Resistance Bands vs Free Weights for Building Muscle

[@maskof]

The good thing about bands is that when I drop one on my foot I don't break my toe.

[@AnnoDominiMCMXCV]

maskof Until it slips off your foot and pops you in the mouth lol.

[@maskof]

@@AnnoDominiMCMXCV ahh yes, I've had a few close calls there! 😉

[@aeroloco4352]

The safety element is there for sure. Pops in the mouth is still safer than breaking a 🦴

[@verbon47]

@@aeroloco4352 tell that to 5 year old kids, mfs be doing EVERYTHING. when i was young and hand to god i broke my toe and face planted myself all in a fucking minute LMAO

[@DheerajBhaskar]

Choice of Plane of motion also adds safety. If I were to bench 50 kgs. It would be unsafe to do it without a spotter. Issues with spotter: 1 they're not perfect, they might not catch the bar in time 2 if it's your friend, you need to coordinate times which restricts you 3 if it's your coach, it's very expensive for a personal trainer 4 if you use a machine, you don't get the full range of motion. Bands fix all of these issues.

[@NabichtStudios]

I purchased a set of bands 2 weeks ago and this guy is right. I get a better burn, my form is more consistent and I’m sore in places that were never sore before. With bands you need to forget numbers. What I mean is say I can bench press 180lbs and progress towards 200lbs. You can measure progress by the number of pounds. With bands it’s more difficult, but not impossible to chart your progress. I personally workout to failure. I go by my feeling rather than my band or weight number. I have been impressed with the bands so far and I love their portability. I’m sold on them.

[@Tasmanaut]

finding a way to track progress effects motivation. Bands are great but because of that reason it's hard to rely on them alone.

[@Justalittlerain1027]

😊

[@Justalittlerain1027]

😊

[@JustinDAMusic]

​@@TasmanautThat's not true. That's something you read on the internet about the disadvantages of resistance bands. I read that article too. Tracking progress is not just about lifting more pounds over time. As the original comment says he felt sore in places he never felt before, better form, better burn etc. Those factors will definitely motivate you.

[@Tasmanaut]

@@JustinDAMusic I haven't read the article, I lift weights and do basic bodybuilding. My opinion is my own experience

[@rerere175]

Your muscles don't know the difference. All they know is resistance is keeping them from moving the object

[@PooplexCanal]

Exactly

[@nolimits8744]

Your muscles feel the difference.

[@pt_atx]

Randy Daigneault So do your joints. Bands are much better for your joints and tendons.

[@asatagafirllahalhamdulilla9030]

Actually.... your muscles dont have a clue whats going on, ....your brain should after its been so clearly explained.

[@marcos-be1wj]

Exactly and a lot of people don’t understand that

[@kayswayofflow8064]

The main benefit of the band is injury prevention. They allow you to maintain an exercise regimen forever without having to take time off for rehab. The only time off you will have from bands is recovery from sore muscles

[@mfawls9624]

Yep; and that gets very important as you move out of your thirties into forties and beyond.

[@scottsmith2971]

Another advantage to bands: totally effective in a zero-gravity environment. Bands endorsed by NASA. ;-)

[@coopersasmr9473]

St. Petersberg of course people exercise in space because of the weightless atmosphere the muscles can deteriorate rapidly that’s also why they can only be up there for a certain amount of time I’m not trying to undermine you I just find space travel really interesting “cos I’m cool like that “ 🤓😂

[@mabbas7472]

And You have forgotten when you have a workout in a swimming pool, you will be partially covered with water, so the weights will loose a part of their values depending on their volume-wieght ratio and water density as described in floatage laws (physics). Good luck heheheheh

[@pinkegg3179]

hey, u never know ok. there could be a day where we need to adapt to zero gravity and we need to keep our gains

[@JVan2573]

Love your attitude towards bands. I've been using them for over 10 years and because I am 60 I feel they are much easier on my joints than free weights for certain areas (especially shoulders). You have provided some ways of using them for other body parts that I hadn't thought of before. Much appreciated!

[@visorseen8954]

This is why I'm getting into it. I'm recovering from a injury that just won't go away. I figured I might as well just transition so it's easier on my joints.

[@Diggy22]

True story: I started using heavier resistance bands back in 2010. Before then, I could never curl 45 lbs dumbbells. I used resistance bands with the equivalent of 50 lbs of resistance, working my way upward from the heaviest resistance Bollinger brand resistance bands, which is about 30 lbs of resistance. Less than a year after I started using heavy resistance bands, I was in a Modell's Sporting Goods store, and decided to pick up a 45 lbs dumbbell. I was able to curl it for 10 reps. Resistance bands really do build strength

[@eriklelou9421]

Diggy22 hey man how can you tell the equivalent of weight to the resistance you add to the bands

[@Diggy22]

@@eriklelou9421 The bands I use are numbered and non-adjustable. I use the 50 lbs bands on a regular basis.

