Can't get to the gym? Carry it with you!
Written: Jun 27 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sturdy, versatile, high quality, doorjamb feature is a plus
Cons: May be too hard to stretch for beginners
The Bottom Line: This heavy resistance band is a great alternative to machines or weights. It's versatile, sturdy, and made exceptionally well. One of the best bands I have used.
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| PattyTherre's Full Review: Harbinger Heavy Resistance Exercise Cable |
I first learned about resistance bands when I worked for World Championship Wrestling and watched the wrestlers warm up before a match with these bands. I always thought they were toys, nothing that could ever really help to keep a person in shape. But, after seeing some very in shape people using these bands, I asked around and got a few brand names of bands that are used by people who are seriously into fitness. Harbinger was a name that came up a lot.
A while ago, I decided to try to incorporate resistance bands into my workouts. I had injured my neck lifting weights (sloppily) and was a bit afraid to go back to using weights. I thought maybe the resistance bands would help me keep my muscle tone while avoiding using weights until my neck was ready for me to go back to my regular workouts.
One of the bands I bought was the Harbinger Heavy Resistance Exercise Cable.
This is definitely NOT a toy!
About the Band
Resistance bands are generally sturdy rubber hollow tubing with various degrees of resistance. The more resistance, the harder it is to stretch the bands, thus forcing your muscles to work harder. I bought the heavy one because I had a lighter one and it wasn’t challenging me. I also chose this one because it came with an attachable woven doorjamb loop, which, when securely attached to the band, can be stuck under a door and will allow for many more exercises with the band. This band has heavily padded foam handles which make using the band so much more pleasant than the ones with hard plastic handles. It has adjustable length so that you can have the exact length you need for the exercise you choose to do. Make no mistake about it, this band is a killer to use as far as resistance. It really challenges your muscles and it feels like you are lifting a load of weight when you use it. It’s portable and convenient and very versatile.
My Experience
I use the band for many areas of my body. I stand on the band with my feet shoulder width apart and pull up with the handles, doing a bicep curl. I vary arm exercises by varying how I hold the handle. I can do every exercise I could with a weight, with this band.
But it is so much more than just an arm exerciser. I use this band to work my legs especially when using the doorjamb attachment. Once I put the attachment under the door, lock it to be sure no one walks in and allows the band to snap me, I can use the foam handles as foot rests and work my legs, doing leg extensions, thigh exercises, back kicks, and more. I also use it for working the sides of my waist and for chest and shoulder definition.
In all, I believe this one little band allows me to work just about every muscle and don’t think it’s an easy workout. You burn during and after the work out.
The most important thing about resistance bands besides picking the right resistance level for you is the quality. I have been snapped by cheaper brands and it is very painful. If they wear out or have weak spots, you can really get hurt depending on where you get snapped. In my case, it was right in the face so I am much more cautious about which brand I buy. The Harbinger brand is very durable. I check my band over every time I use it to be sure it is not frayed or damaged and, so far, I have had no trouble at all with the band. I trust Harbinger to make a quality band that won’t wear out or stretch out on me, let alone snap and break.
I have gotten much more use out of this band than I ever imagined. I have worked my arms, chest, legs, buns, even abs with it and it’s so versatile that I can change exercises or body parts in seconds.
I also love that it’s so portable. I throw it into my suitcase when I go away on vacation or for a weekend and I have a portable gym in one band.
Although it is a great piece of equipment, I urge you to be careful with ANY band like this. I was careless for a while and had some minor accidents as the band slipped off my foot while I did leg work, or slipped out from under my foot when I was doing standing arm work because I wasn’t fully putting my weight on the band.
This band may look harmless, and it is when used with caution. But you must be mindful of how very much pressure you are putting on it and, since this one is so tough to stretch, you need to careful that you don’t simply let go of it mid stretch. Allowing the cable to snap is akin to allowing weights just drop without setting them down.
Buying Info
You can get a lot of good info at www.harbringerfitness.com. There, you can find outlets that sell this and other Harbinger exercise equipment. There are also tips for how to use your equipment.
You can pick up one of these bands at many sporting good stores online or at brick and mortar sporting goods stores. I believe mine cost in the area of $20.00 and was well worth it as it is so well made and sturdy. If you’re afraid that your band is going to snap and slam you in the face or cause injury, you won’t work out to your full potential. I have no worries at all that this band will snap unless I am careless which, as I said above, I learned not to be.
Conclusion
Resistance bands are great for helping you to form lean muscle or add mass to your muscles. They are portable and come in several resistance levels, depending on your fitness goals and your level of strength. I definitely recommend incorporating this, or one of the lighter Harbinger bands, into your work out routine.
You can pick up a DVD for a few bucks that has plenty of exercises on it or get a book that shows you all the many exercises that you can do with a resistance band and the proper form. I already had a very complete workout guide because I had invested in the 6 Week Solution which incorporated diet and the sculpting band to resculpt your body. Although I wasn’t keen on that system, the booklet with literally more than 100 different standing and seated exercises to use with the resistance band came in handy. You can also find information about specific uses of resistance bans on many wellness and exercise websites.
I love this resistance band and wouldn’t give it up for anything. It’s my portable take anywhere mini gym. It’s made very well and the extra foam on the handles saves my hands a lot of soreness. The attachable doorjamb piece is a great extra that opens up all sorts of new ways to workout with the band. But lock that door once the jamb is securely under the door and the door is shut. Unsuspecting people could walk in as you are working out and cause you to injure yourself.
When used with the proper caution, this band is an asset to all. It takes up no room and its versatility is second to none. Harbinger is a name I trust and one that many serious athletes that I know trust and they should know!
I give this brand five stars. It’s an great piece of equipment that will last you for years with proper care.
Recommended:
Yes
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