woman working out

Are you looking for a fun, safe, and accessible way to produce phenomenal results for your personal training clients? Adding resistance bands to your arsenal is exactly what you need to give their training program a big boost.

In this post, you’re going to learn how to correctly add resistance bands to your workouts so you can produce astonishing results for your clients and add value to your training programs.

Do Resistance Band Workouts Really Work?

You may be wondering whether or not resistance bands are useful for building muscle. It’s okay to be skeptical because how can a few oversized rubber bands do this? The truth is, resistance bands are not only great for improving athletic performance and aesthetics, but they also help with rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Resistance bands are lightweight, multifunctional, and suitable for beginners. People suffering from muscle injuries tend to use resistance bands to regain strength without causing more damage.

Since they are light and easy to carry around, resistance bands are perfect for home and gym workouts. By adding resistance bands to your training program, your clients will have a more diverse workout routine and ultimately get better results.

Choosing the Right Resistance Band

Adding resistance band workouts to your training routine is surprisingly simple. There are a few different kinds of bands, which all have their uses and benefits. For therapy, you’ll want to choose a simple, flat band. If you’re using resistance bands for your strength program, go with ones with handles, as they are more user-friendly.

After deciding which kind of bands are right for your clients, choose a set with various tension levels. Typically, companies sort their resistance bands by color. Darker colors usually have higher tension than light, but make sure to check the band itself.

The right tension depends on the workout. For example, if you’re having your client do a chest press, they’ll need more tension than for a bicep curl. Too much tension isn’t ideal because it limits their range of motion. The goal is to challenge your clients without sacrificing good form.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common resistance bands.

Loop Bands

Power resistance bands, or loop bands, are one of the most versatile bands you’ll find. These bands are especially great for bodyweight exercises such as dips, pull-ups, etc. You can also use them for full-body circuits and physical therapy.

Key benefits of loop bands:

  • Low impact
  • Increased mobility
  • Hypertrophy
  • Agility and coordination
  • Explosiveness
  • Muscular strength and endurance

Tube Bands with Handles

Colorful resistance bands isolated on the white background.

If free weight exercises dominate your training program and you want to spice it up, tube bands are the way to go. One fantastic feature of tube bands is you can practically hit every muscle group. If your clients don’t have access to a full gym or want to train at home, these are the ideal bands to go with.

Key benefits of tube bands with handles:

  • Hypertrophy
  • Muscular strength and endurance
  • Burning fat
  • Increased range of motion
  • Low impact

Mini Bands

Like loop bands, mini resistance bands are thin, flat, and carry a lot of resistance. Mini bands do great work for the lower body. You can use them for a plethora of leg workouts, including lateral band walks, clamshells, standing glute kicks, etc.

If your clients want to improve their calisthenics, mini bands work well for assisting with things like push-ups, handstands, and muscle-ups.

Key benefits of mini bands:

  • Toning legs
  • Balance and stability
  • Hip activation
  • Flexibility
  • Low impact

Are Resistance Bands Better Than Weights?

Any good trainer knows that it’s all about diversity. While both free weights and resistance bands have their advantages, incorporating them both into your training program will maximize your client’s results.

If your clients are completely new to exercise or have any injuries, perhaps resistance bands are a better way to start. However, even advanced athletes can benefit from resistance bands.

Final Thoughts

Resistance bands are a safe and inexpensive tool for improving your clients’ strength, mobility, and aesthetics. Whether it’s a pull up band or booty band, getting your clients to burn some rubber is going to make you a better trainer.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sam Hurley is a fitness writer, personal trainer, and marketer based in Boston, Massachusetts.