Work Out
Stretching the Limit
Resistance bands push beyond muscle plateaus By April Crake
Resistance bands are one of the most versatile pieces of
exercise equipment in a functional training arsenal. Why train only one or two muscle groups at a time when you can work your arms, back, and shoulders while blasting through the lower body and targeting your legs and core! In addition to training multiple muscle groups, resistance bands allow you to work at varying speeds, which tends not to be the case with most stationary machines. If your sport or activity requires speed and explosive power, then it makes sense to train that way. Bands are a great way to infuse some instability and perturbation into your exercise routine, similar to the use of a plyo or bosu ball. By forcing the body to be off balance (for example, by standing on one leg), or by pulling and pulsing in different directions, you demand the body to “readjust.” This helps develop kinesthetic awareness along with Another benefit to training with bands is they will stave off the plateaus encountered when your body adapts to the same old exercises you’ve been subjecting it to for years. By adding bands to your training, both the concentric and eccentric part of the exercise has resistance, resulting in better strength throughout the entire range of motion and more complete stimulation from start to finish. Here are some functional exercises I use when working with clients who are pressed for time or looking for that next level in balance and stability training.
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Photo: Liana Louzon Model: Mike Raso
stronger proprioception.