Compelling research and useful quick tips and programs to reestablish isometrics back at the forefront of meaningful training. Isometrics can serve every goal you can train for: pack on muscle, drop fat, or build pure strength....it's all here! This book excites me to return isometrics to a mainstay of my own training. The best part is, there is plenty here to work with whether you own an isochain or not. But I can also certainly see the value in acquiring one. Hands down, The Ultimate Isometrics Manual is an essential addition to my training shelf!

I don't work in the industry, but I got a degree in kinesiology and I am obsessed with biomechanics and exercise physiology. I immediately saw the almost limitless potential of the Isochain back when I first read about it on Dragondoor's website and right away I became an advocate. I have been looking forward to reading this manual for months, and it is everything I hoped it would be. It has everything: it's full of practical information that's immediately applicable in the real world (even before you get your hands on an Isochain), it has the scientific theory to back everything up so you know why and how the exercises work, it covers the history of isometric training, it has great pictures, and it also acts as the user's manual for the actual device, explaining the various features. It is truly an encyclopedia of isometric exercise, and perhaps best of all, it gives you all the information you need to confidently adapt and expand exercises and routines to suit your needs. I don't usually write reviews, and I don't think I've been as impressed by something since I first read Convict Conditioning. Thank you Coach Wade, John Du Cane, and everyone else who had a part in this project. I can't wait to get my Isochain!

This has been a particular Holy Grail for me as I have spent many years collating information from a great many resources pertaining to Isometric Strength and Conditioning.

When I was in my teens I studied as much as I could to regain my strength after a year long bout with Glandular Fever. The inevitable ME/CFS that followed then further reduced me to a mere shaky, weak teenager. I began experimenting with Bruce Lee's isometric exercises and holds using just what I could gleen from the photos in his books. I purchased my first Bull Worker and trained with Dynamic Tension and static holds. I found my strength grew. As I became older and learned to weld, I made my own version of the old school "chain and bar" similar to the IsoChain without the electronics. Again, I found my strength grew. I began studying Physical Culture from the early 1900's and started incorporating in my classes and to family members, as by then I had sufficient strength to teach my beloved martial arts. Even my much loved bed-bound family member was taught how to use isometrics to fight off the wasting away of muscle. In 2006, I became an RKC Instructor during a visit to Philadelphia and on my return I concentrated on helping others to regain their strength, rehabilitation and prehabilitation. 'The Ultimate Isometrics Manual' is the book I wished I had over 35 years ago. It is the one-stop-shop regarding Isometric Strength and Conditioning. Not only does it provide modern scientific research and background into the how and why Isometrics works but it provides sample plans, detailed instruction on how to deploy this knowledge making yourself strong and develop almost bulletproof tendon strength. This is the modern book of the old school, almost forgotten, training that can provide results in a relatively short period of time.This I can vouch for.

Although the book does refer to the use of the IsoChain, the amazing fact is the book is not written as a promotional tool for the IsoChain. There are chapters purely on body weight and Static Contraction training. There are references to the greats in the field of Static Contraction such as Mike Mentzer, Bruce Lee, Bob Hoffman, Charles Atlas and Maxalding to name but a few. The suggested training protocols can and will suit anyone from any walk of life in their endeavour to grow strong or turn the clock back and regain some lost musculature. The truth is in the title, in my opinion this definitely is the "Ultimate Isometrics Manual." Once you have this there is no need to look anywhere else for Isometric exercise as you will only find watered down barely comprehensible knowledge or techniques.

Being based in Scotland, United Kingdom is my only reason why I do not yet have the IsoChain. However, I endeavour to purchase one in the very near future for the benefit of myself, my family and my students. Thank you again Dragon Door... Stefan Milne PhD RKC MMA-CSCC

During the early 1960s, as I began a long career in competitive weightliftting, powerlifting, and All-Round lifting, Bob Hoffman started preaching isometric exercise as extreme strength training. It made sense then, and it continues to be powerful advice in this age.Through the extensive pages of The Ultimate Isometric Manual I was able to relive the rich history ,VERY compelling scientific research, and many of the IC strategies that I have so joyously experienced throughout the years. Dedication to these principles have yielded for me many National lifting titles, 9 IAWA world championship victories, and hundreds of National and World All-Round records.

