How to Create a Resistance Training Workout Using Bands Only

How to Create a Resistance Training Workout Using Bands Only

May 24, 2023 mindpump

Using bands only used to get a bad rap because it was seen as an inferior way to work out. Lifters are used to getting sore from pushing heavy weights, and so the understanding was using just bands doesn’t provide the same soreness as the weights do. While this may be true, that doesn’t mean there is no growth. In fact, the concept that you don’t get as sore is actually its biggest strength. This allows you to hit the muscles more frequently without risking overtraining. Today I’d like to go over how you can create an effective resistance training workout using only bands.

Frequency

As I mentioned before, because you don’t get as sore, you can workout more frequently. With bands, this can look like a 3-4 day workout program as opposed to only a 2-3 day one. This allows you to hit the same muscle more often, sending a more frequent muscle building signal.

Intensity

Intensity is usually chosen by weights. Since we are using bands we are going to have to use the thickness of the band, and/or reps as the way to best gauge intensity. This means doing 1 rep more than last week, or making the band more difficult by choosing a thicker band or pulling tighter on the band.

Full Body

Because of the frequency, and there being not as much soreness, we can go with a more full body approach since the recovery is quicker. Focus on hitting exercises that target major muscle groups to get the most bang for your buck.  

Some exercises you can perform with bands include:

Legs: band squat, reverse lunge, calf raise, deadlift, hip bridge, step squat, split squat, sumo squat

Chest: Chest fly, band assisted dips, seated chest press

Back: Lat pulldown, seated rows, one arm row

Arms: Tricep extension, curls, pushdown, hammer curl

Shoulders: Shoulder press, side raise, pull a-parts

You can include more isolated exercises like direct bicep and tricep work, but make sure to prioritize the bigger compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and rows first. The beauty of using bands is you will be able to get more blood flow and a feel on those muscles being worked. 

Mobility/Primer Days

2-3 days should be spent focusing on mobility or activation exercises that wake up dormant muscles. These would be much lighter days than the workout days, but allow you to keep on schedule, and get your movement in providing a light stimulus to keep the muscles active.

Here is just a couple sample days your workout and mobility days would look:

Workout Days

Day 1: 2-3 sets for 10-15 reps

Band Squat

Reverse Lunge

Seated Band Chest Press

Seated Band Row

Alternating Lat Pulldown

Lateral Raise

Curls

Tricep Extension

Side Chop

Day 2: 2-3 sets for 10-15 reps

Deadlift

Hip Bridge

Face Pull

Lat Pulldown

Shoulder Press

Tricep Pushdown

Hammer Curl

Trunk Twists

Mobility/Activation Days

Day 1: 2 sets of 5-10 reps

Lizard with Rotation

Pigeon

Dislocates

Banded W’s

Knee Abduction

Day 2: 2 sets of 5-10 reps

Thread the needle

Shoulder Circles

Lateral Band Walk

Couch Stretch

Runners Stretch

Intensifier techniques like super sets and isometric holds can be used as additional tools to make the exercises harder. Use them only as needed when the bands get too easy, and doing more reps isn’t an option.