[@maxwellschmidt235]

For those of us trying to be fit at home, bands are fantastic. They're fairly cheap and take very little space. A lot of people think they need a big all in one machine- both costly and space consuming. Mini bands weren't discussed in the video, but another benefit for them in particular is that since they are so portable, you can really use them to put activity into your whole day. In my view, for most people, the greatest contributor to gains in fitness after nutrition is the overall activity of the day, so it's key to have something you can use passively, or even actively work in some light sets to keep the body activated. My latest conception of an optimal home gym for beginning fitness is in this order: 1. Pullup bar 2. Jump rope 3. Bands (mini and full size) 4. Kettlebell(s) 5. Adjustable dumbbell I didn't follow this order. Just a look back at the order I feel these tools would have been most useful. My kettlebells were first in actuality, and that may have been key for me- I enjoy moving with them and the rest is just to help me more effectively balance workouts centered on the kettlebell. The moral of that aside is, another implication of the video that isn't fully expressed, but beneficial to the more casual audience is, everyone has a way they like to move. This country (USA) would be more fit if more people would try more different tools and methods to find their way. Cutting past perceptions that certain tools are for other people before trying them is a rite of passage to a more mature use of the gym.

[@TheRhythmOfLife1972]

OMG, just found my new trainer as I'm exercising outside, I don't want to lug weights. Finally, someone who makes sense. Keep up the good work.

[@nemem02]

Bowflex have been saying it for decades. This is the evolution I love it.

[@icejumperke]

Extremely informative, brother! I, myself, have started training with bands recently, and I’m convinced you can be a pro bodybuilder using only bands! Thanks for the video, and keep up the great work!

[@vulamdang7156]

Hey bro. Still working with bands recently? what is your result?

[@kamilyasin967]

it's 9 months so far after your comment..... how is it so far.... are you still convinced?

[@πολεμιστής-μ5τ]

Wezz Are you still training with bands? How are the results?

[@psykovskee]

it can maintain your muscles that you build with free weight, but for getting bigger i doubt so, why don't you try both instead, use free weight for weak muscle and use resistance band for peak contractions, use dumbbells for free weight, the easiest

[@shannamac3974]

@足しにあゎゃ physical therapists use bands for a reason. They work.

[@nunurbuisness5578]

I'm a truck driver and bands would work way better for me living in a semi truck

[@crashcoreytx]

I wish I knew about bands when I was over the road

[@DAViDD767]

I'm an trucker too, this looks promising!!!

[@miguelrobb5719]

@@DAViDD767 I’m a trucker as well. I have two dumb bells in my flatbed box, but I never use them. Resistance bands are much better for what we do. Are sleeper is already small as hell.

[@loverocketloverocket7263]

This guy is so cool. Hes such a good teacher! Ive watched so many various workout videos and James is by far my favorite trainer. So glad hes around giving us this valuable knowledge! Please keep it up....i eagerly await your new videos!

[@mmafan3]

real talk..Personally I learn a lot from humble and chill guys like this

[@lowlytarnis]

I worked out with bands Thursday and I'm still sore Saturday. Best workout I've had in a long time

[@alvinleong173]

Gyms are such a huge business that band effectiveness have been silenced...

[@abprepboy33]

bands dont simulate an entire gym. You can do a lot with bands, and its cool that they are portable, relatively cheap and versatile. Dead lifts, heavy squats, heavy bench lifts are better to do with real weight. Bands are primarily for accessory work with a few exceptions ( lat pulls, and some back work). presses are better with free weights. You could build more cheast using different variations of push ups and dips

[@Kirnale]

@@abprepboy33 They do simulate 95% of what you can do in a gym for muscle building. The things you mentioned can be done with resistance bands, but like you said, it is "better" with free weight. But it still doesn't excluded it from the list. If anything it would be pull ups (and maybe dips) that cannot be done with just resistance bands. They can also be used for an increased difficulty in push ups.

[@abprepboy33]

@@Kirnale The gym I go to has bands, and they have a few posts with hooks on them of different heights at different angles to connect the bands to. In other words, LOL the gym has the bands with a really cool set up AND more- so gym is superior

[@Kirnale]

@@abprepboy33 The gym I go to doesn't have a single one, nor do the more famous one I went on trial for a week. Good for you, doesn't mean it's standard.

[@TariqTrance]

@@Kirnale only for pull up its impossible to use bands as extra resistance. You can use resistance bands while you do dips.

[@phantasyphotography3813]

Weights are attractive to males because it can be used to flex their ego. "Look how much weight I can lift!" "I got more weights on my bar than you do" Iron is sexy as it's a visible sign of power(machoism) but it's hard to be macho by saying you can stretch a band. It's all about aesthetics for males, we only want to use or go with what looks attractive. I prefer bands simply because I can use them at home or anywhere and I don't have to pay for gym membership, to me that's attractive.

[@musclegainman5244]

The amount of people that started using bands in lockdown is amazing. I had to write a comment on a KZbinr that a few ago he would say resistance bands don't work but now we in lockdown he say says they do just to get views But me I love bands I have about 50 different bands and bars it changed my life at 50. Plus no muscle strain at all.

