For many, it is hard to imagine that a simple little band should help to intensify the workout. Dumbbells and other weights seem visually much more effective, but here appearances are deceptive.
What are Resistance Bands?
Resistance bands are made of a durable rubber. Unlike training with your own body weight or with free dumbbells, training with resistance bands does not work with gravity, but with resistance. While there is only one level of resistance when training with gravity, a resistance band can offer resistance on all levels if you attach it, for example, at the level of your body center. Whether up, down or to the side. In addition, the resistance is not constant as in training with weights, but it is progressive. You can vary the resistance depending on how hard you pull on the band. Thus, resistance bands can be used specifically to train explosive strength, for example.
What are the different types of resistance bands?
There is a wide range of different resistance bands.
The shape, length or thickness can be varied.
There are so-called endless belts, which form a loop. These come in different sizes and widths. The small bands, which are especially popular for leg or butt exercises around the thighs or ankles, also called Minibands also belong to these endless belts.
In addition, there are tapes that do not form a loop, but have one end each. There are flat tapes, which are also used in physiotherapy, for example, or tapes in the form of a rope.
These rope-shaped resistance bands often already have a carabiner on the ends, so you can attach them to different places or other tools, like a Bar can attach. These tapes are often offered directly in a set with different strengths.
If you want to increase, there are also Extremely strong resistance bands, which offer a very high resistance.
What are the advantages of resistance bands?
Resistance bands can bring your home workout, but also your workout in the gym or anywhere else to a new level. The practical thing about them: unlike dumbbells, they are totally lightweight, take up little space and fit in any bag. So you can take them everywhere and also store them in the apartment.The light weight also makes resistance bands safer than weights. The risk of injury if they are dropped or let go is much lower.
As already mentioned, the resistance is not constant, but varies depending on how much the resistance band is stretched. So you can flexibly increase or decrease the resistance in your workout.
With the resistance on all levels already described, you can increase the difficulty of your workout and train your coordination skills at the same time.
With the use of resistance bands, you can make exercises that you have already mastered more difficult. On the other hand, resistance bands can also help you learn new exercises by providing support and taking away resistance. For example, when doing pull-ups, they can provide some support under your legs. You can then gradually reduce the support of the resistance band until you can do the exercise without the band.
By the way, resistance bands are not only great training tools. You can also use them before or after a workout to stretch or for stability and mobility exercises.
