Bodylastics

Well, as I am recovering from pneumonia and bored out of my mind, dreaming of cycling again, I have decided I need to mix my workouts a bit more. I do weights and therabands for lower body, and want to add the bands with handles for the upper body.

Check this website: http://www.bodylastics.com

Have any of you tried these?

Thanks!

I have not seen Bodylastics before. I like low-tech, low-overhead equipment, and it looks like Bodylastics fits the bill. The muscle man carrying tires on the website gives me an idea, though--I think I'll get a tire and use it for resistance work in my yard. Free and effective!

I do Pilates at home, including working with a magic circle (a pilates thing) and the 100 pushups regimen, although I'm not all that consistent with the pushups.

Feel better soon!

Slight Threadjack:

Tulip - I'm looking to purchase a magic circle. Do you have a recommended brand/model? I've been looking at the Stott Fitness circle light - but recommendations are all over the place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blueberry

Slight Threadjack:

Tulip - I'm looking to purchase a magic circle. Do you have a recommended brand/model? I've been looking at the Stott Fitness circle light - but recommendations are all over the place.

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I got mine from Yoga Accessories dot com. Gaiam also has them. I didn't do any comparisons, though. My pilates teacher said that Target sells them, too, and they are fine (and you can go there and try them out to get a tension that works for you). It's a great tool.

I don't much care for my Gaiam circle. The handles aren't very comfortable, the covering on the spring is just a garden hose sort of thing that isn't attached at all, it doesn't have a lot of tension, and the whole thing just seems cheaply made. If you plan to use it a lot, I'd invest in a quality one.

So my dilemma:

I want one with pads on the inside and out (for some exercises I plan to use it for). Most of the resources I've seen say that metal ones are preferable for durability. However, no one makes a metal one with 2 sets of pads that I have found.

I've seen the Gaiam one, and I really don't prefer the foamy "stuff" on it (never mind that my cats are attracted to that stuff for chewing). I looked at Target and couldn't find one. Haven't tried Mall-Wart (they sometimes have more selection) or D!cks - but I prefer not to support either of those places.

Looks like the Stott one has what you are looking for. And it's on sale.

Except for the metal part, I think. But the sale price is really nice - thanks for catching that. I'll think for a little while - but I'll probably order it.

The ones I used at a high-class Pilates studio in DC like that (metal). Good price, and Stott has a good reputation from what I understand.

my trainer breaks those out on me e very now and then. If done right they can be tiring and are excellent for isolating and combining se veral groups of muscles. I don't enjoy them enough to do them on my own though whereas other exercises and weights I do and will do them on the off days.

marni

I use these a lot working as a physical therapist and also as a personal trainer. They are very versatile and easy to take with you on trips.

One of the things that is different about working with bands in comparison to weights is that the resistance to the motion gets greater as the band gets stretched farther. Lets say you are doing bicep curls with a 10 lb dumbell, it's always just 10 lbs. If you do a bicep curl with bands the resistance will be lighter as you start the exercise and will become much greater the farther you bend your elbow. You can use this feature to your advantage but it can also limit your ability to move through your full range of motion during an exercise. This isn't a negative, it's just different and something to be aware of.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wahine

I use these a lot working as a physical therapist and also as a personal trainer. They are very versatile and easy to take with you on trips.

One of the things that is different about working with bands in comparison to weights is that the resistance to the motion gets greater as the band gets stretched farther. Lets say you are doing bicep curls with a 10 lb dumbell, it's always just 10 lbs. If you do a bicep curl with bands the resistance will be lighter as you start the exercise and will become much greater the farther you bend your elbow. You can use this feature to your advantage but it can also limit your ability to move through your full range of motion during an exercise. This isn't a negative, it's just different and something to be aware of.

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Wahine,

That's what I am looking for, just something different to mix in with my weights. It looks like www.performbetter.com has a nice selection. The customer service person was honest and said the bands do break after a year. If anyone has any recommendations for a particular brand/company to purchase, let me know. I am also looking for an instruction book of some good exercises to do with it with legs, like hamstrings, quads and such. I like the fact to, that as my weight room in my house cant accomadate, that I can do chest "cable" flies with the bands if set up properly.