Resistance Bands: What Are They and Can I Use Them?

Resistance bands are large elastic bands that can be used for all areas of the body during exercises. They can help improve strength and flexibility and are especially good for people with limited mobility. There are some common questions when it comes to resistance bands. 

I’ve never used a resistance band before…what is it?
Resistance bands all work in the same way however they are not all the same. There are various sizes, strengths, colors, and lengths. Some bands even have handles attached to them for an easier grip. The bands are color coded to match their strength, however the colors and strengths may vary with each brand.

They were originally used in rehabilitation training to help people recover from an injury, but now people are also combining them with their daily workouts. One of the key benefits of resistance bands is that they are so versatile and portable, making them crucial for people on the go or constantly traveling.

 
Why do people use them?
The different sizes and resistance levels give a large window of exercise variations to target all muscle groups. The band is used to create resistance in order to work all of the muscles by forcing the muscle fibers to contract. Our body craves movement and variety so resistance bands help to create as much movement as possible. They can replace free weights, intensify bodyweight exercises, compliment machine routines, and assist in your pre- and post- exercise stretching.

 
What are common mistakes people make when using resistance bands?
What resistance bands are a simple tool, it is important that people make sure every movement is controlled. Always remember to keep tension on the band and not minimize muscle contractions, even when doing the phase of an exercise where the band will have less tension.

 
It’s also important to ensure the right level of resistance is being used for the right exercise. For example, if you are doing a leg raise and have the band above your ankles, the full range of movement is minimized and can cause too much stress on the hip area. In this case, it would be more effective to use lighter resistance to allow for a full range of motion but still enough resistance to create the right amount of tension to contract the muscles fully.

 
There are many ways to use a resistance band, working different sections of the body. Just make sure that the band is durable and safe like OlarHike’s non-slip resistance squat bands. To get the most out of your training, make sure you purchase something that is appropriate to your fitness level.