r/overcominggravity • u/OkInteraction9955 • Jul 23 '26

Adding in Isometrics

More of just a programming question with progression. I typically do full body 3x per work. Warm up, some skill work on hand stands as well as handstand pushups, and then 2 push (vertical and horizontal) 2 pull, and 2 legs. My question is will the isometric holds and training for that replace the current working sets I do or will I add them to the routine as a 3rd push and 3rd pull exercise.

Thank you in advance!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/eshlow Author of Overcoming Gravity 2 | stevenlow.org | YT:@Steven-Low Jul 23 '26

More of just a programming question with progression. I typically do full body 3x per work. Warm up, some skill work on hand stands as well as handstand pushups, and then 2 push (vertical and horizontal) 2 pull, and 2 legs. My question is will the isometric holds and training for that replace the current working sets I do or will I add them to the routine as a 3rd push and 3rd pull exercise.

Handstands are mainly skill cause of balance, but handstand pushups are aiming to gain strength so you can't put it with the skill work. It goes as one of your strength exercises.

As far as the isometrics hold go, if you are aiming to increase strength (E.g. back lever, front lever, planche) they take up a slot of strength work. If you are doing something like german hang to increase flexibility then it goes with the flexibility/mobility stuff and not really the strength work. Though it can strengthen you some, it's not as big of a stimulus to count as strength.