Can pushing against trees make us stronger? (Here's why it matters)

Pushing against trees is a form of isometric strength exercise. It's "proven" to make us stronger, but why does nobody do it?

I discuss why some methods SHOULD work but may be missing key components that would make them a long-term training modality.

That said, isometrics is awesome and I believe can be well-integrated into almost any fitness program. They just have to be done in a measurable, consistent way that allows for clear progress.

It's good to have multiple tools we can use for our fitness and health.

Happy to discuss it more. Have a wonderful day!

Legal Notice: Consult your doctor before beginning any kind of exercise program. This video does not replace a physical therapy program or consultation with a medical professional.

#hybridcalisthenics #isometrics #homeworkout

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[HybridCalisthenics]

Whether or not you are a tree bender (or enjoy isometrics), we can learn from this modality to make our fitness training more measurable, convenient, and time-friendly.

It's one of those questions that probably nobody had but I wanted to talk about anyway.

Have a wonderful day! Thanks for being here.

[dusttoh]

It may not make you stronger but it certainly makes the tree stronger.

[xiola]

please make more videos on isometrics, they are really helpful for people with joint stability issues to be able to strengthen more safely

[Xeno-]

I don't know English and I don't understand it, but I will use a translator. We just want to tell you that in the Spanish-speaking community your advice has helped us a lot, thanks to you I started exercising and now I go to the gym and tomorrow is my third day. "Have a beautiful day"

[penultimateh]

Spartan youth were trained by pushing as a group against a tree until they pushed it over. Of course their teacher had to be careful to select a tree that was big enough to be difficult, but not impossible to eventually uproot after some hours.

[dragonfruit]

It's so interesting how important visible progress is. In my experience, when you don't see results after even just a few days of intense training it can get extremely demotivating. Of course change takes time and a lot of dedication, but I feel like people don't talk enough about the importance of seeing progress.

The puzzle piece analogy you used in your video about making progress exciting is such a fresh perspective on progress and motivation.

After some reflection, I feel like one underrated way of tracking that progress whether we change it up or not is just good ol' fitness logs, progress photos, or anything in-between.

It's just so interesting how even though progress may feel slow for a bit, simply reminding yourself how far you've come is enough to get you motivated again, and when you pair that up with Hampton's "puzzle piece analogy progress strategy" I feel that you can really begin to enjoy whatever you are pursuing. Whether that's by looking at your striations when you're pushing trees to track progress or realizing how far you can pull a tree branch down and being proud of yourself for it.

Thanks for making these chill, yet very thought-provoking videos, Hampton!

[synitarthrax]

I do overcoming Isometrics in a 12 week cycle pushing and pulling with an ISO Strap and have a set series of exercises. The exercises I choose are the ISO versions of presses, rows, squats, curls etc. You can get really creative here. I Push/Pull with them for a set time and over the course of 12 weeks I increase that time by 1 sec every week. I start at 30 secs and end with 42 secs of all out effort over the course of the cycle. This is how I measure and track progress. I do three angles per exercise with a 30 sec rest in-between each angle. This equates to 3 exercises of 3 sets each.

Going all out with everything you have for time is tougher than it sounds. My CNS takes such a beating I can only do 9 sets total for a workout or I will pay the price in extreme fatigue. I'm old so maybe you can do more. ISO's are easy on the joints ... they never felt better ... but the fatigue this generates after the workout takes a toll if you overdo it. When the 12 weeks are over, I pick new exercises and start over at 30 secs. This really works for me amazingly well. I'm stronger and have gained muscle mass and just feel ... better? I can't explain it but I move through life easily and if I have to strain do do something, it's no big deal. If you get bored with your current workout you have nothing to lose by giving this a try. Or not. Just thought I would share how I do ISO's. They work.

[NoLimitSquad]

My favorite stuff 🔥🔥 Thank you for the shoutout again, brother!
Also, "Avatar the tree bender"😂

[nattydred]

I had one of those isometric sticks as a skinny teenager, and it was the most demotivating exercising tools I ever used. I couldn't deflect the bands, or compress the stick hardly at all for most exercises, and I didn't realize that just keeping muscles under tension was enough.

Did not end up like the model in the instructions

[melaniemcneil]

Love the way you turned that around from why isometrics don't work for most people, to how to use that information to our advantage. THAT, to me, is the lesson today. Thanks.

[JuliusNarte]

This video is literally 1 minute old and there’s already comments lol

[marcchrys]

I'm 65 and not that bothered about measurability, and I often do isometric pushes against the hearth surrounding my fireplace or against trees or pushing my stationary car.

[LinusRexx]

I really appreciate this longer videos you are uploading recently. keep uploading stuff like this

[MikeWazowski]

You’re amazing! Thank you for all your knowledge!!

[zakuraayame]

strength (physical) means different things depending on context
Some people can be quite strong without lots of muscle mass; like the gentleman who made the video, rock climbers, etc.
Some people are really looking for hypertrophic growth, not strength ... they want size much more than they care about the strength
Some want big numbers either for personal growth and pride
Some want endurance balanced with strength; so they can do something powerful for a long period of time

This is why we have strongmen, powerlifters, bodybuilders and then gymnasts, rock climbers, etc. and everything in between that represent the large variety of great strength we all can achieve
whatever you are doing, taking any path to being more healthful is a good thing. Moderation, listening to your body to know when to push it harder despite it complaining and when to back off even if you've felt worse but feel different, etc.

Eat as well as you can in the moment, try to set up a way to get quality rest every day if you can for at least 6 hours preferably more, take a break in the day to relax and appreciate yourself and something in nature, think about someone or something you care for, etc. ;)
have a blessed day in whatever way that means for you

[yvrelna]

From here, I think the solution would be to make it possible to measure isometrics.

So, train with the trees, because it's easy and cheap and effective. But from time to time, do go measure your progress maybe by going to the gym and checking whether the muscle group you're targeting are actually getting stronger. But most days, you really shouldn't worry about the numbers and just let your feel of exertion guide your practice.

[BibizinhaBR]

Have a beautiful day, Hampton! ❤
Love your video as always, thank you for making it!

[tlfilms]

I remember when u had only 200k subs. Congrats

[cherry.berry]

I see parts of the ultimate isometrics manual coming through this video

[caseyalanjones]

Hey Hampton, I would like to see a follow-up video which shows different specific exercises possible to do with trees. There's a forest just next to my office and I often take breaks there and try to figure out different ways to push and pull on them. Unfortunately the trees in that forest don't have low-hanging branches within reach, so I'm limited to working with the trunks. You are creative and a lot more experienced and knowledgeable than I am in calisthenics, so your innovations would be really valued! Just as you say here, sometimes it isn't convenient to go to the gym or we just don't want to. Personally I feel self-conscious working out in front of others, which inhibits the mind-body connection I try to foster, and that is why I would really like to have more ways of working out in the forest, as it's such a perfect place for such meditation and reflection.