Bands or Chains?

[DonLeone94]

Hey,

im looking to buy some new equipment for my home gym and I'm wondering wether i should buy chains or some bands first to improve my strength and mass.

My PRs are 250lbs squat, 330lbs dead and 210lbs bench.


Any help is appreciated, thanks

[owasM]

bands and chains are more for advanced lifters,
at those totals just stick to a strength program like 5/3/1 and you'll get stronger.

[Vermonter]

^That said, bands are great multi-purpose tools.
I use mine for rear delt exercises, and when traveling, and hang them up for an improvised cable-crossover.
I also don't buy into the whole, "don't use bands/chains too early, they will mess up your progress!" jive. You may not need them, but they aren't going to hurt you now or later.

[BuckWyld]

bands and chains are more for advanced lifters,
at those totals just stick to a strength program like 5/3/1 and you'll get stronger.

5/3/1 is a program for advanced lifters

[HowardCSCS]

5/3/1 is a program for advanced lifters

Not at all.

[owasM]

5/3/1 is a program for advanced lifters

lol its the simplist powerlifting program out there.

[BuckWyld]

It is for advanced lifters because it has monthly progress rather than workout to workout like SS or weekly like Madcow.

[Mattyd007]

[QUOTE=DonLeone94;1049528281] im looking to buy some new equipment for my home gym and I'm wondering wether i should buy chains or some bands first to improve my strength and mass.

Chains Vs. Bands: Good question - They both serve a purpose, if i had to decide i would choose chains as they seem to be more versatile i.e You can use chains for bench exercises, weighted dips, walking lunges, squats, calf raises wow the list goes on almost anything you use your bodyweight for simply hang them around the back of your neck, bands seem to require a fixed point to create tension so they are great for bench, maybe squat.

Hope theat helps some.

[dumb.bell]

My understanding is that you should start with chains and then progress to bands (at least regarding the bench). Not sure which web page I read that on (maybe Westside or Elitefitness), but the rational was that bands are harder on the body than chains.

[Wildtim]

It is for advanced lifters because it has monthly progress rather than workout to workout like SS or weekly like Madcow.

Actually it can be used for a lifter of any level and be a good program.

However the OP would probably be better on SS than anything else.

[ninjaneer]

Actually it can be used for a lifter of any level and be a good program.

However the OP would probably be better on SS than anything else.

^^this. 531 can be used by anyone, but if you can make progress on a linear program, then you should do a linear program, since you'll make quicker gains. i say skip the chains and bands, do Starting Strength or even a 5x5. after that, there are plenty of programs out there for an intermediate lifter with or without bands/chains.

i don't really consider anyone "advanced" until you can bench, squat, and deadlift 1.5xbw, 2xbw, and 2.5xbw respectively (or you could go by: http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLi...hStandards.htm). by that time, you probably already know what your body responds to best.

[Accutron]

I use both bands and chains. I use bands on the top and bottom pegs at the same time. And I use chains too simultaneously on the bamboo bar attached to more bands attached to kettle bells. While Im doing 5/3/1. Basically I like to use everything at the same time.

[owasM]

when i said 5/3/1 i didnt mean just that, but that was the first strength program that popped im my head (probably because im doing it lol )
the point was,(clearer this time) just stick to a solid strength routine, fix form issues,figure out how your body responds to things then add in bands/chains w.e to help ... but once you get to the stage, i dont think u'd have to ask if you should be using them

[BuckWyld]

With regard to the OP in my limited experience the difference is this

Chains
Pro - more durable, doesn't lock you in a groove, easier setup if you don't have a rack and/or deadlift platform with band pegs
Cons - larger, more difficult to transport, more expensive initial investment

Bands
Pro - smaller, lighter, less expensive initially, more possible uses aside from dynamic bench,squat,dead
Cons - less durable

From the westside reading I have done they seem to view bands as an evolution from chains of the dynamic resistance concept but also more taxing They did say that for unequiped squatting bands should only be used for box squats. I still use bands for unequiped squats because it isn't really feasable to bring chains to my gym where I do dynamic squats.

I think this article is a good intro
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_...ing_resistance

[claricSTi]

They're not that expensive, why not have both?

I use chains for pressing and pulling and generally use my bands for DL and Squat and maybe a little benching. Banded deadlifts are simply awesome. Granted I don't have bands that are that "heavy". Like said above though, I believe bands are a little more practical if you have a rack with band pegs, if not I would imagine chains would be a lot eaier to get set up.

[lsiberian]

I've used bodylastics for like 5 years. They are still just as strong.