Buzz
Are you pushing yourself with our resistance band challenge? Great! Now it’s time to cool down and stretch those muscles for some much-needed relief.
Most of the stretches you can do with a resistance band are simply enhanced versions of stretches you can perform without one. So, if you don’t have a band, a yoga strap or towel can work just as well. The benefit of the band is that it allows you to adjust the tension, so you can choose whether to deepen the stretch or back off for a gentler approach. Just remember, stretching should never cause pain.
Here are some simple stretches you can do using any resistance band that’s long enough. I’m using one with handles, but the loop variety will work just as well.
Shoulder Warm-Up Stretch
This dynamic stretch-strengthening combo is perfect for preparing your shoulders for any workout or as a way to increase flexibility after a session. Simply hold the band in front of you, then pass it over your head and lower it back down to waist height with straight arms. Adjust the tension to deepen or lighten your stretch as needed.
Hamstring Stretch
Loop the band around your foot and gently pull your leg upward. You can either hold the position or move in and out of the stretch.
Adductor and Abductor Stretches
With the band still over your foot, extend your leg straight out to the side to stretch your inner thigh. Then, bring your leg across your body to stretch the outer hip muscles.
There are countless resistance band stretches out there—these are just a few of my personal favorites. (If you're looking for something completely different, check out these stretches for dancers, though I’m definitely not the one to demonstrate them!) What stretches have you been incorporating into your routine?
