Mobility is that aspect of general health and wellness that offers people ease in moving around as they please and conducting their life affairs without hassle. Not many get to enjoy ideal mobility, all on account of trauma, age, or quite simply being inactive.
And this is where exercises with Theraband come in. Since first being introduced over 30 years ago, Theraband exercise products have become the standard by which all others are measured in the rehabilitation and exercise market for improving flexibility and strength, but most importantly, mobility.
Whether recovering from injury or trying to prevent one, exercises with a Theraband are an impressively effective, low-impact way to improve mobility and keep enjoying an active lifestyle. More importantly, in this article, we will discuss the benefits of doing mobility exercises with a Theraband, some of the different exercises one can do, and outline why Remington Medical is your resource for all products having to do with Theraband across Canada.
Why Mobility Matters
Before considering specific exercises, it's important to understand just why mobility is so critical. Mobility simply refers to the ability of your joints and muscles both to freely move through a particular range of motion. This differs from flexibility, because flexibility refers to muscle length alone. Good mobility pertains to how you carry on daily activities-such as bending, reaching, and walking-without discomfort or restriction. Poor mobility leads to stiffness, pain, and increased vulnerability to injury.
The exercises performed using a theraband are particularly effective toward better mobility because a theraband combines stretching, strengthening, and resistance within one simple tool. Because of progressive levels of tension, resistance bands accommodate those who want just very basic mobility levels to those who require far more intense degrees of tension.
Benefits of Theraband Exercises for Mobility
Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion One of the major advantages of doing Theraband exercises is that they increase one's range of motion. When muscles and joints are stiff, movement will be restricted to just a limited extent. The good thing with therabands is that they can be used to do some controlled stretches that will help you gradually increase flexibility and extend the range over time.
Low-Impact Resistance Training:
Resistance bands are low-impact, unlike weights, and thus easy on the joints. They are, therefore, particularly ideal in cases of arthritis, post-surgery rehabilitation, or joint pain. One can use the progressive resistances in the Therabands to their advantage by starting with a workable level of tension and, as time progresses, one can increase the strength levels without straining.
Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention:
The Theraband products are in wide use for physical therapy in persons who have been rehabilitated after injuries, especially at or around the shoulders, knees, and hips. The controlled resistance that a theraband provides assists in improving joint stability and activation of the muscles. These two are important components of injury prevention. Through the use of activation of the stabilizer muscles, one may strengthen his weak areas usually easily injured.
Portable and Versatile:
Some of the most valuable assets of exercises with Therabands are their portability and versatility. Whether in your home, at the gym, or even on the go, light and easy to carry, these bands will enable you to keep up with your mobility routine wherever you may go. Besides, the Therabands are pretty versatile; there's a variety of exercises targeting different muscle groups and joints.
It resists progressively, and with the line of Theraband products, it allows both beginners and advanced athletes to build strength in exercises. Progressive resistance means you can alter your exercises to match your current degree of mobility and increase the tension as your ability improves. It also allows for the continuance in challenging your muscles, which results in continuous improvement in mobility.
Step-by-Step Exercises Using Theraband
Now that we have discussed a few of the benefits, let's dive into some specific exercises with the Theraband to help improve mobility in a few key areas: the shoulders, hips, and knees. All of the following exercises are low-impact and can be done using the resistance bands available here at Remington Medical.
1. Shoulder Mobility: Theraband Shoulder Stretch
The shoulder joint constitutes one of the mobile joints in the human body; at the same time, it has predispositions to rigidity and injury. This exercise helps in gaining flexibility within the shoulders and generally helps in the mobility of the shoulders.
How to Perform:
- Start by standing tall while having the Theraband attached to a solid object at the height of the chest.
- Take the other end of the band with one arm and step back to build tension.
- Slowly draw your arm rearward into a row while squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Hold for 2-3 seconds before returning to the starting position.
- Repeat for 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.
2. Hip Mobility: Theraband Lateral Leg Raises
They are often tight from lots of sitting and not a great deal of mobilization. This exercise tends to loosen the hip flexors and helps with lateral mobility.
How to Perform:
- Loop the Theraband around both ankles and stand.
- With your feet shoulder-width apart, lift one leg slowly out to the side and keep it straight.
- Hold for 2-3 seconds and then back to the start.
- Repeat for 12-15 repetitions on each leg.
3. Knee Mobility: Theraband Leg Extension
This exercise will give more range of motion to the knees, as it is strengthening the musculature that provides stability around the knee in people presenting with a variety of knee discomforts or stiffness.
How to Perform:
- Sit in a chair and loop the Theraband around the back of one ankle, securing the other end to a sturdy object behind you.
- Slowly extend your leg forward, straightening the knee.
- Hold for 2-3 seconds before returning to the starting position.
- Perform 10-12 repetitions on each leg.
4. Ankle Mobility: Theraband Ankle Dorsiflexion
Ankle mobility is crucial for walking, running, and balance. This exercise will target foot dorsiflexion-the ability to flex your foot upward.
How to Perform:
- Sit on the floor and extend the legs.
- Loop the Theraband around the ball of one foot, holding the other end with both hands.
- Gently pull on the band while you flex your foot toward you.
- Hold for 2-3 seconds before returning to the starting position.
- Perform 10-12 repetitions in each foot.
Picking the Right Theraband Products to Train in Mobility
At Remington Medical, we have a variety of diverse products under the brand name of Theraband that will definitely meet your every need in the realm of mobility training. From simple resistance bands and exercise tubing to more specialized equipment such as flex-bars and balance pads, we've got you covered. Let's give you a quick rundown of the mainstays of Theraband products for exercises in mobility:
- Theraband Resistance Bands: These are resistance bands available in several different resistance levels. It is good for stretching, strengthening, and mobilizing joints.
- Theraband Exercise Tubing: Similar to the resistance bands except that this one has handles to make holding onto it easier. It works very well for small groups of muscles.
- Theraband Flex-Bars: The flexible bars are used to strengthen the grip and the wrist motions and find extensive usage in therapeutic procedures.
The addition of the Theraband Stability Pads provides further instability to enhance balance and coordination while carrying out exercises that improve joint mobility.
For close to two decades, Remington Medical has been the most trusted source for Theraband products in Canada. We extend bulk discounts to clinics, institutions, and hospitals, hence making us a provider of choice for equipment dealing in mobility training.
Finally Improve Your Mobility with the Help of Theraband
Exercises with Theraband are among the easiest but very effective ways of improving mobility, preventing injury, and keeping one active. Be it post-injury or when one wants to feel agile because the age factor is catching up, incorporation of exercises using Theraband shall help in realizing full potential movement.
At Remington Medical, we take great pride in being Canada's longest-standing and most trusted dealer of Theraband, delivering the highest possible quality to consumers and resellers alike. Browse all our Theraband exercise offerings here and take your first step toward better mobility today!