People give one of two reasons for not wanting to try resistance bands when their Manhattan personal trainer suggests training with them. They either claim they are “too hard” or “too easy.” The truth is that they are one of the most versatile training tools around. They can be used by NFL players doing the last pre-season rush to get into massive shape, and they can be used in physical therapy to help someone regain their strength in a damaged limb. Depending on how you use them, resistance bands can either be the most challenging thing you have ever faced, or a great way to gently stretch a sore limb.

Which resistance bands do you need?

The real answer to that lies with your trainer, but you can never do wrong with having a variety of styles of bands. There are double bands, bands with handles and bands with special attachments for walls, doors and other training devices. One mistake you don’t want to make is to only get heavy weight bands. You need the full range of resistance to get the most out of them.

Training hard with Resistance Bands

A lot of Manhattan personal trainers emphasize the use of resistance bands because they allow you to work out in small spaces. By training you to do exercises that can also be done in a home, office or hotel room your trainer has made it almost impossible for you to skip a workout. They will show you a large variety of exercises and reps with resistance bands that will drive you into the ground. If you are training in the gym with them, the trainer will act as your partner to do the two person exercises and you will suddenly get why they are an essential part of explosive strength training.

Training gently with resistance bands

Another reason that personal trainers in Manhattan emphasize learning how to use resistance bands properly is they become a key backup tool for keeping up with your routine when you are sick or injured. There are many exercises that are low impact and promote increased flexibility that will allow you to keep working out while recovering from the flu or a pulled muscle from a race so you heal better and faster.