Hi
Don't Let Gravity
Keep You Down
Since entering my very senior years, I’ve become more and more a fan of resistance bands. Yes, free weights may always be the gold standard of resistance workouts, but now, for me anyway, bands are my favorites.
Let me explain why.
Gravity is a factor when lifting iron, and aging tendons and ligaments can get over-stressed resisting it. On the other hand, gravity is not a factor when working with resistance bands. What do I mean? Think of a simple movement like the barbell curl. As the barbell descends, tendons are sometimes over-stressed to control the weight at the bottom of the lift. But the same curl movement using resistance bands works the same biceps muscle but with much less tendon stress.
Aging seniors, or even younger trainees with achy joints, are often
surprised when they find relief using a good set of bands instead of pumping iron.
Unfortunately, a lot of people who’ve been around gyms a long time may pooh-pooh the thought of resistance bands. “They’re just for old geezers who can’t lift real weights anymore,” you might hear. Don’t believe them! They don’t know what they’re talking about.
Here are a couple of examples of what I mean:
Professional football quarterback Tom Brady worked out with bands. So did former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens, to name just two. And they aren’t the only elite athletes who have played at the highest level in sports and worked out with bands.If that’s not enough to convince you, here’s another reason to use bands. They are one of the great bargains in the fitness world, being inexpensive and compact. At home, you can stash an entire set in one drawer. Try that with a set of weights or a stationary bike. And they’re perfect for travelers.
By now, I must sound like a salesperson pushing a product. Here’s full disclosure: One resistance band company, the Bodylastics brand, was once an advertiser on my website. But that was years ago. Since then I haven’t had any connection and receive no compensation from the company. Still, I do use their bands and like them a lot. There are
probably others that are good, too. At Amazon, for example, you can find many companies, as well as Bodylastics, selling resistance bands.
For senior-seniors especially, I hope you’ll give them a try. Your joints will love you for it.
Stay healthy. Stay fit.
Logan
Senior Exercise Central
Spread the word. If you like the newsletter, please forward it to a senior friend or acquaintance.
Photographs: Subscribers have asked when the newsletter photo at the top of the page and my website pictures were taken. Well, I was a mere 70 years old then. I’m 88 now. Though I remain active, I am no longer nearly as strong or muscular as I was 18 years ago. —LF
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Newsletter Policy
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter is a free publication sent twice monthly to subscribers. The purpose is to provide honest and realistic fitness information for people age 50 and above.
I have never been paid or received compensation of any kind to write a positive review or endorse a product. If I say that I personally use a product or service, it is because I find value in it and have paid for it with my own money.
Like newspapers, magazines, and television, this newsletter and my website contain advertising and marketing links. Naturally, I am compensated for these.
The newsletter and website provide information to help users establish and maintain a fitness lifestyle. But fitness information is not the same as fitness advice, which is the application of exercise and dietary practices to an individual's specific circumstances. Therefore, always consult with your physician for assurance that fitness information, and
your interpretation of it, is appropriate for you.Your comments and questions are always appreciated. Simply click on the "Reply" bottom.
Sincerely,
Logan Franklin
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter
www.senior-exercise-central.com
