24 August 2018
Walking into the studio and seeing the instructor not only has a heavy set of weights, but a resistance band too, you immediately know you're in for a tough barre class.
The band takes no prisoners and whilst you might absolutely hate it, it is doing you the power of good. Resistance bands can be used to make a full body workout that bit more challenging.
Barrecore instructor, Natalie, has told us why adding the band increases your output and how you can incorporate it into any exercise.
YOU CAN USE A BAND TO WORKOUT ANYWHERE, ANYTIME
Firstly, they’re lightweight and easy to screw up at the bottom of your bag, meaning that you can use them to workout anywhere, even when you’re on holiday. No excuses!
YOU CAN ADD A BAND TO ALMOST ANY EXERCISE
Resistance bands can be used to make a full body workout that bit more challenging. Name an exercise and you can no doubt add a band to up the intensity, whether it's your arms, back body, thighs, glutes or abs.
THEY ADD A TON OF RESISTANCE (NOT LITERALLY)
The more your muscles have to work and the stronger the resistance, the quicker you’ll sculpt and tone them. Whilst you can always create your own resistance, adding the band helps maximise the effort of each exercise.
THEY CONFUSE YOUR MUSCLES
Bands add variety, your body quickly gets used to exercises that you do frequently, by adding a band you’re changing your workout slightly, confusing your muscles and challenging them further. For example, we often do lunges in class, adding a resistance band changes the exercise just slightly so you'll benefit even more.
YOU CAN COMBINE THEM WITH OTHER PROPS (YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY)
You can combine the band with other equipment, such as weights, allowing you to get the benefits of two types of exercises at the same time. For example, when in the clam shell position you can use the resistance band to work your thighs and weights to work your arms simultaneously.
THEY IMPROVE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING
Lastly, training with a resistance band can improve your stamina, flexibility and your range of motion. What more could you want?!
So next time your Barrecore instructor tells you to grab a band and you internally roll your eyes, think of this very blog post and all the benefits you’re going to reap from upping the intensity. After all, is it only 55 minutes.
