What are the most common things that you have heard about weight training? Firstly that it builds muscle, secondly that it is tough and thirdly that it involves lifting weights. The first two things are bang on, but the third thing is no longer true. Now weight or strength training can be available to you at home or office, inside or outside and even when you are travelling all due to a phenomenon called as ‘Resistance Bands’. Resistance bands are the newest equipments that have made weight training easy and cheaply available to anyone.
So what are Resistance bands?
Resistance bands also called as tubes are bands made of an elastic material, commonly rubber which when stretched gives resistance to your muscles. This resistance over a period of time causes the muscles to grow stronger.
How do the muscles react to resistance bands?
Firstly let’s understand what weight training is. Weight training relies on the fundamental that once your muscle faces resistance, it has to become stronger to overcome the resistance. In traditional weight training, muscles are contracted by the external weights that have to be lifted against gravity. Whereas when using resistance bands, your muscles have to fight the resistance of the band in order to stretch it which makes muscles stronger.
What is so special about Resistance bands?
Among the other practical benefits of resistance bands, the other benefits of resistance bands,
Works smaller muscle groups- Unlike weights, resistance bands can be adapted to any kind of workout. There are no specific muscles that are targeted so even muscle groups which cannot be worked upon in traditional weight training can be worked upon with resistance bands.
Good for athletic training- The sports that require the use of specific muscles like bowling, golf can use resistance bands. The versatility of resistance bands makes it easy to replicate the movements required in the sports with tension and build those isolated muscles individually.
Prevents injuries- Because resistance bands are made to help build those muscles that are often left out during weight training, these bands can help prevent injuries that are caused due to excessive strain on the muscle that is often used but that is not strong enough.
Helps rehabilitation- Recovery happens more rapidly when the part injured receives maximum blood supply to facilitate repair. Since resistance bands provide resistance without impacting the bones and joints, they help in a faster recovery. They cause less pain and increase in circulation to that area.
Are Resistance bands for you?
Resistance bands are for you, if you are
Bored of Gyms: If a trip to the gym and monotonous exercises on machines brings no sense of excitement or interest but a sense of dread in your mind then you need to bring these bands home! You can use these at home and get the same resistance training at your home.
Travelling a lot: If want to join a gym or have joined a gym but due to your constant travels find it difficult to regularly attend the workouts then resistance bands are perfect for you. Because resistance bands are lightweight and easy to carry, you can take them along in your travels and not miss out on the workouts.
Find Gyms expensive: We need to accept the fact that weight loss is not cheap, the diet foods and gym membership all take a toll on our finances then buying resistance bands will be one investment that you will not regret. Compared to gyms they are relatively inexpensive so you will have no problems in buying these.
Interested in improvisation: The weight machines found in gyms are not very flexible and do not stimulate you. Resistance bands can be used in different ways, for specific areas, you add adapt them to your body and sport requirement thus making them both challenging and interesting.
