In an earlier post I mentioned how exercises that isolate a single muscle are not a necessary component of a good exercise routine. I still believe this, but I will elaborate and explain why they can still serve a purpose in your exercise program.

The human body is very complex and different body shapes may be more or less prone to have imbalances. I tend to have very tight hamstrings, despite daily stretching, and an exaggerated curvature of the lower back. So that means genetically, I am more prone to lower back problems. So to go against the grain of genetics I can use isolation exercises to assist me in creating a more balanced body. So if your like me and are setup for imbalances, then isolation exercises are perfect for you. (If you know which ones to use.) They can also help if you have an injury. The most common is an injury to the shoulder or Rotator Cuff. This is usually caused by doing overhead movements, lifting too much weight, or having poor technique. If you lay off the upper body exercises and do some light, rotator cuff isolation exercises, you can begin to strengthen that muscle and fix the issue.

If you have any questions or are trying to correct a muscle imbalance and need some pointers then shoot me an email at jdidlott@therpmsystem.com and I’d love to help.