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Resistance Bands for Stretching: 20 Strength & Flexibility Exercises

Resistance Bands for Stretching

 

Is it a good idea to use resistance bands for stretching?

To be honest… not necessarily.

Mostly, you wouldn’t want to use a resistance band as a stretching aid because the elasticity of the material will hinder you from getting deeper into the stretch. For some movements it’s good to use a non-elastic cord, but most stretches don’t require any equipment at all, except maybe a yoga mat.

But there are still huge benefits you can gain by using a resistance band in your stretching workout.

In this post, we’re going to look at why and when to use resistance bands for stretching and what kind of bands to use. I’ve also included 20 strength & flexibility exercises you can do with a resistance band.

Let’s begin with:

 

Why to use resistance bands for stretching

 

Resistance bands are an incredible tool to use for stretching when your goal is flexibility + strength.

If you just want to be super flexible without the strength training component, you needn’t bother with bands. Just practice any flexibility workout (like yoga) and focus on relaxing deeply into stretching poses.

But using bands in combination with strength training movements where your limbs are highly extended (like the ones in this guide), you gain two benefits at the same time:

  1. Flexibility: tissue lengthening, joint opening, improved posture etc.
  2. Strength: muscle adaptation, joint stabilization, core stability etc.

Although these kind of exercises won’t make you ultra bendy, they will give you a strong and well-toned body with a good level of flexibility and reduced risk of injury.

 

What are the best resistance bands for stretching?

 

There are many different kinds of resistance bands you can use for stretching. All the exercises here are done with a 208cm resistance loop, because it is probably the most versatile:

 

Best resistance bands for stretching

 

These bands are available in 5 resistance levels so you can always find one suitable for your strength. A few other types of bands you can use are:

 

How to use resistance bands for stretching

 

These 20 resistance band stretching exercises are designed to open and strengthen your joints while giving your muscles and tendons a good stretch.

Try to extend into each movement as far as possible and, for best results, hold in the final position for a few seconds.

 

Exercise #1: Band Pull Aparts

Resistance Band Pull Apart

Stretch the band apart in front of you, keeping your arms straight. Open your chest and stretch your shoulders back as far as you can, squeezing your shoulder blades together at the end of the movement.

 

Exercise #2: Overhead Band Pull Aparts

Overhead Pull Apart

This time stretch the band in a downward motion from high above your head to chest level. Focus on stretching your arms and shoulders out wide during the movement.

 

Exercise #3: Band Dislocates

Band Dislocates

Hold the band behind your back with straight arms and stretch it apart, opening your shoulder blades as far as possible.

 

Exercise #4: Front Raise

Front Raise

Step on the inside of the resistance loop and pull it upwards, stretching your arms up as high as you can.

 

Exercise #5: Shoulder Press

Shoulder Press

Again standing inside the loop, this time push it directly up over your head, stretching your whole body up towards the ceiling.

 

Exercise #6: Face Pull

Face Pull

Fix the band at one end and pull the other end of the loop up to your face, opening your chest and shoulders at the end of the movement.

 

Exercise #7: Upright Row

Upright Row

Standing on the band, pull it up along the front of your body until your hands are at chin-level.

 

Exercise #8: Side Bend

Resistance bands for stretching: side bend

Put one foot in the loop and grasp the other end. Stretch the band by bending to the side as far as possible without tilting forward or back.

 

Exercise #9: Incline Chest Press

Banded incline Chest Press

Step on the band with your back foot and step forward into a deep stance. Push the band forward and up, extending into the stretch as far as possible.

 

Exercise #10: Chest Fly

Single Arm Chest Fly, resistance band stretching workout

Anchor the band at one end. Hold onto the other end and stretch the band horizontally in front of you, keeping your arm straight.

 

Exercise #11: Bent Over Row

Bent Over Row

Stand on the middle of the band and bend at the waist, keeping your lower back slightly arched. Pull the ends of the loops up as high as you can, squeezing your shoulder blades together at the end of the movement.

 

Exercise #12: Reverse Fly

Reverse Fly

Same as the previous exercise except this time lift your arms up and out to the side. Again, squeeze your shoulder blades together in the final position.

 

Exercise #13: Deadlift

Deadlift

Stand inside each end of the loop and bend at the waist to grasp it in the middle. Keep your arms straight and lower back arched. Stretch the band by standing up and thrusting your hips forward.

 

Exercise #14: Single Leg Deadlift

Single Leg Deadlift

Stand with one foot on the middle of the band and holding either end of the loop. Tilt your body forward and lift your back leg. Then return to an upright posture, stretching the band upwards.

 

Exercise #15: Lunge Lift

Lunge lift

With one foot in the loop, step forward into a deep lunge, at the same time lifting your arms forward and up over your head as far as you can.

 

Exercise #16: Donkey Kick

Donkey Kick

On all-fours with one foot in the loop, kick your back leg up towards the ceiling, holding for a few moments in the final position.

 

Exercise #17: Kneeling Superman

Kneeling Superman

Again on all-fours, this time with the band looped around one foot and the opposite hand, lift your arm and leg up as high as possible and hold for a few seconds.

 

Exercise #18: High-Low Wood Chop

High-Low Wood Chop

With the band anchored up high, pull it downwards and to the opposite side, bending at the waist. Keep your arms and legs straight.

 

Exercise #19: Low-High Wood Chop

Low-High Wood Chop

Same as the previous movement except this time going from low down to high up.

 

Exercise #20: Ab Crunch

Crunch

Anchor the band low down and sit on an incline bench, holding on behind your head. Stretch the band by lifting your knees up towards your chest.

 

Check out our full range of resistance bands here.

 

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