- Resistance bands have come into popularity as another way to practice resistance training. They're essentially elastic bands that come in varying degrees of tension. The tension acts as the opposing force during the exercise. Resistance bands are used to tone muscle, increase bone mass and help improve flexibility.
- Resistance bands are considered easier to use than free weights, which makes them ideal for beginners. Using resistance bands give you the opportunity to work your muscle groups through a variety of angles. If used properly, you control the amount of tension that opposes your muscles, forcing your body to stabilize itself during the workout. Bands offer a nice change of pace but can have the same impact on your muscle fibers as weights, encouraging growth and strength development.
Resistance bands also offer the ability of easy travel. If you are always on the go and unable to reach a fully equipped gym, using bands will allow you to train in your hotel. - Any type of weighted equipment that is not an exercise machine is considered a free weight. Barbells, dumbbells and kettle bells are all examples. During exercise our muscles work against the weighted plates or portion of the apparatus. Traditionally these are the first line of attack when you begin a weightlifting plan.
- Free weights come in a wide range of levels. For example, dumbbells are often available starting at 5 lbs. then increasing incrementally up to 150 lbs. or beyond. This variety allows for anyone to become involved in weightlifting without worry of a lack of suitable equipment. Barbells are adjustable by simply adding or removing weight plates. Through proper training free weights can impact multiple areas of the body. No matter what level of muscle development you possess, you will always be able to find the right free weights to challenge your workout.
- Both free weights and resistance bands bring added bonuses to a workout. It is normal to include free weights in any workout plan, however resistance bands can add the needed variety to your workout as well. You are unable to make kinds of adjustments in resistance when you use resistance bands as you are with free weights. However, mixing in resistance bands to your workout works your muscles in a slightly different way, helping them to continue to grow over time.
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