Isokinetic exercise is a type of strength training in which specialized machines, or dynamometers, maintain a constant speed of movement. It typically blends the intense contractions of isometric exercises with the range of motion achieved in isotonic exercises, and can provide a maximal strength workout. The dynamometers are generally expensive and complex, and typically found in rehabilitation or health-care facilities.

How It Works

An isokinetic exercise machine, or dynamometer, controls the speed of an exercise by varying resistance throughout the range of motion. Regardless of how much you push or exert force, your speed remains constant. You can set the target exercise speed, which typically ranges from 30 to 500 degrees per second, via a control panel. A slower speed gives you a more intense workout than a higher speed, according to Lee Brown’s “Strength Training.” You can also preset the exercise’s range of motion. These machines come with various attachments that you can use to isolate and condition various muscle groups.

Sample Exercises

The lat pulldown strengthens your shoulders, back and biceps. While seated, you pull a horizontal bar down to your chest. You can perform this common resistance exercise on an isokinetic pneumatic lat pulldown machine. To maintain a selected and constant speed throughout the exercise’s range of motion, the machine will vary the applied force. To exercise on an isokinetic stationary cycle, set the revolutions per minute. Regardless of how hard you pedal or how fast you go, you complete only the revolutions per minute that you put into the machine. The duration of a single isokinetic exercise is of greater value than the number of repetitions done or the overall amount work performed, according to Sharon Plowman’s “Exercise Physiology for Health, Fitness, and Performance.” Swimming uses isokinetic motion, in which you repeat an even stroke through resistance.


An isokinetic system enables you to quantify data and plays an important role in testing, training, monitoring and rehabilitation in athletics. The system can gauge a wide range of variables, including total work, average range of motion, peak torque and average power, according to Giancarlo Puddu’s “Rehabilitation of Sports Injuries: Current Concepts.” It can also measure shifts in muscle strength at different angles in an exercise’s range of movement. In sports science, isokinetic machines are used to screen for muscle imbalances and areas of weakness, such as the rotator cuffs in swimmers.


You need substantial capital to purchase isokinetic machines. Because their instrumentation is complex, it takes time to learn how to use them. They typically require skilled users who know how to conduct relevant tests and measurements. In contrast to free weights in which you benefit from strength gains in several muscle groups when performing a single exercise, isokinetic exercises typically isolate a single muscle or muscle group for a workout. For the average person, other types of strength training might more convenient, cheaper and as effective. An example is isotonic training - routine weight training that involves a constant load - can develop your muscle strength, tone and endurance. Isometric training in which you isolate and contract a single muscle via pushing or pulling motions is also an effective type of strength training.

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