Stretch tubes are commonly used during exercise routines to strengthen muscle groups. They are lightweight, inexpensive, portable exercise equipment that offers resistance when stretched. Stretch tubing is extremely adaptable, and there are many exercises that can be performed with little additional equipment. In general, the lighter color tubes offer the least resistance, and darker or shorter tubes offer more. As you get stronger, you can switch tubes to increase the intensity of your workout.
Light Tubes
Light tubes are usually colored pink or yellow. These bands are best used if it's your first time using resistance tubes. Light tubes provide a weighted resistance of about 3 to 6 pounds.
Medium Tubes
These tubes are colored red or green and are often the equivalent of 7 to 10 lbs. They are best used if you have used light resistance tubes before and are ready to move on to something harder.
Heavy Tubes
Heavy tubes are colored blue or purple. Heavy tubes are best used if you are very active and want more resistance. They provide weighted resistance of about 15 lbs. or more.
Extra-Heavy Tubes
Extra-heavy tubes are colored black or gray. These bands are best used if you are experienced, and they offer more than 20 lbs. of resistance.
Purpose
Resistance bands and stretch tubes are meant to provide an alternative to free weights and gym machines. By standing or lying on them or attaching them to doors, you can stabilize your body and add tension throughout your exercises. This will help increase your balance and coordination and will also help you involve more muscles than if you were using plain free weights.
Variety
Stretch tubes add variety to your workouts. With machines or free weights you are limited to what you can do with the weights and how you lift. Adding stretch tubes will let you position yourself in many different ways, which will affect how your body works and how each exercise feels.
References
- "The Great Stretch Tubing Handbook"; Andre Noel Potvin; 2007
- "Strength Band Training"; Phil Page and Todd Ellenbecker; 2004
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