What are exercise bands for? article from exercise Balls 'N' Bands home exercise fitness equipment

A complete exercise program will include both aerobic and anaerobic training. Aerobic training includes such things as walking, jogging, stair climbing, running, treadmill workouts, jumping, swimming, biking, elliptical training & aerobic-type exercise class style workouts that cause your heart beat and breathing to increase. They help improve the function of your heart and lungs but not necessarily your size or your muscle strength. They do not shape or tone your body.

Shaping and toning requires resistance training. You need to use resistance to shape and tone your muscles; running and walking won't do that. Resistance training causes your metabolism to increase and burn up the extra fat you are so anxious to shed. Your muscles burn twice the calories & fat simply to maintain themselves.

For strength training, resistance bands are arguably the easiest and most effective equipment to begin using. These bands can take you through a full body workout. They require minimal space and are cost effective. They are easy to take wherever you go. This makes them great for a trip whether business or vacations. They are not costly, which makes getting toned and fit easy on your purse.

Most exercise bands come with handles already attached. Whether you use both handles will depend on the exercise you are planning to perform. Many exercises require you to stand on the center of the band, with the handles in either hand. Make sure that the tubing is secured under your feet before beginning each exercise. DIfferent shapes of exercise bands facilitate exercises which shape particular areas of the body. You use different shapes to work different areas of the body. It is good to have at least one of each shape to use in your exercise program. Use the tube style for your arms, shoulders, chest, back, legs and butt. The cuff style works great for your legs. Try the "O" shape for Shoulders, Arms, Outer Thighs, and Hips. Use the figure "8" for your Arms, Shoulders, Chest, Back, Hips, Thighs, Butt, and Legs.

Using the door attachment:
If the door anchor is required for the exercise you are doing, simply attach the door attachment to the door following the instructions that come with your door attachment. Shut the loop webbing between the door and doorframe by inserting the entire anchor loop between the door and the frame, the door should open away from you. Close the door tightly on the loop and pull to secure.The height of door anchor will be determined by the kind of exercise you are doing. When performing exercises where the bands need to be close to the floor, place the mounting loop below the lowest hinge. Do not place the anchor under the bottom of the door, as doors vary in height. The band could pull free and cause injury. The band height can be adjusted by simply moving the bands up or down along the hinge-side of the door.
Important Note: Always make sure the door is securely shut before beginning your workout.

What resistance level band do I need?
It will depends on your current strength level and your height. The taller you are, the more the band stretches and the harder it is to pull. It is best to purchase more than one resistance level because:
•It is difficult to gauge accurately the resistance you will need.
•Your workout will be more efficient since smaller muscle groups require less resistance while large muscle groups require more resistance.
•You will need a lighter resistance for warm ups than for strength training.

Basic resistance strength information:
1. Beginners usually start with the extra light and light strength levels.

2. Intermediates use light and medium. 3. Advanced users (athletes) go with heavy and extra heavy.

Kick it up a notch - Increase intensity as you get stronger and need more challenge by adding heavier resistance bands to your workout program.

Other names for Exercise Bands are: resistance bands, fitness bands, exercise tubing, gym cables, stretch tubing, rubber resistance tubing, rubber tubing, resistance tubing, & rhombus tubing.