Here's a Kickstarter link if you want to get the next generation of the device (and help fund it!): www.kickstarter.com/projects/isoflex/the-isoflex-0 I don't make any money sharing their link. There's no sponsorship or affiliate code. I just like the device and the person making it. There's still a cost barrier, but if you can get it and want to try isometrics, I think it can be great. This is one of my favorite training tools. If not, don't worry! I want to make an isometric series (not sure how many are interested) and can show some more DIY and no-cost alternatives. Hopefully that can help more people enjoy isometrics. They're a great tool and can be combined with regular, dynamic exercise. I really appreciate you watching and reading. Have a wonderful day!
Hey my new internet Friend, can you please advise on any good exercises for damaged medial meniscus please? I wanted to try intead of an operation. Bless you
So what if you earn a commission or referral fee for sharing this great device?! You’re marketing and promoting something that you use and benefit from and enjoy, aren’t you? You’re also sharing your wisdom, knowledge, and experience, offering others ways to gain strength and mobility without charge. I know that you also have paid options and products for sale. All of that is out of my budget at the moment, personally, but I share with others and maybe some of them become customers for you before I do. For now, I’m consuming what you share here on TH-cam, and appreciate the offerings of your time, focused attention, and energy. If you want to receive income from promoting products that are meaningful and relevant to you, so be it! I’m a stroke survivor and live with multiple other disabilities - I’m also the wife of a disabled man and the mother of two grown, disabled sons. Finding what I can - for free - helps me immensely, but that in no way means that you should not eat the way you prefer, keep you bills paid, invest in your retirement plans, etc. Affiliate links, commissions, etc are tools to help you to be able to continue doing what you love without needing to put everything you do behind your own paywalls. It is important to exercise the right financial parts of you too. Don’t leave money on the table because you’re concerned about other people’s opinions about how you obtained it. Just be honest about it. For example, if a lightbulb company wants to sponsor your work, and you only use candles, maybe that’s not a good fit for you. Then again, that sponsorship might help you to do something important to you. If that’s the case, just address it like, “I’d like to thank _____ lightbulb company for sponsoring this video. They came to me because they appreciate my bright ideas. Mostly, I prefer candles, because _____, but I checked out these lightbulbs so that I could honestly tell you about them, and I think that they’re brilliant (or whatever). Click the link in the description for ___% off your order if you’d like to try them for yourself.” That’s fair. I don’t mind stuff like that at all. I am not paying for your expertise right now. I am grateful that I don’t have to. And I’m grateful that you share how and where to get the products that I can use to help myself to promote my health and in my recovery. I don’t begrudge your ability to profit one bit. Cheers!
I commend your ethics about not taking the sponsorships so that there are perceived conflicts of interest! I also commend you on your support and promotion of isometric exercises. I believe that isometrics could be so effective for so many people and not enough are giving it a chance!
09:01 completely unrelated to the video, but i thought it was cute of him wanting to clarify that his "girlfriend at the time" is not an ex, but his wife 😅
We do isometrics a lot in my adult gymnastics class. At first I didn’t think it was doing anything but within weeks some of my other conditioning and drills became a lot easier. The easiest example that I can articulate is that I noticed that when I’m constant with planks my pushups get way easier
Doubtful on the pushups. Unless of course you’re holding “planks” at multiple points in the pushup (which in that case would mean you probably have a strong pushup to begin with.)
planks do a lot for me as well. I'm not a very fit person in general but since I do planks regularly it becomes much easier to just try out stuff and have a relatively good form at first try. At least for me it helped a lot in my fitness journey.
@@ericmalitzit makes sense actually. Building core stability and shoulder/arm strength from planks translates to push ups. Especially in those that are weaker in the upper body area. Typically women are, so it makes sense she would see those improvements whem starting new things especially. For a man, specifically one that trains regularly, the method you described would be beneficial.
Coach Paul Wade, and the Kavadlo Brothers helped me to get into some of the greatest shape of my life. Discovering you and your easy going, friendly attitude toward body weight work and isometrics has reignited a passion I had forgotten about. Thanks Hampton!
I have a channel called Coffee With Hampton where it's basically this! I enjoy making this type of video too, so it makes me happy that some people like them
@@hellohampton One thing I don't find much is about recovery from isometrics. Does the 2 day gap apply as it does for lifting weights? Those people covering isometrics tend to talk about doing it every day. If you could cover this that would be great.
@@evanhadkins5532 yes you can recover faster from isometrics - there's less muscle damage! Ideal rest time probably depends on the type and intensity of workout, but doing it every day is definitely doable. It may take a bit to acclimate to that. I can talk about this more but I still have about a 2-3 day gap between exercises. I could potentially do more, though. Just sharing!
@@Neuman2010 There definitely are some misconceptions about it - I agree! But I can't point too many fingers, I believed a lot of them too until I dove deeper. That's one reason I'd like to see them get more popular. We can get some more attention and research around them!
I didn't expect to enjoy this video as much as I did. The honesty and transparency is so refreshing. I never feel like Hampton shoulds on me. Thank you!
