Resistance Bands Are a SCAM

Discussing the common arguments and criticisms of resistance band companies, products, and their effectiveness. Are these all you need for resistance training or just simply one among many tools in the toolbox. Let me know your experience with bands in the comment section.
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0:00 - Intro / Argument
2:00 - Influence
3:39 - Marketing & Margins
5:08 - Bands Re-Branded
5:45 - "Band Body"
7:51 - Practical Use of Bands
9:00 - Band Communities
10:34 - Realistic Expectations

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[ToddDolce]

There really is no argument on this. It's just beyond stupid to debate over the "type" of resistance when training. I used weights for over 45 years of my life and laugh when I think about the different debates that took place during those decades. Free weights vs. Machines vs. Bodyweight vs. Springs vs. Static Contraction ....and on and on. Its nonsense. I mean cmon people...STOP overthinking this crap. Go load a wheelbarrow with rocks and do shrugs, overhead presses, ...whatever.

I started integrating bands into my routines in my 50's and now I do it 100% of the time. I recently tested my strength levels out by doing weights on a chest and shoulder day. I did NOT lose a fraction of strength or power. It really comes down to using bands correctly and beginning all lifts with the bands pre'stretched and taut. You also need to be 100% focused on the exercise and let that tension work its magic.

I bet many that simply jumped on the "band"wagon during the covid days were clueless on how to lift with these things. Likely they are the same folks that "swing" the freeweights through a rep to leverage the advantage of momentum.

I LOVED my time with pumping iron but it took a toll on my joints and at some point in most of our lives, we begin to mature in our 50's and come to the realization that the bulky arms and chest

You can get bulky with bands too but due to the "way" many people use them, they end up trimming down and looking more defined since they are not starting at a really taut position. But I ask you, ....once you get into your wiser years, ....is that really a bad thing? What are you needing the bulky arms and legs for anyway? Ego?

I've been there guys(gals)....it was sure fun but one day you wake up and realize you would rather have strength and mobility that will carry you through to your later life and everyday activity.

Bands are not a scam anymore than Nautilus, Rocks, Sandbags, Total Gyms, or Smith Machines. Bands DO work and you CAN bulk out with them or get leaner.

Climbing off my soapbox now. (And its easier to climb on and off with my pain free joints! Lol)

[andrewmccune]

The only people who think res. bands are a scam have never used them, or have no idea how to workout.

[bossfan]

Consider adding a ? after SCAM in the video title. As is, people might not even bother watching as they might prematurely conclude that you actually think they are a scam when we all know you like them.

[phillipmagee]

I've exclusively used X3 for almost 1 year and have been happy with it.

The 4 main reasons for only using resistance bands in this season of life:
1. I want something consistent when I travel.
2. I have 2 young children which makes it challenging to go to the gym.
3. I was maxing out with lower body exercises for dumbbells at home.
4. I'm focused on maintenance rather than hypertrophy at this time of my life.

Like you said: I don't believe there needs to be a dogmatic approach of "only bands" vs "never bands."

[JamieAndersonES]

I’ve been in hospital for 7 months and counting mostly in bed, I’m paralysed too. A few months ago I was introduced to resistance bands to stimulate atrophied muscles in my upper body. Basically I needed to regain strength to be as independent as possible when I eventually leave hospital. I’ve been using them 4x a week for strength training and for HIIT workouts. The results so far have been amazing my upper body and core as in the best shape of my life! I have muscles I have never seen before. Resistance bands have got me hooked on personal fitness and training and I hope I will be using them for a long time to come. They are so much easier to use for me and convenient to store too! I thoroughly enjoy using them.

[Johnl]

Pretty fair and reasonable assessment of resistance bands. Personally I wouldn't call them a scam but some of the marketing, particularly the X3 Bar, is utter nonsense.

I used the X3 bar for 3 months and lost strength across the board (and some size as well). The claims that it is 3x better than weight training as well as the claims that "weight lifting is a waste of time" are laughable. Quite frankly I got far superior results from a basic routine of weighted push ups, dips, pull up variations, squats and deadlifts than I ever would have seen using the X3 exclusively.

