Marie Rodriguez

Bands on the run - strength training while on the road

Using colorful bands and tubes to stay strong may not look as impressive as lifting a barbell loaded with heavy weights, but they are much more convenient for getting a good working out while on the road.
     For one, they take up almost no space and add virtually no weight to your tractor. Also there is less chance of injury while using them. Really, would you rather drop a 10-lb. weight or a rubber tube on your toe?
     Resistance bands or tubes are affordable and generally sold in sets. Depending on the brand and level of the bands/tubes you buy, you can get anywhere from about 80 to 250 lbs. of tension. The sets usually include several tubes of different colors indicating the resistance level.
     Also, there are round workout tubes that are great for leg exercises. There are also bands that look like big, long, halved rubber bands (they are sometimes referred to as therapy bands) that are great for stretching or beginners.    
     I've found plenty of videos, Web sites and magazine articles that have strength training workouts using bands and tubes. I've found a favorite fitness magazine that features band workouts. I also work with a trainer at my gym to help me choose good exercises. See which form of instruction works best for you.
     YouTube has several resistance band workout videos. Here are a couple of good ones:

-- youtube.com/watch?v=Xx_LdEUf4s4
-- youtube.com/watch?v=wzyCtzAF8F0    
-- youtube.com/watch?v=UCIScBxB9wM
     Here's a great band workout guide:
--     resistancebandtubeworkoutexercisebook-     guide.com
     Here are a couple of good sites as well:
-- acefitness.org/getfit/rubrbndwkout.pdf
-- bodylastics.com (this is a site for a more expensive set, but the workout information and how they compare to gym equipment is good and there are more videos here).
     It is easy to duplicate a lot of gym equipment exercises with bands. When choosing a set, also look for anchoring equipment so that you can do a wider variety of exercises. I've found that the bands are pretty easy to anchor within the cab and bunk. If you sometimes stay at motels on the road, take your bands with you.                Be sure to include regular resistance training in your life. While cardio workouts and a healthy diet are great and necessary in staying healthy, strength/resistance training will help you burn calories and build muscle. It can also help increase your metabolism.
     Remember a few things about bands:
--     Just because they aren't big and heavy, it doesn't mean you aren't getting a workout. Work out within your fitness level. I say this from experience; when I first used them I got pretty enthusiastic and paid for it later. My husband still teases me about it, especially when I am trying to encourage someone else to use them.
--     Buy at least a set so that you will have a variety of resistance levels. Make      sure to also get at least one anchoring attachment so that you can do a greater variety of exercises.
--     Bands do wear out. In my experience, the resistance tubes are more durable than the flat therapy bands. I've had a couple of the flat therapy bands break. The tubes haven't broken on me, but I've read that they have a 3-5 year lifespan, which considering the price, is pretty good. Just check them for weak spots or cracks.
     NOTE: in this article I interchanged the terms bands and tubes. Most Web sites and exercise equipment places do as well. Both are great for most of the exercises described in the links.