[@franciscolacuata1690]

I agree with you James regarding the use of RESISTANCE BAND I'M 74 YEARS OLD AND I SWITCHED TO RESISTANCE BAND and I FOUND IT BETTER THAN FREE WEIGHT AT MY AGE

[@annyghhjhh5202]

This is been my second week with resistance traing with bands been feeling pumped and solid since I started

[@stephanieojeda9444]

This is my third DAY and I feel stronger than ever

[@f.cpranksrzk5845]

Did you see good results with this ?

[@annyghhjhh5202]

Yes I did

[@extrasmack]

Well it worked in the late 1800's through earlier 1900's. Humans haven't changed so it shouldn't amaze that it still works now.

[@Wolf-hd1hr]

Why this video isn't having least a million views is beyond my thinking. What a great comparison and scientific analysis of every aspect,here you go with a new subscriber 😊

[@emimarie6138]

I so appreciate the in-depth analysis of bands... and all of the videos the bpi team puts together. I started using smaller bands for warm ups but I can see the benefits of longer ones for full workouts.

[@handsomejack5787]

In one video you've completely changed my mind about bands .good job

[@yoyoyoyoyoymmmm]

I love bands. Been using them for a year now and always get a burn/ pump. And get sore the next day. Free weights you end up with tendonitis. Bands are what I use

[@catex5452]

I just love how you don´t get injured as easily and that you can workout wherever you want. I love to do my workouts in the nature.

[@jizmm813]

That was a great video. I like bands because of the 100% resistance and they will maintain and enhance your physique and their cheap and you can do your workout at home

[@moehalabi7739]

jizmm813 yep theyre also compatible with different environments and mobile unlike weights since you cant carry those around

[@sentry9834]

Bands combined with a pair of dumbbells is awesome. Using a 5# or 10# dumbbell can feel like 50 to 100#'s.

[@erko78]

Creative Thinker how so? Please tell me lol I just got bands for Christmas.

[@MrSwitchblade327]

Exactly

[@tooakki]

Good informstion. I Love the Bands, the key are Reps...Try to do a set for one minute strait with even a low resistant band, you'll set your muscles on fire.

[@2ndNature.Above.Rubies]

TY f/ sharing that fyi.

[@matsuwd-emethdaath4002]

One minute is.too daggone long lol

[@p00pyp4nts]

Dumbells for lower half of bicep curl, resistance bands for upper portion of curl. You could even use them together so when the dumbell begins to get easier as it moves up, over and closer to the body, the resistance band begins to get more tense and maintains the resistance that has disappeared as the dumbbell gets closer to the body.

[@SpaceMarine113]

or you could change the angle of the exercise, so the weight is applying resistance at the top too.

[@AsadAli-zn8sd]

That was awesome, I'm hoping you could demonstrate a full workout using bands in a future video.

[@AsadAli-zn8sd]

Also I have trouble training legs with bands because I feel like the bands can never give me adequate resistance for a movement like a squat or rdl.

[@JamesGrage]

Hey my friend. Each week I'm going to be doing some breakdown videos of individual exercises that you can do for each body part.

[@sumandas9487]

James Grage hello will you please tell me which resistance bands are you using? i mean the company and please make a video on abs workout with bands.

[@shep6315]

Personnally , i did boxing for couple years . I hate free weight for mobility loss . I HAVE discover band with bodylastics and now i love them.

[@gabrielalmeida6085]

bodylastics? what is that

[@TheOxIshere]

90% of my fitness routine is bands. It works, my physique I had in college is still there. There’s no question, it works.

[@smr144]

best thing ever for joints and LB pain

[@CraigWeston62]

The problem is that every person who advocates bands built their body using weights in the gym. I like using bands myself but I am always waiting for them to snap. And don't let them kid u in believing that they don't snap. I would love to see someone build their body to competition level just using the bands. I think I might start documenting my progress using the bands and my other home equipment. Just a note for those who want to slap me with a wet towel.. not knocking James at all. I am getting a lot of good tips from his vids.

[@Brockthedog315]

Use bodylastics bands. They have a cord in them. Will eventually break but the rope keeps them from snapping. Best bands on the market if you like the stackable clip kind.

[@chriss2595]

@@Brockthedog315 Possible. But I don't like the handles on it, I prefer handlefree bands. Also: if bands are used correctly they won't snap. Of course, if one should see some cracks in bands after a few years, just buy another, they are not that expensive. Just my 2 cents.

[@lolalolalin]

Thank you SO MUCH James!!! This solved my question!! I just started using purely BANDS and I saw the progress crazily! No CHEATING!!

[@JamesGrage]

Hey Lola, bands are awesome. I've never felt better than when I switched to resistance bands only.

[@thisislifewearelovingit683]

I bought a set of bands yesterday, for $8, biceps curls, triceps extensions, and shoulders presses have an amazing contraction and better burn. I’m doing sets of 15-20 reps. The bands seems a bit more challenging due to the stabilization muscles. I believe one can cut their body up by using bands.

