Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Welcome to About Time

About Time is the national newspaper for Australian prisons and detention facilities

Your browser window currently does not have enough height, or is zoomed in too far to view our website content correctly. Once the window reaches the minimum required height or zoom percentage, the content will display automatically.

Alternatively, you can learn more via the links below.

Donations via GiveNow

Email

Instagram

LinkedIn

ISSUE NO. 3

September 2024

ISSUE NO. 3

+

Sections

September 2024

Donate Here

Health

Hold Still to Get Stronger

The benefits of holding exercises

By

Gary Bultitude

Font Size
Font Size
Line Height
Line Height
Dyslexia Friendly
Black & White
Hide Images
Night Mode

When it comes to exercise, we often focus on the movement – the squats, lunges, and bicep curls. But there’s another type of exercise that deserves some recognition: holding positions, also known as isometric exercises. These involve maintaining a static posture for a set amount of time, and they offer a surprising range of benefits.

Building strength and stamina:

As you hold a pose like a plank or a wall sit, your muscles are constantly engaged to maintain your body’s alignment. This isometric contraction helps build muscular strength and endurance, especially in targeted areas.

Improving mind-muscle connection:

Holding a position requires focus and awareness. You’ll become more attuned to subtle shifts in your body and how different muscle groups are working together.

Enhanced stability:

By holding poses that target your core and stabilizer muscles, you’ll develop better balance and coordination, reducing your risk of injury in everyday activities.

Greater flexibility (with a twist):

While isometric exercises aren’t typically known for increasing flexibility, holding certain poses can actually help improve your range of motion.

Holding exercises are a valuable addition to any fitness routine. They can be done almost anywhere, require minimal equipment, and offer a variety of benefits. So next time you’re working out, add some isometric holds to your routine. You might be surprised at how strong and stable you can become by simply holding still.

Ready to hold?

Here are some beginner-friendly isometric exercises to try:

  • Squat Hold.
  • Push-up Hold.
  • Plank to side plank.

Remember, proper form is key. Start with shorter hold times and gradually increase as you get stronger. And, as always, consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program.

12 x Squat Hold

  • Stand tall, feet shoulder- width apart, core engaged.
  • Squat back as if sitting, knees tracking toes. Hold for 30-60 seconds (beginners).
  • Press through heels to stand, core tight, back straight.

Tips:

Proper form over depth, weight in heels, breathe normally, listen to your body, start short and progress.

12 x Pushup Hold/Triceps Push-up Hold

  • Start in a high plank with hands shoulder-width apart and core engaged.
  • Lower chest to just a few inches off the ground, elbows tucked.
  • Hold for 5-10 seconds, back straight, core tight, hips down.
  • Breathe normally. Modify by doing a plank on your knees if needed.

Focus on form over time:

You can increase the hold or lower yourself further as you progress.

12 x Plank to Side Plank (each side)

  • Start in high plank, core engaged.
  • Rotate to one side, stacking feet or staggering for balance. Hold a side plank for a few seconds.
  • Reverse the movement to return to high plank.
  • Repeat on the other side.

Focus on form:

Straight line from head to heels, hips lifted, core tight. Modify by kneeling if needed. This works core, obliques, and shoulders. Adjust hold time and reps as you progress.

When it comes to exercise, we often focus on the movement – the squats, lunges, and bicep curls. But there’s another type of exercise that deserves some recognition: holding positions, also known as isometric exercises. These involve maintaining a static posture for a set amount of time, and they offer a surprising range of benefits.

Building strength and stamina:

As you hold a pose like a plank or a wall sit, your muscles are constantly engaged to maintain your body’s alignment. This isometric contraction helps build muscular strength and endurance, especially in targeted areas.

Improving mind-muscle connection:

Holding a position requires focus and awareness. You’ll become more attuned to subtle shifts in your body and how different muscle groups are working together.

Enhanced stability:

By holding poses that target your core and stabilizer muscles, you’ll develop better balance and coordination, reducing your risk of injury in everyday activities.

Greater flexibility (with a twist):

While isometric exercises aren’t typically known for increasing flexibility, holding certain poses can actually help improve your range of motion.

Holding exercises are a valuable addition to any fitness routine. They can be done almost anywhere, require minimal equipment, and offer a variety of benefits. So next time you’re working out, add some isometric holds to your routine. You might be surprised at how strong and stable you can become by simply holding still.

Ready to hold?

Here are some beginner-friendly isometric exercises to try:

  • Squat Hold.
  • Push-up Hold.
  • Plank to side plank.

Remember, proper form is key. Start with shorter hold times and gradually increase as you get stronger. And, as always, consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program.

12 x Squat Hold

  • Stand tall, feet shoulder- width apart, core engaged.
  • Squat back as if sitting, knees tracking toes. Hold for 30-60 seconds (beginners).
  • Press through heels to stand, core tight, back straight.

Tips:

Proper form over depth, weight in heels, breathe normally, listen to your body, start short and progress.

12 x Pushup Hold/Triceps Push-up Hold

  • Start in a high plank with hands shoulder-width apart and core engaged.
  • Lower chest to just a few inches off the ground, elbows tucked.
  • Hold for 5-10 seconds, back straight, core tight, hips down.
  • Breathe normally. Modify by doing a plank on your knees if needed.

Focus on form over time:

You can increase the hold or lower yourself further as you progress.

12 x Plank to Side Plank (each side)

  • Start in high plank, core engaged.
  • Rotate to one side, stacking feet or staggering for balance. Hold a side plank for a few seconds.
  • Reverse the movement to return to high plank.
  • Repeat on the other side.

Focus on form:

Straight line from head to heels, hips lifted, core tight. Modify by kneeling if needed. This works core, obliques, and shoulders. Adjust hold time and reps as you progress.

Leave a Comment

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
0 Comments
Author Name
Comment Time

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere. uis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Anti Anxiety Yoga

By The Prison Phoenix Trust

All of us have times in our lives when we feel tense, nervous, worried and frightened. We might feel overwhelmed by the thoughts that keep going around in our head or by events in our lives that are facing us.

Health

ISSUE NO. 9

4 MIN READ

The Necessity of Sadness

By Annalise de Groot

It is a common misconception that sadness is ‘weakness’ and that to feel sad somehow undermines one’s ‘toughness.

Health

ISSUE NO. 9

4 MIN READ

Hepatitis C and Harm Reduction

By Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL)

The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) caught up for a yarn with Esha, a Peer Harm Reduction Coordinator at QuIHN. QuIHN is a service that supports people who use drugs and alcohol in Queensland.

Health

ISSUE NO. 9

6 MIN READ

“But No One Died.” Why We Feel Grief in Response to Life Changes

By Annalise de Groot

Grief does not discriminate as to whether the loss is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for you; it is about the absence of something you have held close for a long time.

Health

ISSUE NO. 8

6 MIN READ

Newsletter

Be the first to learn about our monthly stories, plus new initiatives and live events

You've successfully registered!
Something went wrong when we tried to register your details. Please try again.

Support Australia's first national prison newspaper

A place for news and education, expression and hope.

Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

It's
About Time.

A place for news and education, expression and hope.

Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

Donate Here

Newsletter

Be the first to learn about our monthly stories, plus new initiatives and live events

You've successfully registered!
Something went wrong when we tried to register your details. Please try again.