There are so many equipment options these days when it comes to working out. Dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, bosu balls, stability balls, medicine balls but one firm favorite for me is resistance bands. When it comes to equipment, resistance bands are at the top for home workouts. You get a big bang for your buck as they can really help step up your game. As a personal trainer I recommend them for all my clients that workout at home. Why? Seven reasons I’ve outlined below.
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7 Reasons to use resistance bands in your workouts
So before we get into the reasons why I recommend using resistance bands in your workouts I did a full video on this which you might want to watch plus a review of the FitWirr resistance bands I used in the video. Why yes, I have started making videos again, thanks for asking! I started last week with an update video of what the heck I’ve been doing the last 3 months (Hawaii, Disney World, Blogging, Working and generally living life to the fullest!), and you can watch that on my channel.
#1 Cost Effective
Dumbbells and barbells can get pretty expensive, with a set of resistance bands you pay once and get a whole workout in a bag for under $50. This set by FitWirr below has a total resistance of 73lbs separated into 5 bands. Imagine having 5 sets of dumbbells… I can tell you that you’d be paying a lot more than the cost of these bands!
#2 Grow with your fitness level
I like the sets, like the FitWirr ones above, that are adjustable. Meaning the handles can be detached. This gives you more room to grow your fitness level. We’ve already established these are cheaper than dumbbells but imagine if you got 5 sets of equivalent dumbbells. Well those are going to plateau your strength. With these bands once you reach the black band you can then add the black AND a yellow band! Giving you tons of resistance options. In a word as you get stronger, add more bands!
#3 Storage Space
If saving money wasn’t high on your priorities, then how about saving space? I don’t know about you but storage space is a premium in our house. While we have our third bedroom transformed into a homegym with the treadmill, rowing machine and bike trainer it doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for other equipment. With resistance bands I have a gym in a bag! Perfect for small spaces.
#4 Travel Workout
As I mentioned these take up very little space when stored making them perfect for travel! As a personal trainer I keep a set in my car for clients. However I also tend to take a set on vacations and trip so I can keep up my strength workouts while I’m away. They are very versatile and this is the reason I always make sure I have a door anchor in any set I purchase. If there is nothing to secure the bands to then you’ll be limited to the exercises you can do, with the door anchor you can take your workout to a whole new level.
#5 Total Body Workout
On this website I’ve shared a ton of home workouts and one thing that gets missed a lot in home bodyweight workouts is the back. It’s tough to work the back using bodyweight. Not impossible, but challenging. Adding a set of resistance bands to your workout arsenal can balance your home workouts by targeting the whole body. Most come with a poster of exercises too so you may even learn a few new moves.
#6 Variation in your workouts
Even if you have some other workout equipment I’d still suggest getting a set of resistance bands. Due to the elastic the resistance load is different than say dumbbells. You get a constant tension throughout the range of motion, which you don’t get with dumbbells due to gravity. If you aren’t sure, then do the same exercises with dumbbells then resistance bands. The bands will challenge your body differently. You generally have to stabilize more too, working the core.
#7 Use alone or with other equipment
I already mentioned that I take these on vacation, but I also take a jump rope. I love that I can use these alone or with other pieces of equipment. If I wanted to I can take them to the gym, use the machine lat pull down then superset using the bands. They are truly a very versatile piece of equipment. They are also great for pilates exercises, traditional bodybuilding movements, as well as rehabilitation and can also work as a yoga strap in a pinch!
All in all, I highly recommend anyone working out at home to purchase a set of resistance bands to take their workouts to the next level! I use them all the time with my clients and personally. If you aren’t sure what exercises you can do with resistance bands I have a few workouts on my website:
Arm and Shoulder resistance band circuit
Resistance Band total body workout
Back and shoulder workout using resistance bands
Booty Blaster Resistance Band workout
Butt and Thighs resistance band workout
Questions
Do you workout at home?
Have you ever used resistance bands?
What’s your biggest fitness related challenge?
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matrix snipen
Wonderful post! I have never really used them with past workouts, but I’ll have to keep them in mind for the future!
lydia
I have only used resistance bands once or twice but you’ve convinced me to try them out more!
