π Bands
WEEKLY CHALLENGE:Β
Do a total of 3-4 Fit2B videos of any length or difficulty, including the featured routine which uses Bodylastics brand stretchy exercise bands that attach to doorways. Below you will find parallel workouts suggestions that use other types of bands.
Here is a link to the sort of bands I’m using on amazon (affiliate link)Β
Oops, did you think I meant marching bands? Jazz bands? Belly bands? A one-man band? I’m sure we all feel like the latter sometimes. I’ve got a few thoughts on belly bands below, and my own daughter was once in the former. Additionally, her sweetheart was the drum major for our local marching band AND also went to a national jazz band competition where they took 1st place! I love me some big band music, for sure, but this lesson is about using exercise bands to workout and get stronger.
Stretchy exercise bands are similar to weights yet different. They load your muscles and bones, but the load changes as the band stretches. A dumbbell that weighs 10 lbs feels like 10 lbs through the whole range of motion. When it comes to a band, the further it’s pulled, the more resistance it offers.
Bands are also more portable than weights. They pack easily into suitcases without putting you over any luggage limits, and they can be used almost anywhere with zero setup. Whenever I travel, I always bring one. In a pinch, a stretch scarf or pair hosiery can stand in for a stretchy band, but – in my mind –Β this inexpensive piece of fitness equipment is well worth the investment.
When my energy levels are increasing but still not super high, I love using stretchy bands in place of dumbbells for a few exercises in my circuit, but this week is all about ALL the stretchy band body sculpting. Are you ready? Let’s go!
Featured Routine: Beth’s Big Band RoutineΒ
Parallel “Band” Workouts:
Here are the rest of our band workouts. You’re not required to do all of these this week. You can if you wantΒ to, but this list is more for ideas andΒ inspiration!
Big {Little} Band WorkoutΒ – uses a different type of band, no handles
Big {Longer} Circle Band WorkoutΒ – uses a different type of band that’s circular
Kelly’s Big Band WorkoutΒ – uses the same type of exercise bands as the featured routine
Quote Of The Week:
βThis man is freed from servile bands, Of hope to rise, or fear to fall; Lord of himself, though not of lands, And leaving nothing, yet hath all.β
β Lord Byron
Moving Thought:Β Some people refer to abdominal splints as belly bands. Splinting the abs has a place in core rehab as long as it’s done alongside corrective exercises. Just like we wouldn’t expect a sprained ankle to heal its fascia without the support of a wrap, I don’t think most tummy muscles can heal their fascia as well after the strain of pregnancy without some support. Belling binding is practiced in many countries worldwide, but the concept has become polluted in westernized cultures. It’s less about feeling good and strong again and more about “getting flat” and shape wear and corsets which aren’t the same as therapeutic-grade bands designed by physical therapists like Kelly Dean at The Tummy Team. If your core healing journey has hit a plateau, you might want to read what I’ve written HERE about splinting and give it a go.Β
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CHALLENGE:
- Make the featured routine ONE of the workouts or videos that you choose this week, even if you only do part of it.
- Reach out if you need suggestions for different workouts to round out your week. We are here for you!
- Join the conversation or start it below in the comments! Check out what others have done, share ideas, offer encouragement, or get encouragement from those who’ve done this week before you!
COMMENT PROMPTS:
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Share what you think of the featured routine.
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Share what workouts youβre doing and how they felt to your mind and body.
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Respond with your thoughts on the βWord/Phrase of The Week.β
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Ask for help with anything: workout ideas, mindset, motivation, alternates for the featured routine, anything!
Beth
