The gym equipment is excellent and I like nothing better than having an hour to myself in the gym to burn off some energy. But you don’t need a gym to have an effective workout. This week, let’s talk about resistance bands and how you can use them to get amazing results. There’s also a quick and easy dinner recipe that’s great for when friends are over.
I often have to travel and believe me, it’s not as glamorous as it seems! Being away from family, missing kids terribly, wasting time waiting in airports, living out of a suitcase, the list goes on. So over the years, I’ve perfected some great ways to make free time as close to my home routine as possible. One way to do this is to move my body. I always feel better if I do something. There is not always a gym, so I take with me the only thing I know that is versatile and practical to use, resistance bands.
What I love about them is that they are so versatile. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first time exerciser, an athlete, or an avid weight trainer. Resistance bands are for everyone! Here are five ways to use resistance bands in your workout.
1. Squats: Place the resistance band under your knees. Stretch your knees apart until you feel resistance. Start your squats. This is also great for supporting your knees if you have any discomfort.
2. Thighs: Place them on your thighs. Lying on your side, gently and slowly raise your leg in the air. Feel that resistance, hold for two and slowly lower yourself back down.
3. Push-ups: Place the resistance bands above your elbows. Get in position to do push-ups. This will feel great in your arms and help you recover too!
4. Ankles: place them at the height of the ankles and lie on your side. Lift your leg up in the air in a slow motion,
5. Armpits: Place the resistance bands on your wrists and extend your arms out in front of you. Start stretching wide open, you’ll feel the burn under your arms for a big burn.
What I love is that you can use the easy resistance band and work your way up to the stronger band as you increase your resistance. The real beauty of bands is that you are only using your own resistance to train and this means you can pace yourself with your workout, particularly if you have areas of pain or discomfort. Many of my members ask me about joint and lower back pain and this is the perfect kit for them. As always, be sure to consult your doctor or physical therapist when starting something new and they will be able to advise you on the best stretches to help you personally.
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