What are isotonic and isometric exercises?
ISOMETRIC EXERCISE
Is the muscle force generation when the muscle length and joints position remain the same. Examples of isometric exercise would be pushing against a wall, doing a push-up and stopping in the ‘up’ position etc.
ISOTONIC EXERCISE
Is the muscle force generation when the muscle length and joints position change, while the force remains about the same. Examples of isotonic exercise would be lifting weights, stretching elastic band etc.
ISOTONIC vs ISOMETRIC
Some people think that the only “true” exercises are the exercises associated with movements – i.e. isotonic exercises. This is a typical misbelief, which probably comes from isotonic exercise equipment being dominant on the market. This domination, however, originates from “commercial advantages” of isotonic equipment only and has nothing in common with any fitness advantages of isotonic over isometric. Isotonic exercise equipment is usually more complicated, more expensive and more profitable for the manufactures, while isometric exercising requires very simple or no equipment at all. The question which type of exercise has a higher fitness value has been debated time after time and the reality is that there is really no clear cut winner. It will not be a big mistake to assume that both types of exercises are equally effective.
Some people mistakenly think that the only “true” exercises are the exercises associated with movements – i.e. isotonic exercises. This is a typical misbelief. The question which type of exercise has a higher fitness value has been debated time after time and the reality is that there is really no clear cut winner. It will not be a big mistake to assume that both types of exercises are equally effective.
questions-answers
As intensity as you want. To increase the workout intensity level just increase any or all of the following: exercise duration, applied force or the number of exercise cycles.
Yes. Just a few ideas:
>> You can successfully ISO Walk using “on-spot” walking (jogging). “On-spot” ISO Walking is good when you exercise at home (in the hotel, in the office, etc.). We recommend using running shoes to reduce stress on your feet.
>> You can perfectly “ISO Walk” using Stepper machine.
>> If walking (jogging, running) is not possible at the moment, you can still train your upper body using the Exercise Device.
Since isometric exercises are almost invisible, you can comfortably exercise in various situations – in the library, in the office, when you are using public transport, even when you are sitting at the meeting.
Not really, just periodical washing.
Do I really need to buy the Exercise Device for ISO Walking?
Indeed, many isometric exercises can be done without exercise equipment at all (see “Dave Hubbard’s 90 second isometric workout” video as an example). Such exercises are very effective for the upper arms, shoulders, chest and upper back. However, they are not enough effective for the forearms. Forearms muscles, in contrast to the most of other upper body muscles, work mainly in a “static” mode and they are well adopted to this type of load. Accordingly, they are not very responsive to the isometric exercises.
For instance, we can carry a heavy bag for a long time and do not feel a big tiredness in forearms. At the same time only one minute of intensive hand gripper squeezing makes our forearms “burning”.
This explains why our forearms muscles development definitely requires isotonic exercises (like resistive squeezing, bending, twisting etc.).
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