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Video: 4 Static Strength Exercises That Will Make You a Better Athlete
These static exercises help prepare you for dynamic, explosive moves, and better running.
Isometric exercises, also known as static strength exercises, are contractions of a particular muscle for an extended period of time. You get into a fixed position and hold it for as long as you can. This has the dual benefit of injury prevention and building a foundation of strength—particularly beneficial when rehabbing from injury.
To get the most out of isometric exercises, focus on one area of your body and do different variations of each pose or increase the amount of time you’re able to hold a post. With isometric exercises, unlike dynamic exercises, there’s a low chance of injury because there’s no impact or complicated movements required.
The four exercises in this video will help ensure your entire body is being challenged to get stronger and reveal any areas of weakness. They’re simple to try and you can do them anywhere: calf raise, chair squat, plank hold, and a pull-up hold. Beware: some of these are harder than others!