Question About Contraction Time
Hi Paul,
I've been making gradual but steady progress with the exercises. I was doing the pushup exercise today and thought of this question.
You know the one exercise where we go half way down in the pushup position and you say to hold that contraction as hard as I can for about 2 minutes? Why is that done? I thought it was kind of the same as holding the biceps' contraction to increase blood flow, but remembered that you told me not to do that for other body parts as it might put too much strain on the heart.
My first impression was that this particular one is recommended because the pushing of the hands against each other aren't enough to give the muscles that great of a workout. I know you keep saying 7 seconds is enough, but even with all three angles, maybe this isn't enough? Is that why we are to also do the 2 minute hold exercise? Or is it for a different reason?
If it is to work the muscle more thoroughly, then why not do something similar for the other muscle groups by having them hold the contraction for up to 2 minutes? Wouldn't that help to work the muscle and therefore build it VERY fast as well?
Thanks kindly in advance.