by Bridie Cavanaugh

Created on: August 19, 2008   Last Updated: August 22, 2008

Exercise Bands (aka Resistance Bands) started out as tools used during rehabilitation exercises. Due to their portability, low price point and ease of use they have become a popular part of daily exercise regimes and are especially prevalent in Pilates.

Exercise Bands are long pieces of rubber tubing or flat rubber ribbons. They may be a solitary piece of rubber or tubing or could include handles or be designed as a figure-eight. You may also purchase a variety of accessories which allow you to attach the bands to fixtures in your house. This will enable you to perform a great variety of exercises. When used in a strength training regime, bands increase resistance and allow your muscles to grow stronger.

When purchasing an Exercise Band look for a high-quality rubber that is tear resistant. Bands come in a variety of lengths and strengths. To allow for a complete range of motion, it is generally recommended that the length of the band be within eight inches of your height. The resistance of the band is another component of exercise success. You may need to experiment in order to find the right resistance for your body and for particular exercises. Bands can often be purchased in sets offering a variety of resistance.

These inexpensive exercise tools offer an ease of travel, a variety to your exercise routine and effective strength training. So grab a band, start stretching and see what they can do for you.

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