Customer Reviews

The Matrix Principle: A Revolutionary Approach to Muscle Development

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This book is so well written. It gives you a good insight into how and why muscle growth occurs then gives you building blocks to form your own talored gym program for your own goals inc Repetition, Rest periods, frequency. This book adds the "Matrix principle" to the mix which is an innovative and scientifically tested method of producing faster results than conventional methods.

I came across the matrix principles some years back, and after reading the book thoroughly, applied the techniques with great caution.
The weights are light. The training is mind numbing. The results are fantastic.
If you don't take this training schedule serious, eat right, resting afterwards, you will burn-out.
Eating right will get you through the training program, a cat nap afterwards will get you through the rest of your day.
Doing normal reps is now so boring.
This is the future if you want to develop an all round muscular body.
I highly recommend this form of training.

This approach to weight training is definitely unconventional. I have used this training system fairly consistently for well over a year and have seen great results. It started out as an experiment to see if lighter weights and higher reps really can work. For me it has and I am more than happy with the results from training about four times a week and being inconsistently careful with my diet.
On the positive side, the program provides a way to progress training that is simple to follow. The 'burn' can be intensive and I definitely don't get the same kick when I occasionally venture into a more regular workout.
This book was written some time ago and along with the 80's looking gym gear in the photo's, some of the information is likely to be out of date. The authors spend quite a bit of time justifying why the system works. Some of this is pure theory and is dubious at best. More recent info suggests the program may work by increasing the 'time under tension' and by the extra work that is required from the muscle to stop a repetition in a part of the range. Also, the authors talk a bit about having tested the system, but I have been unable to find any published papers. Some of the photo's and descriptions of exercises are also no longer considered the safest option and it may be best to find safer alternatives. The high reps involved in the exercises probably means that form needs to be pretty much perfect and mastery of one level with good form needs to occur before progressing to the next. It may be worth getting someone who knows what they are doing, to check your form occasionally . The seeming complicated workout pattern can be daunting at first, but with a bit of inventive shorthand, it can be written on a small index card. Be prepared for a few strange looks at the gym too. I have had more than a few glances as I have been grunting over a relatively light weight.
My best advice is to expect to spend a bit of time getting used to the system. Expect to work hard and to workout in a different way than usual. There are many workout's out there that 'work'. As with any of them, commit yourself to a time period where you will see if it will work for you.

With all due respect to the author, I would NOT recommend this method. I practiced this method and adhered to Rons principles and quite seriously damaged my shoulder which has required TWO YEARS to rehabilitate, and is still not 100%. I found that the methods lead to OVERTRAINING. I discovered another user who also required physiotherapy for his shoulder after independantly using this method. I did make the gains, I don't deny that. NB. I was experienced with weights and practiced good training form... I personally found the method very damaging to my shoulder, and have only just returned to lifting light weights this summer (2001), but still having minor problems with my shoulder (which is improving). I DO NOT recommend this method. I was unable to contact the author to discuss this issue.