Stretching is a wonderful exercise which imparts flexibility and physical nimbleness. It helps lengthen and tone your muscles and gives you a lean appearance. It helps prevent muscle cramps and susceptibility to injuries which may be caused by heavy exercises or sports.
Stretching can be performed without any equipments or can be performed using stretch bands, which are also referred to as resistance bands. These bands are generally made of latex and sometimes of silicone. Stretch bands can be regular bands or stretch tubes.
Some of the stretching exercises with resistance bands are listed below:
- Stretching with resistance bands for shoulder work helps strengthen the muscles. You could perform upright rows stretching which involves standing on the band almost the width of your shoulder, and pulling the handles of the resistance bands in a crisscross fashion with your palms.
- Stretching with silicone or latex made bands for your back involves the use of a door for maximum stretch and resistance. You can attach the band to the door, hold the handle of the band, and move backwards till the time you could feel friction and stretch.
- Stretching with bands can also be helpful in strengthening your triceps. You should stand on the band with one foot and then hold the handles of the band and lift the handles above your head. You should not release the handles off your palms unless you feel the stretch.
- In order to work out your legs using resistance bands, you can perform squats. These require you to stand on the band with feet separated shoulder distance apart and lift the handles of the band up to the shoulders with your palms up.
- You can perform chops by attaching the resistance band to door and pulling the handles of the band across your body.
- Stretching with a partner to perform chops, overhead triceps extension, and rows also helps in attaining the benefits of stretching.
Other than the use of silicone for stretching for health, it could also be used for stretching the ear - adeliberate and manual enlargement of the hole of the ear. Ear stretching with tape is generally considered safe. However, ear stretching with silicone can be painful and the silicone may stick on the inner sides of the holes.
Stretching with bands should be first performed under the guidance of a trainer and once you attain expertise, it can be performed at home.
answered by G M