Weights or resistance bands: the question of which form of resistance is better comes down to your own environment, budget and preferences. Both can provide an effective workout to build muscles and burn fat. Resistance bands are inexpensive and take up little space, but weights are more durable and provide the best benchmark for your level of strength.
Usage
Lifting weights is the standard resistance training method for toning, building and strengthening the muscles of the body. Lifting weights requires the supporting muscles of the body to engage, helping balance the weight for a more efficient workout. The elasticity of resistance bands can provide tension from any angle, making them a solution for mimicking many gym exercises, such as the lat pulldown or triceps pulldown, as well as functional training exercises that use sports movements, such as punching and kicking. Resistance bands are progressively harder to pull as they are stretched. This forces the muscles to work the hardest at the peak of most exercise motion.
Safety
Heavy weightlifting can be tough on the body. The Mayo Clinic reports that improper weightlifting technique can lead to sprains, strains and fractures. Consult a health or fitness professional if you plan to begin a weightlifting regimen for the first time. Resistance bands require a smooth motion that is easy on the joints and tendons, but they can snap when overstretched or damaged. This can cause injury due to the body's reaction to the sudden loss of force or through the lashing effect of the snapping resistance band.
Storage and Durability
Weights are heavy and bulky and can be difficult to store. Resistance bands have a much smaller footprint and weigh far less; they are easy to store in a bag for workouts on the go. When properly cared for, steel weight plates, barbells and dumbbells can last a lifetime. Rubberized plates are resistant to rusting and easier on floors and walls. Resistance bands break, and latex bands will degenerate over time due to exposure to weather and moisture.
Considerations
Weightlifting equipment, including a weight bench, carries a higher price tag than resistance bands. With a proper and consistent workout routine, either method can help you reach your fitness goals. If you have access to both, you may choose to use a combination of weightlifting and resistance band training. Their offsetting forms of variable resistance will ensure that you get an effective muscle-strengthening workout.
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