Bodybuilder Blake Kassel created Bodylastics Home Gyms Systems. In 1998, the company began manufacturing the exercise system, which has been implemented by every major division of the U.S. military. A member of the Better Business Bureau, Bodylastics provides an inexpensive workout module that enables people to workout anywhere with minimal set-up time. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends resistance band exercise from beginners to advanced athletes.
Bodylastics System Components
Bodylastics bands are comprised of surgical band tubing. The colored bands are available in a variety of tensions, from 5 to 23 pounds. Use a combination of tubes simultaneously to achieve the appropriate tension. Two kinds of anchors are available; the "anywhere" anchor and the door anchor. Each band contains aluminum clips at the ends for easy handle attachment. Solid handles with a comfortable foam coating complement the bands, as do Velcro ankle straps. The Bodylastics Home Gym System also features a 76-page book that explains various exercises.
Upper Body Exercises
You can perform many traditional exercises using Bodylastics. An upper/lower body split routine focuses on different muscles for each workout and allows ample recovery time. For the upper body, consider adding resisted push-ups, face-up triceps extensions, seated high bicep curls, and standing forward lat extensions to your workout routine. For the lat extensions, anchor the bands to the top of a door. Grasp both handles overhead and pull-the bands down toward the legs. Keep arms straight and use only the back muscles to move the bands.
You can perform standing chess presses using Bodylastics as well. Stand facing away from the door with bands firmly anchored at chest level. Stagger your legs to maintain balance. Grip the handles and use your chest muscles to push the arms in front of you in basic chess press position. Return to starting position in a slow, controlled manner. Repeat for additional reps.
Lower Body Exercises
A solid leg workout consists of exercises that target the major leg muscles, including the quadriceps, the hamstrings, the glutes, and the calves. Choose one or two exercise per group, and perform three sets each. Squats, hamstring curls, leg lifts, and lunges work well using Bodylastics. Perform squats and lunges like traditional versions, but secure the band under the feet for added resistance. For the leg lifts, lie prone with straps attached to your ankles and bands secured to a door. Face away from the door and lift the legs toward the glutes, squeezing the hamstrings on the lift. Lower to starting position and repeat. Change band tensions when needed to continually challenge your muscles.
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