We recently bought these Resistance Exercise Bands with five levels of resistance. We do have a few exercise items such as a Pilates reformer, Body blade
and Rebounder and we love them all. However we wanted something quick,
affordable, very light and portable to take away with us so we can still do some beneficial exercise.
Exercise bands look so simple, like oversized elastic bands. They are
in fact thick stretchy bands of different colours which correlate to the
different strengths. They work using your own bodyweight to stretch the bands in a controlled way to provide muscle resistance.
These bands are available in different levels of resistance depending on which brand you buy, ours come in five levels , others may have three. They usually start at a light level and move up through medium bands to strong or heavy.
If you are new to any exercise or starting again after a period of
rest or illness or you just want something quick to do these are very simple to use and versatile. The main driver for me is that I have suffered an ankle injury and so many of the exercises I am used to doing are a bit problematic for me right now. So in order to keep my body active while I heal, we decided on these exercise bands.
I would suggest that you consult your doctor or physiotherapist if
you have any conditions, allergies to materials (such as latex), illness or injury before you start and use the
easiest, most gentle band first.
Requirements For Using Resistance Bands.
The only room you need to store these resistance bands is to keep a few lightweight bands in a
small bag.
The only room you need to use them is the size of your own body plus room to
stretch out a little. Stretchy exercise bands make exercise when there is little room easy.
You
can use in any room in the house or even in the garden or on
holiday! They’re perfect for exercise at home and they are amongst some of the most
inexpensive exercise equipment available.
You don't need any special clothing, just something you can move in. You can use them sitting, standing or lying down depending on the exercise and your ability.
They are very quiet to use so suitable if you don't like noise, have a baby
in the house or someone who needs peace and quiet. You can even use them
while watching Tv or listening to music.
No travel required! You do not need to travel to a gym
and can use them just when you have a few minutes or to incorporate into a
whole exercise routine.
For fitness we can use them on their own or alongside other exercise like pilates,
yoga, weights, and cardio exercise.
Resistance Levels
The resistance on these bands increases as you stretch the band so the
muscle works though the entire stretch and importantly at your pace.
They are usually graded from light to heavy or strong and we should start with light and move up as we feel it is suitable.
We can
use these bands to strengthen arms, legs, back and shoulders and the core
also gets a workout which is good for the whole body.
Use the resistance that suits you, whatever stage of fitness or recovery you are at currently. Start on the lightest band if you are unsure or new to exercise or injured.
Resistance Bands Are Gentle On Joints
The resistance bands resistance is due to the stretch on the band itself,
there is no reliance on gravity like weights. So we can make the movements
smoother and gentle and to our tolerance which is kinder to our joints.
Although there are exercises you can do lying down in the floor, if that is
difficult then we can just do the seated or standing exercises. It is still
good effective exercise and very valuable.
This makes them helpful for
anyone recovering from injury with Dr or physio permission, people unused
to exercise, older adults and anyone who may have stiffness.
Exercise Bands May Help Improve Balance And Stability
This becomes increasingly important as we age. Many band exercises involve
slow, controlled movements. This helps strengthen the smaller stabilising
muscles that keep us balanced and steady.
With consistent use this can help
to improve our balance which is the key to avoiding falls and posture which
is crucial for stability and overall body health.
They help with coordination and general
confidence and the feel good factor.
As my ankle has been hurting I first started with the arm exercises simply
holding the band between my hands and above my head and moving them gently apart and together. I tend to do 3 sets of 10 -15 reps. I thought this was
easy and that I wouldn't feel the benefit, but I did!
A later one I tried was slipping the band under both feet sitting down
and with one hand gently stretching the band towards me up to knee level or
higher. It was a surprisingly
really good strengthening exercise for my arms.
So while I am currently concentrating on my upper body while my ankle heals
and doing the specialised physio exercises for that, my husband is
concentrating on exercises to improve balance. An example is the one where
you put the band around your ankles and gently move one foot to the other
side while keeping the other foot stationary.
Resistance Bands Suit Every Fitness Level
If you are a complete beginner to exercise the bands are easy to use and
you can begin with very gentle stretches on the lowest band strength.
If you
are used to exercise these bands can be used for strength training with the
heavier band stretches. You can also use them to improve control and
flexibility.
Resistance Bands Make Exercise Feel Accessible And Achievable
Many of us have great ideas and good intentions for exercising but sometimes it
seems intimidating, especially if we are unfit or injured, time poor or new to
exercise.
If we need to travel or make arrangements for child or carer care
it can start to feel like a chore.
These bands have allowed me to
continue doing some exercise without stressing my ankle or travelling out in
the freezing cold weather, which is a huge emotional and physical benefit to
me.
There are exercises you can do sitting or standing or lying down and
different levels of resistance, so whatever our tolerance for activity there
are exercises most of us can do with these bands.
Complicated set ups or having to travel to exercise can be a barrier to
many of us. However these bands are easy with no complex instructions
and we can pick them up for a few minutes at a time so great for people who
are time poor. Even five to ten minutes with these bands makes you feel like
you have done something good for your body and that is encouraging and
motivating.
I often pick them up to do a few exercises just when i have a few minutes
or even while watching TV or listening to music. I don't need to change
clothes if I don't want to in order to do many of the exercises. I don't
need 30 or 60 minutes to exercise, just 5 mins here and there if that is all
I have available.
These exercise bands are so small and easy to carry they are perfect for
taking away on holiday, business trips or visiting family and friends so we
can keep up with some exercise even if away from home.
Financially these resistance exercise bands are amongst the most affordable pieces of exercise equipment.
I find I need
that now, to do a little exercise every day. You could even just take one
single band with you and that would be enough to give you a good
exercise routine for a while.
Here are a selection to choose from.
Exercise bands Fit SimplifyCheck Price Professional resistance bandsCheck Price Tribe resistance bandsCheck Price
Exercise and caring for our body ought to be easy and accessible. These
Exercise bands show that improving our fitness doesn’t have to mean
complicated routines or machinery or huge financial commitment.
I love our other exercise machines and would not be without them for all manner
of reasons, but they were more expensive and some needed more set up time
and room to store and use.
If you are looking to improve your balance and strength in a easy way with
something that takes up little room and is quiet and effective, these resistance bands may be
what you need.
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