Resistance Bands by Thera-Band

Arguably one of the least expensive pieces of exercise equipment one may ever own, the resistance band is also one tool that every athlete should not be without. These bands have existed in the rehabilitation world for many years and with the recent surge of the “corrective exercise” paradigm within strength and conditioning, their use will, and should, expand into the sport performance world as well.

The versatility of the these bands are virtually unmatched and their use can easily be incorporated into regular training programs in various ways.

1. As part of “filler” exercises: athletes can perform shoulder pre-habilitative exercises such as full can, bilateral glenohumeral external rotation, and dynamic hug. These exercises have been researched extensively and can be found here.
2. As a secondary exercise during primary training. For example, one can improve frontal plane, CKC hip abduction strength with a resistance band while working on sagittal plane hip extension strength. Its simple, just do this exercise (thanks Bret!) with a resistance band creating an “inward” or “valgus” force at the distal aspect of both femurs.
3. Another example is as part of stability work to improve joint proprioception and kinesthetic awareness. My good friend Dr. Andreo Spina demonstrates this quite well as part of a push up variation.

As you can see, traditional resistance bands can be utilized by athletes in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons. But if the above information has yet to convince you, would pre-cut bands do the trick?

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