If you release the tension altogether, your hand can snap back and injure you. Therefore, the muscle lengthens, but still contracts – it is eccentric muscle contraction. As your forearm lowers, the resistance of the can is more than the energy you put in. Now slowly release the tension and let your arm come back to the initial position. As your pulling force is more than the resistance of the can, it is concentric muscle contraction. While it comes up, your muscles contract and shorten. Keep it on your side, and while you keep your elbow joints still, lift the can up. Grab a can of soda or something with little weight, and you can do one now. The guy you saw at the gym earlier doing a bicep curl was an example of an isotonic exercise. Isometric vs Isotonic Difference Let’s try with a can of soda Isometric comes from the Greek “iso-“, equal + “metron”, measure = maintaining the same measure, dimension or length.

Isometric Exercises are strength exercises where your muscles contract while you hold a still position. Isotonic comes from the Greek “iso-“, equal + “tonos”, tone = maintaining equal (muscle) tone. It involves your muscles contracting – either shortening or lengthening.

Isotonic Exercises are the everyday workouts you do at the gym which involves a range of motion. There is another type – Isokinetic Exercise? Read more here.Isometric vs Isotonic: What is Better for you?.

Do isometric exercises