10 Resistance Band Exercises That Sculpt Your Entire Body, According to Experts
. “You can add them to weighted bars to increase the resistance, and they help you improve range of motion when weights stop working because of gravity.”
They can also be your gym buddy when you want to go deeper into an exercise or stretch. “When stretching, resistance bands can take the place of another person to extend your reach and provide pressure,” Glor says. “They also require more core activation for most moves.” Resistance bands are also a safe way to fight osteoporosis and increase bone density. “There's less force on the joints, so if you are recovering from an injury or have joint pain, these can be your best friends,” Glor says. This makes them great for beginners. “Resistance bands are versatile and can be used for many muscle groups while being easy on the joints. Everyone from beginners to body builders can use them effectively.
Anchor the middle of your band around a set point such as a railing and grab the handles with both hands. Step back far enough for the band to be tight when arms are extended straight. Pull the elbows back to your ribcage to complete one row. Return to start and repeat 20 times and 3 sets. You can make it harder by adding a squat when you straighten the arms and stand when you pull the band back. This works the upper back muscles and helps with posture.