With all the new exercise gadgets that come out each year, it’s hard to know what actually works. Exercise bands have been around for a long time and are a great way to tone up without any big or bulky equipment. You can use it anywhere. You can keep one at home, in the car or at work. You can even take it on vacation with you.
Exercise bands are a great way for anyone to tone up their muscles without creating bulk. The women I see for personal training love using the band because it creates muscle without bulk and gives them a long, lean look. The band is also great for the elderly. Band workouts don’t put too much stress on the joints while still working the muscles. Children can also use the exercise band. Young children really shouldn’t use weights so the band can make their workout more fun and interesting.
Exercise bands come in two forms. You can choose from a band that is just a sheet of rubber about 5 or 6 inches wide or a rubber tube which is just about an inch thick. The tubing comes with handles attached which may make it easier to handle. The bands come in various degrees of difficulty. The rubber is made thicker or the band is shortened to make the exercise harder. Many companies color code their bands to tell you which has the most resistance and which has the least. Depending on your level of fitness, you can choose an easy or difficult band to work with. Be sure to read the package for information on level of difficulty since all companies don’t go by the same color coding system. Choose a band that will challenge you. You should be able to do about 12 repetitions of any exercise. At the end of 12, you should feel as if you worked the muscle. If you don’t feel tired, move up to the next resistance level.
There are so many exercises you can do with an exercise band. Any exercise that you can do with a dumbbell, can be done with a band. You can try standing on the band with both feet and curling the handles up in a bicep curl. You can do overhead presses, tricep kickbacks, etc. You can work your lower body by standing on the band, holding the handles up near your shoulders and doing squats or wrapping one side around you ankle and doing leg lifts with the other leg. There are so many exercises you can do with a band and you don’t even have to leave your house. Check out this website for some other exercises. There are also a number of videos that you can buy to learn more great exercises.
If you decide to try an exercise band, buy two different levels because you may feel stronger on some exercises and weaker on others. Most bands are inexpensive at around $10 each. You may also see exercise bands called, Resistance Bands, Fitness Bands, Fitness Tubing or even another name. They all work the same way but are just made by different companies. Exercise bands can give your workout a needed change and can challenge your muscles in a different way. Give it a try. I’m sure you will like it.
- Jennifer
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Labels: Exercise, Jennifer, Physical Activity
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Bands are great & you can take them with you anywhere! I love the continuous tension!