OK...
First of all, Kreniak, I definitely have made a ton of gains this year. Just to let you know I'm 5'10 and float between 195-200. When I was doing these static contractions(in march this year), I was sitting around 180. I don't think there is much correlation between explosive strength and static stregth.
I do know that my static strength definitely increased.
For example, when I first started doing static contractions, I could hold something like 70 lbs on the preacher bench for 30 seconds, which would take my bics to failure.
After 3 weeks I was able to hold 100 lbs for the same, umm, contraction, without fatiguing them.
However, my standing barbell curls, maybe went up 5 lbs over the same course of time. Which is more or less what I average every 3 weeks for biceps.
Finally over the same course, I wasn't eating a TON. I was eating a moderate ammount where I wouldn't gain much fat, but put on lean mass slowly (which very well could have had something to do with it).
In the same course, while doing regular movements, I would likely put on the same amount of lean mass in a month(roughly 1 lb), so I seriously discredit the static contractions for any significant mass gains. And don't tell me 12 lbs of lean muscle a year isn't good, maybe when your 15 and still growing, but when you are in your 20's and your body isn't maturing any more those are pretty good numbers for somebody natural.
I thought you were going to be working out weight free and doing strictly bodyweight excercises anyways?? Have you already changed your mind?
Ryan