Resistance bands are an effective workout tool and great for stomach exercising

and lots of different exercises can be done using them.

There are 2 types of resistance bands, regular and tubular. The regular bands

are often used in pilates. The tubular resistance bands have handles on them and

are often used more in strength training.

Resistance bands are available in a variety of different levels or difficulties.

These are determined by the colour of the band. For example green may be for

beginners with little resistance, yellow may be for intermediate or medium,

and red for difficult.

Choose the band that's right for your fitness level, don't be tempted to try

a more difficult resistance band if you are new to exercising as you could hurt

yourself. If you have never used bands before it may be a good idea to consult

a professional before starting and make sure that you warm up properly first

so that you avoid any injury. You could do the exercise first without using

the resistance band in order to warm up.

Here are a few exercises that you can do with resistance bands,

Seated Crunch

This exercise provides the same benefits as the basic abdominal crunch, but

with less neck strain and without the possible discomfort that comes with lying

on the floor, since it uses a band rather than gravity to provide resistance.

For this stomach exercise, you will need to be sitting in a straight back chair

which you can somehow loop your band through.

Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor and about as wide apart as

your hips. Contract your abdominal muscles, and slowly bend forward to about

a forty-five degree angle. Repeat for an entire set. Be sure to keep your feet

on the floor and your back as straight as possible.

One-Arm Band Pull

Put the chair away and stand up, again with feet hip width apart. Put your hands

above your head, holding the band about eighteen inches apart. Keeping your

left hand overhead, bring your right hand out to the side, elbow bent at about

a ninety degree angle.

Hold your left arm still as you contract your abdominals and lower your right

arm until your hand is in line with your chest. Hold this position, then slowly

return. Repeat for an entire set, then switch hands. Keep your back straight

and avoid bending or leaning at the waist.

For an additional challenge, do this exercise standing on one foot. Perform

the exercise with both hands while standing on your left foot, then do it all

again on your right foot.

Twisting Roll-Back

For this stomach exercise, you will need to sit on a flat surface, preferably

the floor. Use a mat or towel for cushioning to ease possible strain on your

tail bone. Sit down with your legs bent and heels on the floor. Your toes should

be pointing up-- do not put your feet flat on the floor.

Loop the band around your feet, put one end in each hand and put your hands

together. In a rolling motion, lower your torso toward the floor about forty-five

degrees. As you do this, twist to the right and spread your hands to the sides.

Hold for a second, then rotate back to the middle and raise your torso back

to start.

Your heels should remain on the floor throughout the exercise. Do a full set,

then switch to the left side.