Travel and busy schedules can easily cut into your regular workout routine. For those moments, it’s harder to make excuses if your equipment fits in your bag.
Building an at-home or travel fitness setup doesn’t need to break the bank. Penny Bailey, Certified Personal Trainer and Exercise Physiologist, at American Specialty Health Fitness, shares why resistance bands are an easy way to start taking your workout on-the-go.
- Full-body benefits
“It might look like a simple piece of equipment, but a resistance band can help you with everything from posture improvements to increasing muscle strength and endurance,” explained Penny Bailey.
Bailey
points out the unique strengthening benefits older adults can find from using a resistance band. Her tutorial talks through a few simple exercises you can try out to get started.
- Low price point
Getting started with resistance bands doesn’t require a large investment. Most common online and in-store retailers offer a set of bands for less than $20. Bailey notes that it’s helpful to consider what you’re looking to get out of your workout before making a purchase.
“If you’ve never worked out with a resistance band before,” says Bailey, “I recommend starting with a band built for full-body workouts. Once you get comfortable with it, you can expand your set to include bands built specifically for arm and lower-body workouts.
Bailey recommends checking the resistance level of the band. Many bands are classified as providing light, medium, heavy, or extra-heavy resistance. This allows you to pick a band that matches your current fitness level.
- Endless modifications
“I really love the versatility of resistance bands,” says Bailey. “Unlike dumbbells, you can increase or decrease the tension of a single band with simple adjustments to the positioning.”
Many gyms offer classes that use resistance bands during the workouts. Bailey recommends attending a class or working with a qualified fitness professional first to get comfortable with the equipment. “The fitness centers we work with through our Active&Fit Direct™ program are wonderful resources,” said Bailey. “Ask the fitness center about opportunities to learn resistance band fundamentals that can help you provide variety in your
workouts.”
It’s important to talk to your doctor prior to starting an exercise routine. Be sure to read the safety tips for the type of resistance band you are using. Always check your band prior to each use. If there are any holes or fraying around the handle, the band should be discarded.
Discounts on Gym Memberships
The Active&Fit Direct™ program allows Premera customers 18 and older to choose from 10,000+ participating fitness centers nationwide for $25 a month (plus a $25 enrollment fee and applicable taxes). Access your discount through your Premera online account.
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