Is Isometrics a Good Stretching Technique?

Unlike other types of exercises where your body has to be in some sort of motion, isometrics stretching is a static exercise in which the length of the muscle and the angle of joint do not change. The stretching and contractions of the muscle helps to reduce the tension of the muscles, so that aches and pains can be alleviated. Isometrics is classified as one type of strength training.

The technique in isometrics stretching is to apply forces to one’s own body. An example of isometrics is to apply the resistance to a ball and keep it from moving. Or, you can do a “push-a-wall” move. In this exercise, your calf will have a good stretch.

When a muscle of your body stretches, some of the fibers in the muscle will elongate and some of them will be at rest. When you do a contraction, the part that was resting now is being pulled by both directions. So, in a sense, the fibers in your muscles will take turns stretching by you doing the stretching and contractions. Doing such exercises over a period of time will help your muscle to be more flexible. Isometric stretching is not recommended for children or teenagers, since their bones are not grown fully. Besides, these groups of people are still young and flexible and they do not need to overdo since too much stretching can cause tears in the tissues and tendons, which results in more harm than benefits.