Bands Really Do Rock

I love resistance bands.

Before I went on vacation last year I bought a set of bands for under $20. During my trip, I was able to train in my room without hassle and I got a good, solid workout every day.

Still, there are those who think that bands can't possibly compare to training using actual weights. Well, those people would be wrong. (At least for the average person)

Prevention Magazine recently conducted a study in which women exercised using a variety of methods including weights, resistance bands, Pilates, yoga and body-weight exercises such as push ups.

After 12 weeks, the women using the resistance bands dropped 18% more weight than the other groups (an average of 6 pounds) and lost 30% more inches off their stomachs, hips, arms and thighs (an average of 15 inches).

Now obviously power builders will likely benefit from super-heavy weights and would be less likely to get the same type of workout from bands. But, they would still get a great workout and for the rest of us, there is no benefit to free weights other than extra variety.

Considering convenience, cost-efficiency and overall results, bands really do rock!