Power Factor Training : A Scientific Approach to Building Lean Muscle Mass

by Peter Sisco, John R. Little

Bodybuilding experts Peter Sisco and John Little present a revolutionary new system for building maximum muscle in a minimum amount of time. "Power Factor Training" emphasizes very heavy overloading of the musculature and long rest periods between workouts, resulting in amazing gains in size and strength. This astounding guide details the proven physiological principles of the program, answers specific training questions, and outlines a concise workout schedule that is sure to benefit beginning, intermediate, and advanced bodybuilders.

Genres: Health

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for a bodybuilder, not someone who is looking to keep in shape. BUT, I did glean some good insight - especially the partial rep system which makes a ton of sense.

The practice is that you do your reps in the strongest range of motion for a particular exercise. For example the strongest range for the bench press occurs during the last few inches of your reach. The weakest is where you first move the weight up a few inches from your chest.

Go ahead, lay on the ground, reach out with one hand like you are doing a one armed bench press and place your other hand on your pectoral muscle. You can feel the muscle engage the most the end of your reach.

I would like to try the program for a few months, but first I need to purchase a squat rack - which is essential since you have to lift heavy in this program.

Of note - I don't believe this program is sustainable for the long run (for me at least) but a good change of pace from my normal workouts.

[Buck Wilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

You got the weight. You got the number of times you lift it. Power Factor Training says you should also figure in how long it takes you to lift it, then multiply all these things together into a big, unmanageable number, and that's how many Strongs you are today. The goal is to achieve maximum Strongs, and this is best achieved by what some less scientific bros would call "overtraining" two or three times a week, using partial reps because full range of motion is for weaklings.

Power Factor Training is definitely wrong about some of these things, but not all of them. If I'm being totally honest, they won me over with the "Bodybuilding Myths" section, which was a catalog of popular Bro science garbage like "u gotta shock the muscle" and "u gotta train ur Upper Pecs" followed by viciously condescending scientific breakdowns of why that's bullshit.

The whole book is worth the read, but if you're not about reading exercise manifestos, let me summarize:
"Lift heavy weight as fast as you can. If you can't lift it for full reps anymore, lift it for partials. You don't need to shock the muscle. You can't shape or define it. You can't scare, confuse, or intimidate it. It either contracts or it doesn't. Contract it real good, until it can't anymore, then take 48 hours off."

[Anthony Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picks up where Mike Mentzer left off and provides ideas regarding the weighted partials approach. There are detractors but the results speak for themselves.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. I think the author is trying a little too hard at times to be scientific and he sometimes makes some claims about "science" that I know are at best biased. He's never way off base but he does have his own view he is putting forward. Read it and evaluate for your own personal needs. It may have what you are looking for, or not.