I am surprised the Isochain is dismissed so often.
Dismissal of Isochain Training
What survey demonstarated "Dismissal of Isochain Training"?
With that said, two Strength Training Methods that are misunderstood and not employed correctly is due to a lack knowledge are...
1) Eccentric Only Training
2) Isometric Training
Since the Isochain involves that latter, Isometrics, let delve into that.
a) Isometrics ensure maximum Motor Unit Recruitment when performed when the greatest force/effort is applied during the Isometric Action.
b) Isometric Actions allow individual to Strengthen their Sticking Point in a Movement; where the weight slows down or stop moving.
Many individual believe the Sticking Point is where the weight stop moving; which isn't the case.
Car Analogy
Think of it like a car that runs out of gas but continues to roll until it stops, if you don't put on the brakes.
Where the car stops is not where the car ran ouf of gas. That's true with Sticking Point in a movement.
Solution
To effectively strengthen the Sticking Point in a movement. An Isometric Action needs to trained just below where the weight stopped moving, as wells as where the weight stopped moving just above and below were it stopped moving.
Research shows that performing an Isometric Action increases Maximum Strength at 15 Degree above and below the point of the Isometric.
a crane scale with a computer that can beep when you reach peak weight
Peak Weight Resistance
The Crane Scale should register and record "Peak Force Production" rather than "Average Force Production."
Dr. Bryan Mann's, University of Miami as an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Sport Science. research determined that while "Average Force Production" provides good feedback, "Peak Force Production" was more effective at determing and develolping Force Production with athletes.
know when you are holding six seconds of 250 pounds of force (for example) at a particular position.
"Average Force Production"
Holding a Isometric Action and measuring it most likely yields your "Average Force Production" for those 6 seconds.
Your "Peak Force Production" will be much higher, developed in a shorter period of time. As per Mann, "Peak Force Production" provide more effective feedback and development of Maximum Strength.
With Sticking Point Isometric Training, Martial Arts, a Batter Hitting a Baseball, you want to produce the HIghest "Peak Force" Possible in your Sticking Point and at the point of impact with a punch, kick or contact in hitting a ball,
At $500 it costs less than a power rack plus weights and bars but uses a different method of building strength and muscle
Power Racks
Isometric Training is one of the keys to increasing Maxium Strength.
Dr Michael Yessis research determined that approximately 10% of the Soviet's Strength Training Program consisted of Isometric Training.
With that said, a Power Rack provides more versatilty in the development of Maxium Strength Training.
Accommondationg Resistance Training Example
This means attaching Chain and/or Band to an Ascending Strength Curve Movement: Squat, Press, Deadlift, Leg Press, Good Morning, etc
In all movements, only one-third of the muscles are OverLoads in any exercise. Attaching Chains and/or Bands, ensure that the muscles in the movement are OverLoaded through a greater Range of the Movement.
To measure the Resistance, I use a Fish Scale.
It measure up to 100 lbs of Chain and/ Band Resistance. This Scale is enough for that but not for an all out effort Isometric Action; a Crane Scale is necessary for that.
The Fish Scale locks in "Peak Force" (resistant chain and band force/resiostance load) when it is achieved for you to see.
Moot Questions
The bottomline is that you don't need any type of device when performing an Isomteric Action. While the feedback is intereting it is not necessary.
The Scale Reading often become an ego issue with how much Force your produced, similar to stating how much yuu can Bench Press, Squat, etc.
What matter in an Isometric Action during an Intense Training Session is Pushing or Pulling as hard as you can around a 6 second period, as a means of increasing Maxium Strength.