So, yeah.
I’ve been weight training for about five years, with something like seven years of pushups and chinups and the like before that, and I’ve plateaued. I’m still thin as all get out, and I can still up strength a bit, but I’m just not getting bigger. So, as a physio project, I’ve been researching strength training!
I hit upon something today I’d never heard of. They call it Static Contraction training. Basically what you do is get the largest weight you can possibly move, get someone to put it in your hands so that you’re in a position where the joint is one or two inches from being locked (ie, the strongest position the muscle has), and hold it there for 5-15 seconds. You do this once a week, alternating exercises each week. Once you can hold the weight for 15 seconds, you up the weight and do it all over again.
If the studies they present me with are true, I should experience massive muscle increase in perhaps five months or so. And I figure, if it dosnt work so miraculously well, what’ve I lost? So, why not.
Reasons I think it’s worth a shot: Because I’d be holding an amount of weight which is ridiculously enormous. As such, the muscle will be put under gigantic strain. I am slightly concerned about injury, but I’ve never had an injury before while weight training, despite doing some stupid things; my muscles are pretty resistant. Of course, I’m going to be real careful.
So wish me luck. Maybe I’ll start recording my progress here for you all to see! If it works I’ll start spreadin’ the word to all you strength obsessed dopers out there as to the details. If you want 'em, that is.
[sub]joy. I’m gonna be buff![/sub]