Dear Jo: How do I figure out what Resistance Level to Use?
May 06 '06
The Bottom Line Spri has the most user friendly equipment in my opinion. But if you have other brands, check the thickness and the ease of stretch to determine resistance.
Dear Jo:
I must be an idiot, but nowhere on the box or in your review (very well-written) did it say which colors correspond to which levels. I don’t get it. I know I should be able to tell – but it must be a mind over body thing –
If you can shed some light on this for me I’d appreciate it!
Thanks!!!!
Jo’s response:
Hi and thanks for writing. Sure I will try my best to clarify resistance levels on your bands. I have used both Spri and Reebok products. I am not sure which ones you bought so I’ll cover my bases.
Spri products are much more user friendly. For both brands the lighter the resistance the thinner the band will be.
Spri’s are color coded. Yellow tubes are very light and equal about 3 pounds. When I say 3 pounds that doesn’t mean the tube weighs 3 pounds. What it means that if you pull it you’ll get about 3 pounds of resistance. That is not much but tubes are very easy to adjust. For example if I am using a light tube and need more resistance, let’s say for bicep curls, what I do is stand on the tube. The shorter the tube from the floor to my hand means the more resistance I will feel.
Yellow tubes would be for the beginner.
Green tubes are light and equal about 6 pounds. They are for the beginner/moderately fit person.
Red tubes are medium and equal about 10 pounds. They are for the moderately fit/fit person.
Blue tubes are heavy and equal about 15 pounds. They are for the very fit person.
Purple tubes are ultra heavy and equal about 20 pounds. They are for the extremely fit person.
The Reebok bands are not as user friendly. As I said the lighter the tube the easier to pull. They come in levels. There are levels 1 to 3. All the handles are a standard color so you don’t have the nice color coding of Spri. Look at how thin each band is. Once you try each one you should be able to tell which is what level. I would then just put some masking tape around it so you’ll know at a glance which tube you want to use.
If you bought a kit with all three you’ll be all set. If not and have worked out before go with level 2. As I said even if you are very fit, you can adjust the level tube by where you stand on it or how you hold it.
Stability balls:
Though you didn’t ask I thought I’d take this opportunity to talk about the levels of stability balls. Spri’s come in colors. The smallest is 45cm and is green; the 55 cm comes in gray and blue (or actually it is blue and the 65 cm comes in grey and red.
We figure out what size you need by height. When seated on the ball, your hips and knees should be close to parallel with the floor. The smallest at 45 cm inflates to 16.5 inches and is for those shorter than 5 feet tall. The 55 cm inflates to 21 inches and is for those 5 feet to 5 feet 7 inches; the 65 cm inflates to 25 inches and is for those 5 feet 8 inches to 6 foot 3 inches. There is a 75 cm and 85 cm ball but most likely you will have to special order these sizes. I have a 45 cm and 55 cm.
I find that most women use the 55 cm including me. I am 5 feet 4 inches give or take. If all the 55 cm balls are taken at the gym I am more comfortable going to a smaller one than a larger one thus my choice to buy those sizes. I also work with children/teens and the green ball is usually the best choice for them. Please note that these colors will vary by manufacturer. Gymnic’s smallest ball is yellow. I use a red one that is 55 cm by that company.
I hope this helps. Let me know how you make out. jo
Related reviews:
Reebok Level 1 •
Spri Stability Ball • Spri Heavy Tubes • Spri Very Light Tubes • Spri Light Tubes • Spri Medium Tubes • Spri Ultra Heavy Bands
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