Exercise bands or resistance bands come in a variety of shapes, lengths and styles. Basically, they are made of an elastic material that when stretched provides resistance and upon release returns to its original shape. Similar to rubber bands the bigger and thicker the band the more difficult it is to stretch.

Band workouts are becoming more popular in the fitness world. Men, women, young and old can use exercise bands no matter what physical condition they are when beginning an exercise program. You can be novice or experienced at working out and the bands will enhance your training regimen. Overall, they are much safer than any machine or free weights.

Advantages to using resistance bands are:

1. They are inexpensive

2. Easy to store

3. Can go anywhere and be used anywhere

4. Can mimic over 100 weight room exercises-very easy to increase or decrease

resistance level

5. They provide constant tension throughout the exercise movement

6. Can be used for sports specific training

7. To supplement a weight training routine

8. Can be used for flexibility training

9. Are safer to use than exercise machines or free weights

10. No age or physical condition boundaries

The only disadvantage that I could find is that you do have to inspect the bands for cracks and wear. They will need to be replaced when they become cracked or torn. So there may be additional costs of purchasing more bands if you wear one out.

So where does one start when trying to get fit. Getting started is the hardest part. Once you do you will reap many benefits like: increased stamina, prevention or reduction of the likelihood of diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer to name a few. There are also the overall gains in strength and endurance. Your posture improves. You feel better. Your flexibility increases so turning twisting and moving becomes easier. Your balance and coordination get better. You decrease your risk from injury due to twisting, turning or bending the wrong way. You will sleep better and feel better mentally. And finally, the number one benefit is you will burn more calories which will help you lose weight.

Once you begin to exercise regularly, you will discover many more reasons why exercise is so important to improving the quality of your life.

More information will becoming in the next article that includes what to do to start an exercise program. Starting with the basics from warming up and cooling down, terminology, nutrition, putting your plan together and how to do each exercise.

I hope you enjoy getting fit!