What I really dig is the spine and neck workouts. Never saw that addressed before, and what a difference in how I feel everyday!! Thanks!!

Good Points:

This course provides a clearly defined system that is easy to follow. It clearly lists the exercises for each body part and proscribes recommended repetitions. It does not, however provide recommended sets. Jim does address the issue of sets on the first page of the chest workout by letting people know that it is ok to break up the repetitions into sets and allow for rest in between. Jim places emphasis on tension more than the amount of repetitions.

Mr. Forystek's sons are in really good shape and do a wonderful job in posing. Both Jimmy and Johnny made excellent models and demonstrate the effectiveness of the system.

I personally found the acknowledgment section interesting and somewhat inspiring. It's too bad that Jim Forystek never asked his dad where he found the six-foot metal pole in the woods.

Suggested Improvements:

I feel that Jim should have provided a couple of pages on a recommend diet plan.

POWERFLEX often times uses three pictures to demonstrate exercises. I believe that several of the Flexes should have 4 or five photos per exercise.

More examples of speed, energy, and endurance workouts should have been provided. Information on how to combine the different drills for a week or month schedule would have added a lot of value.

Bonus:

This book serves as an excellent complement to other bodyweight exercise books. This course offers a new approach with emphasis on flexing rather than on calisthenics. Purchased with other books that primarily focus on calisthenics, POWERFLEX provides many excellent complimentary exercises and fitness information, but with very little duplication of material.

Score:

I gave this exercise manual a rating of four out of five stars. I highly recommend its purchase. It's a great addition to any fitness library.

My transformation has me totally astounded. I never thought that developing a powerful body like this could be done in such a short period of time, and with enjoyable, easy to do exercises at low rep counts. Powerflex does work! I'm living proof.

I look and feel great. Never before in my life have women touched my arms and shoulders during casual conversation like they have been since I've been on this program. Having a muscular body rocks, and following the routines in this book will develop one.

Powerflex is set up by bodygroups, like the Atlas course and John Peterson's(who actually does the forward to this nice book) Pushing Yourself To Power. Each gorup is set up with 5 great excercises and from there Powerflex lays out a routine that can be followed in the same premise of grouping bodygroups together to follow an 8-10 week regimine, much like the Atlas course.

Apparently, Jim and his two sons have been Atlas students for their whole lives. Powerflex has a nice appeal (using animal names and imagery for the movements) designed for getting youngsters and teenagers to embrace what can be said to be..."It's not your Grandfather's Atlas anymore". It's core is basically the same as Atlas but it expounds in so many more areas and has many movements and excercises that Atlas does not have.

For young and old, male and female, Powerflex is a wonderful book and a great laid out plan. The photos explain the Atlas related Dynamic Tension excercises even better than the old Atlas course does as there are a series of 3 photos for various stages of each movement. Very well done.

Today we have reversed that and the bodybuilder physique is appearing in every sport from football to ping pong. Athletes and actors are expected to have that look, whether it is functional for their sport or not. What is worse is that more and more teens and pre-teens are being put into the weight room to train for sports before their adolescent bones have calcified. Often frustrated at their perceived lack of progress they turn to steroids or other pharmaceuticals for the edge, causing even more damage to their bodies.

Enter Powerflex. A modernized version of the Charles Atlas "Dynamic Tension" routine, this book incorporates the natural movements of animals in a program that combines isotonic and dynamic resistance exericse with deep breathing, bending and twisting. This program is excellent for the young athlete trying to build coordination, balance, stamina, speed and strength. It is modelled by the author's sons who have built athletic "real world" physiques that would turn heads on a beach or carry their owner to victory on the playing field. This program is also excellent for the older athlete or adult who is trying to lose weight or who is tryng to recapture the agility and vigour of youth.

I must say though, if you're looking for the body build of a heavy weightlifter or a steroid inflated bodybuilder, this book is not for you. However, if you are interested in a functional, athletic build without joint pain and injury, I highly recommend this book.

By using the "mind muscle connection" as taught in the book you are not just using your mind force to develop your body, but you are also strengthing your mind.

When the exercises are performed in front of a mirror using positve visualizations and affirmations the results can be outstanding. It is the ultimate in applied positive thinking to develop both body and mind.

This program will change your life for the better in ways that you can't even imagine.