Flexbands resemble giant rubber bands. They are loops of resistance tubing to be used with various exercise movements. You can purchase a FlexBand for use at home, during travel or for personal use in an exercise class. The bands are available in increasing resistance levels to offer a continuous challenge to your fitness routine.
Strength
A FlexBand is a resistance training tool. The main purpose of a band is to strengthen your muscle tissue. The band's resistance is easier at the start of the exercise, because the rubber is not stretched and increases toward the finish as the rubber reaches it's maximum length. This construction makes it a tool that can be used by beginner and advanced fitness participants.
If you are just beginning to use a FlexBand for your workouts, are a woman or young adult, you may choose a light resistance band, which is available in the color blue and has a resistance of 30 to 50 pounds. As you gain strength, or if you are an advanced athlete or a man, an average band, which is available in green and has a resistance of 60 to 80 pounds, is recommended.
Pilates
Pilates classes combine a FlexBand with Pilates moves to enhance the strength training benefits of this workout. Pilates exercise classes are usually mat based and rely on the muscles of your core to produce the movements. The additional resistance of a FlexBand encourages full range of motion throughout the exercises while increasing your muscle tissue. For example, during a V-Sit, you could place your ankles inside of the band for additional leg strengthening as you press outward against the resistance. A V-Sit involves moving from lying on your back with arms and legs extended onto floor, to sitting with your arms and legs extended into the air, so that your body forms the shape of the letter V.
Yoga
Resistance bands may also be added to yoga poses. Yoga workouts include static poses to strengthen and stretch your body. A flexband may be used as a stretching aid if your flexibility does not allow you to reach to your full range of motion. For example, in a seated forward fold, place both feet inside of the band and hold the opposite side in your hands. Use the resistance of the band to pull yourself forward, to assist in a leg and lower back stretch.
Children
An exercise program for children can include a FlexBand for safe and effective resistance training. Children's hand size can easily accommodate the band size and the low resistance levels will not lead to joint injury. Children enjoy the variety of exercise movements and view using the band as more fun than participating in a traditional strengthening program, and this will encourage compliance.
Rehabilitation
If you are recovering from an injury, you may use a FlexBand as a gentle tool to encourage joint mobility or lightweight muscle strengthening. Flexbands are used by physical therapists in rehabilitation settings and can be used for arm, leg and back rebuilding.
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