"An alternative name for this book could be ‘Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Band Training, And More’!
The authors, Page and Ellenbecker, are world authorities on strength training using band resistance. The new additions to the latest edition of their now classic book include strength assessment indices to keep track of progress, an update on research on band training and specific muscle group training and new chapters on exercises and training for the older populations, rehabilitation and injury prevention.
Many people immediately associate the word ‘rehab’ when they think of band training. This is unfortunate and, obviously, highly misleading. Using bands for rehabilitation from injury is well documented and has been used with predictable success for decades (see chapter 14 for rehabilitation strength band programs and exercises). But using bands as an adjunct to traditional strength training, to created accommodating resistance, as a mode of exercise overload by themselves or as a means of creating an alternative strength curve to typical strength exercises is not just a valid contribution to workouts, but is a highly valuable tool to continuingly add a training stress to the long-term training process (and in many instances, band training provides a superior overload or strength curve than does traditional cable of dumbbell/barbell training).
Strength Band Training is divided into three sections. The first outlines the essentials of using bands, how to care for them and the numerous ways in which they can be used. There is a useful chart to monitor progress, called the TheraBand Strength Index Table, listing the band tension from yellow to gold bands, so one can track improvement in a given repetition range over the course of a training program. The second section of the book details exercises for flexibility, muscle isolation training, upper, lower body and core exercises and movements using the total body and suitable choices for the older adults. The final section incorporates those exercises into programs, aimed at improving performance in both team and individual sports, improving fitness and rehabilitation.
Virtually every trainer and strength coach uses elastic bands during the development of their client or athlete, either as a stand-alone exercise, in injury prevention or rehab or as means of accommodating the resistance of a traditional exercise. Many use bands whilst they travel, when a gym is not readily accessible. There is no better book than the 3rd edition of Strength Band Training to assist with exercise selection and program design."
Reviewed by Tony Boutagy, PhD, AEP