AN EFFECTIVE WORKOUT AT A REASONABLE PRICE
I have found that resistance band full body exercises can keep me in good shape without a lot of complications or fear of injury. Resistance bands are generally low impact workout tools, thus applicable to beginners or seniors.
But they can be challenging and productive for anyone.
Resistance bands provide constant tension throughout an exercise rep. There is no lapse of tension as we finish an exercise movement, nothing like a sudden drop of a barbell. Our muscles are being worked during the whole range of motion.
I prefer the resistance bands with handles and a door anchor. My favorite exercise is the standing row, with the bands anchored to a door as I pull each handle to my sides. See image below. This is for the back (latissimus dorsi) muscles.
I also like to face away from the door and bring the handles to my chest, for the pectoral muscles. For my arms, I can stand on the midpoint of the bands and curl the handles upward (for my biceps) or do a triceps extension from behind my neck. There are hundreds of movements to do. We only need to choose the ones we like or need the most.
Resistance bands are easy to manage, easy to put aside when we finish our workout. They are very reasonably priced and I will show a good option in the next paragraph.
In a previous post, I described types of bands other than the ones with handles.
Here are pictures and descriptions of 30 different kinds of resistance band exercises to do at home.
FROM AMAZON, MY RECOMMENDATION
I am an Amazon affiliate, which means that I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Also, I can recommend the best choices available through my workout experience and familiarity with Amazon.
This set is the most sophisticated that I have found, with door anchor, ankle straps, resistance from 10 lbs. to 150 lbs, and plenty of information within a workout guide. The bands are of excellent quality. Along with product information, you will find several other options at different prices and component parts.
On items like this, I would always recommend the best quality available, especially since the prices are not burdensome in any event. The above set will allow for a long progression from light to heavier forms of resistance.
VIDEOS
First of all, here is an upper body resistance band workout being done by a husky man. Resistance bands can be low impact or they may challenge anybody.
And, on the opposite end, a video from Amazon for beginners
Low impact, for beginners – 6 DVDs
BULLWORKER ISO-FLOW
Bullworker is known for high quality products. The Iso-Flow is not technically a resistance band, but is similar. It is pictured below. There are upgrades in quality and versatility over many resistance bands.
Here is an Iso-Flow instructional video (at the Golden Gate bridge).
The Bullworker website shows full information on the Iso-Flow and other Bullworker products.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This was not intended to be a wordy post. For resistance bands, I thought it would be more interesting to show videos, especially since my prior post had introduced this form of exercise already.
Be aware that there are bands that are not as sturdy as the ones I am showing and recommending.
I can report that I have had both muscle gains and maintenance with resistance bands. I have never had a mishap or a disappointment in their use. They “work for me! ”
We can start with low pounds of tension and then gradually increase the load to promote more growth. The tension does not go away as we move through the concentric movement (raising, for example) to the eccentric (lowering) part.
It is difficult for me to think of a more appropriate form of exercise equipment than resistance bands, if we are looking for simplicity, convenience and reasonable pricing.
For those who do heavier workouts at gyms, I would recommend a set of resistance bands (or the Iso-Flow) for use at home. For seniors, resistance bands are perfect for home workouts.
Please leave me any comments or questions in the “Comments” section below. Or email me, richard@myworkoutathome.com.
