How to Choose Between Dumbbells and Fitness Bands

Exercising is vital in the success of a weight loss program and it usually has 2 main aspects: Cardio exercises and weight/resistance training. Weight training increases your muscle mass making you stronger thus enabling you to lift heavier weights. These routines require you to have simple equipments to heavy exercise machines. For simple exercises, you usually use dumbbells or fitness bands. The use of these two can give you more flexibility when it comes to your workouts.

However, based from experience, there are certain advantages and disadvantages between the two. So if you want to choose between the using dumbbells or fitness bands, let me share some of the things I have observed in my years of training to help you decide.

The main difference between the two is the flexibility of their resistance levels. Dumbbells are definitely the best free weights since you can easily change the weights you are lifting. There are various weights available for dumbbells from 1 pound to as high as 50 pounds or so. You can choose what you need and what you can lift comfortably. Fitness bands on the other hand are not as flexible in terms of resistance. You can change the resistance levels by using a band with more tension. However, you usually can't reach the same resistance levels of heavier dumbbells. My fitness band at home (the one in the picture) actually has the most resistance among the other fitness bands that were available when I bought it.

There are certain workouts like aerobics where you can hold small dumbbells while working out. You can run, jump, squat, lunge, etc. You most likely won't be able to use fitness bands effectively for these routines since you are stationary. But then, fitness bands allow you to change directions easily. This will help you in functional exercises or to improve your body's flexibility. You can place it atop a door or a pole and use it for back exercises such as pull downs which is impossible to do with dumbbells unless you tie them and use it like a make shift pulling machine.

When it comes to portability, the fitness bands have the advantage. They are made of rubber and you can carry them almost anywhere and it fits easily even in your handbag. It saves space since you don't have to find a suitable and safe place for it just like dumbbells. Even if you have 3 fitness bands, it can fit inside your drawer. Dumbbells are heavy thus it's hard to move around. I can't imagine bringing your dumbbell set every time you go on a trip.

If you consider the price, a fitness band is definitely much cheaper than a set of dumbbells. Heavier dumbbells usually cost a lot more. However, availability may be an issue. I'm not sure if you have the same situation in your area but I've been to a couple of malls and different sports shops here in Manila and it took me two weeks or so to find a good fitness band.

When it comes to weight loss results, I would say that they can be both effective. It really depends on the workout you're doing, your diet plan and how dedicated and consistent you are. And also, we have different body orientations and we lose weight at a different pace.

And of course, safety is a major concern in workouts. Fitness bands are much safer to use than dumbbells especially if your dumbbells are heavy. You might drop your dumbbells on your foot or someone else's foot, you can trip over them (it happened to me a couple of times already), hit other objects with it like furniture and appliances at home and more. As for the fitness bands, I really can't think of any hazard it may cause other than losing your grip making it snap and hit another object. Or, it can hit you in the face if it snaps back. Imagine using a pole to pull it and then the pole becomes loose. It may snap back at you causing injuries. Regardless of which among the two you are using, always observe safety precautions.

In choosing between dumbbells and fitness bands, based on my observation and conclusion, it will really depend on which among the two you are comfortable with. The differences in their prices aren't that significant unless you plan to buy an entire set of dumbbells. You can even use them both during a workout but the most important thing is that you use them effectively.

Source:

Wikipedia - Weight training
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_training