Isometrics will toughen up your mind and body, and also heal your mind and body.
Most men are too smart and educated to fall for isometric training as an effective training tool.
I’ll stick with the old time athletes and strong men who used them as part of their daily training.
I love the forgotten secrets of strength and conditioning, few ever go to the past for valuable information.
Most men look to the new less effective training information and it’s why men are weaker, fatter and more sick than ever before, despite better technology, more supplements, more “Health Food” more gyms, more cardio, etc.
Isometrics were always boring, and like most felt they were inferior to other methods of training until studying more into a once stronger society of men.
When I was first exposed to the “Isometric Horse Stance” was when I was taking karate in grade school and remembering the pain of the exercise, which was given out as punishment!
Now almost 40 years later, I’m doing it again.
Most isometric exercises are done for 7 to 10 seconds and some people will give the 30 second range.
Do you know why 7 to 30 seconds are used?
Because they are tough and most can’t handle anymore!
Now add weight and more time like 1 to 5 minutes and tell me the strength and toughness you need to do a 3 minute “Horse Stance” with extra weight.
Or add a weighted back pack with 30 to 60 lbs and hold an “Isometric Push up Hold.
Or make it even tougher by lowering yourself until your arms are at about 90° angle and hold that position until you fail.
You can use so many different ways to increase your isometric strength and conditioning and never get bored!
Strength and conditioning is more important than having size that is useless outside the gym and keeps you injured.
When I trained heavy with weights I always felt heavy, after a training session of isometrics makes me feel light and very athletic.
I have shown so many YouTube videos of using everything from rocks to back packs, barbells, cinder blocks, weight plates, ankle weights, anything can be used to increase isometric strength and durability!
Johnny Grube
From doing 20 descending sets of prisoner squat thrusts, I had two sore tendons on my triceps. But from doing the mid push up holds, it has gotten better and stronger.
Isometrics are the real “magic bullet” for the body.
Just read Steve justa’s book, big on isometric holds
Nothing makes me feel so light afoot like isometrics!
I usually take 10-20kg plate,and hold it in front,arms bent,
And go to squat position,hold 8sec,stand up explosive,
Immediately again in squat,again 8sec hold,2sec for up
And down,and u dont have to count,just check total time
look up
ALEXANDER ZASS!!!
amazing and real life value of isometrics!!!
Johnny you’re a beast and an inspiration. Love your style man. I know you were reading Making Manhood in Modern America. In the chapter on strength I advocate for the utility of plyometric and isometric training. You prove that plyometrics and isometrics can make you incredibly strong. You take true masculine strength to that next level man. Great stuff.
Jared thanks. Love the book! I will do a review soon.
I’m doing more isometrics as I get older. Not only are they effective , they are also easier on my 51 year old joints.
Something I like to do which may not have been mentioned here is isometric punches agains the wall . Put your fist against the wall , dig your back foot in and drive with your hips. Try to push your fist into that wall. Jay “Champ ” Thomas recommended this in his books and it works for me.
Rob, Yes a good exercise I do it from time to time.