great post Greg! I love your description of the different modalities of John's transformetrics. A helpfull list.

Jan

GB
05-26-2010, 02:10 PM
Greg,

Great post.

Duff,

That is a very interesting observation – this deserves further thought.


GB

Reader
05-27-2010, 12:57 AM
Hello!

Great discription! :embarrassed:

My questuion: do you think an Isometric Power Flexing can be a stand-alone-system?

John Peterson
05-27-2010, 07:38 AM
Hey Reader,

I wrote in IPR that although either program in IPR could be practiced as a "Stand Alone" training system that best results are achieved when combining Isometrics with exercises that include a full range of motion. I stand by that assertion. The most natural way to train with Isometric Contraction in my opinion is to include DVR exercises that move the muscles through a full range of movement at the end of each Isometric Power Flex Contraction. It does not require more than just a few very limited repetitions. Still, if all one can do is to integrate Iso Power Flexes into their lives at odd times throughout the day, great benefits can be achieved.

---John Peterson

Andy62
05-27-2010, 12:19 PM
I think that we often underestimate the positive mental effects of powerflexing and other isometric or static contraction type exercises. They build confidence, concentration, body control, and the ability to direct and focus our mental force on a variety of different life situations. Their potential is always with us and they can be used in a variety of situations throughout life; many times without other people around us realizing that we are using this power. The research on yogis at the Menninger Clinic proved in a scientifically controlled and clinical setting that projecting our thoughts can even move and effect physical objects.

duff
05-27-2010, 05:01 PM
From my personal experience I can totally vouch for what John is saying here. Isometric contraction is a powerful way to build strength that is optimized with a few DVRs of the same movement. I've also found that these methods work synergistically with the power calisthenics in a difficult to describe way but that is obvious when you try it.

jan
05-28-2010, 05:26 AM
Duff,

from what you wrote, I tend to conclude that if you combine isometrics with G.U.T.S. and the M7, you would have the perfect training routine. Worth investigating.

Jan