I started to title this "Give Credit Where Credit is Due," but decided the other sounded better. John, like anyone else, myself included, has his idiosyncrasies, and those tend to get magnified because of being a public personage.
A lot of us have improved our lives over the last decade or so, by following John's lead toward the nonapparatus style of training, whether we admit it or not. I am thankful for that. I sent John a shooting video I had done on the Star BM9 the other day, since I was wearing one of his Bronze Bow jackets in the video.
John was impressed at how fit and healthy I looked, which shouldn't have been a surprise, since I train a lot like he does. I am not in contention for a bodybuilding contest, nor am a champion athlete, but I do alright for a guy my age. And you know, you have to give credit where credit is due. If it hadn't have been for John's influence, I'd be a busted up wreck like I was in my mid forties.
Mike, my Snyder (through a website named Etsy) arrived day before yesterday. I had one like this long ago in the 60s I think; it got lost somewhere in the 70s. Put in two workouts already with this as part of my routine and I'm really enjoying it. Only 29.95 so it didn't break the bank.
John a number of guys in the 1960's made Isometric Exercisers, a wooden board, a wooden bar and most used a nylon rope, it worked great. My one rich buddy got a Bob Hoffman "Strength Builder" (the most expensive Isometric Exerciser) a wooden footboard with a chain attached and a bar with a hook. But he bought a Snyder, it was lighter, better for Travel and and he liked it better. I'd bought an expensive weight set and preferred the simple, light Snyder results.
John you will find a Snyder online; I bought several for family & friend's.
MikeNY
That's basically the kind of isometric apparatus I use. Using materials I had available, I made mine out of a wooden board, chain and bar. Works great for my needs and feels natural (I like the feel of holding onto a bar). However, the Sndyer Exerciser sounds like it would be a lot more convenient for travel, etc. I'll have to keep my eye out for one.
I never liked the Belt, preferr a Yoga Belt, in New York in the late 1950s to 1960s guys used a steamer trunk belt (about the same as a Yoga Belt) for Isometric exercises. I prefer a Snyder Isometric Exerciser (made in the 60's/70's) and sold on ebay new and used (sometimes on the cheap; google it as it is sold elsewhere) it is a short steel barbell connected by a nylon rope to a steel footrest, and using a slip knot to adjust length.
Ok I thought you were asking about the belt, I misunderstood you. The belt is ok, could be little cheaper. And what you thought I agree.
I like the belt because its like a wider longer yoga belt and it looks like it can retain a loop shape whihc is something I cant get with the iso extension from bullworker....I just though some of petersons writing were a little weird in the forum.
What John wrote about the forum is true. I have that belt but I prefer the Sierra isometric/suspension strap. If you're are strap for money there is free stuff on the internet. But you're your own man so that's your decision.
I have been considering some of Johns books and the belt but the forum sometimes put me off, although solytrains posts are great. Hmmmm are he books worth it? the Belt?
LOL - ain't it the truth.
Like Michael, I too first came across John through an early Matt Furey endorsement back when Pushing Yourself to Power first came out. I was blown away by John's build. Prior to this, I was heavily influenced by traditional bodybuilding training methods, but was always a big fan of bodyweight exercises (I loved the idea of never being without a gym) . Furey really stoked the fire on bodyweight training and I believe he was largely responsible for the ensuing craze. John came in at the perfect time and showed that not only could one gain "functional" strength and fitness (whatever that means) with bodyweight exercises, but also a great physique.
I admit, however, that I never really got into the DVR and DSR stuff, and only recently have I become interested in isometrics. Nevertheless, Peterson proved to be the ideal poster child for bodyweight training (at least in my opinion) and he created an on-line community where like-minded people like us could meet and interact. I also like that in addition to himself, he pointed people towards other physical ideals (Charles Bronson--the actor, Yul Brynner, Woody Strode, Mike Henry, etc.) that people could aspire to and gain inspiration from. Not only do people these days have unrealistic expectations, but we seem to have even forgotten about what a nice looking physique actually looks like.
Perhaps most importantly, John helped open many people's mind to the realization that a focus on heavy weight training (as well as other kinds of extreme training methods) tends to eventually break the body down, which is something that seems to be completely lost on today's fitness community.
All that being said, I can't deny that there were many times when John would rub me the wrong way. The overly restrictive discussions, intolerance towards different training ideas and excessive banning would become too much to take at times, and would often drive me away from his forum for long stretches.
Nevertheless, I can't deny that John's training methods and ideas have in some way or another heavily influenced my own thinking and approach to exercise. In fact, I've come to realize that some of my own training ideas that I thought I came up with, I actually learned from the Transformetrics forum. Larry Scott once made a similar observation when talking about how Vince Gironda influenced his own training ideas and approaches. After a while, you forget where you learned them. Even though I may not always agree with John Peterson or approve how he goes about things, he still has my respect and I remain grateful for what I've learned from him. Besides, we're all a little weird.
I actually found Matt Furey when I was at my worst. I came from bodybuilding workouts and the 5 to 6 times a day eating school. Matt changed my mind about weights.
I found John through Matt Furey's publications. I'll give him bringing the exercises to people. But some of the other stuff is over the top for me.
If you are just talking about the exercise he could present it better. Eventually doing the everyday thing and macho thing as he presents
There are no magic pills. These exercises are good when presented in a way that's good for the person. I'm not trying to discredit John for bringing some of these exercises to the people. But if You disagree with him forget it. There are other places to find this stuff but not everyone finds them in the same place.
I found John’s site after several years training on Atlas’ system. Info posted at his forum finally convinced me that self-resistance may be an effective method for many people independently of their age. Although I did not follow his recommendations directly, I am also thankful to him for many ideas which I found at his site.
i agree 100%