Can you get a decent workout, get in better shape, lose some weight, look better and maybe build some muscle with the X3? Sure, but the claims that you can build more muscle in less time using the X3 than with weight training is detached from reality. The X3 has been out for 4 years now. If it legitimately built muscle 3x faster than weight training as claimed then guys who put on 30-50+ lbs. of solid muscle over that time (as Jaquish claims to have done*) should be so common place as to be mundane by now and yet we clearly haven't seen that happening.

*In repeated interviews Jaquish has gone on record stating: “I gained 60lbs. of muscle while losing 16lbs. of fat using the X3 exclusively while in my 40’s and without drugs”

Since he states that he currently weighs 220lbs. that would mean that he would have had to weigh 176lbs. when he started using the X3. Do any of his “before” photos even remotely look like he weighs only 176lbs.? In his "before" pictures he is no way anywhere close to 176 lbs.. He's easily well over 200 lbs. and was probably in the ballpark of his currently reported weight.

I understand that the guy is trying to sell product but this goes beyond creative ad copy and stretching the truth into the territory of outright fabrication.

[marcaube]

I am completing year 4 of shoulder replacement rehab. I am an example that bands will build muscle mass. However my workouts 5 days per week consume 1.5 hrs per session. It is not possible to increase muscle definition in 15 to 20 minutes 3 times per week. My workouts are a minimum of 1000 repetitions. That's what it takes. In 1990 i purchased a sliding bench. Had to get rid of it as i developed serious tendonitis in my forearms with zero muscle gain. The last 2 years i added light dumbells for curls. In my opinion the scam is short workouts and poor quality equipment. The bands i use the most are 20 inch bands from Serious Steel. I also own Undersun and Rogue loop style. GoFit are my tube bands. Zero snapped bands in 4 years. I do not use gloves either. Last no sugar, caffeine or milk in my diet per docs instruction. At some point walking or cycling must occur. In addition I sold my functional trainer prior to shoulder replacement as I am limited to 80 lb steel weight lifts. Bands are a must for myself forever.

[jamesmecham]

Good video Mike. I'm 58 years old and have worked out since I was 14. Originally I used free weights exclusively. Over the decades integrated a variety of equipment and techniques.
Currently I enjoy body weight, resistance bands, sliding bench, and dumbbells.
I fit squarely as a Subscriber to your "Hybrid Resistance" philosophy.
Take care.

[DeanHenry-hmbd]

Another great video Mike, I started with bands in 2021, during the pandemic, I bought myself a set of Undersun resistance bands, started using them, and really enjoy training with them, I had been training with weights for almost 45 yrs at that time, I have stuck with resistance bands ever since, at 65, with arthritis in both my knees, and after 2 major surgeries on my left shoulder, and I’m sticking with resistance band training going forward, they are much easier on my joints, I can take them anywhere, and my body feels great after my workouts, I also have the X3 system which I really like too, and 3 sets of Undersun bands, where you get older you need to adapt your training to how you body responds and feel, and with resistance bands my body feels absolutely great, I’m not trying to get hypertrophy at this point in my life, I just want to stay pain and injury free, and be able to stay very active as I get older.

[DeadLinux]

I went far into the resistance band camp because I really wanted to avoid keeping tons of plates and bars/benches/rigs around - and work out from home. Bands check that box a lot, but there's definitely a learning curve to get the most out of them, and I switch between them, the Total Gym, and just basic adjustable dumbbells too. Everything that can get thrown in a closet if needed - forces me to try the weird stuff, and it's been fun, and kept me doing stuff (most important) Huge thanks to this channel too, of course

[josephroa]

I love my bands, but have started incorporating free weights as well. I think the problem is that people use the cheapest ones they can find on Amazon and they are no where near the quality of ones like Harambe, Serious Steel, Clench, etc.

[andrewmeyers]

Great video. I’m one of the older people who likes bands so I can work at home. I have limited space and I’ve found I don’t using “community” exercise machines at the gym. I’ve really enjoyed the X3 Force bar and the easy way to measure results. Your observations about the benefit of the shorter bar have definitely been spot on. Keep up the great work.

[w.adammandelbaum]

Maybe they're called resistance bands because of all the resistance to using them from the stack and rack free weight crowd.
We ain't all young guys out here in fitness land, and some of us like our vertebrae and ACL to stay healthy. Bands provide the challenge without the collateral damage.

[JayB-JayB]

Resistance bands are so versatile. I used to think they were just for physio, but as you demonstrate, Mike, they're a great tool in the toolbox for a full workout.

