Why Isawall Chest Press Is Superior To The Machine Chest Press

 

Often when people first hear about Isawall, they wonder how it can be superior to other methods of resistance training. One of the main features of Isawall that makes it so attractive is the fact that it takes up no space. There are other benefits to using Isawall beyond the simple fact it will not take up half a room or more, unlike most traditional resistance equipment. Many Isawall Exercises challenge the body in ways that go beyond traditional resistance machines. Let’s take a look at one of these awesome exercises; the chest press.

 

Standing Chest Press With Resistance Bands

In virtually every gym and fitness center you will find a machine that is a chest press. These machines target the chest muscles, and to a lesser extent the back of the arms and the front of the shoulders. The Isawall standing chest press is superior for several reasons.

 

For starters, with the Isawall chest press, you must use a considerable amount of core-work to maintain a stable position while moving the resistance bands. Since the bands will be pulling you backwards, your core muscles must work the whole time to keep your body positioned properly while executing the pressing motion. Most people will need to use a split stance with their footing in order to maintain stabilization.

 

In addition to using your core throughout the chest press, you will also have to maximize balance as the resistance bands pull you back toward Isawall. Unlike cable machines, the resistance increases as you push the bands forward. This means that the closer you get to the end range of motion, the more you must employ strong balance to sustain your positioning.

 

Further adding to the challenge of using your core and employing balance throughout the movement, you must also pull in additional muscles as stabilizers when doing the chest press on Isawall. Resistance machines force a person to move resistance, but that resistance is done in a controlled range of motion. In other words you have to lift the weight but you do not have to control it. With the isawall chest press, you must move the bands (the resistance) but you must also stabilize the band as you move it. So with Isawall, you both move the resistance and control it simultaneously.

 

While most people are familiar with doing both arms at the same time during a chest press, the Isawall chest press can be further broken down and made to be even more challenging. The Isawall chest press already requires balance, additional muscles for stabilization, and use of your core muscles to facilitate the movement. We can further make this exercise more challenging by doing the exercise one arm at a time. Balance and core-work are required on an even higher level when doing this.

 

With Isawall we can further add to the challenging nature of the chest press by adding in additional movements and positions. For example, rather than standing upright, you can go down into an isometric lunge and perform the chest press while holding the lunge. In this case, you are utilizing numerous muscles in both the upper and lower portion of the body. Alternating legs between sets will ensure that the muscles on both sides are both adequately worked.

 

For those looking for an even greater challenge, the chest press can be done while using a BOSU ball. The BOSU ball provides an uneven surface, therefore requiring the user to employ greater skill with respect to balance. The BOSU ball can be used for the Isometric lunge with chest press, or simply balancing on it with lower resistance level bands.

 

Finally, for those looking to engage in a more functionally oriented chest press, we can employ some rotational movement at the core. Combining the chest press with bands and rotational movement is more realistic to sports and everyday activities.

 

There are numerous advantages to doing the chest press exercise with resistance bands on Isawall. You can do one or two variations one day, and then the next time your work chest, you can try a few more variations. This will keep your workouts interesting, while challenging the muscles in new and different ways.

 

 

Paul Owens is a personal trainer in the Cleveland area. He is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and the National Council on Strength and fitness. He is also a Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He can be reached at http://www.clevelandpersonaltraining.com