Isometrics for Better Squatting
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Isometrics for Better Squatting | Ep. 119 | Movement Fix Monday
This is part 2 in the 'un-sexy' series. Why is it the 'un-sexy' series? Because doing isometrics to improve your strength and control of different joint positions isn't flashy or exciting, but it's powerful and under-utilized.
Wes joins me again in this video to demo a squat isometric variation where you take a wide stance, called the horse straddle squat (and it probably goes by other names in other places).
- Start with your feet together. Windshield wipe your feet out (see video to visually see what that means) 4-5 steps as a starting point
- Get as deep as you can while controlling the position and keeping your spine in neutral
- Try to balance a dowel on your thighs without letting it slip off
- Hold until it gets hard
- Take a break
- Repeat 3-5 times (this is feel based)
We already do tons of squatting volume, but how many people are working on their isometrics for these different lifts? Very few is my guess. We are leaving a lot on the table by not working on isometrics MORE to support the big lifts that we are currently doing.
Thanks for reading,
Ryan
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Comments
Love this drill! Started using it for both myself and my clients.
Hi Guys,
Love your work. Just a tip, can you start off with why this is something you should do - talk to the benefits more?
Wes gets into it but only at 4:53.
Thanks,
George
Hey Dr. Ryan,
Really like watching this segment on isometrics. Isometrics seem to be only used from a rehabilitative standpoint but that definitely misses out on all that an isometric can accomplish.
I think that it'd be awesome for you to look into the Isophit, the only complete isometric strength training machine. It encompasses every possible joint angle you could imagine and offers an opportunity to not only focus on rehabilitation, but also reaches the other end of the spectrum with athletic performance and everything in between. I think continuing your isometric series would be great and perhaps including a feature on the Isophit would really shed some light on how to utilize isometrics to their greatest potential!
I'd love to chat more about this if you are interested, and I hope that you are! Have a great day and keep doing what you are doing, it's awesome!
[…] of the 'un-sexy' series on how to improve your positioning using isometrics (see part 1 / part 2 / part 3for more […]