Maintaining a workout regime during covid-19 is full of challenges, especially due to social distancing norms. Of course, there is a justifiable aversion towards going back to public gyms and sports complexes, because of the high risk of virus infection or transmission. Keeping a reasonable degree of physical fitness, however, still comes with positive effects on our physical and mental health.
In this catch-22 situation, resistance bands come to the rescue as they enable us to work out properly, and in a cost-effective way. They help to build muscle strength, stretch the body for warm-ups and improve mobility. These bands essentially come in the form of rubber tubes and/or bands, which are also available in varying resistances depending on your strength. They also come with handles to provide a sturdy grip, so that you can do a variety of exercises with ease.
This portable and adaptable exercise equipment is a great tool to engage all the muscle groups in the body. You can do a range of movements, thanks to these bands. If you want to do bicep curls, stand with feet at shoulder-width apart, with both feet placed on the resistance band, and follow it up by bending the arms placed in an “L” position packed along the elbow, and then lifting your arm toward your shoulders, until you get a good biceps contraction.
If you want to try shoulder presses, stand with feet at shoulder-width apart, with both feet placed on the resistance band, lift the band just slightly above your head, and bring it back to the shoulder level.
Training with resistance bands provides similar muscle activity as weight training and involves a lower amount of force on the joints. Therefore, it gives a stimulus to the muscles with less chance of injury. Moreover, resistance bands can help you control the angle you train at, helping you avoid training in uncomfortable positions, while still targeting the right muscle groups. Therefore, it helps even people with existing injuries or joint pain, to continue with their workouts.
Resistance bands help avoid momentum-based movements to squeeze out those few extra repetitions, while doing a particular exercise. Therefore, maintaining tension on the bands throughout the workout would enable you to do controlled and high-quality repetitions that will promote better posture and build your muscular strength.
The lightness of these bands enables increased repetitions, thereby improving endurance and mobility, which positively influences your bodily motions and joint strength.
So, get yourself resistance bands and see the effects for yourself!