Resistance Bands vs Weights?

[otruewarrior]

Does anyone exercise using resistance bands at home? I have taken to it recently because i got frustrated waiting around for gyms to open, they finally opened gyms in Toronto in August but have shut them down again because of the rising number of cases, my prediction is that the gyms will remain shut till the end of the Winter i.e. May 2021 because this virus is most effective during the cooler weathers.

Surprisingly i have found the Resistance bands to be pretty decent, the only exercises i have not been able to do are the legs i.e. leg extensions, leg press machines and will have to find a creative way to do it. Using the resistance bands in my opinion is mostly about creativity and practice.

Just wanted to know if anyone over here is using this mode of exercising and what are their views on it?

[Salmaanawan]

Resistance bands are good as long as you know what you are doing with them, but I'd advise you to just do bodyweight training. For that you'll need to install a pull-up bar in your home so that your back doesn't get neglected. People can't do pull-ups usually so you can use your resistance bands for aid.
Other than that I'd strongly recommend that you download Nike Training Club, put in your weight, age, gender, height and choose your goals, it will automatically make an exercise regime for you which will progressively get tougher as you progress. It has helped me stay in shape in these testing times. And it's free too.
Best of luck.

[maazz192024]

I may be a little late on the ball here but:

If you're training alone at home resistance bands might be the better choice because:

• Don't need a spotter, not as dangerous as weights which simply react to gravity. The bands will stop 'resisting' when you stop stretching.
• Easier to store around the house.
• May be more cost-effective than a full blow weight set (resistance bands with 40-50Kg weight ratings are likely to be cheaper than buying a barbell with plates equalling 50Kg).

As for the leg press - doing a resistance band squat should be similar, the only problem is they only provide resistance when the band is stretched, so when you're in the bottom position, they don't offer much resistance so it is a little erratic. The squat is also a little more unstable exercise than any machine exercise.

Overall if you're just going for the home gym, resistance bands are the best - you can also perform calisthenics exercises but to a more difficult degree with them.