Why Resist: The Multifunction Resistance Band

Resistance bands offer versatility and can function as a great supplement to strength training with free weights and weight machines. If you are intimidated by the prospect of beginning strength training within the confines of your local health club, resistance band training offers many of the same benefits and can give you a base of confidence to get started with free weights. And even if you are a free weight aficionado, strength training with resistance bands gets more difficult as you increase the tension, which means your muscles are working harder at the end of the movement compared to free weights.

You can throw a resistance band or two in your suitcase and get some strength training in when you are traveling for work or on vacation; this is a far superior alternative to lugging around your carry-on with a couple of 20-pound dumbbells! We think that you will find this workout hard to resist.

Squat:

Grip both handles of the resistance band and step onto the band o that it is situated under the foot where the arch meets the heel. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Bring the handles up to your shoulders, as though you were preparing to do an overhead press. Starting the motion with your hips, squat down until your thighs are just below parallel with the ground, then explode back up into a standing position.

Overhead Press:

Get into the same position that you were in for the squat, but bring your feet closer together. Press the handles of the resistance band over your head, then slowly bring them back down to your shoulders.

Row:

Sit on the ground with your legs straight out in front of you. Grab the handles of the resistance band and loop them around your feet; the band should be taut (be careful not to let the band slide up your feet and snap back at you!). Pull your hands straight back, keeping your elbows at your side. Slowly return the handles back to the starting point.