Resistance bands are a comfortable alternative to lifting weights. They are compact, easy to use and less intimidating than iron. Because of their small size and weak appearance, many people wonder if and how exercise bands build muscle.

Weight training with any item that exceeds the muscle’s ability will create stronger muscle. One can use a book, an iron dumbbell or an elastic tube. As long as the muscle is being challenged, strength will come.

Resistance tubes are a good choice for most because they are inexpensive and portable. Bands come in a different levels of resistance, so users can challenge different muscles at varying levels. Dumbbells can be intimidating, take up a lot of room and do no fit easily into a suitcase. Exercise bands are easy to use and very safe.

Any exercise that can be done with a dumbbell can be modified to perform with a resistance band. In fact, more exercises are available to those using resistance bands than to those using traditional iron weights.

Resistance bands work muscles differently than dumbbells. As one stretches the band taut, the band stores kinetic energy in the form of recoil. This recoil is negative energy which works the muscle on the way down as well as on the way up. Working out with dumbbells does not create a recoil effect.

Resistance bands also become tighter as they are lengthened, which means that a load of 15 pounds can feel more like 30 pounds as the band is stretched taut. This feature creates a building effect of tension and challenges muscles more than working with a dumbbell.

Bands come in many shapes and sizes. In general, bands with a handle and door attachment are the most versatile. When using bands for strength training, one should purchase several bands with varying loads. Resistance bands are available at most fitness stores. Store representatives can help one determine which bands will work best. In order to keep workouts challenging, at least two different loads should be purchased.

In order to gain strength, it is important to vary workouts and to keep testing your muscle’s ability. Adding more repetitions and a band with a heavier load are great ways to keep a workout fresh.

Resistance bands are a great way to build strength and are a viable alternative to using iron weights. Bands are safer to use, less expensive and easy to take with you.