I have a set of free weights for a number of years now but I recently bought a resistance, the type you stretch across your chest. Its very good design made from rubber and I am also able to hold down one end on the floor and use it a weight lifting motion, as if its a free weight. But the question is which is better for building muscle, free weights or resistance bands?
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Resistance Bands V Free Weights
- Thread starter steddie
- Start date
Both are good...but you will never see a body builder or power lifter using resistance bands for the bulk of their resistance training.
Training is all about time under tension. There is hardly any tension at the beginning of a movement with resistance bands (and I'm getting sick of typing that word already)...and then there is a huge surge of resistance at the peak of the movement. Therefor, you are only giving yourself muscles about 1/4 of the workout through the range of motion. Free weights give close to constant resistance through the range of motion (obviously some movements will not follow this case...for example dumbbell lateral raises...where the weight is the most intense at the peak of the movement). Either way, free weights provide more overall and steady resistance. If you are going to use resistance bands, then I would use them as a burnout or cool down set if you want to do it like that. You won't put on any serious muscle using them for the bulk of your training though.
Training is all about time under tension. There is hardly any tension at the beginning of a movement with resistance bands (and I'm getting sick of typing that word already)...and then there is a huge surge of resistance at the peak of the movement. Therefor, you are only giving yourself muscles about 1/4 of the workout through the range of motion. Free weights give close to constant resistance through the range of motion (obviously some movements will not follow this case...for example dumbbell lateral raises...where the weight is the most intense at the peak of the movement). Either way, free weights provide more overall and steady resistance. If you are going to use resistance bands, then I would use them as a burnout or cool down set if you want to do it like that. You won't put on any serious muscle using them for the bulk of your training though.