08-15-21 10:33 AM - Post#912581    

This spring I started using an Elitefs red resistance band for push ups. The resistance is supposed to be 5-35 lbs. That got easy, so I bought a Draper purple resistance band rated 25-80 lbs. At first, I managed to grind out one push up with the Draper band. After a few months with this band, I’m now into double digits and my form is very good.
What I’m wondering is why. I’ve never progressed quickly with any exercise I’ve done.

I know I’m probably getting stronger, and maybe my body just adapts well to band training. However, does anyone know if what’s really happening is that resistance bands quickly lose some of their resistance? All I’ve used them for is push ups.

Edited by Upwind on 08-15-21 01:25 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

Re: sistance Band Questiom
08-15-21 11:13 AM - Post#912582    

I am going to speculate. I have never used the Draper bands, so I can't say how quickly they lose resistance, but I would hope that your progress is not attributable to premature loss of band resistance. Rather, my guess is that you have adjusted to the rather odd strength curve that the bands impose. Bands have a strength curve that is different from what you are used to in an unweighted pushup. The resistance varies as the length of the band changes during an exercise. Because of the varying resistance, the band turns the pushup into more of a tricep exercise. So what I suspect has happened is mostly motor learning. Your body had to learn how to adjust to the new strength curve imposed by the bands. It's like learning a whole new exercise. It's common to see rapid improvement when someone learns a new exercise. Because that improvement is motor learning, I wouldn't expect you to keep improving for very long. If you keep on improving in a linear fashion over a long period, you either had a lot of untapped potential in your triceps or the bands have become weaker.

Why are you squatting in the curl rack?

08-15-21 03:11 PM - Post#912588    

It could also just be joint kinematics for that particular exercise. Generally speaking, when someone does a pushup the leverage gets better as the arms extend further from the body. So it could be that due to that improved leverage, the same increase in contractile power of a muscle that would normally allow you to push 5% more weight in a disadvantaged position (like a bar on your chest) might allow you to push 15% more weight by the time you get to a leverage point where the band is stretched enough to really require you to work.

This is maybe part of how the Conjugate System for powerlifters works, at least from what I've seen. They do a lot of work to improve strength in the latter portion of the movements, knowing that they will be relying on the suits to provide maximum boost in the stretched position at the bottom of the lifts.

08-17-21 09:26 PM - Post#912661    

Thanks for the responses. While thinking about how well I've responded to using resistance bands, I remembered those Soloflex commercials on tv back in the '80s. Looks like they still make the original or retro model:
https://soloflex.com/products/classic-solo flex-muscle-machine

08-17-21 09:56 PM - Post#912663    

I was soooooo close to buying the original soloflex...maybe $495?

Arnold endorsed it. It's back when I believed everything.

Daniel John Just handing down what I was handed down... Make a Difference. Live. Love. Laugh. Balance work, rest, play and pray (enjoy beauty and solitude) Sleep soundly. Drink Water. Eat veggies and protein. Walk. Wear your seat belt. Don’t smoke. Floss your teeth. Put weights overhead. Pick weights off the floor. Carry weights. Reread great books. Say thank you

08-17-21 09:58 PM - Post#912664    

The site says this is the Original Workout, but it isn't...the original was all Whole Body three days a week.

MONDAY Chest and Back
1. Bench Press
2. Dorsi Bar Pulldown
3. Incline Bench Press
4. Bent Over Row
5. Dip
6. Pull-up or Bicep Curl/Lat Pull
7. Butterfly
8. Rowing with Leg Extension


WEDNESDAY Legs and Abdominals
1. Squat (or Frontal Squat)
2. Dead Lift or Stiff-Leg Dead Lift
3. Leg Press
4. Leg Extension
5. Leg Curl
6. Calf Raise or Donkey Press
7. Leg Bend or Body Curl
8. Incline Sit-up or Roman Chair Sit-up or a crunch with Leg Extension

FRIDAY Shoulders, Traps and Arms
1. Military Press
2. Standing Bicep Curl
3. Tricep Pushdown or Tricep Extension
4. Shoulder Shrug or Haney Shrug
5. Back of Neck Press
6. Tricep Press
7. Upright Row

Daniel John Just handing down what I was handed down... Make a Difference. Live. Love. Laugh. Balance work, rest, play and pray (enjoy beauty and solitude) Sleep soundly. Drink Water. Eat veggies and protein. Walk. Wear your seat belt. Don’t smoke. Floss your teeth. Put weights overhead. Pick weights off the floor. Carry weights. Reread great books. Say thank you