do resistance bands replace dummbells

d_samy2003 · 06-07-2009, 02:11 AM

I wonder if I can use the bands instead of the dbs as it requires less space besides I don't have enough money to get the select tech kind of dbs.

Wifey · 06-07-2009, 02:18 AM

We have a Bow Flex which I think is just super expensive bands!

But yeah it works awesome and my husband and I have awesome muscle tone. Bands are very cheap give them a try.

inatic · 06-07-2009, 02:53 PM

i dont think band will replace dbs for what you are wanting.

The bowflex would be different.

bfuser · 06-08-2009, 03:20 PM

Thanks for asking this. I was wondering the same thing.

Trishagrrl · 06-08-2009, 07:43 PM

I use the resistance bands occasionally at the gym but I could never primarily use them. For me db are a must have!

rae_rae21 · 06-10-2009, 03:52 AM

Resistance bands aren't going to give you the same results as using dumbbells, but if that is all you have room for or if it is all someone can afford at the moment, then go for it. Find a heavier resistance one and use it until you can make room/or afford dumbells.

You don't have to get the Bowflex dumbbells...Target and Walmart both have some similar options up to 50lbs for around $60-$200 dollars that a lot of people have and they work just fine.

Walmart.com: Sports & Fitness: Exercise & Fitness: Adjustable Weights

batlou · 06-12-2009, 07:34 AM

The primary advantage of machines and bands is Muscle Isolation. Of course the downside is the same...

What I mean by that is when you are using free weights and say doing dumbell chest fly's. Not only are you working your chest muscles while doing the press and decline you are also working all of those muscles associated with holding the dumbell steady as you do those reps. If your ever curious about just how many muscles are worked. Hold a dumbell half way over your head and notice all of the activity in your arms, wrist, hands, shoulders, back, abs, legs, etc. that go into keeping it not only above your shoulder but also balanced.

Having said that, I use bands for different exercises and they work great in the absense of dumbells for weights. I would use the bands as long necessary with a goal to buy dumbells at some point.

ChrisNTX · 06-13-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_samy2003

I wonder if I can use the bands instead of the dbs as it requires less space besides I don't have enough money to get the select tech kind of dbs.

Depends on what kind of bands you use. There are pro's and con's to using bands. Obvious benefits would be space, portability, price etc, not to mention you can increase the loading by using a faster tempo or increase time under tension with a slower tempo. The biggest cons I see using bands is the inability to quantify a resistance and to load certain exercises without having to buy more and more bands.

Someone mentioned that you can't get the same results with bands...well that's not entirely true. A muscle doesn't know whether the external resistance is a db, barbell, kettlebell, machine, band etc....all it knows is tension. Progressive levels of tension are the primary prerequisites for certain muscular adaptations.

dav7612r · 06-19-2009, 07:27 PM

I've used both free wieghts and bands. I was up to 230 lbs of "resistance" with the bands, good luck doing that with free weights after using resistance bands.

Needless to say i no longer own my bowflex. lol
You can get a full body workout with only 3 different free weight exercises.

Bench press, dead lift, and squats. There really is no need for a big bulky home gym with all the gadgets. You can do all 3 exercises with a basc smith machine and a bench or even just a bench and db's.

Start small and work your way up adding 5lbs a week to each exercise. You SHOULD NOT be soar by your next workout. If you are soar skip a workout.
Lifting with soar muscles defeats the purpose of lifting. Muscles need to heal fully before being torn, and healed again.

dav7612r · 06-19-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisNTX

Depends on what kind of bands you use. There are pro's and con's to using bands. Obvious benefits would be space, portability, price etc, not to mention you can increase the loading by using a faster tempo or increase time under tension with a slower tempo. The biggest cons I see using bands is the inability to quantify a resistance and to load certain exercises without having to buy more and more bands.

Someone mentioned that you can't get the same results with bands...well that's not entirely true. A muscle doesn't know whether the external resistance is a db, barbell, kettlebell, machine, band etc....all it knows is tension. Progressive levels of tension are the primary prerequisites for certain muscular adaptations.

