Healing Aids... - Exercise - Muscle Building, Strength Exercise

Exercises for muscle building or strength, should be used to complement aerobic exercise, not to replace it. Strength exercises can be divided into two categories, isotonic and isometric exercises.

Isotonic exercises result from muscles moving through their regular range of motion; they contract without increasing muscle tension. This may include the conditioning of leg muscles through biking, or the strengthening of your shoulders and upper back from rowing.

Isometric, or "static" exercise, is what we associate with weightlifting, or bodybuilding. Whether you are doing a leg press (pushing weight away from your body with your legs, starting bent at the knees and extending your legs outward without moving your upper body) or doing a standard push-up, isometrics are used to improve power, bulk, and peak performance.

Isometric exercises are done specifically to subject your muscles to tension, or "shock". This increases your blood pressure by narrowing your muscles' blood vessels and can be dangerous if done excessively or if you have a heart condition. If used in moderation, however, isometric exercises can help provide support for aerobic conditioning. Improved strength in leg muscles can help you avoid injury and improve performance when biking or running, while extra strength in your chest, shoulders, and back can help improve your swimming performance.