Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Take Your Workout Up a Notch with Resistance Bands
I wouldn’t say I necessarily have a favorite tool in the proverbial fitness toolbox when it comes to lifting. Barbells are great for strength, kettlebells for power, dumbbells for unilateral movements – not to mention their accessibility. And the list goes on.
That said, nearly every single training session I complete includes one of these guys:
No, not a pink yoga mat, but resistance bands.
I use the superband variety, not the band with handles at the end. And I use them for two reasons:
#1) Assistance
Resistance bands are a great tool to use for helping you with certain exercises that you’re just not quite there yet with. The first one that comes to my mind, and probably to yours, too, is the chin up.
Before I was able to do a chin up, I used a big thick green resistance band. Then a lesser thick black one, then a red one, and then a super flimsy orange one. Now I can bust them out for reps, and am working on increasing my grip and rep range.
The only drawback here is that they typically help you out most at the hardest part (where you’re the weakest) and the least at the easiest part (where you’re the strongest.) Thusly, the only way to get better and what you suck at is to decrease resistance and go down to a difference band.
Another favorite exercise I like to use resistance band help is with the pistol squat.
#2) Resistance
Another way I like to include resistance bands in my workouts is by adding resistance. This gets really fun because when you add bands as a way to make an exercise tougher, you’re manipulating torque, tempo, time under tension, and points of tension in an exercise.
An easy one that comes to mind is the resistance band back extension.
Using the band in this way places the most tension on the glutes and hamstrings at the top of the motion, where without the band, you’d have much less resistance to pull against.
The other day, I posted this video on my instagram using a resistance band to help with push ups – or plyo push ups, and today, I want to share with you all of my favorite exercises – both in and out of the gym – to include in my workouts.
For at-home resistance workouts, you can check out some of these workouts:
At-home & Travel-friendly Resistance Band Workout
Upper Body Resistance Band Workout
Full Body Resistance Band Workout
xoxo,
Trainer Paige
I love incorporating resistance bands into my workouts too. I used to never use them, but they are so versatile!
I really like resistance bands. They are especially great for travel. Good workout tips.
Hi Paige! Do you have a set of bands you recommend? There are a lot of options out there!
Yes! I’d pick up some superbands from performbetter.com or amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002853SSG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002853SSG&linkCode=as2&tag=youtrapai-20&linkId=UHZJZ4NYTWKGM4LI