Choosing Resistance Bands According to Your Fitness Goals

Resistance bands are made of rubber tubes or straps that help you to exercise the entire body. Some bands come with handles on their ends that are used to hold and stretch them during exercises. People often use the free weights and machines to work out their body and gain strength.

However, the resistance bands help you to achieve the same results as you obtain using the free weights and gym machines. Resistance bands are light in weight and convenient to store and carry. As they are portable, you can take them anywhere and never miss your workout.

There is a wide range of resistance bands available in the market. You need to know which band you need to achieve your fitness goals. This post shares some simple tips for choosing resistance bands according to your fitness goals.

Choose a set of bands based upon your needs

Resistance bands

Resistance bands come in two basic shapes – strips and tubes. If you want a necessary band without handles, you can choose the strip design. These are made from rubber pieces cut into long strips and are the most inexpensive option. Tube bands are a bit expensive than strips rubber bands. Resistance bands are beneficial to strengthen and stabilize the small muscle groups like the scapula, rotator cuff, knee and glutes.

Resistance tubes

Get a tube type resistance band if you want to exercise by holding the handles and want a stronger band. Tube bands come with plastic and foam handles. Foam is softer to hold than plastic handles. You can choose between the two depending on your comfort requirements. The main advantage of using resistance tubes is that you can use them to target specific body parts.

Resistance Loops

Resistance loops are rubber bands that are made in the form of continuous loops without ends. loops are great for improving strength and mobility in lower body muscle groups like hips, abductors, glutes and knees.

The continuous resistance loops eliminate the need of tying up the resistance bands across the body parts. Physiotherapists recommend using resistance loops for the strengthening of limbs and muscle activation.

Strengthening bands

These bands are made for strengthening the upper and lower body parts. They are long enough for exercising the large-sized muscles such as hips and thighs. They are usually available in the length of 105 cm. You can use them to stretch and strengthen the lower body parts like hips, calves and thighs.

Fitness trainers use the strength bands to aid a variety of exercises like chin-ups, presses and squats. It increases the resistance level of workouts and helps you gain strength.

Choose according to your fitness level

While buying a resistance band, you should choose the one according to your fitness level. People who are in the stage of recovering from illness or an injury should practice using an extra light resistance band. Light resistance bands are suitable for beginners and women.

Women and men with an average level of fitness and strength should use the medium resistance bands. Heavy resistance bands are suitable for men and women who are active but untrained to use weights and bands for exercise.

Extra heavy resistance bands should be used by men and women who work out regularly and have high levels of strength. These resistance bands are useful for athletes and bodybuilders to take their fitness and power to the next level.

Exercises you want to perform

You should know about which exercises you need to perform using the resistance bands. Some people need resistance bands exclusively for the strength training while some use them to supplement their regular workout routine. If you want to use the bands only, you might need to purchase more than one resistance band.

To narrow down your search, you should know that you want the regular exercise bands or physical therapy bands. Exercise bands offer higher resistance for strength training while the physical therapy bands are meant for specific purposes like pain removal and muscle healing.

Consider your workout while selecting resistance bands

You should determine which type of exercises you want to perform using the resistance bands. Fit tubes are available in 4 feet length and have plastic handles. can use them to work out the arms, back and core.

Figure -8 bands come in the shape of 8 with soft handles and 18 inches length. 8 resistance bands are ideal for bench presses, rowing exercises and arms workout. These bands are convenient to use and are suitable for performing the stretching exercises for the upper body.

Moreover, there are ring resistance bands that are also 8 inches in diameter and come with soft handles. Ring resistance bands are used to work out your legs, hips and buttocks in seated and standing positions.

Fit loop bands are flat and circular with an 8-inch diameter. You can easily use the fit loop band to exercise your lower body parts like legs, hips and glutes.

Moreover, there are clip tube resistance bands that come in various lengths. You can clip the tube bands to a door or cuff for performing the exercises. People use the clip tubes for workouts that are performed using a cable machine.

Therapy bands are another form of resistance bands that are 4 feet and 5 ½ inches in length. Therapy bands are meant to strengthen the body parts or weak muscle groups after recovery from illness or injury. One can use the therapy bands to perform both the lower and upper body exercises.

Final Words

Resistance bands are available in many sizes and forms. You need to choose one depending upon the workout requirements and your fitness level. They are available in the form of exercise bikes, tubes, straps, loops and bands; all made for a different purpose.

Moreover, you can buy a set of resistance bands depending on the exercises you want to perform using them. Fit tube and figure 8 bands are best to use for upper body workouts while the fit loop and ring resistance bands are best for strengthening the lower body muscle groups.

Whether you choose a resistance band for upper or lower body workout, you should consider your strength & fitness level, and your workout goals while buying a set of bands.