I well recall one summer at college, working on my Master's degree in education, where I trained with nothing but a chain, as advocated throughout the new Ultimate manual. Returning to my lifting gym after such intense, limited training I was able to succeed with my all time best squat of 600 pounds (as a middleweight)! This work and much sweat within a power rack for various positioned ,limit holds supplied power that a small boned, natural hard-gainer," genetic blunder" like myself had no right to acquire !

In these hectic modern times, many of us hardcore iron men and women, have returned to home gyms. Nothing I've read makes anywhere near as much sense for garage (or even living room!) training as does the wonderful material and inspiring photos of " Ultimate Isometrics"!

I've been studying isometrics for years. As a retired military man, I've always looked for something to give me that edge. I never could stand to be just average. Isometrics has been a most valuable tool in reaching and surpassing my goals. But, until now, it?s been mostly experimentation and trying out things I could gleam from the minimal resources available. With The Ultimate Isometrics Manual I now have the resource I wish I had years ago. It not only shows you what to do, but why.
The photos are clear and the explanations easily understandable. It lays out everything you've ever wanted to know about Isometrics and many things you wouldn't know to ask. You want strength, it's in there. You want muscular endurance, it's in there. And, YES, muscular size too. It's got a full program to use for that rarely talked about benefit of isometrics, muscular size building. You'll never need another resource. Just buy it!

This manual has quite possibly the most comprehensive and concise information concerning isometrics and it's application there is out there. You are sure to get huge bang for your buck with this book both aesthetics wise and strength wise. Within a short time, I've noticed marked improvements in my physique and I can L - Sit using my fingers (This didn't come by working on L- Sits specifically or trying to use my fingers while doing them, rather it was by working on full body tension with the very low level bodyweight isometric exercises found in this book).
This manual has shown through application of principles contained within that isometrics is a time efficient and effective way in improving your body's performance in many ways. Even if you haven't ordered the ISOCHAIN, you should still get this as it will still benefit you tremendously and you will be thankful for it!

I'm a big fan of Paul Wade's prior calisthenics books, and this is of similar caliber. I believe that this will do for isometrics what Convict Conditioning did for calisthenics: allow a new generation of strength athletes to take advantage of time-tested methods that fell out of favor because they don't generate enough revenue for fitness companies.
While this book is probably best as a companion for the Isochain, it contains a wealth of information that makes it a solid standalone product. If you're looking to convert to isometrics as your standard strength training method, this is your book. Want to add isometrics to standard barbell/dumbbell methods? Coach has got you covered. Want to hybridize bodyweight with isometrics? No problem. How about isometrics and kettlebells? Check. Basically, if you think isometrics have a place in your training, this book will help you integrate them. And if you read the science behind isometrics, which this book also discusses, you're going to want to incorporate isometrics into your training.
A big thanks to Coach Wade for helping to evolve my training yet again!

I simply cannot recommend the UIM highly enough. This is manual should be required reading not just by exercise enthusiasts and athletes, but anyone who's serious about reaching their full potential as quickly as possible.

Perfect marriage of motivation, theory and practice. The case for isometrics exquisitely made. This is followed by an exhaustive, encyclopedic collection of equipment/no equipment exercises. It's clearly written and logically presented.

Whether you are using an Isochain or no tech isometrics (or both), it is hard to see what can beat this approach for cost effectiveness, portability, time efficiency, joint health, and of course strength. Kettlebells may be great but not so much for a road trip.

This is capped by a collection of isometric programs that should suit just about anyone?s goals and keep them going for years.

When you combine Ancient Wisdom and back it up with data, results and modern science, you have yourself a compelling book. The Ultimate Isometrics Manual (UIM) should be read by trainers, physical therapists, and anyone who wants to workout smarter, faster, and without injuring themselves.
There are interesting stories that detail the powerful results of using isometrics. My favorite story was about a frog's leg that was put in a splint for 6 weeks and the ensuing results. I told this story at a recent party and the attendees were surprised and amazed.