What is the best way to start resistance band training?
Has anybody had success with resistance band training? It would be way cheaper than my gym membership and I could work out at home. Any recommendations on a brand or a program to try?
Although I don't believe that they are easier than free weights, I believe that they are the same in lifting potential. But they are slightly easier to use and work with that is why you primarily see them in rehabilitation centers, because they don't put as much stress on the joints as do free weights.
But just like any other exercise program you want to gradually work your way in. Starting off fairly light and easy that way you can still use your arms and legs the next day.
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/blresistanceban.htm
This is a website that I just found and it gives you a little bit of exercises but there are loads more out there. If you do a more in-depth search you will find a lot more. I'm sure that if you have questions on some more I could give you some, I was a college athlete and practically spent my off-days in the training room.
4 Answers
You can do P90X with bands, its a solid program. Beachbody (the people that put out P90X) have some bands they sell, I haven't looked into the different ones out there.
I too have heard good things about the P90X workout. I actually have the set of DVD's, but haven't picked up any bands yet to use.
Also, and don't laugh, my wife has been using EA Sports Active for the Wii and she loves it. It comes with a resistance band, and makes good use of it throughout the exercises. I tried a couple and my arms were pretty tired after a few minutes. Might not be a bad place to start, if you have a Wii.
Although I don't believe that they are easier than free weights, I believe that they are the same in lifting potential. But they are slightly easier to use and work with that is why you primarily see them in rehabilitation centers, because they don't put as much stress on the joints as do free weights.
But just like any other exercise program you want to gradually work your way in. Starting off fairly light and easy that way you can still use your arms and legs the next day.
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/blresistanceban.htm
This is a website that I just found and it gives you a little bit of exercises but there are loads more out there. If you do a more in-depth search you will find a lot more. I'm sure that if you have questions on some more I could give you some, I was a college athlete and practically spent my off-days in the training room.
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In general, I've found resistance bands to be tougher to use than free weights for two reasons. You have to work on stability a lot more, and you have to fight the resistance on both the contraction and relaxation. It's not like a free weight where you can let gravity help you rest. So main bullet point: you can't cheat. You might want to go with a lighter resistance than you think because the resistance feels different. In the worst case, you have a band for light days.
Get any band by Spri, and it will include two printouts of exercises. One is for stand-alone use, and the other uses the door anchor. The Spri Web site has a lot of videos of things you can do with resistance bands.
I use them for doing a lot of things needing explosive motions. Lots of torso twists, shoulder exercises, and my personal hell: 60 curls in 30 seconds. I don't really recommend them for lats unless you get the ultra super tough band.