Progressive Overload w/Resistance Bands

[StephenCGreen]

I'm looking for insight or experiences you might be able to share about how to measure and do progressive overload with resistance bands only; that is, using only resistance bands, not banded barbells, etc. I am particularly interested in rowing/pulling movement patterns, such as face pulls. Insight or experiences measuring and doing other movement patterns with resistance bands would be welcome too, if the principle of progressive overload can be applied in some way.

[air2fakie]

Other than as a one-off workout during travel or for a quick pump before going out, I wouldn't rely on resistance bands as part of a progressive overload program.

IMO the resistance curve varies too much during the movement to achieve useful progressive overload (e.g., it'll be too easy at the start and then gets ridiculously hard at the finish). You'd also need to overlap too many resistance bands for certain compound movements.

That being said, you just buy multi-colored sets with predesignated "weights" for each color, and overlap and add them up to achieve progression. It won't be accurate from a specific weight standpoint, but you can still do the math.

[paulinkansas]

I bought some exercise bands to do seated lat pulls in my garage. I had the low, medium and high band on the handle. I could do 30 reps with more in the tank. So i didn't bother doing that exercise anymore. Those bands are probably better suited for weaklings and smaller women.

[air2fakie]

Those bands are probably better suited for weaklings and smaller women.

Or pre-hab/rehab/activation type exercises (even face pulls) where you're not specifically looking to progressively overload over time.

[paulinkansas]

Or pre-hab/rehab/activation type exercises (even face pulls) where you're not specifically looking to progressively overload over time.

You can take 2 complete sets of exercise bands with 2 handles and make a 3 person slingshot. Guy 1 and 3 hold out the handles. Guy 2 pulls back on a pouch holding the projectile. It's normally a water balloon with food coloring in it or it's a frozen water balloon. People at my college would launch these at unscrupulous tow truck operators.