When it comes to strength training, most of us are very familiar with the usual types of equipment. There are free weights like dumbbells and barbells and then there are machines, some with cables, some with weight stacks and some with both.

Resistance bands are a great alternative to weights or even a great addition to a traditional weight training program. They’re inexpensive, versatile and they work your muscles in a completely different way than weights. But if you’re like I was, you might be slow to come around to the idea of using them in any kind of meaningful way.

As my travel itinerary and time away from home has increased over the past couple of years it’s been necessary to find tools to help with keeping things on track while on the road.  I finally took the time to look a little deeper at bands and how to actually use them effectively last summer. For me resistance bands have been more than enough to maintain gains and continue working toward fitness and body goals during my time spent traveling or away from the gym.

Here are more reasons to try them:

• They travel well. You can easily pack them in your suitcase for travel and do exercises in the car or in your hotel room. This is perfect for when you’re short on time and don’t have access to your usual equipment.
• They increase coordination. Because there’s tension throughout the exercises, you have to stabilize your body. This helps with coordination and balance and it also helps you involve more muscle groups.
• They add variety. With weights, you’re often limited as to how many exercises you can do. But, the resistance band allows you to change your positioning in multiple ways. This changes how your body works and how an exercise feels.
• They’re inexpensive. Bands range anywhere from $6 to $30, depending on how many you get and where you buy them, which is nice for the budget-conscious exerciser. You can stuff them under the bed, in a suitcase or just about anywhere, making them a versatile piece of equipment.
• They’re great for all fitness levels. Depending on how you use them, bands can be great for beginners as well as more advanced exercisers. You can use them for basic moves or add intensity to traditional moves.

You’ll find that there are a variety of resistance bands available and you can usually find them almost anywhere including discount stores (like Walmart or Target), at most sporting goods stores. You can always buy resistance bands in stores, but if you’re looking for more options and, sometimes, more quality, you may find you have to order them online.

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