A change of scenery is sometimes all it takes to spark inspiration when it comes to a workout. It’s easy to do with running, hiking, or biking, but if you only rely on free weights for strength training, it can be pretty tough to drag all the equipment outside for a workout.
Bodyweight exercises are an excellent fit for outside workouts, but if you want to really hit up a strength workout, grab some fitness cables or sleeved tubing. These tools help you build muscle and increase strength because you will need to place your muscles under tension by using significant resistance.
Fitness cables can provide continuous tension but will force the select muscle group to work the hardest at the end of the arc when the band is pulled tight, whereas, in free weights, the heaviest load is felt at the beginning of the range of motion. Fitness cables allow you to feel resistance in every phase of the movement and therefore increase your time under tension. Time under tension is a term commonly used in strength, conditioning, and bodybuilding and refers to how long a muscle is under strain during a set.
You can even invest in a collection to create a wide range of resistance levels and still carry them to your outside workout space of choice in one hand. They can be the ultimate grab-and-go solution for fitness fanatics who like to squeeze in a workout at a moment’s notice. In fact, fitness cables can completely replace weights while giving an effective functional strength and conditioning workout.
Take these strength-training tools with you anywhere, including outside!
Fitness cables are a very versatile tool in the fitness world. Lighter bands can be used in exercises to rehab an injury or in a stretching routine to increase the range of motion. Heavier bands can be added to make your workouts progressively harder. Each band is color-coded to indicate resistance level, and by using the SMART Quick Flip Handles, users can create their own multi-level resistance system right at their fingertips.
Also, an intelligent choice is our SMART Guard Sleeved Tubing, which is a high-quality fitness cable that is sturdy enough to sustain even the most strenuous workouts. Used for many years in rehab settings, the fitness industry is embracing how versatile these fitness cables can be.
Try these moves!
The “TRIED AND TRUE” moves
1. Bicep Curls
2. Front Raises
3. Side Raises
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT
Find a sturdy pole or tree and wrap the fitness cable or tubing around until you find the beginning of the resistance arc.
1. Squat Hold with Leg Lift
Facing the pole/tree, sit in a squat position holding the cable handles with one in each hand evenly on each side. Balance your body with the weight in your heels, chest lifted, shoulders back. Alternate lifting legs as you hold your body steady using the cable.
2. Rowing
Facing the pole/tree hold the handles with one in each hand evenly on each side. Next, ground your legs and pull back with your elbows while keeping your shoulders down. Return to start position slowly to enhance the eccentric phase.
3. Punching
Facing away from the pole/tree, hold one cable handle in each hand with even distribution on each side. The cable should lay on the outside of your arm. Next, lean slightly forward, brace your torso, and extend one arm out, twisting the fist during the extension until the fingernails face the ground. Avoid locking the elbow. Retract back to starting position and alternate arms as you punch in the air. Repeat while keeping the tension steady.
GRAB A FRIEND
Resistance Runs
Wrap the cable around your partner’s mid-section and stand behind them. Ask them to start walking/running forward while holding the cables to “resist” their run. It’s a workout for both of you!