Free Weights, Machines, or Bands?
rms of strengthening your muscles for athletic performance, overall health, bodybuilding, and sculpting the physique. While many forms of resistance training exist, free weights and machines are often considered the best options. Other options can be beneficial for resistance training such as resistance bands that are convenient to use at home workouts as well as gyms.
These resistance bands vary by thickness, length and material, offering beneficial options for an individual’s workout. Not only do they serve as resistance, but they are easy to take with you on the go and can be used anywhere. With free weights, the resistance is a straightforward amount of weight. Resistance bands provide dynamic tension that becomes challenging as the band is stretched into a longer position. Free weights and bands are similar and can be used to develop a productive workout. Once familiar with these bands, it’s easy to develop a workout plan that is safer and easier on the joints. Not to mention no set up is needed by adding weights.
Resistance bands are usually attached to fixed objects that can be pulled, pushed, curled etc in many different directions. Utilizing these bands can help you isolate your muscle groups and have less focus on stabilizing your body as with free weights. Stress on the joints and muscles isn’t always a bad thing, and is necessary to fatigue the muscles to stimulate new growth. With heavy lifting and over use of free weights, joints can become inflamed and begin to hurt especially with certain types of exercises. With bands, they provide a smoother resistance that can reduce joint stress at certain movements throughout the exercise. This is very helpful for individuals with injuries and mobility issues.
The majority of individuals that use resistance bands are not seeking to build huge muscles but are wanting to get a good workout in the least amount of time. Bands are widely used by individuals in physical therapy to help with injuries because resistance is light until the band stretches in length and gets harder. Bands can be very versatile and used by people in certain circumstances.
Bands are portable, don’t take up space and are ideal for home workouts, while traveling, and on the go or for gym trainees seeking to get a quick pump. They are also ideal for large groups exercising and easy to utilize. Resistance bands or free weights that are being used will give you a wide range of exercises that you can develop in a workout and receive benefits from them. Bands allow you to design workouts according to your fitness goals without using equipment that can target all muscle groups.
If you want to try something different with your workouts, incorporate resistance bands, they can be a useful training tool that you can use anytime and anywhere.
AS ALWAYS, STAY ACTIVE AND BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR MIND, BODY & SOUL
Paul Passino has a Bachelors of Science degree in human performance and sport with a health, education, and coaching minor, as well as 45 hours of sports administration and over 23 years of teaching P.E., weight training, and coaching.
