Bill Hartman - Opinion (when you get back that is)

[poopy pants]

http://www.t-mag.com/nation_articles/313iso2.html

[kuri]

I second TS's motion.

I've use iso exercises on occassion as a finisher to chest, bicep, or leg workouts, but have never done multiple sets as CT espouses.

Bruce Lee apparently used them quite a bit, but he was looking for speed and strength, not mass.

[poopy pants]

Bruce Lee apparently used them quite a bit, but he was looking for speed and strength, not mass. [/QB]

He wasn't very good at what he did from what I hear. Oh, and he ate lots of soy too, right?

[Bill Hartman]

There's certainly a time and a place for isos and for most they are a novel stimulus which can be a good thing. I rotate quite a few variations and a lot for the trunk musculature.

Bill

[kuri]

Bill, what isometric exercises in particular do you employ? And why for the trunk as opposed to arms/legs (which is what I have mostly used them for)?

[Bill Hartman]

Most folks are weak in the trunk. Can't stabilize it, can't lift it. Isos can be applied to any exercise in the weak point of the range.

Bill

[kuri]

Thanks for the input Bill

[Craig]

Kuri,

Among the ones I use most:

Squat (bottom iso-metric hold)
Push-up (3 positions: top, middle, bottom)
Lunges (bottom hold)
Chins/Pullups (top middle bottom)
Shrugs (top)
Bench (variety of positions)

Most of the bodyweight isometrics are done with the young athletes. Mostly b/c as Bill said, many people, and particularly these athletes, have no control of the trunk. The iso's help strengthen the movement and control of the trunk.

Overall, my approach and the situations I use the isometrics are probably different than CT.

Craig
www.cbathletics.com