What if… there was a way that you didn’t need to just rely on having to be in a gym or have hundreds of £££ worth of equipment at home to exercise and workout in a healthy way that suited your goal?

Maybe… there is another way, an alternative one or a method that 99% of people are not aware about that can help substitute or even compliment such equipment and a gym?

Imagine if… becoming fit, lean and healthier while achieving that goal you’re deep down desiring, was possible with or without equipment you don’t know how to use, or being or not being present in a gym you’ve been putting off for so long?

I’m guessing that’s why you’re here, right?

So, that internal conversation of “do I need to join a gym?” is probably going through your head.

Which can often be a daunting thing to confront and give an honest answer to.

It’s common...

(I hear it all the time)

Otherwise, maybe you’d already be doing it and reading this blog might not have even been an idea.

Or…

You have done and tried that but for whatever reason it didn’t work.

Again, that’s really common too.

These people that are possibly in your current situation are the ones that I’ll typically be having conversations with over a coffee with initially…

…and potentially going on to helping them break through these simple YET challenging obstacles, which certainly CAN be when done alone.

It’s about guidance and support…

In my experience this is far more powerful than learning about a new skill or collecting more information that doesn’t get used.

But when done together, really good things start to happen.

Anyway…

At the current time of me writing this blog, the gyms are currently out of action due to the Coronavirus, so depending on when you’re reading this, that may still or may not be the case.

Either way, what I’m going to share with you is one of my own personal greatest discoveries for effective exercise methods, that can benefit anyone and at anytime.

It’s helping those that I’m currently using this method with too.

So I invite you to carry on.

Are You Ready?

You Don’t Need Barbells, Dumbbells, Machines or EVEN a Gym to Lose Weight, get in Great Shape or Make Fat Loss Simpler.

You don’t even need to do hours of cardio either, in fact… I recommend you don’t do that, if you want a way to attack unwanted body fat SIMPLER!

The above are very useful parts of a good solid exercise approach, but you don’t HAVE to do that.

Honestly you don’t.

You can ALSO do it just as effectively and possibly MORE conveniently another way, certainly to someone who is busy with work, families and kids at home.

Or, maybe has concerns about attending a public gym. That was me once many years ago so I understand that mindset.

My Story…

I’ll tell you about that if we meet up for a chat. I promise!

I’ll let you into a little secret though, I didn’t think what I’m about to share with you was possible either.

Until I made the discovery of RBT!

Resistance Band Training...

This isn’t some gimmick;

I talk about the methods I use because they work as I’m doing it myself alongside the people I currently help too.

Discovering RBT was definitely a game-changer for me and my clients so I’d love to share our success with you too.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always use a gym, or at very least, the equipment that you’d typically find in there, but I’ve discovered that RBT offer something gyms and weights don’t or cannot.

I’m not the type who is either, or.

Keep an open mind…

Remember – this isn’t a RBT is better than Weight Training thing.

Personally, a combination of both is where I’m finding is the best place to be.

So if you want a way to help:

• Lose Weight
• Become Stronger
• Stay Healthy
• Increase Flexibility
• Burn Stubborn Body Fat
• Exercise with Minimal Investment (time & money)

Or, just find a way to incorporate quick and simple workouts into your weekly routine, that you ENJOY doing too, then allow me to give you the PROS and CONS of Weights Vs Resistance Bands.

Weights Vs Resistance Bands

The Key Benefit to Weight Training:

Progressive Resistance Training (PRT)

If we keep things fairly black and white, when it comes to losing weight, getting in great shape and being healthier, I’m a big believer that you need to become stronger, and eat in a way that serves your goal.

(Don’t worry, I don’t put people on diet plans).

That means using some form of Resistance Training during your week and fitting in a way of eating that is simple, satisfying and sustainable.

Sadly, many people choose into training methods that only help them become weaker. These same people are possibly the ones who are on ‘the diet plan’ merry-go-round.

Is it their fault??

Not always… but poor information and dogmatic approaches that they have been led into believing.

As an example, if you do hours of boring cardio, it’ll help you burn body fat.

If you just eat less, you’ll lose weight. 

If it’s not working, just do more of the above!!!

(No, no, nope, stop it right now).

Don’t get me wrong, these example statements are not wrong, but there is often more to it than JUST that.

I find that people choose into ways where they make it harder for themselves, the simpler way in which I offer helps people make things look easier.

If its SIMPLE, it’ll be more satisfying.

If it’s SATISFYING, it’ll be more sustainable.

If it’s SUSTAINABLE, you’ll find success much easier AND longer-lasting.

But where do you start?

