Increase Workout Intensity With Isometrics Part 1
Isometric exercises are exercises that involve the maximal contraction of muscles without any movement in the surrounding joints. The constant tension on the muscles may help improve muscle endurance, strength, hypertrophy and support dynamic exercises. Isometrics can be done against an immovable object like a wall (absolute Isometrics) or by holing a weight in a fixed position and contracting the muscle without moving (yielding isometrics). There are other types of isometrics, but they are all subtypes of the above.
Isometric holds can be used to strengthen a weak point in a specific joint range of motion. They can also be useful for injuries when you cannot yet move a muscle through a full range of motion without pain. Isometrics can also be AWESOME if you have limited equipment or only bodyweight and need to make the workout more challenging and increase intensity.
For this post I will use an example of one type of yielding isometrics, Iso-Dynamic. There are a few different ways to do Iso-Dynamic Isometrics but for this workout we will do a version where we prefatigue a muscle for 30-45 seconds of an isometric exercise and then go immediately into 10-12 reps of full range repetitions. This version causes an intense burn and will have your muscles shaking and burning in no time flat.
Before you begin, realize that it is important to maximally contract the muscle (flex) while you are holding it in the isometric position to achieve optimal results. You are not simply trying to hold the weight in the position.
For the following program you will need a bench or Swiss ball, barbell and squat rack or set of dumbbells and a set of dumbbells. Use whatever Dumbbells you have available. If you have a few different pairs of different weights that’s ideal.
Day 1: Pre fatigue Isodynamic Chest and Back
A1) Isometric Dumbbell Bench Press. (Use a bench or Swiss ball) Hold upper arms parallel to floor position. 30-45 seconds the do 10-12 reps of regular dumbbell bench press. Rest 75 seconds
A2) Isometric Dumbbell Bent Over Row. Squeeze the shoulder blades together and hold the weights just below the abdominals for 30-45 seconds then do 10-12 reps regular dumbbell bent over rows. Rest 75 seconds
Repeat for 3 supersets sets and then move on to the secondary exercises. (B1, B2 etc.)
B1) Feet Elevated on Swiss Ball Push-ups. 3 sets of 12-15 reps 3010 tempo Rest 60 seconds
B2) Renegade Rows. 3 sets of 10-12 reps each arm. Rest 60 seconds.
Repeat for 3 supersets sets and then move on to the secondary exercises. (C1, C2 etc.)
C1) Incline Dumbbell Chest Fly on Swiss ball or Bench 3 sets of 12-15 reps 3-0-1-0 tempo 10 second’s rest.
C2) Single Dumbbell Pullover on Swiss Ball or Bench 3 sets of 12-15 reps 3-0-1-0 tempo 75 second’s rest
Repeat for 3 supersets.
Day 2: Pre fatigue Isodynamic-Legs
A1) Isometric Squat (Barbell, Dumbbells or Body Weight) hold thighs parallel to floor position. 30-45 seconds then do 10-12 reps of regular squats. Rest 90 seconds
A2) Isometric Hamstring Curl (Machine or Use a Swiss Ball) hold knees 90 Degrees 30-45 seconds then do 8-10 reps regular hamstring curls. Rest 90 seconds
Repeat for 3 supersets sets and then move on to the secondary exercises. (B1, B2 etc.)
B1) Dumbbell Split Squats 3 sets of 8-10 reps each leg. 3010 tempo Rest 75 seconds
B2) Single Leg Dumbbell Pendulum RDL 3 sets of 12-15 reps 3010 tempo Rest 75 seconds.
Repeat for 3 supersets sets and then move on to the secondary exercises. (C1, C2 etc.)
C1) Iso Single Leg Calf Raise 30-45 seconds then do 10-12 reps of regular single leg calf raise. Rest 60 seconds
C2) Iso Dynamic V-Sit 3 sets 30-45 seconds then 10-12 V-Ups. Rest 60 seconds
Repeat for 3 supersets sets.
Day 3: Pre fatigue Isodynamic-Shoulders and Arms
A1) Isometric Seated Dumbbell Military Press. (Sit on a bench, chair or Swiss ball) Hold upper arms parallel to floor position. 30-45 seconds the do 10-12 reps of regular military press. Rest 75 seconds
A2) Isometric Dumbbell Bicep Curl. Hold elbows 90 Degrees 30-45 seconds then do 10-12 reps regular bicep curls. Rest 75 seconds
Repeat for 3 supersets sets and then move on to the secondary exercises. (B1, B2 etc.)
B1) Isometric Dumbbell Lying Triceps Extension. Hold forearms parallel to floor position for 30-45 seconds then do 10-12 reps of regular lying dumbbell triceps extensions. Rest 75 seconds
B2) Isometric Side Dumbbell Lateral Raise. Hold arms parallel to floor position with palms facing down for 30-45 seconds then do 10-12 reps of regular side dumbbell lateral raise. Rest 75 seconds
Repeat for 3 supersets sets and then move on to the secondary exercises. (C1, C2 etc.)
C1) Standing Dumbbell Hammer Curls 3 sets of 10-12 reps 3-0-1-0 tempo 10 second’s rest.
C2) Triceps Push-ups 3 sets of 12-15 reps 3-0-1-0 tempo 10 second’s rest
C3) Bent Over Dumbbell Lateral Raise 3 sets of 12-15 reps 2-0-1-1 tempo 90 second’s rest.
Repeat for 3 supersets.
There you have it. A great workout using prefatigued Iso-Dynamic Isometrics. Give the workout a try for 5-6 weeks and let me know how it goes. You should notice some definite strides in strength and muscle gain. If this style of workout interests you please check out world renowned strength coach Cristian Thibaudeau’s article Isometrics: The most underrated training tool.
I will have another post next week using this same method for a total body boot camp style workout with video demonstrations so please check back. The workout is one of the exact workouts we did this week in my Online Virtua Boot Camps and it was a burning and shaking good time.
Lastly, I use a similar form of prefatigued iso-dynamic isometrics as part of the workouts in the Trinity 6-Week Home Training and Nutrition Transformation Program. I just lowered the price for this awesome program to only $29! If you train at home or are planning to then this a great program to take your results to a whole new level.
Yours in health.
Kevin
Over my 20 years of training almost every population of people, there are a few disturbing trends that I see. One of the most pressing trends is failure of people to properly warm-up before they workout. Not warming-up is a sure-fire way to get injured and derail your progress, motivation, and results. So if you want to get hurt and have a less effective workout don’t warm-up.