It is widely known that resistance training is one of the best ways to help athletes improve performance in their sport. A great tool for athletes at all levels to incorporate into their resistance training routine is resistance bands. Athletes can benefit from bands by adding or reducing resistance in their training or as a tool when stretching.
Many times beginner athletes do not have the strength to perform exercises like pull-ups and dips. These types of exercises require an athlete has to move their body through space which is crucial for young athletes to gain size and strength. They also require the recruitment of stabilizing muscles that you will not get when performing similar exercise on a machine. Most sports require athletes to have functional strength, pull-up and dips require the athlete to move their body through space.
The use of a rubber band will help a beginner athlete with body weight exercises by assisting with the power and range of motion elements. When part of the body is placed through the rubber band it stretches to counter the weight of the person. The elasticity of the band with help the athlete move their body to complete the motion of the exercise. The rubber band essentially acts like a spring being pushed down and uncoiled to provide energy.
Using the pull-up as an example, a rubber band can be attached to the pull-up bar then the athlete can put one leg through the bottom of the band, the stretch and recoil of the band will help the athlete pull their body through the movement. This will have the spotter effect on the bench press.
Advanced athletes who possess a ton of strength can use the bands to add resistance to their strength training routines. An exercise like the push-up can be made more difficult by placing a band around the shoulders and under the hands to increase resistance. This can also be done on dips by putting the band around the athlete's waist and attaching the band to a fixed or very heavy object on the floor. As the athlete lowers their body down into the stretched portion of the dip the rubber band will shorten. When the athlete pushes and contracts to move the body up in the air the rubber band will stretch and add resistance.
Rubber bands are available in a variety of resistance levels, some durable enough to assist up to 250 lbs. and on the other end can provide as little as 5-10 lbs of assistance or resistance. This makes them a great tool for all levels of athletes. Exercises that require athletes to move their body through space are a key element to develop functional strength, the rubber band will help beginners work up to performing those moves on their own and help the elite athlete provide more resistance to their routines.
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