One Killer Exercise That's More Effective Than Cardio

In one of my podcast episodes, I interview a coach named Jay Schroeder, who works with professional athletes from around the world. Jay uses something called “isometric” exercise to enhance the results that his athletes get — and even if you’re not a professional athlete, you can take advantage of his training techniques.

There is one killer isometric exercise that can get you results that are just as good as cardio. It’s a lunging body weight row. To do it, drop into a lunge position with either your right or left leg forward, then slowly (very slowly!) reach forward and imagine pulling an imaginary pull-up bar in toward your body. Then push it just as slowly out and away from your body, and repeat for five to 10 repetitions.

Include a weekly, or biweekly workout in which you incorporate at least one move like this, or a series of moves performed very slowly or simply held for a long period of time.

For example, you could simply perform one set of each of the following exercises (timed so that it takes you 10 to 60 seconds to go up and 10 to 60 seconds to come down), or simply hold each exercise listed below in its hardest position for as long as you possibly can, up to five minutes:

Another isometric technique you can use is to simply do isometrics when you’d normally be standing around anyways — such as doing a wall squat while you’re on hold on the phone, or holding a push-up position during the commercial break of a TV program.

Get more tips in my mindbodygreen course, The 7-Day Full-Body Reboot To Get Strong + Fit.

Photo courtesy of the author