5 Exercises For Tension Bands
Posted: Monday, April 20, 2009
by Barry Jay
My Barry's Bootcamp
If you haven't heard of a tension band, then just imagine a giant rubber band that is more flexible and designed to be used for working out. You've probably even seen them at the health club or fitness store and just didn't know what they were called. In case you haven't used them, let me tell you why they are so powerful. You see, with normal weights you only use your muscles during certain parts of the movement, however with tension bands you use your muscles for every part of the movement. Thanks to the resistance of a tension band, you will feel the burn all through the repetition.
1. Bicep Curl - You can do this easily by placing the tension band underneath your foot and simulating a bicep curl. You can use either one hand or two, but make sure that you go slow and focus on a smooth repetition.
2. Squat - It might sound strange, but you can actually get a good exercise by doing squats with a tension band. Simply place the band under both feet and hold the ends tight over your shoulders. You will feel the burn as you go up and it won't release until you reach the lower portion of the movement.
3. Triceps Extension - Wrap the band around a solid object behind you and then extend your arms to the front. Keep your elbows locked and focus on a smooth and easy rotation, while keeping the elbows fixed. This will work your triceps and help you tone the often neglected part of your arms.
4. Hip Flexors - Tie the band around your feet and then lay on your sides. Leave one foot stationary and then raise the top foot, keeping your leg straight, until you can't lift it any further. This is also an often neglected muscle that will probably feel the burn more than most. However, once you start implementing this into your routine, you will notice a huge change in the way your hips look and feel.
5. Pushups - Place the band around your back and then secure it in your hands. Make sure that it is nice and tight while you have your chest on the floor. This will ensure that you feel the tension during the upwards portion of the movement. If you do this right, you'll feel the burn in your chest and arms. Do this a few times per week and you'll have a very tone upper body.
As you can see, there are many ways to implement a tension band into your workout. Once you get the hang of these, try to figure out how you can turn other regular exercises into tension band exercises. Although the tension might not feel like a lot, when you combine it with your natural body weight, the effect will be dramatic.
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