Are isometrics helpful?

[Rizilki]

Thank you in advance!

[MagicDan]

Yes, isometrics have helped me for martial arts.

no size but still get power.

[ManVsIron]

Well, generally speaking - yeah. Are you talking about during training, or not? I do both. During training, you want as much blood flow as you can get, so when working lats for example I'll be spreading 'em out routinely during the time while I'm in the gym. Then again, also while resting at home... where again blood flow is always a good thing. This applies to all the muscles, btw. Whether it be pumping/flexing/contracting/isometics, etc. All generally serving the same purpose, for me at least.

You can't over-train with zero weight. So that being said, the more you use 'em, the more they'll grow. Kind of the antithesis of "use 'em or lose 'em".

[bishonen]

Isometrics are helpful for both strength, size and muscle recovery.

[kanis999]

I heard Yates say that we use our muscles most during the negative phase, second from isometric, and least from positive phase.

negative>isometric>positive

That's why you always hear things like 'hold and squeeze at the top of the move' and 'control the weight on the way down'.

[mslman71]

Sure, some might disagree, but most of the work you do to increase the size and strength of the spinal erectors is isometric. Deads, hypers, and even good mornings really activate them (with me anyway) although throughout the lift I do my best to hold the spine rigid; no movement about the vertebrae. The only exception in my routine is supermans but even then the ROM is pretty limited (but not technically isometric).

[Rizilki]

Alrighty that's PLENTY of info much appreciated guys!