[charbelnasr]

I trained in a gym before so I know a thing or two about free weights. I did bodyweight training too. And almost 6 months ago I started using only bands cause I don't have a gym near me and I can't afford buying a home gym not even the most basic of them I also have no space for a home gym. I have a couple of cheap bands and some diy's like a foot plate and a door anchor and so. I made some gains and I'm really happy with the results. They're better than nothing and that's the most important point. I can afford them. I love how they push me to be more creative to be able to do some exercises. They're not better than free weights but they're not worse by any means. You can build muscles with them you can maintain a healthy body with them. I love free weights but I also really love bands. In conclusion resistance is resistance as you said and you can find a way to over load your muscles with bands with some brain work.

[edgefinesse]

Bands have been around since early 1900s, they have been proven exclusively for over 125 years..some of the best physiques have been built from rubber exercisers, no in this day and age has imparted nothing new, and most don't even go to the original source of the ones who came before and wrote master courses on how to employ these protocols..I will say bands have angle of pull and biomechanical alignment and position to activate and recruit muscle properly, along with tempo and breathing mechanisms, bands I will admit are not to be pulled the same way we do weights and that's where in lies the difference you have to know band pumping techniques, which are critical to achieving the benefiets, and the little books and manuals that come with them are b.s and very lacking in proper instruction...bands absolutely can be a standalone protocol..resistance is resistance..tools actually have nothing to do with my muscle as activation..the base level is understanding mind muscle connection..contraction and relaxation and turning muscles on and off, biomechanics amd kinesiology..most fitness instructors fail to teach the most basal knowledge of muscle physiology..the truth is you don't even need tools or apparatus for base physique and strength..one must learn from within internal to manifest external..don't blame tools or apparatus for non results or results or lack of efficiency, if you don't know how to channel internal connections all for is naught...remember it this way whatever external resistance you come against don't you first must internally brace and activate muscles to take on the load..the muscles must be preloaded and fired up in anticipation of the load..the load doesn't work the muscles..the muscles work the load and recruit more fibers to compensate and then they learn to fire and recruit more efficiently enabling a larger production of force, which in terms enables one to effort against higher or heavier Resistance.. basically involuntary resistance allows a voluntary contraction of muscles to support or move the load...basically we're already very strong out the gate..we just have to volitionally tap into it

[pchuck]

After using x3 for about 9 weeks, I'm going back to free weights. I do like it, especially for travel but I get better gains on the barbel.

[goblinsgym]

In my experience, hypertrophy is alive and well with bands. An intelligent combination with body weight and maybe some free weight exercises will give even better results. Resistance bands can also be liberating. I train at home during the week, when the gym is too crowded, and go to the gym during the weekend when I have more time and there are fewer people.

[steviem]

I'm in my mid-50's and I have the Total Gym FIT, which I got from QVC, about two years ago and also use the Iron Infidel bands, and do a lot of body weight exercises and I get more than enough out of that to get in a good workout and for me it gives me everything I need. I enjoy working with the bands but the key with bands is to have constant tension on them so you're better off having some accessories like a door anchor or something that you can loop the bands too where you can start off a movement with some tension and if you can do that, you will get a nice workout in for yourself. I know the knock on bands is that they eventually wear and you need to replace them but when you look at it, if your band set can last you two to three years you can always buy another set for under $100 so the prices are still reasonable for a good set of bands. Workouts are what you make of them whether it's weights, machines, or bands.

[teegees]

Here’s my take on bands:

1) Our muscles react to time under tension and tension intensity the same - regardless of the tension source. In other words our muscles don’t care what we use in order to get triggered for hypertrophy.

2) Bands are excellent and even potentially superior to weights at *low to medium tension* intensities

3) Weights are superior to bands at *high tension* intensities

The reason for #3 is due to:

1) the impractical nature of setting up heavy resistance bands - getting into starting position can be tricky and even dangerous

2) the constant tension throughout the entire movement makes using heavy bands too difficult to get full range of motion

3) getting out of the movement can also be dangerous

So my take would be to work your way up to a certain point using bands, and when you reach that point where the heavy bands are causing problems, switch to weights.

With some exercises you can even combine bands with weights for added tension, avoiding the issues of heavy bands.