(The beginning, right? Over-statement I know, but trust me, most people miss this and jump ahead too quickly).

To get stronger you need to find where YOUR current level is and then progressively improve upon that.

Step by step.

In terms of exercise, that’ll require Increasing the weight that you lift in the gym. Moving forward with your Health & Fitness will always need one thing in common.

Progression.

When we talk about lifting weights, we’ll refer to this as progressive overload.

You can do EXACTLY that with RBT (Resistance Bands). 

It’s not hype, it’s the truth!

Your muscles and body don’t know the difference between resistance provided by a free weight (barbells or dumbbells) inside of the gym versus a fitness strength Resistance Band.

It’s all the same in a way, I’ll explain the differences further on.

They come in different sizes, strengths and you can double up on them or simply hold them in a different position, stand differently or anchor them to apply a different Mechanical Resistance. 

A dumbbell rack could weigh over 1000kg.

Your set of Resistance Bands wouldn’t weigh more than 5kg.

Don’t be fooled… that is more than enough to spark muscle growth or attack those stubborn body fat stores you have always wanted to be rid of.

Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) is something that Weight Training is primarily great at.

Which (RBT) Resistance Band Training is just as good at matching too.

Now, the EXCITING bit!

The Key Benefit to Resistance Band Training (RBT).

Personally, I have found that there are 3 really beneficial reasons to RBT that weights cannot offer, they are:

Variable Resistance Training (VRT)

One of the major benefits Resistance Band Training has over typical weight training methods is that they create a very unique kind of tension called VRT, also know as Variable Resistance Tension. 

VRT more closely matches the natural strength curve of your muscles than dumbbells and barbells, which means better muscular contractions and therefor more muscle building and fat burning benefits.

To explain this in a different way, Resistance Bands can work in the opposite way to weight training.

Take a bicep curl for example, the weight will be at it’s heaviest at the bottom through the mechanical tension it provides, but you’ll experience weak spots and it’s very easy to be able to hold the weight at the top of the movement, which is wasted time and effort.

Resistance Bands are different…

Why is that?

They allow you to feel the mechanical tension when you want it.

Which is more beneficial to giving you a more effective contraction, the tension will be at it’s weakest in the bottom part of the movement and progressively become harder.

In a nutshell, you’ll struggle to be able to hold this resistance at the top.

So without any confusion existing, just to make things clear, my belief is that neither method is better than the other.

They equally provide something different.

Let’s just say it’s like teamwork, two heads are better than one and using both will be like using an upgraded version to your exercise approach to living a healthier lifestyle.

Resistance Bands and weights work very well in their own right. There are no 2 ways about it.

But when you combine the two disciplines together into your weekly routine, they’ll synergistically boost your muscle building and fat burning capabilities.

Click HERE if You’d Like to Arrange a Chat About Personal Training

Other Benefits…

There are a few other reasons why Resistance Band Training can offer you things that your typical gym based session in the gym will struggle with.

Multi-directional Training

To keep this simple, Resistance Band Training is VERY versatile.

Weights can only work in a vertical plane – science will dictate that gravity has something to do with that.

One example is you can only do a bench press in a gym if you’re lying on a bench in the gym or the seated version sat on a machine.

With Resistance Bands you’re not confined to that gravitational pull. 

You can replicate an exercise like the bench press stood up, anyplace and at anytime.

You won’t lift the same weight but the tension you can create will offer the equivalent required stimulus a muscle needs for growth and to spark the fat burning qualities you may desire.

Constant Tension

In my opinion, one of the best parts about Resistance Band Training is the constant tension they can produce, this requires a new skillset to learn.

But once you grasp this concept, it’s a game-changer.

You won’t need as much weight but the TUT (time under tension) you will create is going to provide you with an explosive edge.

One that will only help your muscle building requirements and help burn that unwanted body fat. 

Strength curves in many different types of exercises can be hindered with certain lull-spots.

Sadly, if these are not specifically focused on, they’ll never improve which is why people often struggle with that plateau effect.

Which can eat away and be enough to sabotage one’s motivation and chip away at that all important consistency that is required.

Also, constant tension will trigger a bigger output of energy, what this means is you’ll burn more calories within a smaller amount of time.

And people are always struggling for that, so having a way to get a bigger impact with a minimum dose requirement, is something that everybody appreciates. 

Click HERE if You’d Like to Arrange a Chat About Personal Training

But that’s not all…

Some smaller but still important features… are that they’re a great way to help people understand about good healthy exercise form and habits, you cannot cheat with bands.

You can try!! 

But you’ll either be not performing the exercise correctly with any benefits or you’ll not be able to execute the move.