Your videos helped me to start working out a couple months ago with your hybrid program and that snowballed into a couple hours of working out a week and now I'm seeing really cool benefits. Thanks for doing what you're doing 😃
Look gonna be pretty honest, i found you went i was trying to find a free app for calesthenics and i found you, i am in my fourth day, and i am loving it your app but what made to find your channel, and this philosophy of yours for not "selling yourself" made me see your videos and i... really loved that is your way of thinking. thanks man
Dude, you should definitely get into Wing Chun Kung Fu... you're gonna love it. The 1st form we learn is called SIU NIM TAO. And besides teaching the practitioner the hand movements and techniques in the system, it's strengthening the body thru isometric tension 💯🙏🏾
About the measuring isometrics...One way would be to use a barbell too heavy to lift, but near our limt. Once we start making the barbell move slightly, we overcame the isometrics, and go up in weight. But i imagine there are limited exercises that we can do with a barbell on the stand
This is true! And it's how folks used to do it before digital equipment. Another problem is--how much are you lifting? If you have a hundred pounds on the bar and it MOVES, you are lifting more than a hundred pounds. How much more? A pound? Five pounds? Ten? The Isoflex is digitally accurate. Other than that, it's just an isometric barbell 👊
I like this too! I want a setup like this for my home use. I've recommended this to people but I think by the time they load up the weights and get in position, most people just feel like moving, which I get. That was part of the point of the video that I was trying to articulate (it's easy for me to get caught in some of the details) - isometrics SHOULD be simple, effective, and accessible, but through trying to optimize them, they get more complicated or costly. If they ever get more popular (and they might - they've fluctuated here and there over the decades), more solutions will be made and offered. That'd be fun to see!
After watching this video I tried isometric workout with the elastic bans I got at decathlon. It works really well. They also come in different resistant amounts and can work out a wide arrange of areas. Like over my chin-up bar to pull down and get my triceps.
I made my own I don't have a crane scale yet though. (Your video from years back was the inspiration) But a lot of the time now I just take a small chain and clip it around the hitch on my truck. For my isolifts. Love your channel man. I'm not sure if you said it but holding for time is "yielding isometrics". The maxing out strength is termed "overcoming isometrics".
I've watched Al Kavadlo use some isometrics before, along with calisthenics. Red Delta Project is another one who uses overcoming isometrics and calisthenics for workouts as well. I think I'll be using overcoming and resisting isometrics again soon.
Hey Hampton I love the content you make and how you are very medically informed! If you are stuck on thinking of an idea for a video ever, I used to follow your progressions on your website but 2 years ago began to suffer more chronic pain and joint instability (particularly my spine, fingers, ankles, knees, shoulders can't really hold themselves up when it gets towards the end of the day). I've now identified this as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - I was always hypermobile but this is just a bit more of an extreme case. It's classified as a rare disease but it's not actually super rare, and a lot of people have hypermobile joints anyway without it - possibly you. There is unfortunately a lack of hypermobility informed information on getting stronger which can dramatically reduce people's pain, because lots of the general health and fitness advice is partially not relevant to us (eg. stretching can actually be detrimental, many exercises target large muscle groups but neglect little ones - I basically have to train my muscles to be strong enough to work in place of my joints, almost all of them, because they are too weak. Isometrics are good for us though!! Some of my joints are extremely weak sometimes, if it's late in the evening sometimes I can't even hold a bowl without my fingers all bending back and it dropping). I think your videos are great and you have a large platform, if you were able to do some research and make a video about hypermobility, you've done a few shorts which were great but one big one compiling some more isometrics or tips would be amazing. I feel like there is really limited youtube content about this, but strengthening specific areas is something known for making a huge difference in people this affects!!! Thanks very much, hope you maybe get round to it one day!
@@PaulCoachWade “absolute strength” 😅 What they increase is strength at a single point in a range of motion (and maybe some degrees in both directions.)
Being entirely honest with you Hampton, I fell off on my calesthenics 😅 I definitely need to get back into them (hopefully this upcoming week-- I have your weekly program written down and taped to the front of my diet notebook/ food journal 😊) I may hit up the hardware store tomorrow and get some chain and wood to make a diy Isochain to add isometrics into the mix
It happens but the good news is we can always get back on it! The good news about having different options is we can sometimes switch things up (if we want). Let me know how it goes!
Some of the iso exercises might be doable by a strap and a digital scale (that most people have). For example, we can stand on the scale and do bicep curls or deadlifts. It's probably not so convenient, though
I use an ISO Strap from WorldFit. They're pretty cheap but very well made and the handles are pure gold standard. I slipped the handles through a 2" PVC coupling so I can stick it under a door. I extended the Straps to their full length and can adjust the position by either moving closer or further from the door and by standing on the Straps at different positions. This way, I can duplicate almost any exercise in existence. I also use the free Tabatta Timer to time everything setting up the sets and rest times. I see a doctor every 3 months for a checkup so I start at 30 secs and add 1 sec each week. By the time checkup time comes around, I'm at 42 secs. From there I go back down to 30 secs and do different exercises. I can't measure my strength but I can progress by increasing the TUT. It works for me and yes, I've gotten bigger and stronger. After all, tension is tension and using the time variable, you have a legit progression.
I saw your diy isobar video and I liked it. I got on disability in 2018 so a fixed income and the name brand price was out of my range. I'd asked a friend and/or his brother about making diy version and they were looking into finding parts (chain mostly). I still don't have one. Still want one.
Dang! I didn't realize you have so many subscribers, But yeah, I've included isometric holds on key compound exercises for years, Of course I do full & half range of motion sets as well.
You can get remote readout strain gauge/ crane gauge for under $100. Climbers use hang gauges that link to a smartphone. Personally, most people only need to use feedback occasionally, similar to informal use of heart rate monitor when benchmarking HIIT. This applies to mostly overcoming isometrics. "As hard as you can"
yeh, I tried the crane gage readout on a home made version. You can't see what you're lifting, it's not that helpful. You can pnly see afterwards. that's like doing a bench press and only seeing if the bar moved afterwards, surprisingly unhelpful and mind-fucking
@@bobbytate9907 mine has 8feet of line and a second display you can set on the floor or hang anywhere. Refresh rate is very fast, what it displays is what you're generating. That said, if using mostly overcoming iso, you only need to use it evrry so often to keep yourself honest and recalibrate your RPE.