[@matsuwd-emethdaath4002]

Trust me it works lol...and faster than weights

[@erko78]

Matsuwd-Emeth Da'ath seriously? Faster than weights? Genuinely curious man.

[@jaytownsend4606]

Very good video comparing the two and showing why bands are extremely effective with many advantages.

[@BallisticStigmata]

I use both. The explanation of tension/range at 6:30 was a bit misleading though because you can modify with using different planes. For difficulty at the beginning of the bicep curl, do a seated/reclined curl or dead-hang curl. There's always ways to modify to make it just as effective.

[@NBDYSPCL]

For me, Being able to take decent resistance *anywhere* outweighs any advantages freeweights have. Yes its not 1:1 but you cant take up to 175lbs* with you in your backpack. I always struggle with consistency, but with my bag o' bands i now have no excuse to not find some time for a work out. The versatility and utility has revolutionised the way i approach exercise. *relative to extension ofc

[@zacharyj6889]

I’m a well tester and flowback operator in the oilfield I spent 85% of my time on location I don’t have time to go to the gym vans work great for me besides talking up I’ve lost about 30 pounds and I finally went to the gym for the first time in about four months and was even really able to bench press 245 no problem ... I was skeptical I’d always been the freeway but I believe bands are the way they lease if you’re in my line of work and you don’t have time to go to the gym ... i’m also type one diabetic and has been very helpful for my diabetes thanks !!!!!!!!!!

[@rzrselliott]

Strange seeing another flow hand here haha I also use bands when stuck on location for weeks at a time

[@olotiv]

Love it! Been saying to my clients for years, many ways to the top of the mountain! Great vid

[@codymadison9993]

Bands with a plant and bar are the best way to go. X3 is great but expensive, probably cheaper ones on Amazon but you need a bar to protect those joints under such heavy loads.

[@birdman4birdlegs]

I actually found out about James from when he did a challenge with bodylastics bands with muscle and fitness raw. Good to see he's sticking to his beliefs and it wasn't just a promotional tool haha

[@eyesalooking]

With addition of a ground plate bands become more useful without having to attach them to a stationary object. I have the X3 bar system and it is working out great.

[@lazur1]

1/You don't always need to attach the band to structures..you can can wrap around your back, shoulders, head, legs.... 2/You can alter your leverage mid-set; begin curls with a band in your hand..if it gets too "heavy", slide the band up to the wrist or forearm, and you can do more reps or time. 3/ You can wrap the band around the inner elbow for single-joint shoulder, chest, back moves. 4/ You can do a hybrid isometric-isotonic exercise: Ex: a/Use a band you can only curl 1/3 of the curl's range. b/Maintain maximum tension/effort while you bend your legs to complete the curl. It's not cheating, it's tough!

[@coopersmith1463]

Thank you!! Finally someone with some intelligence with bands!! Majority of what I do and of course bodyweight.

[@andyliciuse]

I started training only using bands, swimming and calisthenics for my last fight and put on 7lb of muscle (target weight gain btw) in my 3 month weight gain during my training camp. My punches and kicks felt crisper after using bands instead of weights so I'm a huge fan

[@cmcmackn]

Andres S that’s awesome. I notice Tom brady only uses bands to train too. Seems to work well for him too lol

[@telnet-23]

I was going to the gym lifting etc but I found the slightest error in technique resulted in back pain or joint pain. I’ve since quit but built a callisthenics gym in my home, using that and resistance bands now and I haven’t felt any pain, I’m more flexible and mobile and most importantly I’m fitter. This stuff does work. Your body muscles don’t know the difference only that they have to work. Your body knows the difference because suddenly it doesn’t have 90kg or whatever trying to compress your spine or knees. Conclusion. Not for body builders, excellent for athletes or development of a strong/toned physique 👍🏻

[@ezcondition]

i have been using bands for about three weeks and his right with his conclusion's. the burn is more widely dispersed and the intensity throughout the workout is more present. yet, i'm not feeling the total body fatigue that lifting heavy gives and i'm not fully on board with giving up those hormone boosting compound movements. i have no doubt that bands will help me and others build muscle by doing exercises that help strengthen those small muscle needed to support them.

[@morethanwords881]

Wow. So many useful informations and logical explanations. Awesome video! 💪👍

[@lezarik6112]

Good thing I found out about resistance bands because I was planning to switch from calisthenics to free weights. But now I'm gonna go for resistance bands.just ordered one online... thanks for the informative contents...

[@stormcrow70]

They are definitely a lot nicer to joints and connective tissue. Super versatile and portable. Just think of the super awesome bows and slingshots you'll be able to use.

This is your year. Congrats.

[@keith4163]

Great video, but this is actually one rare instance i wish someone would recommend a product/brand. Which bands? Bc i have owned bands they break. Which brand / type would you recommend?

