Exercise Bands Are An Easy & Inexpensive Way To Build Strength & Flexibility

When you look at a tiny little jalapeño pepper, it’s hard to imagine what a punch it packs until you put it in your mouth. So it goes with resistance bands. It is hard to look at a little band next to a big dumbbell and believe it, but resistance bands are a great strength training tool. They might be small and unassuming, but the power they have sneaks up on you. Just one band can be used to strengthen all major muscle groups, and most people who use them for the first time definitely feel it the next day!

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘?

Resistance bands originated in the early 1900s and were made from surgical tubing. Their original purpose was muscle rehabilitation, though the photos from exercises at that time looked similar to exercises used for strength today.

The bands made a comeback in the fitness market during the 1990s and have continued to increase in popularity.

𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: While dumbbells provide you with a heavy lift, and weight machines are stable and easy to use, neither has the versatility of the resistance bands. You can begin performing a band squat and immediately add a bicep curl to the move. Or you can easily take a resistance band lunge and add an overhead press. The possibilities are endless.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Due to the great versatility of the resistance bands, they are also more efficient. A bicep curl with a dumbbell is a fixed motion and the muscles used are predictable. With the natural instability of the band, you’ll feel muscle fibers all over your arms and shoulders kick in to keep the band stable.

𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Some are less than $20. Need we say more? Resistance bands are relatively inexpensive—even the good ones! You can buy multiple resistance levels and still keep your costs low.

𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Putting a treadmill away when company comes over can be cumbersome. Moving the dumbbells under the bed gets to be a hassle. This is not the case with the resistance bands. Small, light and flexible, they can be tucked away anywhere—including your handbag or gym bag! Take them to the office, put them in a suitcase, run them upstairs or downstairs; resistance bands are easy.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟

Which one is right for you? The first thing to keep in mind is that you can’t compare a resistance band with a dumbbell. In other words, you can’t say a certain color band is equal to a certain size dumbbell. Physics dictates otherwise.

When lifting weights, gravity plays a big part. You get more resistance when lifting against gravity, but then gravity makes lowering the weight easier. However, when using tubing, you do not fight gravity. Instead, the band is presenting you with resistance in both directions. The ability to move freely when using tubing allows you to mimic and recreate everyday movements.

One of the main benefits is increasing and strengthening our natural movement patterns in daily activities such as a golf swing, throwing a football, lifting something up high, or even opening a door.

That being said, how do you choose the proper level of band for you? SPRI Products, the number one manufacturer of resistance tubes, recommends that “If you are unable to complete 8 repetitions through a full range of motion, select a band that provides a lesser amount of resistance. Or, if you are unable to achieve moderate to maximal muscular fatigue following the completion of 12 exercise repetitions through a full range of motion, decrease rest time between exercise sets or select a band that provides a greater amount of resistance.”

Just keep in mind that one band might not cut it for your entire body. Different muscles have different strengths, so you might want to buy two different resistance levels right off the bat!

𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗗!

For fitness beginners (and even experienced cardio gym rats), weight training can be intimidating. It can also be dangerous if you don’t seek out a qualified trainer to teach you proper form and an appropriate weight.

Resistance bands are a safe and easy alternative to weights that will efficiently and effectively build strength in the comfort of your home. Of course, you can also use resistance bands at your gym since most gyms now stock a large array of resistance bands.

With the simplicity of resistance band exercises, you no longer have an excuse for not mixing in some strength training. GET STARTED TODAY!💪

𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗘𝗫𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗦.

Source:  https://www.verywellfit.com/beginner-total-body-resistance-band-workout-1231110 By Chris Freytag. Updated on August 18, 2019