Thera-Bands are rubber bands or tubes, used at our office by patients as a means for rehabilitation on an injured body part. Often the first time a person is introduced to them is when they are given a set by an orthopedic doctor or physical therapist.

Listing by: Ashley Blackman, ATC
(ATC=Certified Athletic Trainer)
Chester, Virginia

Resistance Training Tools that can Prevent Injury

Thera-Band Latex Exercise Tubing Pack - Heavy Resistance and light resistance Get the inexpensive Thera-Band Latex Exercise Tubing Pack and guide.Your Portable Gym.

The bands come in different colors that vary in the level of resistance. Grossly underrated as resistance training tools, these bands can improve muscular strength and endurance, range of motion (ROM), mobility and flexibility and can actually prevent injury to joints such as knees and shoulders.

The use of elastic resistance rather than weight-bearing exercises minimizes pressure on the joints and decreases the possibility of incurring other injuries.

With seven levels of progressive resistance, users can easily gauge progress by which band they are using.

Probably the best benefit of Thera-Bands is their simplicity. Resistance training boiled down to the essential elements.

These compact rubber resistance bands travel light for On-the-Road Fitness.

They can be used for strength and balance exercises while traveling when access to a gym is not always available. Since they are compact, they fit easily into luggage and weigh next to nothing.

In addition, Thera-Bands are very cost efficient. A person can work his or her shoulder muscles, hip muscles, biceps, triceps and leg muscles among others when doing a Theraband work out. Some gyms offer classes where these bands are used for strength training. They may seem like an unglamorous addition to your workout. But give them a shot and you will see benefits. How else can you get a full body workout from something so small and unassuming?

• Latex and latex-free. You can get latex and latex-free Thera-Bands. Latex-free are made of synthetic rubber.
• Different resistance levels. They are color coded in 7 resistance levels. They often come in packages of heavy resistance and lighter resistance.
• You can get bands that are 4 inches wide by 5-6 feet long (4"x6') or buy a box with several yards and cut them to size to suit your needs.
• Training guides. The theraband kits often come with books and booklets outlining resistance training exercises.
• As cheap as socks. So Economical. You can get packages for as low as $13.
• Versatile. They can be used alone, looped around a stationary object for extra versatility or used with accessories to change the routine.