[@oleg.ptiitz]

Keith using demix, they are great

[@esilenna01]

This is such a great video, I'm glad I found it as its really informative and educational. I've cancelled my gym membership as I haven't been in months. I used to just use free weights so now im going to start using bands exclusively at home. I've only just discovered your videos so hopefully you have some more about how to make the most of them and build muscle. Thanks x

[@JamesGrage]

I'll be creating a lot more resistance band content in the upcoming weeks, stay tuned!

[@irieprendygal]

Oh! Now I understand why I always feel it more in the biceps when I use bands. I have problems getting a burn with free weights!

[@donniecain4266]

Tremendous video ! I really appreciate your work and efforts to help give understanding to bands .I am a certified personal trainer and right now I am incorporating them into the workouts I am resigning for my clients .thanks

[@henryfernandez2533]

Excuse the paragraph but I am a HUGE fan of bands & your video is hands down the best explanation on you tube: What a perfect breakdown of how good bands are, I've been using bands for 6 years now & honestly they saved me after I developed Tennis Elbow when I was in the best shape of my life where I worked super hard to get to. I was so limited in the gym that I ended up turning to bands due to the negative weight from weights triggering elbow pain but not with bands!. I gained some of that muscle back before my elbow surgery and now Im just strengthing my whole body thru bands so that I can oneday do weights again but no heavy stuff plus i'll take them with me to the gym because you can always add them to any workout. My question is what is the difference with those bands you have there & the bodylastic bands I use ? Mines have hooks so I hook them to Handles, Ankle Straps, Tri Bells hook up is awesome for tricep, Lat bar, Push down curl bar, Pulley back bar, I just bought larger hooks at home depot and use the same motions I used at the gym at home with bands, a bench and The Bodylastics ultra door anchor that lets you hook the bands as high or low as you want without even opening the door lol

[@alexboston810]

James Great work I think you need to make a video on a complete bicep/tricep/shoulder workout for bands or how to gain mass muscle so we can all learn and really understand when you said "i can maintain my body using just bands"

[@nareshkumarshorie6627]

I use band for knee exercises and found very very good results.Also do some gym workouts to keep myself fit

[@musiclover916]

The biggest two downsides i can see to bands: 1. Harder to precisely measure your progress. With weights you can always say "last week I bench pressed 50KG, this week I will do 55KG". But with bands it's hard to be sure that you're actually doing a harder, or the same workout that you did the last time. 2. More risk when doing high resistance moves like squats. With a squat you have to hold your arms in the right position to make it work, which could put more strain on your arms and wrists, if you were trying to get a similar workout to a barbell squat with high weights.

[@bigbruvofenglanduk]

1. If you were able to get one more rep than last time, you made progress. There are other ways to know you made progress. 2. There are several different ways to set up the bands for squatting exercises and not all involve the arms. For example you can use the "crossover setup" (search KZbin) or you can even use a thick band as a belt and thread another through it to your feet for hip belt squats. There are at least two ways of doing the hip belt. Search "band belt set up"

[@meso2702]

I recommend using the colour elastic bands that come with them and put them around the half way point as a useful marker also it keeps them neat and untangled when you take them out of travel bag

[@psychastheneia7]

you have earned my respect and subscription. I'm a science graduate student. I used to hit the gym every morning before I would start my experiments. After starting to work from home on my analyses and trying bands out I've become a big fan. Bands have a specific resistance function but you have endless possibilities on that resistance function if you change their orientation, length, combine them with other bands in same or different orientations. You can also combine them with free weights for an additive vertical resistance offset. I am a strong believer of their usefulness and believe that they are an amazing complement on normal weight lifting resistance training. Especially given how easy they are to use. I have a question. Do you think there are exercises/muscle groups where that increased tension throughout ROM is not beneficial? Maybe the opposite. Exercises/muscles where you need stronger resistance in beginning and lower on end?

[@BallisticStigmata]

For standing barbell/dumbbell curl, using a "controlled cheat" is how you defeat that weaker point so that you can go heavier in the mid/end range. To counter this and work the rest of the bicep, you'd do another exercise more difficult at the bottom, for example the seated incline barbell curl. So while you're not "wrong" about the constant weight/contraction, that also doesn't mean it's in any way an advantage unless we're talking STRICTLY a no equipment environment.

[@sukritchakraborty7185]

Thanks a lot...your video was very helpful....you really explained the advantages of using band very clearly man....

[@danbuckles2745]

I think the question should be are you lifting to get stronger or body building and what do you expect? For me its to be strong and trim and I think most people want that. Now if you want to be a body builder you use the bands to help you stabilize muscle groups to help you to lift heavy and when you are done hurting your self you go back to bands and trim down. You can use bands for the wrest of your life and never have to step into a gym again and have a trim and strong body that you would be proud of.

[@danschneider4694]

Bands for me is like a portable weights. There are times we can't always access the gym.

[@gs90000]

Like during a pandemic for instance

[@gloriinher40s]

Awesome, and hugely informative video! Subscribed! I use free weights, machines, and bands and I love learning about it all. It only helps me design better workouts for myself.

