We know the importance of walking and getting in your steps, but cardio isn\u2019t the only type of exercise you should be doing. Strength training matters too. Not only can strength training help <\/span>increase bone density<\/span> (and help ward off the brittle bones of osteoporosis), but it can also <\/span>boost your metabolism and help you lose weight<\/span>, too. <\/span><\/p>\n The good news? You don\u2019t need a 20-pound dumbbell to get in a good strength training workout \u2014 in fact, all you need is a 1-ounce resistance band. Really. <\/span><\/p>\n Why Resistance Bands? If you\u2019re a beginner or intermediate exerciser, start with a lighter resistance band (like 5 to 15 pounds of resistance). If you\u2019re an advanced exerciser, you can opt for a moderate or heavy band. Don\u2019t think bands pack enough power for your strength training routine? Think again. Some bands can pack more than 300 pounds of resistance!<\/span><\/p>\n 7 Resistance Band Exercises to Add to Your Walk<\/b><\/p>\n Double up on your walk by getting both cardio and strength-training benefits. <\/span>Incorporate these seven moves into your usual walking routine.<\/span><\/p>\n Band Pull Aparts<\/b><\/p>\n Banded Rows<\/b><\/p>\n The benefits:<\/span> Some people overlook the muscles that they can\u2019t see in the mirror. By targeting your back muscles, you\u2019ll build better posture and ward off future injuries. Lateral Band Walks<\/b><\/p>\n The benefits<\/span>:<\/b> About 80 percent of adults will experience\u00a0back pain at some point in their lives, according to the<\/span> National Institute of Health<\/span>. But exercising your glute muscles can go a long way toward building a stronger, healthier lower back, says Dobrosielski. Banded Biceps Curls The benefits:<\/span> Bicep curls are a classic exercise for a reason \u2014 but you don\u2019t need dumbbells (or a barbell) to build stronger arms. Banded Push-Ups<\/b><\/p>\n The benefits:<\/span> The plank is often touted as the ultimate ab exercise \u2014 so consider the push-up a core <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> chest workout. Banded Hip Thrusts The benefits:<\/span> Hip thrusts target your hips, glutes, and hamstrings, while also strengthening the hip bones \u2014 which are increasingly prone to fractures as we age<\/span>[2]<\/span>. Banded Squats<\/b><\/p>\n The benefits:<\/span> Compound movements like squats work more muscle and burn more calories than isolation exercises. Looking for a more challenging variation? Try this version of banded squats:<\/span><\/p>\n Directions: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tMaria Masters is a writer and editor focusing on health, weight loss, and fitness content. She has held staff positions at Men\u2019s Health and Family Circle, and her articles have appeared in Health, Women\u2019s Health, EverydayHealth.com, MensJournal.com, and more. She holds a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p><\/div>\n
<\/b>Resistance bands are the perfect tool for sculpting or toning your muscles on-the-go \u2014 whether you\u2019re traveling across the country or just down the road to your local park, says Cris Dobrosielski, a spokesperson for the American Council of Exercise and the owner of<\/span> Monumental Fitness Results<\/span>, in San Diego, California. \u201cDoing more reps, say 3 sets of 15 reps, \u00a0provides a muscular endurance benefit, we well as some amount of hypertrophy, or muscle building,\u201d he says. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/43nnuk1fz4a72826eo14gwfb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Blog_Resistance_Bands_Pull_Aparts.jpg\")
The benefits<\/span>:Pulling exercises are particularly good at recruiting multiple muscle groups \u2014 which also burns more calories, says Dobrosielski.
<\/span>Targets:<\/span> Shoulders
<\/span>Directions:<\/span>
<\/span>1. Hold a resistance band with both hands at shoulder width and shoulder height, with your palms facing the floor.
2. Keeping your arms straight but not locked, pull the band in a lateral motion, out past your sides. The band should come toward your chest as you pull.
