All exercise equipment has a specific purpose, function and set of benefits. Understanding how your exercise equipment fulfills these qualities will help you reach your exercise and fitness goals. Resistance bands offer a variety of workout options for those looking to work on the muscles' strength and size.
Function
Resistance bands offer a unique way to strengthen and tone your muscles. Unlike free weights, resistance bands rely on the tension of the band's material, rather than the force of gravity on the weight. As you push or pull against the resistance band, resistance increases. Resistance bands also provide low impact strength training that is beneficial for those recovering from injuries or surgical procedures. Resistance band workouts generally involve high repetition workouts and increased cardiovascular response.
Adding Bulk
Resistance bands are not often used for their ability to add bulk. Exercises optimized for adding bulk typically involve training with heavy free weights and lower repetitions. However, if you work out with resistance bands you should expect to see changes in your muscle tone and power. If you are interested in adding bulk with resistance bands, look for high resistance bands and use fewer repetitions. If you are looking to add bulk, you should also consider your diet. A diet high in proteins such as chicken, beef, fish and beans will help repair and build muscle strength and size.
Consideration
Resistance bands are available in a wide variety of resistance strengths. Typically, these strengths are represented by different colors. Each resistance band company uses different colors for different strengths. Always check the resistance rating of each band before you use it. Resistance bands are available at most sporting goods stores, often in sets that include low resistance and high resistance bands. Wipe off resistance bands after exercises and store them in a cool dry place to maintain their elasticity.
Warnings
If you are looking to add bulk with resistance bands, there is often a tendency to shorten existing resistance bands to increase their resistance level. Resistance bands are manufactured to a certain length at different resistance strengths based on their inherent strength. Shortening a band to increase resistance may compromise the integrity of the band and result in band breakage and possible injury. Never use a cracked or split band and always check that the band is securely attached to its anchor point before you exercise with it.
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