[@briank8697]

I have been liking resistance bands more, because I am able to focus more on the overall rep itself. Makes the whole set that much tougher and makes the set suck that much more

[@PooplexCanal]

11:58 I think that one could become a bodybuilder while training with bands only. The only downside (depends on your point of view) I see is that it would be ridiculously harder as opposed to training with dumbbels, barbells, etc.. We could also talk about subjective perception of difficulty, but as far as I am concerned, most people would find it ridiculously difficult, because there probably are zero to none bodubuilders (or people who workout in general) who work out using resistance bands only.

[@matsuwd-emethdaath4002]

100% agreed

[@OoohAaah6603]

Just started back training after years off with injuries etc just doing pull-ups push-ups body weight exercises as don't have access to weights, decided to buy a band I was a bit sceptical but was I surprised how much better then free weights it was.. Looking back all the injuries I sustained in the past using weights could of been avoided I'm 54 now and wished I'd discovered bands years ago.

[@TheKuldip604]

What a fantastic episode!! Very clearly explained, thank you

[@dean4125]

3 days ago I used resistance bands for the first time. I havent worked out in years.. 2 days later my arms were so sore I couldnt lift my arms.. never experienced that in my life from lifting weights.. i was really in pain. now I know need to take it easy to start

[@STBRetired1]

With weights you need a spotter if you're going for a maximum (rep or poundage). With band(s) anchored on one end, if you know you can't complete a rep you can SLIGHTLY adjust your stance just a BIT closer to the anchor point and finish your set. All it takes is a slight movement of your body towards the anchor point. That's nice being able to max out by yourself.

[@TheJerzeyGuy]

I just started with bands myself, getting back into shape , like when I was in my early 20's

[@therealkevinpowell]

Alejandro Roman LegalShield Independent Associate I hear you ... I noticed the difference literally in two weeks ... keep up the good work ... all the best!

[@eddierobles2137]

Thank so much for the great content . I will start using bands now 👍👍

[@JamesGrage]

You're very welcome Eddie. Let me know how you like the bands, i've got some new band content on the way!

[@nutella_drifter]

Bands also take up much less space and are easy to carry. On the minus side, their width and thickness increases with the added resistance. The equivalent of really heavy weights is like the v-belt for a bulldozer:D

[@stun1zng267]

be smart, use both! weights you cant beat, but bands are just as good. been training since 1997, with just heavy weights, been using bands since 2010, and use them 50/50 with weights, as warm ups, with injury, they are limitless in their use. FYI, if for example, something happens, like, say, earths gravitational force decreases from 9.81meters per second squared to 9.79m/s2, bands will be just as good, but it means one will have to lift 'more' weight to feel the same effect, but you can still use the same bands (albeit pull/push 'that' much harder) enough with the physics. And if you are already huge/jacked and dismiss bands, heres a tip, use absolute perfect form, full range of motion and time under tension, your muscles will still feel like they've have a 'weight' training workout

[@psykovskee]

I believe the best is to use resistance band for training your muscle peak contractions and to use free weight for constant load so both ways will maximize your gains, and to minimize equipment sets we can use our own body weight as well, btw dumbbells are relatively minimalist too unless you wanna travel, living life as a nomad

[@marioflores4733]

Love your honesty bro. Digging the shoes.

[@ukani.trupal]

i love comment section man it really boost my confidence for buying resistance bands!

[@thetricksterpill]

Calisthenics and bands is what i do. I've started using the bands and I've been getting good results with mass. Doing both Handstand push ups and overhead shoulder presses with bands are a killer. No kipping with bands

[@numbat0072]

bands are great (lightweight , portable etc) but their "true" resistance really depends on how much they are stretched (the more they are stretched =greater resistance) which can vary from person to person/ workout to workout . a hanging/fisherman's weighing scale is really the only way to determine a bands' real resistance (& this must be done properly EG hanging from a ceiling rafter with the band fully stretched) , this is why each category of band ( light , medium , heavy etc) is kinda vague . with weights U know EXACTLY what the resistance is . i hope i'm making sense, is this correct?

[@lozaboza10]

I train with bands often especially for a lot of core training. Only thing bands can be a little uncomfortable on the hands especially the more intensity involved. Also they have a tendency on certain exercises to nick hairs lol. So a long sleeve top is necessary. But just lime free weights the safety aspect is critical as they could easily if not used properly cause injury with a slipped grip recoil.

[@benjacobs2560]

Great videos about bands! Bands are super convenient and support increased flexibility. As you get older flexibility and range of motion becomes more important. Plus, bands just help you knock out a workout quickly wherever you’re at. When I was in college and in my early twenties I had lots of free time to work out 90 minutes etc. I don’t have that kind of time anymore and want to stay strong and feeling good. To get massive arms and a massive chest you’re going to need to lift heavy free weights but 90% of people aren’t trying to get huge.

