Originally designed for use in the field of Sports Medicine, resistance bands are therapeutic aids used to provide strengthening to injured muscles, tendons and ligaments. Most recently, therabands have enjoyed popularity in the fitness industry. Thera-band brand resistance products are available in endless loop bands and tubing that may come with or without ergonomic handles.
Construction
Theraband resistance bands and tubing are made of natural rubber latex that is made into thin sheets, thicker gauge bands and thick walled tubing. The latex free versions of therabands are made from synthetic rubber. Each product is color coded and the color corresponds to the different level of resistance the theraband provides it's user.
Resistance Levels
Therabands resistance levels consist of multiple color coded progressively increasing resistances. The lighter colored bands are good for individuals beginning in theraband rehabilitation program. Medium levels of resistance are good for those who are advancing positively in a strengthening program. The highest levels of resistance can offer theraband users more extreme levels of resistance.
Uses
Therabands are used by fitness enthusiast to mimic almost any weight lifting movement that can be performed with free weights or machines. You can increase the resistance level while using a particular band by allowing more or less of the band to be manipulated. Bands or resistance tubing can be used with or without handles. Therabands may also be used to help provide assistance during solo stretching exercises.
Considerations
Fitness users enjoy therabands due their inexpensiveness to purchase, their compact nature and their ability to be easily packed for travel. Therabands are extremely durable and in a lab testing session a Thera-band brand resistance band was able to withstand 10,000 uses without breakage. Signs that your band may be nearing the end of it's life cycle include discoloration of the band, a bubbling in the texture of the band or small tears that have just began to develop.
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