FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about resistance training with elastic bands:

Are they really effective?
Elastic bands are currently being used by hospitals and rehab clinics across the country for one reason, they work! They create tension and stress on your muscle as your muscle is moving. This may not sound good, but it actually is! Your muscle will change in strength and shape by the principle of adaptation. This means that when you create new stresses on the muscle it will have to adapt to those stresses. Here's a great example - have you ever seen a skinny steel worker. No, why? because their bodies have to adapt to carrying huge heavy pieces of steel.

How do elastic bands compare to free weights?
Let's start this answer by stating a fact: your muscles are blind. Your muscle does not know whether you are lifting a free weight, a weight stack from a machine or stretching elastic bands. It only knows that it is working against resistance, not what type of resistance. Also, similar to some of the weight machines, elastic bands actually have an advantage. As you stretch them they become more difficult which means that you are placing more stress on the muscle at the right time.

Will I get too bulky from resistance training?
This question usually comes from women who are afraid to look like the bodybuilding women that they see in the media. To answer the question, no you will not get too bulky. In order for you to look like the huge bodybuilding women you would have to take male hormones, yes, steroids. Don't get me wrong, if you lift very heavy weights are work with very high resistance levels you can add some bulk to your frame. This can all be avoided though by keeping the resistance levels low and the repetitions high.

Do they ever snap or break?
Some elastic products actually snap more often than others. With proper use the Bodylastics elastic should last for years