Strength Basics

Getting stronger, fitter, and healthier by sticking to the basics. It's not rocket science, it's doing the simple stuff the right way. Strength-Basics updates every Monday, plus extra posts during the week.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Isometrics + Explosive Training for Athletes

There is an excellent article over on Elite FTS now that deals with isometric exercises for athletes.


Isometric Training for Athletes


Although the article begins, inexplicably, with a picture of barefoot running, it's not about running at all. Instead, it's about isometric exercises, often combined with explosive exercises.

The idea is pretty simple - you use the isometric exercise to get used to resisting force, and then acting to suddenly tense your muscles against that force to overcome it. Done properly, this totally eliminated the "stretch reflex," where your body stores energy in its elastic tendons briefly before using it to reverse a movement. Think of how you crouch down briefly before you jump, to coil up and store some energy.

The execution is pretty smart - he shows how to load the isometric and then perform unloaded explosive exercises, as well.

Overall, this is a great explanation of an excellent tool in a strength & conditioning coach's toolbox. Worth checking out if you are, or train, an athlete.




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