Expert Featured in Strength Training Story

Peloton’s The Output featured insight from Alexander Rothstein, M.S., coordinator and instructor for the exercise science program, in an article about time under tension. Rothstein explains that muscles undergo multiple types of contractions: concentric, isometric, and eccentric. A muscle is under tension during all three of these contractions.

“Time under tension represents the total amount of time spent in all of these phases for a given set or workout session,” Rothstein explains. As such, several factors determine the amount of time under tension in a workout: the total amount of time you’re exercising; the number of reps and sets you’re doing (i.e., the training volume); and the amount of time each rep takes.