Best Bodyweight Exercises For Maximizing Testosterone And Growth Hormone Response

When was the last time you performed a full bodyweight workout? Chances are, not recently. We don’t blame you; after all it is not commercially “sexy”.

Yes, even though bodyweight workouts remain an effective way to jack testosterone and growth hormone levels through the roof, they are undeservedly frowned upon because there is nothing to sell.

But we know better, as bodyweight exercises can help take your physique to the next level, all without equipment.

The Secret Of Bodyweight Training – Isometric Contractions

Have you ever wondered why ballet dancers have highly developed calf muscles, regardless of age and gender? Yes, these are athletes that rely on mainly water and not much else, in a discipline where gaining weight is not a favorable trait. And yet their level of calf development is significantly greater than the average population, and many bodybuilders for that matter.

The reason? Isometric contractions.

A normal repetition of an exercise usually has two phases, the concentric (or working phase), when the muscle is shortening, and the eccentric, when the muscle is lengthening or going to the negative position. Isometric contractions, on the other hand, involve holding a static position for several seconds, normally around 10.

But it’s not as simple as just holding a position, because a lot is actually going on under the surface. Typically, that static hold should recruit a large number of motor neurons in muscles throughout the body, and not only the body part you think it should focus on.

Take for example the push up, and excellent isometric bodyweight exercise. Though you may think you just need to hold the peak position and do nothing, the ideal way to do it would be to hold in a position just before full lockout, all the while contracting the  muscles of the glutes, calves, chest and back.

Thus, even though it may look casual on the surface, a lot is happening below the surface. Ballet dancers spend a large portion of their training time in a tip-toed position, forcing maximum calf contractions for an extended period of time. This is ideal for growth of stubborn muscle groups, especially the calves and biceps.

Choosing The Best Bodyweight Exercises For Eliciting Maximum Testosterone and Growth Hormone Response

In general, exercises that provoke the greatest extent of testosterone and growth hormone release are short and intense, something that isometric training has covered. Try the following exercises and see strength and size transform faster than you’ve ever seen before using only bodyweight:

The Push Up

The push up is a staple of bodyweight workouts, but an isometric push up is performed quite differently. As briefly mentioned above, it recruits a lot more muscle groups that the pectoralis only. For best results, perform the exercise like this:

1. Start by assuming a normal push up position, arms slightly wider than shoulder width.
2. Press up from the ground and hold at a position just short of locking out the elbows. This is your “working position”.
3. Squeeze muscles of the glutes, back, calves and the pectorals by simulating the action of moving your elbows inward toward your midline. This recruits the chest muscles sharply.
4. Hold this position for just 6-10 seconds. This is considered a rep.
5. Pro Tip: you can also perform a variation of this position by keeping the elbows tucked closer to the sides, and almost fully bent. Your body ends up almost perpendicular to the floor in this position.

Biceps One Arm Isometric Hold Curl

This exercise is intense even though the duration per rep is still 10 seconds. To perform:

1. Hang from a pullup bar with both hands.
2. Raise yourself to a complete pullup, using an underhand grip with both arms.
3. At the top position, lower yourself slightly, so that your elbows mimic the position of a lifted barbell at the middle position (app
4. Loose of one arm, and grasp the forearm of the hanging arm. Hold this contracted position for 10 seconds.
5. Be sure to contract with peak force as many muscle groups as you can, without sacrificing loss in tension of any one muscle group.

Single Leg Standing Calf Contraction

As the name implies, this exercise induces massive increases of calf development. To perform:

1. Stand on one leg, spreading toes as far as comfortably possible.
2. Press up as far as possible to achieve a peak contraction.
3. Hold for 10 seconds
4. Try to not lose contraction for the sake of balance. Repeat with other leg

Isometric Lateral Hold

If you’ve performed dumbbell side lateral raises before, this movement is very similar. To perform:

1. Place hands at sides, in a palms down position.
2. Raise up to the sides, laterally at a position in line with the shoulders. This can be done while holding a light weight or without any additional weight.
3. Try to squeeze the muscle groups in the shoulder along with other muscle groups.
4. Hold for 10 seconds then relax.

Dip Bar Hold

As the name implies, this exercise involves using a triceps dip bar to perform isometric contractions. To perform:

1. Get in fully extended triceps position on a dip bar.
2. Fully extend your elbows as far as it comfortably goes.
3. Forcibly squeeze the triceps to get in a strong contraction.
4. Hold this contraction for up to 10 seconds.

Wall Sit

The wall sit is an isometric exercise that primarily emphasizes the quadriceps muscle group, although theoretically it will take a lot more to elicit major hypertrophy in this muscle group. To perform the wall sit:

1. With legs shoulder width apart, position yourself bracing a wall
2. Slowly lower yourself until you are in a position resembling being seated.
3. Hold that position for up to 10 seconds.

Wrapping Up

Isometric bodyweight exercises are an excellent way to add muscle and promote hypertrophy. While the technique can be used alone, it can also be effectively combined with weight bearing exercises to foster an even greater physique. Isometric exercise also shows great promise in rehab, being able to strengthen muscles without load bearing, as was recorded in a study.

At the end of the day, you need to train smarter, taking advantage of your hormonal strengths and following a sound diet plan to see results!

Alex Eriksson is the founder of Anabolic Health, a men’s health blog dedicated to providing honest and research backed advice for optimal male hormonal health. Anabolic Health aspires to become a trusted resource where men can come and learn how to fix their hormonal problems naturally, without pharmaceuticals. Check out his guide on The Ultimate Guide to Manly Cooking or follow him on Twitter or Facebook.