Resistance Exercise

For anyone looking for an easy, portable method of workout training that includes the strength of weight training and the flexibility of yoga the rubber band resistance exercise method may give you what you need. It is a simple and affordable way to bring exercise equipment into your home.

What Are Rubber Band Resistance Exercises?

Rubber band resistance exercise is a form of isolated movement exercises using opposing force to create pressure. This type of exercise is typically known as isometrics. Using force of a movement to create stress on the muscles. The flexible rubber material creates a low impact environment that is safe to use. Rubber bands used for resistance exercises are often called resistance bands and they come in many sizes and styles. The most common types of resistance bands are fully-enclosed bands and long open-ended bands.

Why Rubber Bands?

According to eOrthopod scientists in Finland studied groups of women in controlled circumstances and found that when included in a regular aerobic workout, resistance bands increased overall muscle mass along with the benefits provided by the aerobics. This gives people with less time to train a way to improve their cardiovascular system and their muscles at the same time without doing both aerobics and weight training.

Use

Fully-enclosed bands are a good type of rubber band to use for leg and arm exercises. They slip over both legs or both arms and provide pressure for leg lifts or arm exercises. Single open-ended bands are excellent for core training and can be used in many different positions. Rubber band resistance exercises give users the same levels of intensity as other types of equipement. The elasticity changes intensity with the pressure applied. The more you stretch the band the harder it is to press, pull or hold and the harder it pulls back on return.

Stow and Go

Unlike most exercise equipment, rubber bands are easy to store. They fold up easily and fit in a small space in a drawer. That makes them ideal travel exercise, or business break exercise tools as well. They fit in a purse, suitecase or briefcase and travel anywhere you go.

Variations

The original rubber band resistance exercises used simple bands. Now there are several variations of the resistance band on the market including bands with handles so you can hold one end in each hand, loop the band around objects, your feet, or just hold it out in front of you for many different exercises. Clip tubes have cuffs attached to the ends for wrists or ankles to provide a stationary hold so you can move through motions easier. Choose various lengths of rubber bands to allow you greater flexibility in exercises and better focused strengths for specific areas.