I have never really tried isometrics, I'll give it a try! When weightlifting I have noticed that my body responds better to low reps with high stress than a lot of reps with medium stress. Curious to see how this will work out!
Isometrics sounds perfect for you brother! I'd be honored if you check out the ISOFLEX. I'm offering online coaching to help everyone who supports. Hope to see you there! 👊
Some shit(some skit(just saw your swearing video)I do, when training bodyweight, I'll do an isometric hold for a few secs to activate mind muscle connection. Then proceed to do said activity.
I dont really see why i neccesarily need a dynamomomomometer if im doing based it based on effort % and do other exercises to notice progress in. I will look at diy solutions. Thanks Hampton!
I do this with resistance bands. I don't get the "numbers go up" rush, but I have a bar and some foot straps(not ankle cuffs), and just start off light, then add more and more bands until I can't lift it, and just hold for time. Due to the length of the bands there are some things I can't do, like a low squat or any lifts that start below at least the waist, but I like it.
I got these strap scales we use to weigh suitcases before travel. They cost like 10-15€ maybe people or you can make a DIY version of those. They only go up to 70KG(150lbs)
I would really love to see a video that shows exactly what you do during overcoming isometrics! Also, do you know how much stronger you got, specifically? Like moderately or significantly? Thank you for the video!
I can't speak for the man, but when I adopted isometrics full time and retested my old lifts at 12 weeks, everything had gone up 25-30%, either in loading or in reps to failure.
@@N22883I use full body with a fairly simple set-up, is very much like a regular lifting program except all the holds are done at long muscle length or the lowest point in the lift. Instead of reps I count breaths. r/isometric_fitness has everthing I know about it including some video content.
No--if they're resistance bands and MOVING, you're not doing isometrics, right? If they're NOT moving, why not use a strap or chain? There's no point in the bands 👊
Something I've been thinking about for a while now. How would you design isometric equipment for public use? I see these "workout stations" at some parks, and the only ones I ever see used are the pull-up bars. Deadlifts and squats seem simple enough: two bars in the ground with a bar in between, repeated at various heights. Bench presses seem doable, though I'm not sure of the best way. Something like a bench with poles on either side with handles sticking out at a few heights. Oh, and with most of these, a simple bathroom scale that goes high enough could work to give feedback. I grew up hella poor, and if there had been stuff like this at a park in my hometown, I know my friends and I would have used them all the time. I've searched many times over the last 4 years (I think you convinced me about overcoming isometrics back in 2020), and I've never found quite what I'm looking for. Either as a public use version, or a home version. I especially love that if I had something like this, I'd never need to buy more weights. If anyone knows where to look, or has ideas on implementation, please let me know!
You are too young to remember Anthony, but many high schools in America had an isometric circuit set up in the sixties--basically bars at different heights, always hogged by the footballers!
This is what I made to do my isos. I use an old heavy bag for a bench and just lay it on the floor. The straps adjust to mimic pretty much any dumbell or barbell lift and a bunch of cable exercises. Just run the pipe through the strap handles. Standing a deck instead of on the straps is a quantum leap forward. i.imgur.com/SVuejjT.jpg
I get my cardio mostly from mental stress I think. 😅 But nah I mostly do high intensity things. Sometimes I'll add in sprints. I used to jog a lot but I don't like it as much anymore. I prefer flip-flops but sometimes wear "regular" shoes during colder months!
@@auricia201 actually yes! Broke my ankle in Hokas and have been very suspicious of the super high stack shoes. I want to experiment and find a good place for me where I have stability and also injury prevention while running on pavement.
@@jkpiowa I'm so sorry for your ankle! I've been using barefoots for half an year now. I like the freedom of movement it brings, but now that I want to start running, I want to find something with some cushioning for impact protection, but still flexible, and most importantly, a wide toe box! But I'm also a bit suspicious about squishy thick soles 😅 I understand your reasoning of wanting thinner soles for stability, but I think it is important to be cautious when switching to barefoots, specially when there are previous injuries. Remember that wide toe box shoes will already give you more stability, and that may be a good place to start, to avoid going all in on barefoots and risk more injuries
@@auricia201 Thank you! I'm going to talk to my Ortho when I go back, and definitely plan to go slowly. I'm interested in Altra or Topo, as they have a variety of sole options. 11 days and 1 hour left on crutches!
I'm not sure i really understand the benefits of isometrics. And I ask this because, by intuition I feel it is a good idea, but when i mentioned that to my trainer, she just asked "why, what's thr point, what benefit does it bring compared to using a heavy enough weight and train it through the whole range of motion?" and I don't have the knowledge to argue with her 😅
You are RIGHT to question this! Muscles are binary units--they either fire or they don't. As a consequence, muscles have no idea whether they are moving or not, and you can train them statically--but with heavier weights! 👊
Hi Hampton! Another great informative video! I was wondering: what do you think about resistance bands? I feel like they can be a solid substitution for weights, and they're cheaper and more portable, too.
I'm all for introducing pure bodyweight isometrics into my routine, e.g. planks. Not so keen on using machines though, this is why I love the Hybrid Calisthenics approach - very minimal. Just a personal observation, to each their own.
There's also physio bands. I've used those to increase rotator cuff strength and stability. But maybe they don't go high enough tension for isometric use?
Hi Mr Hybrid, do you think you could make a video about a strength training program for people who are in their 50s and new to working out? I want to help my mom start strength training and you have a very approachable view on working out!! Thank you for all you do
Isometrics are a regression to the corresponding movement; ex: back extension holds. It’s good. But more generally substituting strength at every point in the range of a movement with strength at a single point is either just shortsighted or a copout. “Possibly oldest range of training” was a funny line, especially after pointing to the electronic device.
