Resistance Bands - OMG - they're BRILLIANT.......

photo K Puk

I am completely anal when it comes to loose underarm skin. Bingo wings – yuk!!

Flappy muscles are for me a very big – no no. It's why in my mid-fifties I started weight training.

The thing is – as much as I enjoy weight training, I can't stand gyms.

And it's all the fault of three types of gym goer -

'Equipment Hogger' -

Equipment hoggers don't come to the gym to work out. They come to socialise. They will sit on a particular piece of equipment, and talk to any poor unfortunate that walks passed.

I used to be too polite to ask them to move – then I got bolder.

“Excuse you me. Do you mind if I use this 'whatever'.” Now, you would think that I'd get a, “Oh sorry. I didn't realise. Please go ahead.”

But of no – more often than not, I'd get a - “I've not finished yet.” Together with a sour expression and a loud snort.

Now I don't like confrontation – so I'd back off, only to watch them carry on talking without doing a single pull-up, or whatever, until I couldn't stand the wait any longer, and was left with no choice but to point out they haven't actually started because they have been too busy talking.

Then I'd lose it – and actually tell them to 'use it or get off it.' - thus ensuring an argument.

Then there's the 'Newbie slave' -

The newbie slave is an individual who has employed a personal trainer – and is now in possession of a schedule of equipment to use. The newbie slave will not deviate from the list – the list must at all times be adhered to in the exact way specified by the personal trainer. Which means the newbie slave will stand in front of you whilst you are working waiting for you to finish – no matter how long that takes. They will not take the initiative and swap pieces of equipment around. No – they will watch you like a hawk until you get off the particular piece of equipment that is on their schedule.

Finally the most hated one of all – The Sing-along.

The sing-along is to be avoided at all cost. Earphones plugged in to the sound system – they wail loudly, and tunelessly, to music you can't hear, making sure it is impossible for you to count your reps accurately.

And then there's the stink. I hate the sweaty fart laden stink.

To avoid these nuisances - at vast cost I bought a multi-gym, and loads of equipment, which was fine when I lived in a large house in Spain.

Coming back to England, and living on a boat, I was reduced to a set of dumbbells, and a kettle bell.

Kettle bells are impossible to use on a boat. Boat ceilings being low. I was left with the dumbbells.

Yippee I thought when I moved on land, I can put together a home gym. Not so – still not enough space.

Back to the dumbbells – but at least the ceiling is high enough to swing my kettle bell.

Going to the local gym was not an option.

Then I found these on Amazon - 

on Amazon

Resistance Bands are simply amazing. They really do everything I need to keep in shape. Okay, if I was into serious body-building – then I would go to a gym, and make sure no one got in my way – but I'm not.

I want a toned body, but not rippling muscles.

Having bought the bands – I trawled through YouTube for exercise routines.

I've put the links to the 3 routines I liked the best at the end of this article - full body work out – an upper body work out – and squats.

Pahla Bowers - it's unfortunate that she calls her followers – Killer Bees – still her upper body work-out, designed for beginners is excellent to get you started.

The upside of her range of exercises is perfect if you want to stop getting boob-droop and bingo wings. The downside – she talks way too much. I'd finished my reps whilst she was still chatting to the camera – that said, her talking does give me a chance to put in some extra squats and lunges.

I don't really need anyone to show me how to use gym equipment, but I do like to have a companion when working out. Having someone to work along with, even if they are on screen, really helps to stop you cheating. The not doing all the reps or giving up half-way, type of cheating.

The best bands to buy are the ones that have handles – so much easier when you are doing pull-ups.

If you are not into the whole gym, weight training, thing – but would like to improve your shape, then getting resistance bands is a perfect solution. You can use them at home – no one is watching! You work-out in your own time. You don't need a large space to work-out in. A little space will do. They fit neatly into a small bag. Are adjustable to your fitness ability.

Resistance Bands – are a definite win win piece of equipment for any woman's keep-fit program.

Whatever is on your Christmas List for this year – I thoroughly recommend adding a set of resistance bands to it.

Links to the YouTube sites ---- 

Upper Body-work out. 

Full Body-work out.

Squats.