Isometrics

Isometric exercises have been around for many centuries. The early Chinese used it in their lives. Yoga and martial arts are forms of isometric exercises. Today, sometimes due to injuries, doctors prescribe isometric exercises when their patients are unable to do regular (isotonic) exercises.

Muscles are used to exert a force against an immovable object during isometric exercise. Types of materials that can be used for this type of exercise include your own body, structural items such as doors or walls, free weights, weight machines or elastic equipment. There are also more complex machines with pressure plates that are sometimes used. People who have high blood pressure should not do these exercises because the initial use of them spikes blood pressure and it could be dangerous. It is always good to check with a doctor before doing any type of exercise. There are a few simple exercises that can be done in the home. But they should be attempted only if one knows the proper way to accomplish them. These are sometimes used in physiotherapy and injury rehabilitation, as they are safe and fairly simple. Most are designed for a push or pull or static movement. Pushing against a door frame and holding the stance for a few seconds; holding weights at shoulder length; holding in stomach muscles for a few seconds while resting on floor; and doing calf raises by lifting toes and holding onto a wall are all forms of isometric exercises.

Learning techniques and properly using them for isometrics can be refreshing to one's health. NASA has done research and found that while useful, isometric exercises are not meant to be used to lose weight or to build muscle. Having a good guide is important for finding the best use.