Last week, we talked about using resistance bands in order to keep working out when you’re traveling or otherwise kept away from a convenient Greenville sports club. This week, we want to delve a little deeper into the principles of resistance training.

Resistance training is broken down into two types: isometric and isotonic. Isometric exercises are slightly less common, because it happens when your muscle is holding still against an outside force; a great example is holding a weight above you in a static pose during a bench press (not raising or lowering the bar, but keeping it at its point of highest pressure). However, isotonic exercises are quite common, because your muscle is in motion against another opposing force (such as almost any type of weight machine).

When you’re doing resistance training, one important technique to get the best results is to slow down on the hardest part of your motion as you carry out a specific exercise. For example, if you’re squatting to improve your quads, you’re going to feel the burn as your bottom lowers toward the floor. Here, you can hold in the squat position for a few extra seconds every few reps in order to extend the burn and get better results. That moment where you freeze in motion and let the force itself do the work for you is the portion of your exercise that is isometric.

Here’s another great tip: You also want to follow through with concentration and controlled movement even in the easiest part of the isotonic motion, when your body is working with a weight (rather than against it). For example, it’s easier to bring down a weight than lift it, thanks to gravity, but you don’t want to just work hard when you’re lifting the weight and then go slack and take advantage of that extra help during the follow-through — or you’ll potentially diminish half of your results.

Ask our knowledgeable personal trainers how to integrate resistance training into your Pivotal Fitness Greenville gym fitness routine — this knowledge will help you improve your workout independently whether you’re working out here or at home.