Good points and I'm happy to discuss! I don't think isometrics should replace movement at all. I think it's just another tool we can use. You can use it short-term to break plateaus or just integrate it lightly at sticking points or launching points. It's also not just strength at a single point (I thought this too!), but it is more focused than on that area than say, full ROM. The device is definitely not the oldest form of training haha, but I'd guess holds and bodyweight movements were near the beginning. I talk about this in the video, I think. Sorry for any confusion. Happy to talk more!
@@ericmalitz appreciate you giving me a chance to give more information - I'll work on trying to be more clear and concise. Hope you have a great day!
I love to combine isometrics and mobility exercises. Both give me the feeling I'm NOT doing exercises and it helps to get fit enough again when you are really not fit and need to start over again. Also i hate the gym. It's too loud, too inconvenient, too many people. Btw I'm always not sure if mobility exercises and calisthenics are the same?
I think isometrics have a certain weakness of not training type 2 muscle fibres, which can limit your force output for certain movements such as the muscle-up. However, I don't think there are all that many exercises in calisthenics that require explosive power.
Hampton hi, In kickstarter story: "Paul, along with his design and engineering R & D team-formerly the Dragon Door Research Group, now head-quartered in Europe-have spent more than two years refining the ISOFLEX into the unrivalled king of isometric strength training equipment!" Now they pledged of $6,480 goal. Does it make sense?
@@PaulCoachWade You have well established version 2 of the product in production for quite a long time. You already refined it, with your design and engineering R & D team, to version 3. This refinement is already done, am I correct? Now you open Kickstarter funding project with $6,480 goal. Is it one monthly paycheck (or less) for one engineer from your R & D team? Does it make sense?
@@yashas5620 Hi! I think I get ya! The refinements have been designed for our team for some time. We already have the funding for the first batch of stock, but the goal of the Kickstarter is to pay for the tooling we need (new molds!) before we can purchase the first batch! Hope that makes sense! Thanks for the comment!
Long way of saying you're rich and are married.. :P j/k, was wondering a while ago whether this type of exercise makes sense. I imagined that it was easier to pull a muscle when continuously applying force, and moved on with my life. But if you are doing it there must be something so it.
If you don't promote some product then less people will get it in general. Because of that small amount of people who can't tell if someone is exploiting their viewership or not, you will hinder progress of people who actually support you.
Buddy, for it not being a sponsorship you sure are trying to sell it to me. Be aware that undisclosed ads are a crime. I feel like this "Not ad" was most of the video.
Here's a Kickstarter link if you want to get the next generation of the device (and help fund it!): www.kickstarter.com/projects/isoflex/the-isoflex-0
I don't make any money sharing their link. There's no sponsorship or affiliate code. I just like the device and the person making it. There's still a cost barrier, but if you can get it and want to try isometrics, I think it can be great. This is one of my favorite training tools.
If not, don't worry! I want to make an isometric series (not sure how many are interested) and can show some more DIY and no-cost alternatives. Hopefully that can help more people enjoy isometrics. They're a great tool and can be combined with regular, dynamic exercise.
I really appreciate you watching and reading. Have a wonderful day!
Hampton! You truly are my damn hero!
Bless you for sharing. I really hope your audience like this! 👊
Hey my new internet Friend,
can you please advise on any good exercises for damaged medial meniscus please? I wanted to try intead of an operation. Bless you
So what if you earn a commission or referral fee for sharing this great device?!
You’re marketing and promoting something that you use and benefit from and enjoy, aren’t you?
You’re also sharing your wisdom, knowledge, and experience, offering others ways to gain strength and mobility without charge. I know that you also have paid options and products for sale. All of that is out of my budget at the moment, personally, but I share with others and maybe some of them become customers for you before I do. For now, I’m consuming what you share here on TH-cam, and appreciate the offerings of your time, focused attention, and energy. If you want to receive income from promoting products that are meaningful and relevant to you, so be it!
I’m a stroke survivor and live with multiple other disabilities - I’m also the wife of a disabled man and the mother of two grown, disabled sons. Finding what I can - for free - helps me immensely, but that in no way means that you should not eat the way you prefer, keep you bills paid, invest in your retirement plans, etc.
Affiliate links, commissions, etc are tools to help you to be able to continue doing what you love without needing to put everything you do behind your own paywalls. It is important to exercise the right financial parts of you too. Don’t leave money on the table because you’re concerned about other people’s opinions about how you obtained it. Just be honest about it.
For example, if a lightbulb company wants to sponsor your work, and you only use candles, maybe that’s not a good fit for you. Then again, that sponsorship might help you to do something important to you. If that’s the case, just address it like, “I’d like to thank _____ lightbulb company for sponsoring this video. They came to me because they appreciate my bright ideas. Mostly, I prefer candles, because _____, but I checked out these lightbulbs so that I could honestly tell you about them, and I think that they’re brilliant (or whatever). Click the link in the description for ___% off your order if you’d like to try them for yourself.”
That’s fair. I don’t mind stuff like that at all. I am not paying for your expertise right now. I am grateful that I don’t have to. And I’m grateful that you share how and where to get the products that I can use to help myself to promote my health and in my recovery. I don’t begrudge your ability to profit one bit.
Cheers!
"hey friends it's your BROTHER"... Yes yes you do feel like a wonderful brother and friend. I would definitely like that. Prayers brother
I commend your ethics about not taking the sponsorships so that there are perceived conflicts of interest! I also commend you on your support and promotion of isometric exercises. I believe that isometrics could be so effective for so many people and not enough are giving it a chance!
