You don't need anything fancy to start building muscles and strengthen your core. A good proof of this is the resistance band that's often used to do ab exercises. This piece of equipment itself is nothing complicated. It's essentially a large rubber band used to add resistance in training, and with it, you can do your ab exercises anywhere from the living room to the park!
That being said, if you're looking to build muscle with a resistance band, here are the exercises you can do and how to do them:
1. Plank Oblique Crunches
Give yourself a good foundation by doing the Plank Oblique Crunches. This exercise is all about building your balance and strength as well as strengthening your core.
To do a plank oblique crunch, you need to sit on the floor on both hands and feet with knees bent and back straight. Place a resistance band around your feet and hold it with your left hand. Lift your hips off the floor and bring your knees, hip and shoulders in a straight line.
Raise your right knee and turn your torso so that your right elbow is lying on the floor. Lower your knee and repeat the same, this time turning your torso to your left. Do three sets of 10, resting 30 seconds between each set.
2. Flutter Kicks
After giving your balance and strength a good start with the Plank Oblique Crunches, you can further strengthen your core with Flutter Kicks. This exercise works on your abs, back and hips.
To do Flutter Kicks, lay down on your back on the floor. Place your feet on a resistance band and hold it at both ends with your hands. Straighten your knees and lift your feet up (you can place them near your butt for better leverage).
Bring your left knee in towards your chest and then extend your leg back. Do the same with your right knee. Do ten reps for each leg, rest for 30 seconds and repeat this set twice.
3. Abdominal Crunches
Crunches are the most widely-used ab exercise, and the best thing is they can be done anywhere.
To do Abdominal Crunches, sit on the floor and place a resistance band around your feet. Hold the other end of the band in your hands.
Lift your butt off the floor and extend your arms behind your head. Hold this position as you contract your abs and pull your elbows towards your hips.
Raise your head and chest as you roll your shoulders down. Repeat 10 times, then take a 30-second break and repeat the same. Do this 2-3 times a week.
If you have bigger resistance bands, you can also try V-ups and Russian twists. For V-ups, rest the resistance band under your feet while on your hands and knees. Next, extend your legs towards the ceiling and raise your torso so that your body looks like a V. The Russian twist can be done by holding the band under your feet and extending your arms over your head, holding the other end of it. Sit up straight as you twist your torso to your left and right.
Conclusion
You don't need to join a gym to build muscle and strengthen your core. With a resistance band, you'll get similar results right in your own home! Of course, nothing's going to beat a full-fledged gym, but with how portable and easy to use a resistance band is, you cannot go wrong with having one to exercise with.
POWERBANDS® offers high-quality resistance bands to help individuals looking to get more out of their bodies do so easily! Check out our products today and enjoy quality resistance bands to supplement your exercises.
