9 Benefits of Resistance Bands

There is no doubt, the coronavirus pandemic has increased the popularity of resistance bands around the world over the past 6 months.

People of all ages, of all fitness levels, all of a sudden began looking for ways to offset the loss of physical activities and resistance bands provided some well-known benefits that almost anyone would welcome. 

While there are certainly more than these nine benefits to resistance band use, we just wanted to put a short list together for those who still might be considering adding these to their fitness regiment.

Just remember, bands almost certainly have a place in your workout even after life returns to "normal". So…

Just What are Resistance Bands

Well, without getting too complicated, there are actually different types of resistance bands that can be used for fitness training.

The most common (and, in our opinion, the best for most) are the flat ones. These are also known as strength bands or exercise bands.

Depending on the brand, you might also find different band widths. The thicker the width of the band, the more resistance or tension, it will provide.

Resistance bands can typically be found in ranges, either in numbers, such as 1-6, or weight, such as 10-50 pounds.

While band length will be the same, the lower level or resistance bands will be easier to stretch, thus provide less tension.

These lower resistance bands are especially useful for exercises with greater ranges of motion. 

As you move up in levels or resistance, the bands will become much harder to stretch.

Resistance bands are made from rubber and can be used to wrap or knot around stationary equipment in order to perform a wide variety of exercises. 

Obviously, the choice of exercises and level or resistance of the band used will be a very individual thing and does, in fact, require a little trial and error in the beginning. 

In other words, experiment…but do so cautiously and with the understanding that proper use of bands will lead to very controlled, smooth motions. 

Now, let’s check out some of the benefits of resistance bands...

Resistance Bands are Easy on the Joints

There is little question that over time, resistance training does add some wear and tear to the joints. Unfortunately, it does kind of go with the territory to some extent.

Obviously, proper training following proper warmups and followed by proper stretching will do much to alleviate these aches and pains, but at some level, as we age, it is bound to come.

Enter benefit #1 on our list…resistance bands are easier on the joints!

The constant, controlled, and smooth tension that bands provide not only encourages and engages more muscle activity during an exercise but also creates much less wear and tear on the joints than free-weights and even some machines.

Even better, over time, this type of constant, even tension will strengthen joints as opposed to tear them down.

For lifelong trainers, this single benefit might be enough of a reason to add them to the program.

Resistance Bands Increase Strength Evenly

Free weights and machines, no matter how well designed, no matter what the exercise, have points, throughout the range of motion, where resistance will fluctuate.

In other words, the resistance will be lighter during some periods of the movement and heavier through others. 

Resistance bands eliminate this fluctuation in tension, increasing strength evenly so muscles become not only stronger but more pliable and likely less injury-prone as well.

Resistance Bands Builds Muscle

Let’s not be fooled by the look of resistance bands. And let’s certainly not compare their effectiveness based on a silly comparison of bars loaded with big weight plates. 

In short, the body has no clue what the tool being used to provide resistance is. Therefore, the proper selection of resistance when using bands can, and will, absolutely lead to muscle.

Remember, the resistance used in training is a “means to an end”. Nothing more. 

If the tool you choose provides adequate tension through the range of motion needed, the body, and the muscles, will respond. 

Resistance Bands are Convenient

During these crazy times, “normal” isn’t an option for most, so gyms and regular fitness training has been difficult to achieve. 

During more normal times, so many of us lack the time we think we need to “get fit” since getting to the gym needs to be fit into the daily schedule. 

But, with resistance bands, all excuses are all bu eliminated.

They can be used anywhere. Nothing else, no other equipment, is needed in order to get a good workout in. You don’t need to get dressed to workout. You donÃÃÃÂÂ