Resistance Bands vs. Dumbbells
Can You Build Muscles With Resistance Bands?
Whether you are an avid fitness enthusiast or a novice, you will have come across a variety of equipment that you can use to perform different exercises. With dumbbells being one of the most common options, there is another trend in town: resistance bands.
Now, you might start wondering whether it’s ideal to do away with iron for an elastic! However, when your goal is to build muscles, you’ll be glad to know that resistance bands can effectively help you achieve what you’re looking for! In this post, we will discuss resistance bands vs. dumbbells and how choosing the latter over the former will also help you reap the most benefits.
Resistance Bands vs. Dumbbells: The Difference
Before going in-depth on which equipment you should choose for building your muscles, let’s take a look at the difference between resistance bands and dumbbells.
The main difference is the isometric contraction and isotonic contraction that these two equipment exhibit. For instance, when you use a resistance band, the resistance changes as you go up and then lower your arm while performing an exercise.
This is isometric contraction. However, when you use dumbbells during a routine, the resistance stays the same throughout the contraction. This is called isotonic contraction.
Why Should You Choose Resistance Bands Over Dumbbells?
In the resistance bands vs. dumbbells debate, one thing’s for sure: the former is lightweight and easily portable than the latter.
Not only that, but you can also use resistance bands for warming up your muscles before weightlifting. This way, you won’t require dumbbells! These bands also limit the range of motion. Therefore, there is a lesser risk of the joints overextending.
Resistance bands are also popular because they can help you perform almost all kinds of exercises that a dumbbell can. These bands also come with their unique benefits and varieties, which dumbbells do not offer.
For instance, resistance bands help provide resistance (hence the name!) in order for your muscles to tear and eventually become stronger.
They also help in maintaining a constant muscle tension throughout the process, thereby helping in muscle growth. Again, you will find that this is not the case when you use dumbbells.
Apart from being easy to store, resistance bands are also way cheaper than purchasing a set of dumbbells.
They are also easily available, and you can carry them around anywhere. With resistance bands, you won’t have to necessarily head to the gym, as you can perform your exercises at home or in the office!
How Can You Build Muscles With Resistance Bands?
Now, let’s get to the crux of this whole post: the question of whether you can build muscles with resistance bands or not! As we have mentioned earlier, it is possible to build muscles with the help of resistance bands. We shall get to the ‘how’ part of it in detail here.
Get familiar with the periodized approach
If you don’t already know what the periodized approach is, it is nothing but a structural program that considers the variations in volume, intensity, and type of work. The main focus of this approach is to progressively increase training while having rest periods.
For example, when you use resistance bands for progressive loading for a period of three weeks, you can follow it up with a lighter load. The main goal here is to achieve maximum muscle gains while also reducing any injury risk.
Involve yourself in progressive overload
When you get in the habit of practicing progressive overload with resistance bands, you are forcing your body to adapt to tension and stress like never before. This kind of overload will help you gain more strength and build muscles.
With the help of higher tension resistance bands, you can achieve this form easily. You could also try and increase the number of reps when you use these bands. This way, you will feel the contraction and burning of your muscles at the very end!
Decoding Resistance Bands vs. Dumbbells
Now that you have come to know about how resistance bands are effective for building muscles, we shall decode the whole resistance bands vs. dumbbells debate. In order to do so, we will take into account different individual criteria to know which is better in different areas.
Versatility
When it comes to versatility, resistance bands are the clear winner! Whether you wish to use the bands for a workout, warm-up, or recovery, the versatility of resistance bands is second to none. This is not the same for dumbbells.
Burning fat
If you would like to get rid of your love handles, you can take the help of both resistance bands and dumbbells! However, you need to keep in mind that when burning those extra layers of fats is all about your training regime, rather than the equipment you use.
Muscle strength
There is no doubt that dumbbells largely help in the strengthening of muscles. However, if you are just starting, you might want to grab hold of resistance bands!
We strongly recommend bands because not only will you be able to potentially gain strength, but also lower the risk of injuries. If you are already at the stage where you can lift weights, dumbbells are the way to go!
Muscle building
Again, when you are looking to build your muscles, you can always start with resistance bands. However, if your ultimate goal is to build up immense muscle mass, you will want to choose dumbbells. This way, you can opt for progressive overloading as well.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! The whole talk about resistance bands vs. dumbbells decoded for you! Although resistance bands may seem to be the clear winner, you should also take into consideration what your body goal is.
All in all, both resistance bands and dumbbells will work for you well. As a novice, try sticking to resistance bands and perhaps, you can move up to dumbbells at a later stage!
