Resistance Band

Resistance bands are a great tool for strength-training newbies. They help target specific muscle groups, improve coordination, and cost less than $15! If you're not sure where to start with a resistance band, each of these exercises will help you get acquainted with the new toning tool.

Upright Rows

If you've never worked with a resistance band before, then basic upright rows are a perfect place to get started. You can focus on working out your shoulders and get a feel for the band's pull.

1. Stand on the middle of a resistance band with your feet hip-distance apart; grip the handles of the resistance band. Your closed palms will be facing your body. Make the move even more challenging by holding a dumbbell in each hand.
2. Stand with your shoulders over your pelvis and your knees slightly bent.
3. Keeping the handles close to your body, raise them to your shoulders, bending your elbows out to the sides.
4. Then with control, slowly lower them to the starting position.
5. This counts as one rep. Complete three sets of 10 to 12 reps.

Booty Kicks

Everyone loves a good tush-toning move! Booty kicks with a resistance band are a great way to work your glutes and get creative with the band.

1. Hold onto each end of your resistance band, and place the center of the band around the sole of the right foot. Then place your elbows and knees on the ground so your back is straight.
2. Hold the band firmly, draw your belly in, and extend your right leg straight out behind you. Then draw your knee forward, but don't let it touch the ground.
3. Repeat a total of 15 to 20 times; repeat with the left leg.

Keep reading for two more moves with the resistance band that work two muscle groups each!

Here's a riddle: What's long, black, and red, stretches from feet to head, costs 11 bucks or less, and will help you look fab in a strapless dress? You got it. A resistance band is one of the cheapest ways to tone your muscles. Aside from that, here are some other reasons you should start using one.

• Using a band requires coordination and balance so you end up utilizing more muscle groups to stabilize your body.
• You can target specific muscle groups or smaller muscles more easily than with weights.
• Bands offer more variety because you can create resistance in all directions, which helps you strengthen neglected muscle groups. Also, since there are different tension levels based on the color band you use, you can easily alter the difficulty level. Use a higher tension band for an easier exercise like Bicep Curls, or a lower tension band for more difficult exercises like Overhead Shoulder Presses.
• Resistance bands can make all strength-training exercises more challenging. Try using one with basic moves like push-ups and squats. Or use a band in combination with dumbbells such as this exercise called Bent Over Row With Resistance Band.

For more reasons why you should use a band read more

Everybody loves a free gift, right? With 10 Minute Solution Belly, Butt, & Thigh Blasters, you get a free sculpting loop. Though it takes some time to break in, it's a perfectly serviceable resistance band for this or any other workout.

Hosted by Jessica Smith, the bubbly but encouraging coach of 10 Minute Solution Quick Tummy Toners, this 50-minute workout DVD is split into five 10-minute segments. The first three segments are divided into abs, thigh, and booty workouts that combine Pilates, ballet, and resistance moves. The last two are cardio-focused, with an ab segment and a lower body workout. Even the noncardio segments are fast paced, so doing three at once will guarantee a good sweat. For the rest of my review, read more

This Christmas I was excited about all the fitness-related gifts I received, especially a new resistance band kit. It's been raining a lot lately, and as a result I haven't been able to ride my bike to the gym as much as I'd like. It's a bummer, but using my resistance bands at home has kept me from going nuts. I use them to tone and strengthen as well as stretch. And even though it's not exactly the same as getting to my yoga class or climbing gym, it works the same areas of my body  — hips, thighs, arms, back, you name it, it works it!

What's great about a resistance band is how inexpensive it is — you can easily find a good one for under $10 or a three-piece set for around $30. They're small and store easily, making them ideal for traveling or tucking away in a desk drawer at work. And depending on your level of strength, there's one for everyone — from light to super heavy tension and everything in between.

Read why I think you should learn to love resistance bands when you read more

A resistance band is an inexpensive and lightweight piece of equipment you can bring anywhere. Whether you're going to the gym or visiting your family for the weekend, you can bring a band along and tone your muscles. Try these three effective exercises to work your upper and lower body and core. Repeat all three exercises for a total of three rounds.

Bicep Curls With Forward Lunges

Half Boat With Wings

Upright Rows

Still itching to do more short workouts? Check out these Weekend Workouts to learn how to tone other areas of your body.

After doing upper body strengthening exercises, it feels so good to stretch out your chest and shoulders. Here's a simple stretch you can do using a resistance band, a yoga strap, or even a belt. Definitely use a band if you have one since the flexible material will allow you to get an even deeper stretch.

To learn how to do this stretch, read more

If you're looking for a way to tone up your core and thighs, grab a resistance band and give this move a try. It may not seem like you're doing much, but after a few reps, you'll start to feel the burn.

For step-by-step instructions on how to do this exercise, keep reading