In the nicest way possible, i totally disagree. Do the same set of exercises with bands for a month then do them with free weights. Your muscles will know the difference. They'll tell you the day after your free weight workout.

quiet_observer · 06-22-2009, 11:27 PM

I suggest free weights personally. The are much more natural for your body and you can concentrate on toning areas better than nautilus types of machines. You are always microadjusting while doing free weights and that will make your movement and "stroke" much more natural. The key is start out slow! If you "feel it" after a set of reps on your first day, you are really going to feel it the next day. Start off with 1 set of reps of each exercise you want to do, taking notes about how much you used, and don't bump up to the next level for at least another week or so. After a month or two of that you can "go until failure", but you will probably only want to do that if you want to bulk up. If you just want to tone, just about anthing that "takes an effort" and tires you out will be good. Then when you aren't sore after a work out add another set of reps of whatever you are doing. You can get fairly inexpensive weights at walmart and other places.

ChrisNTX · 06-23-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dav7612r

In the nicest way possible, i totally disagree. Do the same set of exercises with bands for a month then do them with free weights. Your muscles will know the difference. They'll tell you the day after your free weight workout.

What exactly are you disagreeing with as I gave no inclination of superiority of bands over free weights? Also, are you indicating that soreness or how your muscles feel the day after a workout proves the efficacy of a modality?

Chris K. · 07-04-2009, 12:03 AM

I actually like using both resistance bands and dumbbells, as it adds variety.

KajunDC · 07-05-2009, 11:48 AM

If you know how to use bands properly, they are just as good as dumbbells. Use them correctly and your muscles will know it the next day just as much as with free weights. (You must use them correctly, though - and have a variety of tension strengths.)

However, variety is the spice of fitness so using many different options is superior to choosing only one.

06-07-2009, 02:11 AM	#1
d_samy2003 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 695 Gallery: d_samy2003	do resistance bands replace dummbells I wonder if I can use the bands instead of the dbs as it requires less space besides I don't have enough money to get the select tech kind of dbs.

06-12-2009, 07:34 AM	#7
batlou Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Prospect, KY Posts: 846 Gallery: batlou Stats: 290/174/175 WOE: Atkins Low-Carb Pre-Maintenance Start Date: 3/06/2008	The primary advantage of machines and bands is Muscle Isolation. Of course the downside is the same... What I mean by that is when you are using free weights and say doing dumbell chest fly's. Not only are you working your chest muscles while doing the press and decline you are also working all of those muscles associated with holding the dumbell steady as you do those reps. If your ever curious about just how many muscles are worked. Hold a dumbell half way over your head and notice all of the activity in your arms, wrist, hands, shoulders, back, abs, legs, etc. that go into keeping it not only above your shoulder but also balanced. Having said that, I use bands for different exercises and they work great in the absense of dumbells for weights. I would use the bands as long necessary with a goal to buy dumbells at some point. __________________ 2009 Goals Complete C25K (Couch to 5K) - Done (June 25th) Tom Saywer Sprint Triathlon - August 1st - Done Tri-Indy Sprint Triathlon - August 22nd - Done Louisville 1/2 Marathon - October 18th - Done The Urban Primate - My Journey to Better Health Facebook

06-19-2009, 07:27 PM	#9
dav7612r Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 Gallery: dav7612r	I've used both free wieghts and bands. I was up to 230 lbs of "resistance" with the bands, good luck doing that with free weights after using resistance bands. Needless to say i no longer own my bowflex. lol You can get a full body workout with only 3 different free weight exercises. Bench press, dead lift, and squats. There really is no need for a big bulky home gym with all the gadgets. You can do all 3 exercises with a basc smith machine and a bench or even just a bench and db's. Start small and work your way up adding 5lbs a week to each exercise. You SHOULD NOT be soar by your next workout. If you are soar skip a workout. Lifting with soar muscles defeats the purpose of lifting. Muscles need to heal fully before being torn, and healed again. Last edited by dav7612r; 06-19-2009 at 07:31 PM..

