Can strength training with a large rubber band really offer health benefits?
Exercise resistance bands have become a go-to strength-training tool for both fitness veterans and newcomers.
Heres a look at five ways resistance bands can benefit health.
Resistance bandsmay even have an edge over free weights.
Ideally, youll lower the dumbbell or kettlebell slowly.
When building strength, youd like the muscle to become uniformly strong.
You dont want to leave certain parts of the muscle weak or asymmetrical in strength, Mayer says.
All types of resistance training help you stave off age-related muscle loss, Goehl says.
In addition, resistance bands are often found in rehabilitation configs to aid in recovery following an injury orsurgery.
Resistance Band Training Improves Heart Health
Cardiovascular workouts typically get all the credit for the heart-health benefits of exercise.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Resistance Band Training May Prolong Your Life
Resistance training (all types) may have life-extending benefits.
Moreover, the risk of death fromcancerwas lowered by 31 percent.
The results werepublished in October 2017 in theAmerican Journal of Epidemiology.
Jennifer Payne, MD, is a physician atPenn Medicine Lancaster General Health.
She earned her bachelor’s from the University of St. Thomas, majoring in biochemistry and minoring in theology.
She also completed an elective in medical writing and editing, working withAmerican Family Physicianmagazine.Dr.
She was previously an assistant editor atPreventionwhere she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
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