If your fitness goal is to get stronger and more toned, you probably already do some kind of strength training. Are you ready to step things up? If so, it's time to learn how to do exercises with a resistance band.
Resistance bands, as their name suggests, add resistance to a normal bodyweight workout and make it harder. Adding extra heavy resistance bands to your upper body workouts can help you work all of your major muscle groups, from your shoulders to your back and from your chest to your biceps. Plus, they are cheap, easy to pack, and don't take up much space in your gym bag.
Now let’s dive into the benefits of resistance bands further.
Tone and strengthen
As resistance bands stretch, they make your muscles tighten by putting more stress on them. The resistance from the band gets stronger as you stretch it, which makes the exercise harder. You can also make more resistance by how you hold the resistance band. For example, when doing arm exercises, you could bring your hands closer together.
Add assistance, not just resistance
Resistance bands can also help you get better at exercises that are hard. For example, if you want to get better at pull-ups, you can just hook the resistance band heavy to the bar and put it under your knee or foot to work up to doing them without help. When you do a pull-up with a band, the band supports your weight. This makes the exercise easier to do.
Great for stretching
Have you ever had pain in your back or neck? With some powerful stretching moves, resistance bands can be used to ease pain in the upper body. Try this exercise to stretch your upper back: sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you and loop the resistance band around your feet.
Lightweight and portable
People who want to work out while traveling should bring these bands with them. They are very light and can easily fit in your suitcase or carry-on bag.
Suitable for almost everyone
Resistance bands work your muscles in the same way that weights do: when your muscles contract, they generate force to help stabilize and control the movement you want to make. But unlike weights, resistance bands don't get their resistance from gravity.
Great for injury recovery
Resistance bands have long been the go-to for people recovering from sports or muscle injuries. This is because resistance bands don't put pressure on your joints like weights do. This keeps your joints and everything else safe.
Protects your bones and joints
Resistance bands make your bones stronger in a similar way to how they make your muscles stronger. In general, strength training can help your bones build more cells and become denser, which can prevent osteoporosis and back pain.