So he doesn't make money so you don't judge him. He's making a sacrifice so weaklings don't unfollow
09:01 completely unrelated to the video, but i thought it was cute of him wanting to clarify that his "girlfriend at the time" is not an ex, but his wife 😅
she used to be Hampton's girlfrield
she still is, but she used to be too
I gotta watch this guy daily
I'll try to make more content so that's even possible 😂 but thank you so much
Agreed 😅@@HybridCalisthenics
@@HybridCalisthenicsno need! We just gotta rewatch them all untill the knowledge stays
It's good for the soul 🙏
@@kevindelgado7083I was gonna say, I tend to rewatch some stuff when I feel like I'm missing something in my workout
We do isometrics a lot in my adult gymnastics class. At first I didn’t think it was doing anything but within weeks some of my other conditioning and drills became a lot easier. The easiest example that I can articulate is that I noticed that when I’m constant with planks my pushups get way easier
Doubtful on the pushups. Unless of course you’re holding “planks” at multiple points in the pushup (which in that case would mean you probably have a strong pushup to begin with.)
planks do a lot for me as well. I'm not a very fit person in general but since I do planks regularly it becomes much easier to just try out stuff and have a relatively good form at first try. At least for me it helped a lot in my fitness journey.
@@ericmalitz you can doubt, but this was what I experienced with my body
@@ericmalitzit makes sense actually. Building core stability and shoulder/arm strength from planks translates to push ups. Especially in those that are weaker in the upper body area. Typically women are, so it makes sense she would see those improvements whem starting new things especially. For a man, specifically one that trains regularly, the method you described would be beneficial.
@@soclose2herThis is pretty interesting. Any other examples of carry-over that you've noticed?
Coach Paul Wade, and the Kavadlo Brothers helped me to get into some of the greatest shape of my life. Discovering you and your easy going, friendly attitude toward body weight work and isometrics has reignited a passion I had forgotten about. Thanks Hampton!
Kind words! Bless you for them 👊
@@PaulCoachWade bless you for bringing body weight work to the masses! Own a copy of every book you’ve released and they’re all dog eared!
That does my old heart good my man--I really mean that more than you know.
Damn, I love duct tape 👊
@@PaulCoachWade just a testimonial of your hard work!
@@PaulCoachWade I signed up for the pledge and looking forward to the Isoflex, thank you!
Now these are format of videos I would like more often, even if it has no editing with just a coffee. Love your content :)
I have a channel called Coffee With Hampton where it's basically this!
I enjoy making this type of video too, so it makes me happy that some people like them
@@HybridCalisthenics Great!
I havent seen a video from this channel in a while ..always so refreshing mad props
Would love a longer form series on isometrics. I'm puzzled why it isn't more popular - it seems to tick all the boxes.
Making some soon just to discuss them and show the pros and cons! They're understandably not super well-known, but I think there's potential.
@@hellohampton One thing I don't find much is about recovery from isometrics. Does the 2 day gap apply as it does for lifting weights? Those people covering isometrics tend to talk about doing it every day. If you could cover this that would be great.
@@evanhadkins5532 yes you can recover faster from isometrics - there's less muscle damage! Ideal rest time probably depends on the type and intensity of workout, but doing it every day is definitely doable. It may take a bit to acclimate to that. I can talk about this more but I still have about a 2-3 day gap between exercises. I could potentially do more, though. Just sharing!
Misinformation abounds when it comes to isometrics.
@@Neuman2010 There definitely are some misconceptions about it - I agree! But I can't point too many fingers, I believed a lot of them too until I dove deeper. That's one reason I'd like to see them get more popular. We can get some more attention and research around them!
I didn't expect to enjoy this video as much as I did. The honesty and transparency is so refreshing. I never feel like Hampton shoulds on me. Thank you!
Your videos helped me to start working out a couple months ago with your hybrid program and that snowballed into a couple hours of working out a week and now I'm seeing really cool benefits. Thanks for doing what you're doing 😃
Thanks a lot Hampton, your videos always make me smile, keep doing what you do!!🎉
Look gonna be pretty honest, i found you went i was trying to find a free app for calesthenics and i found you, i am in my fourth day, and i am loving it your app but what made to find your channel, and this philosophy of yours for not "selling yourself" made me see your videos and i... really loved that is your way of thinking. thanks man
My interest in isometrics is primarily in relation to building tendon strength.
Ur just a great human being, inspirational brother, keep going
Dude, you should definitely get into Wing Chun Kung Fu... you're gonna love it. The 1st form we learn is called SIU NIM TAO. And besides teaching the practitioner the hand movements and techniques in the system, it's strengthening the body thru isometric tension 💯🙏🏾
Hampton, greetings from Venezuela, South America. 🇻🇪👋 Keep the good work. 💪
About the measuring isometrics...One way would be to use a barbell too heavy to lift, but near our limt. Once we start making the barbell move slightly, we overcame the isometrics, and go up in weight.
But i imagine there are limited exercises that we can do with a barbell on the stand
This is true! And it's how folks used to do it before digital equipment. Another problem is--how much are you lifting? If you have a hundred pounds on the bar and it MOVES, you are lifting more than a hundred pounds. How much more? A pound? Five pounds? Ten?
The Isoflex is digitally accurate. Other than that, it's just an isometric barbell 👊
I like this too! I want a setup like this for my home use. I've recommended this to people but I think by the time they load up the weights and get in position, most people just feel like moving, which I get.