06-22-2009, 11:27 PM	#11
quiet_observer Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 89 Gallery: quiet_observer Stats: 235/225/220/160 WOE: M2L Start Date: October 20, 2009	I suggest free weights personally. The are much more natural for your body and you can concentrate on toning areas better than nautilus types of machines. You are always microadjusting while doing free weights and that will make your movement and "stroke" much more natural. The key is start out slow! If you "feel it" after a set of reps on your first day, you are really going to feel it the next day. Start off with 1 set of reps of each exercise you want to do, taking notes about how much you used, and don't bump up to the next level for at least another week or so. After a month or two of that you can "go until failure", but you will probably only want to do that if you want to bulk up. If you just want to tone, just about anthing that "takes an effort" and tires you out will be good. Then when you aren't sore after a work out add another set of reps of whatever you are doing. You can get fairly inexpensive weights at walmart and other places. __________________ "My own mind is my own church." "I do not mean by this declaration to condemn those who believe otherwise; they have the same right to their belief as I have to mine. But it is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving; it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe." --Thomas Paine Last edited by quiet_observer; 06-22-2009 at 11:30 PM..

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06-07-2009, 02:18 AM	#2
Wifey Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 8,416 Gallery: Wifey WOE: Medifast 800-1000 calories a day	We have a Bow Flex which I think is just super expensive bands! But yeah it works awesome and my husband and I have awesome muscle tone. Bands are very cheap give them a try.

06-07-2009, 02:53 PM	#3
inatic Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alpharetta,Ga. Posts: 13,806 Gallery: inatic Stats: 182/135 5'4 47!yo 16/4 5 kidlets later! WOE: Coach Supervised Start Date: LowER C since 2/02 wt training 10/15/02	i dont think band will replace dbs for what you are wanting. The bowflex would be different.

06-08-2009, 03:20 PM	#4
bfuser Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastcoast Posts: 290 Gallery: bfuser Stats: 221/213/130 WOE: Metobolic Typing Start Date: November 2006	Thanks for asking this. I was wondering the same thing.

06-08-2009, 07:43 PM	#5
Trishagrrl Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 676 Blog Entries: 10 Gallery: Trishagrrl Stats: 212.0/194/160 WOE: hhCG Start Date: October 10th, 2009 Begin hhcg	I use the resistance bands occasionally at the gym but I could never primarily use them. For me db are a must have!

06-10-2009, 03:52 AM	#6
rae_rae21 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,141 Gallery: rae_rae21 Stats: 187(preg)/128/120 WOE: High Protein/mod carbs/mod fat and heavy weights! Start Date: looooong ago...	Resistance bands aren't going to give you the same results as using dumbbells, but if that is all you have room for or if it is all someone can afford at the moment, then go for it. Find a heavier resistance one and use it until you can make room/or afford dumbells. You don't have to get the Bowflex dumbbells...Target and Walmart both have some similar options up to 50lbs for around $60-$200 dollars that a lot of people have and they work just fine. Walmart.com: Sports & Fitness: Exercise & Fitness: Adjustable Weights

07-04-2009, 12:03 AM	#13
Chris K. Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brick, NJ Posts: 63 Gallery: Chris K. Stats: 250	I actually like using both resistance bands and dumbbells, as it adds variety.

07-05-2009, 11:48 AM	#14
KajunDC Natural Healthcare Chiropractor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mandeville, LA (Just North of New Orleans) Posts: 2,789 Gallery: KajunDC Stats: Lost 115lbs in 7 months Body Fat-40+%/11%/9% WOE: Organic, Fresh and Non-Processed Start Date: Low Carb-Mar04, BFFM-Jul05, P90-X-Dec24,08	If you know how to use bands properly, they are just as good as dumbbells. Use them correctly and your muscles will know it the next day just as much as with free weights. (You must use them correctly, though - and have a variety of tension strengths.) However, variety is the spice of fitness so using many different options is superior to choosing only one.