March Fitness Challenge: Resistance Band Workout
For fitness this month, we’re taking on the staple of travel and home workouts: the all-in-one resistance band.
You’ve probably seen them: they are strips or tubes of rubber, and when you try to stretch them, they offer some resistance. Literally. The thicker the strap, the more difficult it is to stretch. (Many brands use color coding for different resistance levels so you can distinguish between bands, but there is no one-size-fits-all code for the meanings of each color.)
We’ll include exercises each week that can use any type of strap, but if you’re just starting out, here are the basic shapes and sizes you are likely to come across:
- Thin flat rubber sheets. To use them, you simply hold or step on the end, or tie it to something.
- Thin flat rubber loops shaped like an infinity scarf. To use them, you can wrap them around an arm, a leg, or an object. Or, you can hold them as if you were printing a sheet.
- Thick rope-like loops. You can use them as thin loops, but they are also perfect for auxiliary exercises like pull-ups. (Wrap the rope around the bar, then place your foot on the dangling end.)
- Rope bands with handles or clips at the end. Tie the clamps together to create a loop, or attach the handles for a comfortable grip.
All resistive tapes will wear out over time, so if you have old ones, make sure they don’t start cracking or deteriorating. (They can click during training and suck my crap .)
We’ll be back next week with some specific exercises to try, but for now, just get to know your groups. Check out this exercise table for ideas, or just Google your favorite exercise and add the word “resistance bands” – there is usually a way to do any dumbbell or rope exercise instead. Happy experiments!