Di Hickman
definitely do try them, they are a great workout
Brittany @ Everyday Thoughts
I love using resistance bands in my workouts. I started using them years ago for physical therapy and ever since I’ve been hooked.
Di Hickman
yep they are great for PT
HilLesha
Wonderful post! I have never really used them with past workouts, but I’ll have to keep them in mind for the future.
Di Hickman
great for switching up a workout
Ana De- Jesus
I have used resistance bands before but it wasn’t for a workout neccessarily but to help improve my posture and improve my back as part of my physio! They are great x
Di Hickman
Yep that’s why I advise clients to get them. Posture is important!
Amanda
I love using resistance bands! They are so great for travel too!
Di Hickman
definitely great for travel!
Roxanne
You just reminded me that I have some of these I’ve been neglecting! Going to rewatch your video and get to work! Thank you!
Di Hickman
hahaha I think we all have a set of these somewhere!
Seattle Travel Blogger
I like your video – you do a good job of breaking things down and simplifying them into doable workout tasks.
I could see how resistance bands could be an important part of a fitness routine.
Di Hickman
Thanks! I’m hoping to get back into doing more videos soon!
Jenny
I take a class at my gym that recently started using resistance bands. They really do make a huge difference. I find them especially challenging when do leg exercises.
aish das-padihari
In my boot camp class, my instructor insists on using resistance bands. I used to dread them, but now I love them.
Di Hickman
Yeah they are easy for us teachers to travel with, I know I have a set in my trunk all the time
Nancy
I’ve used resistance bands while working out at CrossFit. A simple band, but definitely makes the workout that much harder. Love it.
Di Hickman
It really does! They look easy, but provide a great workout
Amanda Love
It’s safe and easy to use! I have never used resistance bands before but it makes total sense to use them especially if you exercise at home!
Di Hickman
Definitely less fear of dropping things onto your feet with these!
Cindy Ingalls
I recently started a workout series that calls for weights or resistance bands. I’ve been using the weights for now, but I really feel like I could get more of a benefit from the resistance bands. Definitely have to give them a good next time.
Di Hickman
Switch it up. I use both in my workouts. It can really help you avoid plateauing
Nicola
We have a set of great resistance bands and I don’t think they’ve ever been used. I think they are great though…just never seem to make time to work out. I think I need to set myself some new goals!
Di Hickman
you gotta use them in order for them to work! Schedule your workouts NOW for next week. Just 15 minutes…
Anna nuttall
Thank you this tip. I keep meaning to buy some to use for when i’m at the gym. xx
Di Hickman
The gym might have some. Ask one of the staff. You might have to hand over your keys as a trade while you use them. Small items like this tend to go awol in gyms 😉
Tereza
I’ve been thinking about using this for well over a year but couldn’t find any good post about them – and here you come! Thank you for sharing this, definitely more inclined to finally trying them! X
Di Hickman
Yep definitely try them out. Check out the workouts linked too!
Latasha
I just recently got back on my workout kick after having my first child and I totally need to add these bands. 🙂 They look like they are awesome.
Di Hickman
Perfect for busy moms trying to fit a workout into their day!
Cynthia @craftoflaughter
I am ashamed to admit I have resistence bands and have never used them. Mainly because I wasn’t sure how and I was afrai of hurting myself. I will pull them out now and give them a try, thank you!
Di Hickman
I linked up some exercise routines in the bottom of the post so check those out!
Janel
I didn’t realize there were different strengths that can grow with your workouts. I love how colorful they are too.
Di Hickman
Yep love the colors! makes it easy to see which you are grabbing!
Dawn McAlexander
I used to use resistance bands when I worked out. They do provide a good workout and are very inexpensive. I agree with all you are saying here.
Di Hickman
Yep so great for home workouts!
Terri Steffes
I know that resistance bands were important but I had no idea why! I can see they really add to the effectiveness of the workout. Thanks!
Di Hickman
They provide a great workout Terri!
robin Rue
Resistance bands are awesome. I don’t use them nearly as much as I should. Thanks for the boot in the pants to use them more 🙂
Di Hickman
Always here for that kick in the butt!