Exercises with Resistance Bands Better then Free Weights? - By: Dave Fraser

Exercises with resistance bands provide all the workout of free weights, and more. How? The disadvantage of using free weights is that the majority of the work is done when you first begin moving the weight. By the time the motion is complete momentum has taken over some what. When exercising with resistance bands the opposite is true. The resistance of the tube increases with it's length, meaning that as you push through the motion the work actually gets more difficult. Pushing your muscles to work even harder.

Beyond the benefit of the workout from fitness bands is the benefit of their portability and light weight design. They are easy to store at home, and take with you on vacation or a work trip. There are two main types available, close loop and open loop bands. The closed loop bands are generally more expensive as they often come with handles and attachments, while the open loop bands are just a hand on their own that you must hold onto directly.

Example Resistance Band Exercises

Chest Press

Ensure the band is wrapped or connected to something secure behind you (some resistance band kits come with door anchors)

Hold handles (ends) one in each hand, with the tubing running under your arm pits

With palms facing each other squeeze the chest and press the arms out in front of you

This works the chest muscles, and is similar to a bench press with a bar bell or dumb bell except in a standing position.

Overhead press

Place both feet on top of the center of the tube.

Grab a handle (end in each hand) and bring the hands up over the head

Palms should be facing each other and your elbows slightly bent

This is a great shoulder exercise, and similar to a shoulder press with dumb bells

Bicep Curl

Similar to the overhead press place your feet over the center of the tube (the wider your feet are apart the more resistance you'll have for the exercise)

Hold both ends of the tube in separate hands

Bend the elbows and curl the hands up towards the shoulders

This exercise is the same as a bicep curl with free weights.

These are just three examples, but in each case you get the same movement and isolate the same muscle groups while getting more resistance through out the movement. Exercise bands provide a great sculpting workout in a very portable and affordable package. If you're considering a switch from the health club to a home gym, or are looking for a home gym system I suggest you consider resistance bands.

About the Author

To learn more about resistance bands visit http://www.fitness-exercise-bands.com a popular website providing resources to help you with you resistance training and a review of the very popular Bodylastics resistance system.

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