[@ChaceArrowz]

Thank you for this! Can you give a workout routine just for resistance bands?

[@ciaranra1]

used bands this week for the first time, found it very good especially working on shoulders ,

[@regprofant6984]

Question is how many days a week do you train with bands and do you train on other days with weights? OR do you just do bands? The reason I am questioning is being 73 I am looking at other ways to train without stressing my joints with heavy weight as I have done for years. Now that my joints have been beaten to crap after all these years ,finally getting my ego out of the way, I am considering alternatives.

[@skvignesh2]

OK I agree. Million dollar question is where can I buy these bands? All I see in amazon is girly half feet bands. Please post a link.

[@porscheninesixeight]

Your forgetting to mention the importance of an isometric hold either for biceps at different parts of the curve or hip flexor muscles or whatever part your doing. I mention this because most people that are demonstrating bands are missing one very important message about the isometric hold and that is that like a red muscle downloads a muscle memory, wel so does the white muscle or fast twitch fibres and what they do is download the return speed of the band when in an isometric hold. This is great for martial arts or running or any sport where speed is needed. I myself have used bands for probably around a decade now and i love them.Active moves are still good for the fast twitch fibres but the fibres only hold the memory for a short while after a bit like when you see a boxer using dumbells to punch the air. with the isometric hold the fibres put it into more long term memory.

[@MfitM]

That was really good video - thank you - please keep them going :)

[@luisrosado9694]

I love it, I exercise anywhere, anytime, beautiful, thank you

[@lazur1]

Bands' resistance curves line up better with most strength curves. You can hold much more weight at your waist while standing than you can lift off the floor. A band will be "light" enough at the floor, and "heavy" enough at the waist .

[@prakhardevnani7844]

I am getting my dumbbells and bands for the first time . I am gonna start working out tomorrow . Wish me luck

[@marcelofrmo]

This guy was talking about this in 2017. Genius.

[@cmoneytheman]

When bands first came out they was for people in rehab or just to lift alternative from weights but the bands is tough to cause its the gravity instead of the metal

[@traintochange9902]

So I watched this and on a couple of things I do disagree with i don't think he is quite right with the difference constant tension etc. You can achieve all the things you can get with bands and free weights. Bands seems to give a bit more control BUT on the whole it's how you train. For me it seems like he is trying to sell the bands rather than pointing out the difference. that being said I AM buying bands as a home train and takin work. Finally mind muscle connection needs to be attained and you can get the same with both bands and weights

[@Blue-moon12]

Great video and explanation

[@carlosvasconcelos4326]

Make a playlist about resistance, plz!!!

[@thomaspappas2712]