3. Pause, then return to the starting position. That\u2019s one rep.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/43nnuk1fz4a72826eo14gwfb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Blog_Resistance_Bands_Rows.jpg\")
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<\/span>Targets:<\/span> Back
<\/span>Directions:<\/span>
<\/span>1. Sit on the floor with your legs extended straight out in front of you, and loop the resistance band around your feet. Then, hold the band in each hand with a hammer curl or neutral grip, (thumbs pointed at the ceiling). That\u2019s the starting position.
2. Keeping your back straight, slowly pull the band toward your core, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Pause, then slowly extend your arms toward your feet, returning to the starting position. That\u2019s one rep.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/43nnuk1fz4a72826eo14gwfb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Blog_Resistance_Bands_Walk.jpg\")
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<\/span>Targets:<\/span> Glutes
<\/span>Directions:
<\/span><\/span>1. Loop a band around your ankles. Start with your knees slightly bent and your feet positioned shoulder-width apart.
2. Next, keeping your shins vertical and right over your ankles, take a lateral step with your right foot, followed by a smaller step to the right with your left foot. That\u2019s one rep.<\/p>\n
<\/b>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/43nnuk1fz4a72826eo14gwfb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Blog_Resistance_Bands_Curl.jpg\")
<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/span>Targets: <\/span>\u00a0Biceps
<\/span>Directions:
<\/span><\/span>1. Hold the resistance band in both hands, keeping your arms at your sides and your palms facing forward. Then, step on the center of the resistance band with one foot (or two feet, for more resistance). That\u2019s the starting position.
2. Bend at the elbows and curl the band up toward your shoulders. Pause, then lower your arms to the starting position. That\u2019s one rep.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/43nnuk1fz4a72826eo14gwfb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Blog_Resistance_Bands_Pushup.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>Targets:<\/span> Chest
<\/span>Directions:
<\/span><\/span>1. Loop a resistance band around your back and position the ends around your thumbs.
2. Lower yourself to the ground and place your palms and toes on the floor. Your hands should be directly below your shoulders, and your body should form a straight line.
3. Bend your elbows and lower your body toward the floor until your chest nearly touches the ground. Hold for one second, then return to the starting position. That\u2019s one rep.<\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/43nnuk1fz4a72826eo14gwfb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Blog_Resistance_Bands_Hip_Thrust.jpg\")
<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/span>Targets<\/span>:<\/i><\/b> Glutes and hamstrings
<\/span>Directions:
<\/span><\/span>1. Loop a resistance band around your thighs and place it at your hip crease, then lie face-up on the floor, keeping your knees bent and your arms extended out to the sides.
2. Using your arms to anchor the band to the floor, press through your heels and lift your hip toward the ceiling until your body forms a straight line from your knees to your chest. Remember to squeeze your glute muscles as you raise your hips. Pause, then lower to the starting position. That\u2019s one rep.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/43nnuk1fz4a72826eo14gwfb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Blog_Resistance_Bands_Squat1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>Targets:<\/span> Quads
<\/span>Directions:
<\/span><\/span>1. Loop a band around your thighs, just above your knees. Keep your feet positioned shoulder-width apart, your knees slightly bent, and your hands straight out in front of you.
2. Shift your weight back onto your heels and sink down until your thighs are parallel with the floor.
3. Pause, then return to the starting position. That\u2019s one rep.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span>1. Stand on one end of a large looped band with your feet shoulder-width apart. Grabbing the band with both hands, squat down and loop the other end of the around your neck and return to standing while continuing to hold onto the band with both hands.
2. Keeping your spine neutral and core tight, shift your hips back while keeping your weight in your heels as you lower down into a squat. Try and lower until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
3. Pause at the bottom, then forcefully press down through your heels to return to standing. Squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement as you press your hips forward. That\u2019s one rep.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\tMaria Masters\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
![\"mariamasters\"](\"https:\/\/43nnuk1fz4a72826eo14gwfb-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Maria-Masters-Headshot.jpg\")
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