Resistance Band and weight distribution

joehempel

Just curious about the weight doing workouts vs using weights. I cannot afford weights, and have used resistance bands pretty successfully, but never really thought about how much weight.

With these "perfect bands" that I had bought, and the lifeline ones that I'm about to buy because the perfect bands are not so perfect, I got to thinking about that.

I've got bands, that say they offer 5, 10, 15, and 40lbs of resistance, but how much are you really lifting? I've got a B-Line resistance band from the Insanity Asylum Vol 1+2 Deluxe kit, and I think they say it's 15lbs, but I know that I can't do some of the tricep stuff with a 15lb weight (or at least I don't think).

I use the 40lb for the chest workout in Asylum Strength, and it seems to work well for bicep curls as well, since I'm weak and can't do 40lb dumbells for more than a few reps, and this mimcs that LOL. It makes me really think that I'm lifting 40lbs.

Just curious on peoples thoughts.

joehempel

Anyone?

dt3312

This is how I figure out what to do on free weights, machines, or exercise bands:

To begin with I find the right weight/setting/band so that it is challenging for me to do 7 reps per set.
I stay with that weight/setting/band until I can do 2 or 3 sets of 15 reps.
Then I increase the weight/setting/band.

P.S. I am a lay person, not an expert.

DavPul

it doesn't translate to actual weights.

i mean, you'll get stronger, sure, but there's no reason to spend time wondering if the red band is comparable to lifting 30 pounds and if the green band is like 10 pounds. as the bands stretch further, the resistance increases so the resistance isn't static like with free weights. in fact, a taller person will have a greater level of resistance using the same green band over what a shorter person would experience (assuming an exercise like curls or presses where you're standing on the bands). If the bands are attached to something so you can use them for rows, how far away from the base you are affects the resistance.

joehempel

it doesn't translate to actual weights.

i mean, you'll get stronger, sure, but there's no reason to spend time wondering if the red band is comparable to lifting 30 pounds and if the green band is like 10 pounds. as the bands stretch further, the resistance increases so the resistance isn't static like with free weights. in fact, a taller person will have a greater level of resistance using the same green band over what a shorter person would experience (assuming an exercise like curls or presses where you're standing on the bands). If the bands are attached to something so you can use them for rows, how far away from the base you are affects the resistance.

That makes sense, thank you!

I was going to buy some on the internet, but wasn't sure what the resistance equated to, as it seems all bands even at the same resistance levels are not created equal. Some are total resistance, some are resistance divided by 2, etc.

My fiance found a workaround with the Perfect Bands by putting the handle through the loops where the band connects to the loops, rather than where you're supposed to put them, and will use those, the 20lb band really feels like I'm lifting 20lbs, and that sort of thing, so I'm happy with that.

Appreciate the response folks!

SnuggleSmacks

You know, just a thought, there are some cheap sets of adjustable dumbbells for probably less than you're paying for all those bands. I just picked up a 40lb set at Walmart for $20. I had a good set already, but it's nice having 2 sets so I don't have to switch plates in the middle of a workout.

The bands are nice, too, though, and if you have the door anchor, you can do all sorts of things that you would normally only be able to do with machines at the gym.

joehempel

Yeah, but taking the weight on and off is a pain during the workout and really ruins my rhythm. The bands I just toss down and pick up....plus they are portable and weigh nothing. I used to have the set, and wasnt a fan because of that