I used to train with free weights, cables, and a handful of machined. I purchased a set of bands from jump stretch, which are the same bands used by Westside barbell and the complete sets including two of each short and regular length bands will give you all the resistance that you can possibly handle no matter how strong you are. Originally I used bands attached to the barbell to increasemy strength throughout the range of motion especially the top of a movement. using bands in this manner dramatically increases your power. that's why I'm a little confused with the interviewer's questions as if he doesn't know anything about the benefits of band training. Successful powerlifter 7 using them for over 20 years and these ultra heavy bands have been discussed for decades so this devil's advocate s***may beintentional but I cannot believe this guy has never heard of band training If you want to make the band's more challenging tie them in a knot. If you tie a blue super heavy band in a knot and attempt to do push-ups with it, you better be benching at least 400lb and more likely a good deal more than that. Allow me to explain. When you are a big guy with a huge back getting a band like that in position is a nightmare, and as you push the band in a regular pushup and your back expands as your arms lengthen the band gets exponentially harder. I would guess that a 6-foot 250-pound lifter with long armsplplplpp would be adding a good 250 to 300 lb of tension at the top of the movement and probably at least 150 lb out of the hole if not more. That means that an individual who weighs 250 pounds is doing a push-up as if he weighed 400 pounds while his chest rests on the floor and his weight gradually increases to 550 at the top. I have trained with bands during the entire covid lock down period. Although, I have done weighted dips using bands, weighted push-ups using bands, as well as pull ups an inverted pull-ups using actual weight. I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't really consider dips and push-ups using bands to be a band exclusive movement but rather a combination of real weight and band tension. I also do good mornings and squats using bands, (with insane amounts of tension, well over 500 at the top. How do i know the tensions? I hang certain pairs of bands from my power rack and inserted an Olympic bar. Then I add weight to the bar and measure how far the band stretches with a tape measure. I continue to add weight and measure the band length 1-2 inches at a time. With the mini bands i add very little weight each time and as the bands increase in size more weight is required to get the bands to stretch each subsequent 1-2 inch interval. I then chart out the length of the band and indicate the amount of resistance required to stretch the pair to that particular length. Then I divide the number by 2 so that I know the weight required to stretch a single band to a given length. Then I tie the of bands in a single knot in the middle of each band and repeat the process. You must be sure to take into consideration the amount of inches required to wrap the band and thread it thru the top of the rack. Depending on the thickness of the band it takes a certain amount of weight to stretch it into position. When you can determine how much tension a band is getting you at a certain length you can develop a good idea of how much weight you are lifting. Take a pushup for example. In a push-up you are lifting about 65% of your bodyweight, more if you are top-heavy and less if you are bottom-heavy. So if you take your bodyweight and multiply it by 0.65, then determine the band tension at the bottom based on the length at the top of the movement you can get a pretty good idea of the amount of weight you are lifting throughout the range of motion. The funny thing is a small150-lb guy is using the same band that a taller heavier lifter using the same band does not mean they are lifting the same load. The shorter, smaller man moves the band about half the distance that the taller heavier athlete does because his back is not as wide and his arms are not nearly as long. Therefore, if you want to accurately gauge the weight equivalentthat you are moving at the bottom and top of a push-up, you must be aware of the length of the band at the bottom middle and top to understand the additional resistance provided by the band. depending on how much taller the lifter is how much longer is arms are and how much wider is back is, he could be moving twice as much load at the bottom and twice as much at the top in terms of band resistance alone net of the load provided by The athlete's body weight. The difference in the nature of the resistance also factors in to the intensity equation. Band resistance behaves differently. Unlike free weights where the resistance is a function of gravity, with bands , the stored elastic energy created by the stretch, means the greater the stretch, the more actively the bands are trying to pull you down and defeat you with a violent release of elastic energy. Think of firing a rock with a wrist rocket sling shot, or an arrow with a compound bow. That elastic energy builds up as you draw the bow back. Upon release it violently snaps. Therefore,heavt band resistance builds speed and strength which is power. You actually have to try to move faster to outrun the buildup of band tension (it is not possible to do this, but if you do not try, the bands will wreck your stability and you will fail while shaking violently as the band, or the band plus the bar its attached to with come crashing down. Because they keep on getting harder, you can't simply blast thru a sticking point and then slam it through the top effortlessly with submaximal loads. If you mentally approach a loaded barbell in a lazy, loose fashion as many people do with warm ups (assume doubled mini bands are attached to a weight that you normally can hit for 20 reps,on say a bench press) when you unrack that bar, it is going to slam into your rib cage as it were shot oit of a cannon unless you mentally prepareby gripping the bar as tightly as you can, and brace your upper body by flexing every muscle as hard as possible from your neck to your feet , if you do it this way you will be fine but if you approach it in any other wayyou will be embarrassingly crushed and probably injured seriously. I think a lot of people confuse bands with those tubular pieces of s*** that old people use but the bands that Westside use are no joke and they are very similar to the bands that James uses. If you fail to take band training seriously and use a load that exceeds your capabilityyou might not get hurt the way you would with pure free weights, but it's you use bands andfree weights combined the results could be devastating in the injuries could be permanent. think about how much it hurts when you get snapoed with a silly little rubber band used in the office. now imagine what that would feel like if the band were a thousand times larger with a thousand times more tension. If somebody pulled it back as far as possible and snapped you with it, it could remove hunks of flesh from your bones. I only mentioned this to illustrate that these bands at the higher levels of tension might not appear as intimidating as hundreds of pounds of iron, but they still have the stored energy to cause severe When I went back to a gym with free weights a few weeks ago, I was just as strong or stronger on movements that are not technically challenging. For instance, on one arm dumbbell rows, close-grip bench presses, cable rows, lat pull-downs and anything using a cable, obviously pull-ups push-ups and dips because I was doing them I got stronger. Barbell incline presses, deadliftsand squats will take a month or two to get back in the swing of things, just because I have no technique on these lifts but my muscles are stronger throughout the range of motion then they've ever been. Does that mean that I wasn't stronger in certain portions of the range of motion when I was training with free weights?. Of course not. I have a feeling that I'm going to be a little bit weaker off the chest on pressing movements with barbells and dumbbells but I think that strength will come back in a month or so and I think I'm much stronger when I get past the first three or four inches. Resistance bands are great at strengthening the muscles through a large range of motion whereas free weights are most effective at training the muscles when you lack leverage. Once your leverage improves, the load is bo longer as effective because the amount of effort needed to blast thru sticking point creates momentum that removes the already lightened load (due to overcoming moment arms-leverage disadvantages) from the muscles. With bands, as leverage improves the weight increases on extension/push movements. With lata abd biceps training the weight gets heavier in the contracted position which is weakest on pulls or flexion movements (so on pulls bands are very effective at strengthening the muscle where you lack leverage similar to the way free weights work, andon pushes, fans tend to strengthen the muscles where you have a leverage advantage an this is something that people don't talk about much. Having said that, I think the body gets shocked to a greater degree when it feels 500 bone-crushing pounds of real steel being held across the upper back or being held at arm's length. The idea that heavy free weights can kill you, creates a nervous system response that is probably unmatchable with any other type of training.

[@sammysam9560]

Very good information. Any links to good quality bands?

[@marytheodorou8202]

A excellent video. Share this information with everyone