Isolation Exercises: What are isolation exercises and why do them?
When most people think of working out, they think of group fitness classes, weight lifting with a friend, or going for a run outside. And while all of those activities are great for your health, there’s one type of exercise that’s often overlooked: isolation exercises.
Isolation exercises are movements that work one muscle group at a time. This is in contrast to compound exercises, which work multiple muscle groups at the same time. For example, a bicep curl is an isolation exercise because it only works the biceps muscle. On the other hand, a squat is a compound exercise because it works the quads, glutes, and hamstrings all at the same time.
How to do Isolation exercises
Isolation exercises can be done with either free weights or machines. Free weights are generally considered to be more effective because they require your muscles to stabilize the weight, which leads to greater muscle development. However, if you’re new to working out, you may want to start with machines because they offer more support and are less likely to cause injury.
Examples of Isolation Exercises
Bicep Curls
Bicep curls are a great way to isolate your biceps and build strength in your arms.
Tricep Extensions
Tricep extensions are another great exercise for isolating your triceps.
Leg Extensions
Leg extensions are an isolation exercise that targets the quadriceps.
Hamstring Curls
Hamstring curls are an isolation exercise that targets the hamstrings.
Lateral Raise
Lateral raises are an isolation exercise that target the shoulders.
Benefits of Isolation Exercises
There are many benefits to incorporating isolation exercises into your workouts. First, they allow you to focus on specific muscle groups that you may want to develop more. For example, if you’re trying to build bigger biceps, you would do more bicep curls than triceps extensions. Second, isolation exercises are great for beginners because they’re less likely to cause injury than compound exercises. And third, they can be done in a relatively short amount of time since you’re only working one muscle group at a time.
Cautions
Of course, as with any type of exercise, there are some cautions that you should be aware of before incorporating isolation exercises into your routine. First, make sure that you use proper form to avoid injury. Second, don’t overdo it—start slowly and gradually increase the number of reps and sets as your muscles get stronger. And finally, listen to your body—if something hurts, stop doing the exercise and consult a doctor or certified personal trainer before continuing.
If you’re looking for a way to mix up your workout routine, consider adding some isolation exercises into the mix! These exercises have many benefits including helping you focus on specific muscle groups and being less likely to cause injury than compound exercises. Just be sure to use proper form and listen to your body to avoid any injuries.
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