Have you also been scratching your head thinking of how resistance bands can help you improve your fitness regime? Resistance bands are a super way to strength-train and build those muscles up. They come in a variety of sizes, elasticity, and lengths and suit every individual’s workout needs. One size doesn’t need to fit all.
Delhi-based fitness expert and Bollywood dancer, choreographer, Reema Sarin, says, “Resistance bands, also known as Thera bands, are used for toning up muscles and building strength. They play on the isometric contraction theory which means essentially going against gravity and building resistance.”
This humble piece of equipment also has a number of benefits. They are portable and easy to store which makes them perfect for the urban home that’s forever in space-crunch mode. Besides, with its various uses, workouts become anything but boring. Before you buy a resistance band, “Pay attention to its quality and make sure it doesn’t snap back. The elasticity needs to be good. There are different bands available for different areas too (legs, thighs, arms),” advises Reema.
We also asked Ashish Gupta, fitness guru and Director at Gold’s Gym, Delhi, for advice on how to exercise with them, and he says, “If you want to strengthen your muscles at home then there is a simple, easy and versatile solution – resistance bands.”
There are various kinds of bands available on the market like loop bands, tube bands, bands with handles and even therapy bands. So pick one for your needs, depending on the resistance and strength. “If you’ve got achy joints or are slowly recovering from an injury, bands are a low-impact option to build muscle while keeping your joints harm-free. They also bring variety into your routine are a great way to stimulate muscle growth. Since you can control the resistance, you can target specific muscle areas that need more attention,” adds Ashish.
Look below for a set of instructions, courtesy Ashish, for a quick workout at home.”
Workout Instructions:
1. Front squats: 10-15 repetitions
2. Bentover Row: 10-15 repetitions
3. Resisted Push Up: 10-15 repetitions
4. Lateral and front raise: 10-15 repetitions
5. Crunches and woodchopper: 10-15 repetitions
6. Russian twist: 10-15 repetitions
Elastic or resistance bands are easily available at sports stores and are manufactured by all leading sports brands. They are priced from Rs. 500 to 2000 depending on the quality you pick.You can buy them online here.