On the basis of a combination of the lattice gas and the linear elasticity theories, we argue that the major features of the intercalation isotherms can be well understood in terms of a coupling between the configurational and the structural transitions. Competitive effects of the internal and loading stresses are discussed. A simple model, operating with the hydrostatic parts of the stress and strain fields, is shown to be applicable to a quantitative description of experimental data on electrochemical intercalation into crystalline and layered host matrixes.