Resistance bands?

L

lartysmarty

0
Hello, my question is quite simply really or complex depends how you look at it. Well anyway can using resistance bands (heavy duty ones with lots of resistance I was thinking something like ) help you gain muscle? The ones I just linked to say 90lb what does that mean? does it mean it is equivalent to bench pressing that? are resistance bands good long term to build muscles or so you get to the point whereby your muscles get to used to it or should you alter your workouts so your muscles never really get that used to the exercise and you will always gain some muscle on your arms and chest?

any advise would be swell :)

thank you
 
I'm not sure exactly what's meant by the numbers given to denote resistance band loading, but they don't make a great primary tool. They have their place, and I use them in my training, but if you're relying on them as your main training tool to get stronger and build muscle, you're going to have some trouble.
 
Resistance bands change in how much resistance provided depending on how much they're stretched, so there's no constant weight-equivalent to them. A bicep curl could start at 5lb of resistance at the bottom, and then end up at 20lb as you reach the top of the rep. That being said, I think that the weight that's listed on the bands denotes how much weight they can withstand before stretch occurs.

Personally, I think it would be difficult to create a regular workout regimen with just bands. Aside from the fact that it's hard to vary your exercises with them, it's difficult to maintain a functional-based workout because of the fact that the resistance is constantly changing in the middle of your range of motion. This would result in the last few degrees of your range always being stronger than the rest.
 
I always say ANY form of resistance training you can do is better than nothing.

With that said, I would say you will do better long term with even a simple adjustable bench and variable dumbbell set as a minimum investment.

Michael Spitzer
Author
FITNESS at 40, 50, 60 and BEYOND
 
Yes they do work, but not as good as free weights. I put on some muscle in my arms using bands when I was younger. They are great for building up endurance more so than size or strength, i.e. use high reps when using bands. As for over time, yes I would imagine that they lose their x-factor after several months of upping reps and weight load. They are under-rated! Handy for having in the house.
 
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