Got dumbbells, but are resistance bands worth it?

[TameRacingDriver]

Hi all. I work out from home currently using heavy dumbbells and compound exercises.

I've recently been wondering whether I should get some resistance bands, like the gymproluxe 2.0 to supplement my dumbbells.

My thoughts were they can offer a few new exercises that I cannot do with dumbbells, and I can go heavier on squats.

Does anyone have any experience? Worth it, or should I just save my money and keep doing what I'm doing with the dumbbells?

[Pieman68]

I have a set that I use regularly, doing a range of exercises that I learnt through the boot camp I used to attend

They're also great for any rehab work and for warm up/stretching off

For the relatively low cost I would definitely say they are worth investing in

[Hoofy]

Worth noting that they'll only be more challenging as they are stretched. Stating the obvious, I know but for deadlifts, you might only get the challenge when you're nearly locked out, if that makes sense. So you'll need to have a good think about how exactly you use the bands to make them a challenge.

[TameRacingDriver]

Hoofy said:

Worth noting that they'll only be more challenging as they are stretched. Stating the obvious, I know but for deadlifts, you might only get the challenge when you're nearly locked out, if that makes sense. So you'll need to have a good think about how exactly you use the bands to make them a challenge.

Yep I have read about this limitation. My concern is basically what you said but also that they might feel a tad "unnatural" compared with using a dead weight such as dumbbells.

[Hoofy]

TameRacingDriver said:

Hoofy said:

Worth noting that they'll only be more challenging as they are stretched. Stating the obvious, I know but for deadlifts, you might only get the challenge when you're nearly locked out, if that makes sense. So you'll need to have a good think about how exactly you use the bands to make them a challenge.

Yep I have read about this limitation. My concern is basically what you said but also that they might feel a tad "unnatural" compared with using a dead weight such as dumbbells.

It will feel different but is a good way of increasing the load if you don't want to buy more plate weights.

[TheThing]

I train from home as well and have done for around 8 years. I have accumulated quite a bit of kit over the years including resistance bands. They rarely, if ever get used.

I am limited on space but the pieces of kit that I couldn't do without are a pull up bar, gymnastics rings and a pair of (relatively) heavy kettlebells.

[TameRacingDriver]

TheThing said:

I train from home as well and have done for around 8 years. I have accumulated quite a bit of kit over the years including resistance bands. They rarely, if ever get used.

I am limited on space but the pieces of kit that I couldn't do without are a pull up bar, gymnastics rings and a pair of (relatively) heavy kettlebells.

That's what I wondered to be honest. The bands I'm looking at are £100 which isn't exactly a small investment if they're going to collect dust.

[TheThing]

Others may disagree but I found them to be very limited in their use and the form of resistance they offer a bit strange. I paid £50 for mine years ago and thought that was a bit steep then. From my experience your £100 would be better invested elsewhere.

[DaveA8]

I think they are excellent for a specific group of exercises but to get the benefit, they require someway of being anchored securely. In my case I stood a 100mm fence post off the wall and made brackets with 2 ton slings from Toolstation and have 4 positions on it.
I explain this because they are useful but the images of people doing deadlifts with them or the bands underfoot are misleading, I found even with shoes on, the underfoot thing not to be comfortable
So the short answer unless you can safely anchor them, they are of limited use at the heavier weights

[TameRacingDriver]

Thanks for the input folks. I reckon I'm going to give them a miss.

[ajap1979]

I’ve been considering the Gymproluxe. My strength workouts are limited to two a week, and are designed around injury prevention for running. I think the variety of exercises that you can do with the Gymproluxe, supplemented by some kettlebell exercises and general body weight exercises will be more than enough for what I’m looking for.

[Hoofy]

DaveA8 said:

I think they are excellent for a specific group of exercises but to get the benefit, they require someway of being anchored securely. In my case I stood a 100mm fence post off the wall and made brackets with 2 ton slings from Toolstation and have 4 positions on it.
I explain this because they are useful but the images of people doing deadlifts with them or the bands underfoot are misleading, I found even with shoes on, the underfoot thing not to be comfortable
So the short answer unless you can safely anchor them, they are of limited use at the heavier weights

What you've done sounds great. Re deadlifts, I wondered this - and thought it didn't look great for deadlifts. I guess you could do similar with a platform you stand on that has them secured to the ground.