That was part of the point of the video that I was trying to articulate (it's easy for me to get caught in some of the details) - isometrics SHOULD be simple, effective, and accessible, but through trying to optimize them, they get more complicated or costly. If they ever get more popular (and they might - they've fluctuated here and there over the decades), more solutions will be made and offered. That'd be fun to see!
My man explains so well
After watching this video I tried isometric workout with the elastic bans I got at decathlon. It works really well. They also come in different resistant amounts and can work out a wide arrange of areas. Like over my chin-up bar to pull down and get my triceps.
I made my own I don't have a crane scale yet though. (Your video from years back was the inspiration) But a lot of the time now I just take a small chain and clip it around the hitch on my truck. For my isolifts. Love your channel man. I'm not sure if you said it but holding for time is "yielding isometrics". The maxing out strength is termed "overcoming isometrics".
Always love it when Hampton uploads 😁
I've watched Al Kavadlo use some isometrics before, along with calisthenics. Red Delta Project is another one who uses overcoming isometrics and calisthenics for workouts as well. I think I'll be using overcoming and resisting isometrics again soon.
Hey Hampton I love the content you make and how you are very medically informed! If you are stuck on thinking of an idea for a video ever, I used to follow your progressions on your website but 2 years ago began to suffer more chronic pain and joint instability (particularly my spine, fingers, ankles, knees, shoulders can't really hold themselves up when it gets towards the end of the day). I've now identified this as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - I was always hypermobile but this is just a bit more of an extreme case. It's classified as a rare disease but it's not actually super rare, and a lot of people have hypermobile joints anyway without it - possibly you. There is unfortunately a lack of hypermobility informed information on getting stronger which can dramatically reduce people's pain, because lots of the general health and fitness advice is partially not relevant to us (eg. stretching can actually be detrimental, many exercises target large muscle groups but neglect little ones - I basically have to train my muscles to be strong enough to work in place of my joints, almost all of them, because they are too weak. Isometrics are good for us though!! Some of my joints are extremely weak sometimes, if it's late in the evening sometimes I can't even hold a bowl without my fingers all bending back and it dropping). I think your videos are great and you have a large platform, if you were able to do some research and make a video about hypermobility, you've done a few shorts which were great but one big one compiling some more isometrics or tips would be amazing. I feel like there is really limited youtube content about this, but strengthening specific areas is something known for making a huge difference in people this affects!!!
Thanks very much, hope you maybe get round to it one day!
Because I enjoy your content so much I'd love to support something you are affiliated with
I love this man.
Love you too!
I've been getting into isometrics lately. I kinda like it. Seems like my strength has gotten better, at least a little.
Isos increase absolute strength faster than any other method. You're onto a winning approach brother 👊
@@PaulCoachWade
“absolute strength” 😅
What they increase is strength at a single point in a range of motion (and maybe some degrees in both directions.)
You’re a good guy Hampton
Being entirely honest with you Hampton, I fell off on my calesthenics 😅 I definitely need to get back into them (hopefully this upcoming week-- I have your weekly program written down and taped to the front of my diet notebook/ food journal 😊) I may hit up the hardware store tomorrow and get some chain and wood to make a diy Isochain to add isometrics into the mix
It happens but the good news is we can always get back on it!
The good news about having different options is we can sometimes switch things up (if we want). Let me know how it goes!
Some of the iso exercises might be doable by a strap and a digital scale (that most people have). For example, we can stand on the scale and do bicep curls or deadlifts. It's probably not so convenient, though
I use an ISO Strap from WorldFit. They're pretty cheap but very well made and the handles are pure gold standard. I slipped the handles through a 2" PVC coupling so I can stick it under a door. I extended the Straps to their full length and can adjust the position by either moving closer or further from the door and by standing on the Straps at different positions. This way, I can duplicate almost any exercise in existence. I also use the free Tabatta Timer to time everything setting up the sets and rest times. I see a doctor every 3 months for a checkup so I start at 30 secs and add 1 sec each week. By the time checkup time comes around, I'm at 42 secs. From there I go back down to 30 secs and do different exercises. I can't measure my strength but I can progress by increasing the TUT. It works for me and yes, I've gotten bigger and stronger. After all, tension is tension and using the time variable, you have a legit progression.
Get stronger without moving? Now we are talking, but I'll wait for "get stronger without getting off the couch"
I saw your diy isobar video and I liked it. I got on disability in 2018 so a fixed income and the name brand price was out of my range.
I'd asked a friend and/or his brother about making diy version and they were looking into finding parts (chain mostly).
I still don't have one.
Still want one.
this new version is half the price
@@bobbytate9907 may have to look into it
Brilliant video respect brother YNWA
I do Isometrics with the cable machine, and yes, watch me shove them walls around! I like it as part of the whole of my exercise stuffs!
14 seconds ago is crazyy‼️‼️
Dang! I didn't realize you have so many subscribers, But yeah, I've included isometric holds on key compound exercises for years, Of course I do full & half range of motion sets as well.
You can get remote readout strain gauge/ crane gauge for under $100. Climbers use hang gauges that link to a smartphone. Personally, most people only need to use feedback occasionally, similar to informal use of heart rate monitor when benchmarking HIIT. This applies to mostly overcoming isometrics. "As hard as you can"
yeh, I tried the crane gage readout on a home made version. You can't see what you're lifting, it's not that helpful. You can pnly see afterwards. that's like doing a bench press and only seeing if the bar moved afterwards, surprisingly unhelpful and mind-fucking
@@bobbytate9907 mine has 8feet of line and a second display you can set on the floor or hang anywhere. Refresh rate is very fast, what it displays is what you're generating. That said, if using mostly overcoming iso, you only need to use it evrry so often to keep yourself honest and recalibrate your RPE.
Thanks wise one ❤
Thank you!
