Resistance Bands vs. Weights

From the standpoint of basic exercise physics, weights and resistance bands have a lot in common. Both provide something for the muscle to work against beyond gravity. But their specific differences allow them to serve different goals.

Weights
A weight, whether in the form of a free weight or a stack on a machine gives you the opportunity to exert a varying degree of force. This makes it possible to adjust your workout intensity to fit a specific fitness goal or current fitness level.

Free weights are items like dumbbells or barbells. It is possible to get a better workout with free weights than a machine because of the lack of restricted movement. Lack of restricted movement is also what makes you more prone to injury, so be sure to use proper form.

Weight training improves strength over time. As you build strength you are improving coordination, creating a stable body environment for joints and making the heart work, which improves overall health.

Resistance Bands
Resistance bands offer similar benefits, along with some that are specific only to them. The workout they offer feels different than free weights even though many of the same free weight exercises can be done with resistance bands.

Resistance of the bands is constant, rather than the gravity dependent resistance of free weights. This can be an asset because with resistance bands you can also create resistance from directions that you can’t from free weights. The direction that the resistance comes from is reliant on how you use the band.

Beyond the valuable workout benefits there are convenience benefits to exercise bands, too. They are lightweight, ultra flexible, and easier to handle than small dumbbells. They are also fairly inexpensive which is nice for the budget-conscious exerciser.

Plus, Resistance bands are more portable than free weights. This allows you to get a good workout if you travel regularly without depending on the hotel gym. Also, if space in your home is a concern, they are ultra-easy to store, and can fit into a drawer or on a closet shelf with no problem.

Both resistance bands and free weights are effective in increasing lean body mass. Although if you’re looking to body build, it is suggested you combine free weights and resistance bands, with more of an emphasis on free weights.

No matter what equipment you choose, strength training combined with regular cardio is an easy and inexpensive way to stay in shape.

A Fitness Overview

What Is Fitness?
Fitness is good health or physical condition, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition.  It also means having the energy and power to live well and feel as good as possible.  Taking steps to get more fit, even if little steps, can improve your level of fitness considerably.

Benefits of Fitness
Increasing ones fitness through physical activity is good for your heart, lungs, bones, and joints.  It lowers your risk for heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers.  It can also help you sleep better, handle stress better, and keep your mind sharp.

When you stay fit, you burn more calories, even when you are at rest.  Plus, being fit gives you the energy to be more physically active and exercise harder and more efficiently.  It can also help maintain a proper weight.

The more obvious benefits, and in many cases the driving force behind one’s efforts to obtain a higher level of fitness are: increased muscle mass, toned legs, buttocks, arms, stomach and healthier looking skin. Along the way, the individual receives the added value of greater strength, improved balance, higher endurance and (often) a better frame of mind.

Types of Physical Activities
Different types of activities will emphasize one area more than another. Aerobic activities help the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, weight lifting focuses on building muscle tone and mass, yoga and Pilates helps balance, flexibility and muscular control. But each of these, and several more, help more than just the intended focus group. The body is an integrated system and improving one area almost always has beneficial consequences for others.

All those benefits, at least to a moderate degree, can be had for minimal daily effort. Moderate intensity activity for 30 minutes per day, at least five days per week, will go a long way toward optimizing fitness.

A brisk walk, taking the stairs up one or two flights, a short daily jog, jumping rope and many other simple activities can be carried out with no special equipment or training.

More intense activity, done properly, can raise that level even further. A vigorous tennis game, a few laps in the swimming pool, an hour on the treadmill or exercise bike, or any of a dozen others, can raise your fitness to a peak with only a moderate investment of time and money.

For the truly committed there are, of course, a thousand and one classes at the gym, and every conceivable kind of home fitness equipment to fit a variety of budgets. A daily routine consisting of using free weights, followed by a good jog around the park will keep all systems functioning well.

So find an activity that you enjoy, stay with it and begin living well.