Read more about the condition New: A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging (where packaging is applicable). In contrast, standard fitness bands are equipped with small individual carabiners that are often too fragile to be attached to our resistance bar. Shorter individuals may find the lower plate rack better, while those taller may need the upper plate rack pegs to attach the bands. Programming suggestions: The squat to press is a full-body power move, so keeping the reps lower, between six to 12 three to four sets on each side early in your training works well. High repetitions with a slow tempo count will allow the muscle to fully fatigue and you will start to recruit fast-twitch muscle fibers," explains Hammond.

As your muscles contract and exert more force, the strength bands stretch further and offer an ascending resistance that gradually increases through your range of motion -- a symbiotic relationship unachievable by the force of gravity. Most people use power resistance bands and chains to help intensify and make more effective any exercise that has ascending strength curve. Then, perform the exercise as you normally would, but we must warn you, it's going to feel totally different with the bands/plates dangling to the sides.

To take full advantage of our bar and progress quickly, we recommend our complete resistance bands set: SmartWorkout Elite. This exercise doesn’t overload the legs, but the squat allows you to press more weight overhead, which is great for upper body strength and hypertrophy.

The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. This technique allows powerlifters, and anyone who employs it, to build strength through each phase of a lift evenly. When you add bands to deadlift and row variations, the bands pull forces you to activate your upper back muscles more to keep the bar close to you.This reinforced screwing mechanism ensures optimal stability and safety during exercises that involve intense pressure on the bar's ends, such as Overhead Press or Squat exercises.

We have developed two significant innovations to securely attach the bands to the bar, eliminating the risk of breakage, even with high resistance.Resistance bands are particularly great to use in reactive neuromuscular training (RNT), says CJ Hammond, a NASM-certified personal trainer with RSP Nutrition. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete looking for an edge or a newbie just starting out, these resistance band sets make it easy for you to mix and match bands to customize the amount of tension needed. This variation doesn’t overload the legs, but the squat allows you to press more weight overhead than a strict press — it’s like a big push press or thruster, in other words — and that can be great for your strength or muscles building goals.