Resistance bands are the best cost-effective fitness training equipment you can buy. Whether you are at the beginner or professional fitness level, resistance band exercises are suitable for your muscles.
Also, using resistance bands for your fitness training allows you to target any part of your body without putting a strain on your joints.
Similarly, resistance bands are great for exercises that target smaller stabilizing muscles. Also, research has shown that performing elastic band exercises boosts flexibility, gait function, and balance. Resistance band exercises can be done anywhere, even in your home.
Furthermore, resistance bands are small, lightweight, and portable, so you can travel with them anywhere or store them in a small place.
If you’re looking for a way to get toned without going through the intimidating strength training, use resistance bands. Here are six resistance band exercises to tone your entire body.
5 Resistance Band Exercises That Strengthen Your Body
To perform an effective full-body workout, select four or five resistance band exercises from the list below.
Perform each exercise for forty-five seconds with a break of fifteen seconds at intervals. Do this for three or four sets.
You can take extended rest after each set or continue any extended rest. If you want to go extra hard with your workout, perform the four sets twice.
1. The Bicep Curl
The bicep curl targets your biceps and works the muscles of your upper and lower arms. Since you use your arm muscles often daily, doing this exercise will help you build strength in your upper arms. It will also teach you how to use your arm muscles properly.
Exercise Steps
- Sit on a step, chair, or your heels
- Put the resistance band under your right knee, then hold it up with your right hand
- To begin the exercise, pull your hand up towards your right shoulder. This should be against the resistance of the band
- Your upper arm must stay stationary as you pull on the band. This way, your elbow stays under your shoulder and close to your body
- Release your hold on the band and return to the starting position
- You can repeat this fifteen times on one side before switching to the other arm to repeat the exercise
2. The Banded Front Squat
The front squat exercise targets your glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps. This resistance band exercise works to improve your core posture and strength.
Exercise Steps
- Keeping your feet apart, loop the resistance band around both your feet and hold one end of the band on each hand.
- Bend your arms, so your hands are brought up next to your ears. Lift your elbows until your triceps are narrow and parallel to the floor. This step is your starting position
- Ensuring that your arms are still, bend at your knees to sink your hips back and down. Do this until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
- Squat as low as you can while maintaining tension in the band and a neutral spine. Ensure that your elbows remain elevated.
- You can now extend both knees to return to the starting position.
3. The Seated Banded Hip Abduction
Banded hip abduction exercises help to strengthen the outer part of your hip and glutes. They are also used in rehabilitation programs to test your hip mobility and strength.
Exercise Steps
- Sit on a bench or chair with your feet on the floor
- Loop a resistance band around your thighs a few inches above the knees
- Ensure your chest and back are straight. Push your knees outwards as far as you can, or the band will allow.
- Slowly return your knees or legs inwards and repeat this movement as many times as you can
- Side Plank Leg Lifts With Resistance Bands
- Side planks are excellent exercises that help to strengthen the muscles of your shoulders, core, and hips. These exercises also help to protect your spine and improve your balance.
Exercise Steps
- Support your body in a side plank position, with your elbow or hand directly under your shoulder.
- Ensure that your left leg is straight and your right leg is flexed. Doing this will put your left foot, right knee, and right elbow on the floor. This should be your starting position
- Place the resistance band above your knee and lift your left leg against the band’s resistance.
- Make sure to engage your glutes and keep your body straight.
- Return to your starting point. Repeat this 15 times on one side, then switch to the other side to do the same.
4. The Russian Twist
The Russian twist is an excellent exercise because it targets all your core muscles. This exercise also builds stability in your spine, trims your mid-section, and works on your balance.
Exercise Steps
- Sit on the ground with your legs extended. Loop the center of the resistance band around the bottom of your feet.
- Hold the free ends of the band together with your hands.
- Bend your knee slightly. Keeping your feet on the floor, lean back at an angle of 45 degrees. This step is your starting position.
- Rotate the resistance band to the right by bringing your left hand across your body. Your right hand should also be down by your right hip.
- Bring the resistance band back towards your right hip. This should be done by contracting your oblique muscles. Also, ensure that you keep your middle and lower back neutral.
- Return to your starting position. Repeat this exercise 12 times on each side by rotating to your left and right.
5. The Clamshell
The clamshell exercise helps to stabilize your pelvis and strengthen your glutes. It also helps to bring more stability and power to your hips
Exercise Steps
- Start by lying on your left side with a band wrapped around your thighs. Your upper body needs to be propped on your left forearm
- Bend your legs so your knees face forward while your feet line up with your glutes.
- Keep your feet and hips still while lifting your top knee as far as possible towards the ceiling.
- Slowly lower your knee back to the starting point. You can complete 30 to 45 seconds of reps on one side before moving to the other.
Summary
Doing exercise is a great way to ensure your body and mind are at optimal functionality. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank or go to the gym to perform exercises.
With resistance bands, you can easily do a full-body workout from the comforts of your home.
Furthermore, there are different types of resistance bands you can use to build muscles across your body.
Also, resistance bands are used to boost bone density and fight osteoporosis. Check out the resistance band exercises in this article if you’re interested in toning your entire body