Flexing muscles can help strengthen the muscle because of the focus applied to that one particular area.
Weight lifting isn't the only way to build your strength. You can also use isometric exercises, which involve muscle flexing, to help define and strengthen your muscles. Because flexing one particular muscle only strengthens that specific area, you can combine various isometric exercises to strengthen several areas -- and they only take roughly 10 seconds to do. Flexing exercises can also be combined with weight training to increase muscle definition.
Instructions
1. Strengthen your upper body by performing a towel-tearing exercise. Roll a bath towel lengthwise. Hold the bath towel in both hands and lift it straight over your head. Equally pull the towel with both arms as if you're tearing it -- this will flex muscles in your upper body. Hold the position for approximately 10 seconds and release, lowering your arms to your sides.
2. Strengthen your core muscles by laying on your back on the floor. Bend and lift your legs at a 90-degree angle. Lift your head and shoulders off the floor and then lift your arms with the palms facing upward. Hold this position for five seconds and slowly release your arms, then roll your shoulders back onto the mat before lowering your head.
3. Position yourself with your back against the wall and legs shoulder-width apart -- this exercise will strengthen your legs, thighs and buttocks muscles with isometric squats. Keep your back pressed against the wall and slowly lower your body until your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Hold this position for about 10 seconds, then rise up again.
4. Stand inside a door frame and push your arms out at your sides against the frame. Push as if you are trying to push the frame apart and hold for 10 seconds. This resistance exercise strengthens your upper body, arm and shoulder muscles.
5. Sit down at a table or desk and press your back into the chair so your spine and shoulders are straight. Pull in your stomach muscles and hold them, while also pressing down on the top of the table and holding for 10 seconds. You can also push up from under the desk as though trying to raise the table off the floor.
Tags: your arms, your back, upper body, your head, your upper