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Resistance Band Exercises

Resistance band exercises are a great alternative to buying weightlifting equipment.  You can get a complete body workout with resistance training using the bands for a lot less money.

Advantages of Resistance Bands

woman doing resistance band exercisesOne of the main advantages to using resistance tubes or bands is that you feel the resistance during the full exercise motion.  For example, when using dumbbell weights, the resistance is stronger when performing the up motion, like in the bicep curl.  But on the down motion, the resistance is less as gravity is helping with the return position.  But with resistance bands, you can feel the tension during both the up and down motions of the exercise, giving you complete resistance training.


Another advantage of using resistance bands is the ability to change the resistance easily.  With a band, you can easily increase or decrease the tension by tightening or loosening the band.  For example, when doing squats with a resistance band, you place the band under your feet.  By widening your stance, you are increasing the resistance.  To decrease the resistance, you would simply bring your feet closer together.  This works with just about any exercise using the resistance bands.  You would simply wrap the band around you hands more or widen your stance to add resistance or unwrap to loosen or narrow your stance.  With dumbbell weights, you can only adjust the strength by adding additional weights.


Drawbacks of Resistance Band Exercises

However, determining the right strength with a resistance band can also be a disadvantage.  If your band is not the right strength, or you have decreased the resistance to the point that it is too easy, you will not be getting the most benefit from your strength training exercises.

Resistance bands come in different strengths and are typically color coded for these strengths.  To get the most from your strength training using resistance bands, you should have at least 3 different strengths – easy, medium and hard.  There are many different strengths ranging from the very easy to the super heavy resistance.




Why Resistance Band Exercises
  • Travel Friendly
    Resistance bands are extremely convenient and light, so they can go with you on the road.  This is a perfect way to keep up with your strength training even while on a business trip or vacation.

  • Adds Variety
    Using resistance bands you can alter the exercises by changing your body position, which will alter the way the exercise feels and works the muscle in different ways.  It's also a great way to add variety to your weekly strength training, alternating between weightlifting, dumbbell exercises and resistance band exercises.

  • Inexpensive
    Resistance bands are the most inexpensive way to do your strength training.  Prices range from only $6 to $20.

  • Works for all Fitness levels
    Resistance bands are a perfect match for the beginners but also works for the more experienced strength trainers.


Do it right

As with dumbbell weights, doing the exercise properly with a resistance band is critical in order to minimize risk of injury and to properly strengthen the muscles.

You can view resistance band exercises for the upper body and lower body on this site.  Just select from the list to view the video for the exercise you want to see.  I will be adding more videos and illustrations in the future. 

I have also provided some links to websites that have good illustrations and videos using resistance bands.

Sport-Fitness-Advisor.com

This site has animated illustrations for various exercises using the resistance bands as well as text explanations for each exercise.

Women-Fitness.net

This site only has illustrations with text explanation on how to perform each exercise – no videos.



Additional Articles

Exercise Tips
Make sure to read these exercise tips to get the most out of your exercise routines.

Benefits to Exercise
Not sure exercising is for you?  Find out all the benefits to exercise by reading this article.  Exercising does more for you than just losing weight.







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Dumbbell Exercises

Weight Loss Workout


Fitness Videos

Resistance Band Upper Body

Resistance Band Lower Body