FOLLOW US

For many people, fitness conjures images of long hours spent running on treadmills, powering through burpees or lifting heavy weights. But emerging research suggests meaningful health gains may not require such intense effort. Instead, simply holding a position for a short period could deliver measurable benefits.

Isometric exercises — movements that involve maintaining a static pose — are increasingly being recognized for their ability to build strength and lower blood pressure. With sessions lasting just 14 minutes, three times a week, they may offer a practical option for those struggling to fit traditional workouts into busy schedules.

Exercises like holding a squat, gripping a device or extending a leg while seated can strengthen muscles and support cardiovascular health. That accessibility could be key at a time when many people acknowledge the importance of exercise but fail to maintain regular routines. Data from the World Health Organization show global inactivity rose to 31% between 2010 and 2022, underscoring the need for simpler approaches.

Growing evidence

Interest in isometric training is not new. Studies dating back to the 1990s have hinted at its potential to reduce blood pressure. More recently, researchers have combined findings from multiple trials to better understand its impact.

A 2023 meta-analysis reviewed studies conducted between 1990 and 2023, involving nearly 16,000 participants who exercised for at least two weeks. It compared several types of workouts, including cardio, resistance training and high-intensity interval training.

The analysis focused on three isometric movements: handgrip exercises, wall squats and leg extensions. Participants typically followed a routine of four two-minute holds, with short rest periods in between, repeated three times a week.

The findings drew attention among health experts. Isometric exercises outperformed other training types in reducing blood pressure. On average, aerobic activity lowered readings by 4.49/2.53 mmHg, compared with 8.24/4.00 mmHg for isometric routines. Standard medications generally reduce blood pressure by about 9/4.00 mmHg, only slightly more than the exercise results.

Given that high blood pressure is a leading contributor to heart disease and early death, even modest reductions could have significant long-term effects.

The simplicity of the approach is part of its appeal, said Melanie Rees-Roberts, a senior research fellow at the Centre of Health Services Studies at the University of Kent.

"You can do it in your house; you don't need equipment. You don't have to go outside if it's raining. You don't break too much of a sweat doing it."

Jim Wiles, a co-author of the study and professor of exercise science at Canterbury Christ Church University, said the exercises may be especially beneficial for people with joint or mobility issues.

"The isometric wall squat, as long as it's done properly, is probably safer from a cardiovascular and musculoskeletal perspective than other types of exercise."

How it works

Unlike dynamic exercises that involve repeated movement, isometric training requires muscles to contract without changing length. This sustained contraction compresses blood vessels, temporarily reducing oxygen flow and causing waste products to accumulate.

In response, the body signals for increased blood supply, raising blood pressure during the hold. Once the contraction ends, blood vessels expand, improving circulation and leading to a short-term drop in pressure. Repeating this process regularly is believed to produce longer-term reductions.

The benefits may extend further. Research indicates isometric exercise can improve blood vessel function, reduce arterial stiffness and enhance overall heart performance.

It can also increase muscle strength by activating “motor units,” which are groups of nerve fibers that trigger muscle contraction.

"Once you hold that muscle statically, all it does is just turn on motor units," said Dan Gordon, a professor of exercise physiology at Anglia Ruskin University.

Gordon, who also holds a world record in track cycling, described using isometric training in his own preparation. While training in Manchester, he would hold a heavy barbell in a squat position before transitioning to the bike.

"I'd then have somebody pull the bar off and get on the bike. Because I'd fired all the motor units – bang, I could accelerate more," he said.

He added that similar techniques could help older adults, for example by engaging muscles before standing up from a seated position.

Getting started

Experts say isometric exercise can be a useful entry point for those new to physical activity. However, they caution against replacing other forms of exercise entirely.

Cardio workouts, for instance, remain more effective for weight loss and improving endurance. Instead, isometric routines may serve as a complement, particularly for individuals aiming to manage blood pressure.

Because most studies have focused on specific exercises, it is unclear whether others — such as planks — provide the same benefits. A small 2025 trial involving 12 participants found that four two-minute plank holds reduced blood pressure after 24 hours, though researchers emphasized the need for larger, longer-term studies.

While beginners might be tempted to shorten the duration of each hold, most evidence is based on maintaining positions for two minutes. Wiles recommends lowering the intensity instead, such as performing wall squats at a less demanding angle.

Most people cannot sustain a 90-degree squat for two minutes, he noted, so starting at a more upright position between 110 and 130 degrees may be more realistic.

Questions remain about optimal duration and intensity.

"We don't really know where the two minutes has come from," Gordon said. "It may be that two minutes at 40% workload produces the same effect as 10 seconds at maximal load."

Researchers are also examining long-term effects and how isometric exercise interacts with medication for hypertension.

A large ongoing trial led by Wiles, Rees-Roberts and colleagues has already enrolled more than 700 participants with high blood pressure. Over six months, participants will perform wall squats at home, with difficulty adjusted over time.

The results are expected to provide clearer guidance on how to tailor isometric routines for different individuals.

For now, the existing evidence suggests that incorporating simple holds — such as handgrips, wall squats or leg extensions — into a weekly routine could offer a practical step toward better health.