This is a really good thing and keeps your focus and concentration in check as you progress and improve with your health and fitness goal.

They’re great if you have those niggles and pains, especially around the joints.

Imagine your joints being pain free with exercise?

People have reported to me that they have been able to do certain exercises again with the bands that once felt impossible with weights.

They’re also cheap and portable!

Which is great for those people who have to travel with work and want to keep up a decent level of exercise in and around a gym based program.

This is one of the benefits my Personal Training clients are feeding back to me now.

The Verdict?

Do I prefer Resistance Bands or Weight?

This isn’t a ‘only use Resistance Bands’ spiel, I’m hoping that I come across that using these methods with a gym based program is an approach that will give you the best approach.

It’s just with current circumstances, while the gyms are closed or you struggle to find the time to get to a gym.

Using Resistance Bands is just as good, or… in my opinion (depending on the goal) – just as good as gym training. 

But my overall verdict is that one is not better than the other.

They compliment each other.

My opinion is that I believe people should incorporate both, I certainly do and the people that I work with who have been using Resistance Bands are only reporting back with positive comments.

But don’t take my word for it.

What does Simon Say…

Before I contacted Phil about Personal Training, I was office-based meeting clients and regularly driving long distances. I had much responsibility and all the associated stress that goes with it and my exercise had dwindled to the odd weekend walk. I’d gained weight, lost any fitness I had and was in denial probably like many other middle-aged business men and parents.

I’ve been having Personal Training now with Phil for several years. Going to the gym now gives me a real buzz and sense of achievement doing things I never expected before I started. I have good friends there and enjoy the mutual encouragement with them as we train together.

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Having a PT session booked is a commitment and makes me go. I know somebody is waiting and I’ve paid. They provide me with a focused structure, variation with no wasted time and now are fixed appointments in my weekly diary. I have more energy and am rarely ill, the only downside is that its cost me a new wardrobe!

When the gyms closed because of the Coronavirus, honestly, I felt an immediate loss –  what was I going to do to replace such a large and key part of my weekly routine? Next I was worried about am I going to lose all that hard won fitness and fall back into the old ways…. not what I wanted. 

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Phil had a plan though, he mentioned resistance band training. I’ll be honest, I was uncertain about this. My perception was that they were used mainly by women in the gym for light leg exercises. Not suitable for upper body or weight-based exercises (I didn’t even know that they came in a range of resistances). But ultimately I trusted Phil’s guidance.

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Phil delivered, the online platform that he created was just what I needed. After several weeks of intense home sessions using them, I now realise they can replicate upper body workout and weights providing you have clear guidance. The technical videos and explanations by Phil has helped enormously.

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I now see that when used correctly they have a much greater range than weights. Its great being able to “up” or “down” the resistance during a series of reps and so there’s no need to fudge the last couple or feel you could have managed a bit more.  And I now have all the equipment I need to put in the bottom of a suitcase or weekend bag if I’m going away but still want to exercise.

With all this said, I cannot wait to get back into the gym with Phil, but saying that, with what I have learnt with the resistance bands, I’m glad the opportunity to learn about resistance bands happened.

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I’ll be using both from now on, the bands and going to the gym. I enjoy the interaction, the banter and mutual encouragement. I enjoy the wide range of machines and weights available. 

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The gym and my Personal Training is important to me, Phil offers what I need, his years of experience and learning of skills, support, direction and accountability. The bands offer me a new dimension, but as he tells me, when you combine them together, it’s only going to make things work even better. 

Essentially things go a little further than that with me…

A good solid approach to your Health & Fitness should ideally incorporate a combination of Resistance Bands, Weights, Bodyweight and Flexibility work alongside exercise that gets your heart pumping a little.

Keep an open mind!

Don’t be fixed to just one way of thinking, the good answers often live within various ways to achieve a goal.

A strong physique that moves well with ease and a healthy heart is an energized body.

If you ever decide to work with me, I’ll be helping you do the same.

When a method works well for me and others around me, there’s a good chance it’ll work well for you too.

My NUMBER ONE focus when it comes to exercise is to help create the most effective workouts for you and your body.

While giving you the freedom to enhance your overall quality of life.

When you incorporate a great way to exercise that you enjoy with the inclusion of eating a healthy lifestyle and having a mindset switched on to succeed for most of the time.

…good things WILL start to happen for you.

I guarantee it.

So, If you’d like to achieve any of the things below:

• Lose Weight
• Become Stronger
• Stay Healthy
• Increase Flexibility
• Burn Stubborn Body Fat
• Exercise with Minimal Investment (time & money)

Click HERE if You’d Like to Arrange a Chat About Personal Training