At one time, exercise resistance bands only served a purpose in nursing homes and physical therapy centers. More recently, health clubs, school workout centers and home-based fitness rooms have put the bands in use. Conveniently store the bands in a space smaller than a shoe box, and they easily fit in your briefcase or suitcase during travel. Select the proper type of band for years of fitness training.
Resistance Band
An exercise resistance band serves as a strength training tool. Created from latex, the bands come in flat or round styles, with or without handles. You use a resistance band to mimic many pieces of weight training equipment such as a shoulder press, arm curl or back pull down. The variety of exercises you perform with a resistance band always keep you challenged as you change your workout. If you have a latex allergy, exercise with non-latex bands.
Dipped
An exercise resistance band made by latex dipping results in a smooth and strong band. The dipping process resembles the way a candle's shape results after repeated dipping in wax. The manufacturer dips the band into liquid latex over and over to increase the thickness and form the shape of the band. Hollow in the center, the latex band stretches and relaxes in response to your pulls. According to Bodylastics, a dipped band resists tearing, which lengthens the life of your band.
Extruded
Instead of being one smooth tube of latex like a dipped band, extruded exercise bands combine strands of latex. The strands of latex get wrapped together similar to the way spaghetti noodles wrap themselves together. The extruded process makes for a strong band, but the band does have a weakness at the end of the band where the strands bond together.
Concerns
Regardless of the construction of your exercise band, always examine it for safety prior to using. If you notice any tears or weak spots, do not use the band as it may break and snap back at you. Store the bands away from the sun. If you notice sun damage, such as a loss of color or a breakdown in the latex, discard your band and purchase a new one. Your band should expand and contract smoothly. If it does not, the latex may have combined with other fillers that have hardened and reduced your band's elasticity.
