So you want to exercise, lose weight, and generally feel good about yourself. But you find yourself not going to the gym because of… well, reasons.
You know what? We understand you. Starting a healthier habit is not easy. But once you get going, we promise you things will be a lot easier.
And you know something that can help you get fitter, healthier, and help you avoid making excuses to not exercise?
Resistance bands!
Before, these flexible latex bands were mostly used for physical therapy regimens for rehabilitation and strength rebuilding. But research has shown that the low-impact methodology of resistance bands works well in everyday training.
These fitness tools may be unfamiliar to you, but rest assured that once you’ve started using them, they’re very effective. But if you get to searching, you’ll discover that there are plenty of kinds out there. Which is right for you?
Not to worry. Read on for our guide to resistance bands.
Why resistance bands and not free weights?
You might be wondering why you shouldn’t just invest in some good weights. Why go with resistance bands? Aren’t weights like the end-all-be-all of exercising? That’s why gyms always have weights, after all.
We have nothing against free weights, but for one thing, resistance bands are much more portable and compact than the usual bulky weights. You can bring bands anywhere and work out wherever you want. You don’t have to look for a gym, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area. Just stay in your room, bring out your bands, and you’re ready to go.
But for us, the most important reason to use bands is that research says that bands are just as effective in various types of training when compared to the usual weights. In fact, in certain exercises, bands have been found to be even more effective. That’s because bands maintain muscle tension throughout the entirety of an exercise and are not affected by gravity, unlike weights.
One last consideration is that bands are less expensive than weights and gym memberships.
Now that you know why we recommend bands, it’s time to move to the next step: finding out the different kinds of bands you can invest in.
What are the different kinds of resistance bands?
Here’s the first step to deciding on the resistance bands you should get: you should first know that there are actually three kinds you can choose from. Well, there are actually more, but here at Committed HP, we want to keep things simple, especially if it’s going to be your first time finding out about resistance bands, or if you’re a beginner at fitness.
So, going back, here are the three basic kinds of bands you will find on the market:
Loop bands
The majority of resistance bands that you’re going to see in the market are what are called loop bands. They’re closed loops that have no handles. They’re also going to give you the most number of options when it comes to different workouts. You can use them for squats, push-ups, and even replicate some gym machines.
Loop bands have different lengths, but you can always wrap them around your feet or an anchor like a sturdy bar attached to the wall to make them shorter if necessary.
A specific example of these loop bands is the ones we carry, called the Move Bands.
Tube bands with handles
These bands are tube-like in shape, and usually have hooks on both ends. These hooks are designed to be attached to handles for better grip. Sure, you can just grab them by both ends, but the handles help you to grip them much better. These bands are also made to imitate some workouts at the gym, especially involving machines. Their only limitation is that since you need to hold the handles, you won’t be able to do lower body exercises which involve wrapping bands around your legs.
Mini-bands
If you want maximum portability, the mini-bands are ideal for you. They’re the same as the aforementioned loop bands but are just smaller and with more condensed resistance. The purpose of the mini-band is really more for bodyweight exercises. Use them for squats, glute bridges, and more. Wrap them around your ankles, thighs, and ankles.
The Better Band is an example of a mini-band. What makes this different is that it can be adjusted for better grip on you, and it won’t roll up, meaning you won’t have to stop your workouts to keep adjusting.
What do the colors mean, and why are some thin and some are thick?
If you’re going to look at bands, they have different colors. They’re not for mere decorative purposes, although the colors look good. The colors denote different weights or resistances. The sets you buy usually have a guide so you’ll know which one to use for more resistance and which one to use if you just want a light workout.
The same goes for the thickness of the bands. The thicker a band is, the more resistance you’ll get when using them. The opposite goes for the thinner bands.
Going back to our Move Bands, here’s what the colors and thickness represent for each band:
- Yellow - 1/4 inch thickness, with a resistance of 5-15 lbs
- Red- 1/2 inch thickness, with a resistance of 15-35 lbs
- Black- 3/4 inch thickness, with a resistance of 25-65 lbs
- Purple 3/4 inch thickness, with a resistance of 35-95 lbs
Of course, the colors will vary per supplier. Each set you buy should have a guide so you know what to expect per color.
What weight should I start with, then?
If you’re starting out, go for the lowest resistance band, then try it out a few times to see how you feel. If it feels too easy and you feel like you aren’t getting tired, then it probably is too easy. Get a band with more resistance and repeat the process. If you feel a burn after you execute your exercise, that’s probably the band you should stick with right now.
Eventually, you will also get used to that current band. When that happens, move up another resistance level. The rule of thumb here is that there should be enough resistance to get you sweating. Otherwise, you are just wasting your exercise time.
Get your resistance bands from Committed HP.
Want to do more than just read about resistance bands and actually start using them? Well, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re still a little tentative about using bans, we recommend getting our Better Band first for some bodyweight exercises. If you want to add some outside resistance, try buying our Move Bands. And if you want to combine the two, why not?
Of course, if you want to save a little bit more, we recommend you check out our Combos, Kits, and Bundles. Not only will you get both kinds of bands, but you’ll also get these fitness essentials: our Back & Core Essentials Program and our Travel Moball Roller!
Don’t delay being a healthy, high-performing human. Get started with your resistance band exercises today!