I have never really tried isometrics, I'll give it a try! When weightlifting I have noticed that my body responds better to low reps with high stress than a lot of reps with medium stress. Curious to see how this will work out!
Isometrics sounds perfect for you brother! I'd be honored if you check out the ISOFLEX. I'm offering online coaching to help everyone who supports. Hope to see you there! 👊
Some shit(some skit(just saw your swearing video)I do, when training bodyweight, I'll do an isometric hold for a few secs to activate mind muscle connection. Then proceed to do said activity.
Getting the fat gripz and farmer walk/holds have increased my gains somewhat within the past few weeks
Neat gadget ❤
Appreciate the feedback, thanks!
Thank you
I dont really see why i neccesarily need a dynamomomomometer if im doing based it based on effort % and do other exercises to notice progress in.
I will look at diy solutions.
Thanks Hampton!
True! But you could say the same with a barbell. It's useful to measure whatever you do, right? 👊
- What are you doing?
- stretching my calves on the windowsill.
I do this with resistance bands. I don't get the "numbers go up" rush, but I have a bar and some foot straps(not ankle cuffs), and just start off light, then add more and more bands until I can't lift it, and just hold for time. Due to the length of the bands there are some things I can't do, like a low squat or any lifts that start below at least the waist, but I like it.
You sold me the dynamomomomomomometer for sure
Approved by Seymour Skinner, Steamed Hams chef
I got these strap scales we use to weigh suitcases before travel. They cost like 10-15€ maybe people or you can make a DIY version of those. They only go up to 70KG(150lbs)
I would really love to see a video that shows exactly what you do during overcoming isometrics! Also, do you know how much stronger you got, specifically? Like moderately or significantly?
Thank you for the video!
I can't speak for the man, but when I adopted isometrics full time and retested my old lifts at 12 weeks, everything had gone up 25-30%, either in loading or in reps to failure.
@@Neuman2010 Fascinating. Do you mind describing what your isometrics full-time practice is?
@@N22883I use full body with a fairly simple set-up, is very much like a regular lifting program except all the holds are done at long muscle length or the lowest point in the lift. Instead of reps I count breaths.
r/isometric_fitness has everthing I know about it including some video content.
@@N22883its all up on r/isometric_fitness. Too much to describe. I have a couple videos as well.
Title should be: "The IROH-nic reason......."
You're like Uncle Iroh to me.
Couldn't i just do isometrics with resistance bands and have measureability that way (by increasing resistance throug tougher bands)?
No--if they're resistance bands and MOVING, you're not doing isometrics, right?
If they're NOT moving, why not use a strap or chain? There's no point in the bands 👊
Something I've been thinking about for a while now. How would you design isometric equipment for public use? I see these "workout stations" at some parks, and the only ones I ever see used are the pull-up bars. Deadlifts and squats seem simple enough: two bars in the ground with a bar in between, repeated at various heights. Bench presses seem doable, though I'm not sure of the best way. Something like a bench with poles on either side with handles sticking out at a few heights.
Oh, and with most of these, a simple bathroom scale that goes high enough could work to give feedback.
I grew up hella poor, and if there had been stuff like this at a park in my hometown, I know my friends and I would have used them all the time.
I've searched many times over the last 4 years (I think you convinced me about overcoming isometrics back in 2020), and I've never found quite what I'm looking for. Either as a public use version, or a home version. I especially love that if I had something like this, I'd never need to buy more weights.
If anyone knows where to look, or has ideas on implementation, please let me know!
You are too young to remember Anthony, but many high schools in America had an isometric circuit set up in the sixties--basically bars at different heights, always hogged by the footballers!
This is what I made to do my isos. I use an old heavy bag for a bench and just lay it on the floor. The straps adjust to mimic pretty much any dumbell or barbell lift and a bunch of cable exercises. Just run the pipe through the strap handles. Standing a deck instead of on the straps is a quantum leap forward.
i.imgur.com/SVuejjT.jpg
Is cardio a part of your general routine? And what are your feelings on shoes? Critical information here. 🧐
Love your videos ❤
Rethinking your shoes? Maybe considering barefoots?👀
I get my cardio mostly from mental stress I think.
😅 But nah I mostly do high intensity things. Sometimes I'll add in sprints. I used to jog a lot but I don't like it as much anymore. I prefer flip-flops but sometimes wear "regular" shoes during colder months!
@@auricia201 actually yes! Broke my ankle in Hokas and have been very suspicious of the super high stack shoes. I want to experiment and find a good place for me where I have stability and also injury prevention while running on pavement.
@@jkpiowa I'm so sorry for your ankle!
I've been using barefoots for half an year now. I like the freedom of movement it brings, but now that I want to start running, I want to find something with some cushioning for impact protection, but still flexible, and most importantly, a wide toe box! But I'm also a bit suspicious about squishy thick soles 😅
I understand your reasoning of wanting thinner soles for stability, but I think it is important to be cautious when switching to barefoots, specially when there are previous injuries.
Remember that wide toe box shoes will already give you more stability, and that may be a good place to start, to avoid going all in on barefoots and risk more injuries
@@auricia201 Thank you! I'm going to talk to my Ortho when I go back, and definitely plan to go slowly. I'm interested in Altra or Topo, as they have a variety of sole options. 11 days and 1 hour left on crutches!
I'm not sure i really understand the benefits of isometrics. And I ask this because, by intuition I feel it is a good idea, but when i mentioned that to my trainer, she just asked "why, what's thr point, what benefit does it bring compared to using a heavy enough weight and train it through the whole range of motion?" and I don't have the knowledge to argue with her 😅
You are RIGHT to question this!
