Resistance Band Training and Sports Performance

Several studies have shown that resistance band training is equivalent to free weight programs in increasing muscle size and strength, while decreasing body fat, but there are specific advantages when it comes to sports performance. Whether you are a “pro” or an amateur, you can improve your golf swing, your tennis serve, your batting distance or anything else, while reducing your risk of injury by including resistance training using bands in your fitness program.

Here’s the evidence…..

• From the American Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers found that college level tennis players were able to improve shoulder strength and speed of serve after working out with elastic bands.
• From Louisiana State University in New Orleans, researchers found that an elastic resistance training program strengthened the rotator cuffs of college baseball pitchers. The improvement seen was better than what had been seen when using dumbbells.
• From Brigham Young University, researchers reported that elastic tubing made it possible to change the emphasis placed on muscles during certain exercises, which is important for injury prevention. For example, squats done using elastic bands can place more emphasis on the ham strings, which helps to protect the knees from injury.
• From Truman State University in Missouri, researchers found that athletes who used bench press elastic resistance band training had more strength and power than those that only worked out with free weights.
• From the University of Wisconsin, researchers reported that members of the La Cross team that included elastic bands in their training program had significantly more power in their legs than the members that only worked out with free weights.

This is only a sample of the studies that have been conducted over the years. You might be wondering “why” athletes find elastic tubing more beneficial than standard free weights. Here’s a look at that.

Why choose resistance band training over or in addition to free weights?

Free weights rely on gravity to provide resistance, which means that any movement conducted on a horizontal plane has little or no resistance. For example, you can imitate the motion of swinging a bat, but you can’t get resistance with a dumbbell. Because of that, you won’t get a big increase in the strength of the muscles used to swing the bat.

Elastic bands can provide the same amount of resistance on any plane. They do not require gravity to resist the movement. So, it is possible to strengthen the muscles of the legs by doing side kicks, the abdominal and back muscles by doing twists and side bends, in a way that you could not with free weights.

Think about having a weight attached to your leg and then lifting it to the side. Think about increasing that weight, in order to build those muscles. That’s the effect that you get when you work out with elastic bands. Increasing the number of the bands simulates an increase in weight.

Now that you know what it can do for you and why, let’s look at the cost involved and the best bands on the market. You may recognize the advantages of being able to workout at home. You’ll save money and time. There’s no driving to the fitness club and your equipment is always available when you are. Imagine never having to wait in line to use a machine, again. That’s just one of the advantages.

As far as cost goes, the starting price for the best brand on the market is only $83.95. You can get Terrell Owens’ “Super Strong Man System” for just under a hundred dollars. What’s the brand that TO recommends? BODYLASTICS

Bodylastics Home Gym Exercise Systems

In 2007, Terrell searched for a company to create a system that could take his performance to all new levels. Whether you’re a fan or not, you can probably appreciate the man’s talent and his physique. He believes that elastic resistance band training has made him bigger, stronger and more explosive than he could have been with free weights. The package that Bodylastics designed for him has set the standard that other companies can only try to achieve. It is as effective as any Bow-flex system and costs about 90% less.

The Strong Man set includes 19 continuous dipped elastics which create 94 different levels of resistance and as much as 127 pounds of resistance per side. Depending on your goals, the starter package may be fine, but the bigger package makes sense for someone that wants to continue to increase their muscularity and performance over time. Particularly since the Bodylastic packages are guaranteed for life. If you ever have a problem with an aluminum clip or an ankle strap, you don’t have to worry. Parts are always available.

The Strong Man package also includes a DVD about how to do “circuit” resistance band training. If you are just starting out, I would definitely recommend a DVD or an internet program that trains you to train your body.

The Visual Impact created by Rusty Moore perfect for muscle building, but whether you are interested in weight loss, burning fat, improving sports performance or all of the above, you need to learn how to perform the movements correctly. But, don’t worry. It’s much easier to learn a movement in resistance band training than it is to learn to isolate the same muscle using free weights.

You want to learn the correct form, because you want to be efficient and effective. You want the greatest gains in the shortest period of time. See what a difference you notice after six weeks, if you perform the movements correctly.

You can order either of the BODYLASTICS packages by clicking here. It may be the best click that you’ve ever made, when it comes to improving your fitness.

If you would like to learn more about Rusty’s “Visual Impact” click here. His goal was to provide the best resistance band training available. I believe that he succeeded.