What are isolation exercises

With resistance training, every exercise can be split into one of two categories - compound and isolation. The latter refers to movements that work a muscle group that lies around a single joint.

Because isolation exercises target just one muscle group, it enables you to focus better on your form and technique. If you have a particular area that you’d like to grow and build in your body, you can use isolation exercises to target these muscles.

Both compound and isolation exercises can be beneficial for body recomposition. However, it’s important to note that multi-joint movements (compound exercises) are more effective at strength building. Popular isolation exercises include:

• Dumbbell front raises
• Dumbbell lateral raises
• Cable front raises
• Cable lateral raises
• Tricep dumbbell overhead extensions
• Tricep dumbbell kickbacks
• Tricep machine
• Bicep curls with a barbell or dumbbell
• Hammer curls using dumbbells
• Bicep curl machine
• Rear delt flyes
• Dumbbell shrug
• Leg extension machine
• Lying or seated hamstring machine