Muscles are binary units--they either fire or they don't. As a consequence, muscles have no idea whether they are moving or not, and you can train them statically--but with heavier weights! 👊
@@PaulCoachWadecutting out the end ranges of a movement is pretty terrible advice.
Agreed, I'd never advise that.
Hi Hampton! Another great informative video! I was wondering: what do you think about resistance bands? I feel like they can be a solid substitution for weights, and they're cheaper and more portable, too.
Hey hampton whats up?
Not much, how are you?
I'm all for introducing pure bodyweight isometrics into my routine, e.g. planks. Not so keen on using machines though, this is why I love the Hybrid Calisthenics approach - very minimal. Just a personal observation, to each their own.
Bro i really want to learn self defence and martial arts , can you suggest something for beginners ?
Try taekwondo
There's also physio bands. I've used those to increase rotator cuff strength and stability. But maybe they don't go high enough tension for isometric use?
Hi Mr Hybrid, do you think you could make a video about a strength training program for people who are in their 50s and new to working out? I want to help my mom start strength training and you have a very approachable view on working out!! Thank you for all you do
Would a luggage scale or fishing scale work? One of those weighing hook devices
Isometrics are a regression to the corresponding movement; ex: back extension holds. It’s good.
But more generally substituting strength at every point in the range of a movement with strength at a single point is either just shortsighted or a copout.
“Possibly oldest range of training” was a funny line, especially after pointing to the electronic device.
Good points and I'm happy to discuss! I don't think isometrics should replace movement at all. I think it's just another tool we can use. You can use it short-term to break plateaus or just integrate it lightly at sticking points or launching points. It's also not just strength at a single point (I thought this too!), but it is more focused than on that area than say, full ROM.
The device is definitely not the oldest form of training haha, but I'd guess holds and bodyweight movements were near the beginning. I talk about this in the video, I think. Sorry for any confusion. Happy to talk more!
@@HybridCalisthenics agreed, good stuff man.
@@HybridCalisthenics
agreed, good stuff man.
@@ericmalitz appreciate you giving me a chance to give more information - I'll work on trying to be more clear and concise. Hope you have a great day!
I also thing Isometrics build muscle also. I boosted my progress by adding isometrics to my weight training
I love to combine isometrics and mobility exercises. Both give me the feeling I'm NOT doing exercises and it helps to get fit enough again when you are really not fit and need to start over again. Also i hate the gym. It's too loud, too inconvenient, too many people. Btw I'm always not sure if mobility exercises and calisthenics are the same?
Steve maxwell has turned me onto the forearm forklift as the perfect isometrics device. No measurability but for me that's not critical
LOVE your kitty-cat...& your programs 🙂
I think isometrics have a certain weakness of not training type 2 muscle fibres, which can limit your force output for certain movements such as the muscle-up. However, I don't think there are all that many exercises in calisthenics that require explosive power.
What’s your personal weekly routine?
isometrics look a bit dull against the flashy calesthnetics moves :)
I love you
Bruce Lee called it overcoming resistance
I looked for this comment 😁 I read that he loved isometric exercises. No wonder he had fast twitch muscles.
Where do you live Hamp? Like what's the lake out there? Do you live in a forest?
I wanna visit that lake atleast once in my life...
Hampton hi, In kickstarter story: "Paul, along with his design and engineering R & D team-formerly the Dragon Door Research Group, now head-quartered in Europe-have spent more than two years refining the ISOFLEX into the unrivalled king of isometric strength training equipment!"
Now they pledged of $6,480 goal.
Does it make sense?
Hi! Let me know what doesn't make sense and I'll answer if I'm smart enough!
@@PaulCoachWade You have well established version 2 of the product in production for quite a long time.
You already refined it, with your design and engineering R & D team, to version 3. This refinement is already done, am I correct?
Now you open Kickstarter funding project with $6,480 goal.
Is it one monthly paycheck (or less) for one engineer from your R & D team? Does it make sense?
@@yashas5620 Hi! I think I get ya! The refinements have been designed for our team for some time. We already have the funding for the first batch of stock, but the goal of the Kickstarter is to pay for the tooling we need (new molds!) before we can purchase the first batch! Hope that makes sense! Thanks for the comment!
8:59 humble flex [:
Always recording these as the sun sets, getting blurrier and more grainy.
The price is fine but the shipping absolutely makes it so expensive
Could you do a video with david the stay flexy guy? 😅
1.21 theres the money shot boyyyys
I looked at the Kickstarter as I saw they had a UK HQ. Sadly for me they're shipping out of the US so that's an extra £90. For that reason, I'm out.
hello hampton! :D
why odes it look like a meme if you pause at 3:10 ?
Yooo, early
you can just build that isomax thing yourself
get a bag scale and a cargo strap
PS: oh you did, thats dope😁
id buy it if you made one for 50 bucks
True. But it's hard to know what you're doing and if you're hitting your target load while you're training. 👊
Long way of saying you're rich and are married.. :P
j/k, was wondering a while ago whether this type of exercise makes sense. I imagined that it was easier to pull a muscle when continuously applying force, and moved on with my life. But if you are doing it there must be something so it.
If you don't promote some product then less people will get it in general. Because of that small amount of people who can't tell if someone is exploiting their viewership or not, you will hinder progress of people who actually support you.
It's yapping time
if your goal is to bulid some muscle to be able to do skills or for looks
isometrics won't do that
from my personal experience
Irony.
Buddy, for it not being a sponsorship you sure are trying to sell it to me. Be aware that undisclosed ads are a crime. I feel like this "Not ad" was most of the video.
Jesus Christ is King.
mmmm that was a niece video BUT could u please stop using measurements based on body parts? :I