Thera-Band: The Theory of Colour

Gymnastics bands are awesome and everyone who wants to do something for his body, should have one. The main problem with buying a band is selecting the right color. Generally speaking, the resistance of the strip increases with the length of the elongation at slightly less than linear. Take the example of the green ribbon. At 100% elongation of the resistance is 2.1 kg, at 300% elongation is about twice. Stronger should the tapes but not stretch, because they can wear out otherwise.

The strength of the tapes is graded (according to the German site of Thera-Band):
- Beige: 1,1 kg (at 100% elongation)
- Yellow: 1.4 kg
- Red: 1.7 kg
- Green: 2.1 kg
- Blue: 2.6 kg
- Black: 3.3 kg
- Silver: 4.6 kg
- Gold: 6.4 kg

What follows from this? It's simple: There is no band that is equally suitable for all exercises. No one would probably get the idea, in the gym all the exercises with the same force to complete. If you're looking for an all-band and rather wants to do for the back and abdomen, you should follow the recommendations of Thera-Band:
- Beige and Yellow: For rehabilitation and for seniors
- Red and green: For Women
- Green and blue: For Men
- Black: for well-trained
- Silver and Gold: For athletes

To optimize your workout you should purchase plus a good book. Very well liked personally by Urs Geiger / Caius Schmid: muscle training with the Thera-Band (Blv book publishing, 7th Edition 2014.). The exercises shown there to about 40% black and 60% the blue ribbon is recommended for men. For women it is 55% blue and 45% green (the figures apply to my old edition). If you are healthy, can a man with BLUE and as a woman with verdure therefore not go wrong!

By the way: The complete brochure with 20 exercises that accompanies each original Thera-Band, there on the website as a free download, to 15 exercise videos that are highly recommended. More free materials can be found easily on any search engine or any major video portal.

Finally, the most important thing: The best band is the one that is used most frequently. Consider therefore not too long, and what does - especially for your back before he logs on, messing around ...

[Updated review in August 2014]