Band exercises, do they work?

[stevenno123]

I was trying to find an efficient workout for tennis. My coach recommended Half Hour Power, which is essentially a gigantic rubber band. I looked on the website and the commercial made sense to me, but then again, it's a commercial. So I was wondering if anyone has tried this kind of workout. Here's a link to Half Hour Power. http://www.halfhourpower.com/
Do you guys think this would work? Or do you KNOW that this would work?

 

[LeeD]

ANY exercise is better than none at all.
Yes, band resistance works. Yes, it will make you more fit and a little bit stronger. NO, in itself, it will not improve your tennis.

 

[Zachol82]

I think what the OP is asking is if band exercises are better in comparison to other common workouts, such as with weights and etc.

I would love to know this as well.

 

[charliefedererer]

Since you are working with a coach who has personal knowlege of your current fitness level, perhaps he really is making a recommendation of a program that he thinks you can really benefit from at this time.

If you would like an understanding of a full tennis fitness training program that involves speed, agility, weight training, and injury prevention then you could benefit from reading the material at the Sports Fitness Advisor tennis training site: http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/tennis-training.html

 

[Mike Hodge]

Resistance bands

I was trying to find an efficient workout for tennis. My coach recommended Half Hour Power, which is essentially a gigantic rubber band. I looked on the website and the commercial made sense to me, but then again, it's a commercial. So I was wondering if anyone has tried this kind of workout. Here's a link to Half Hour Power. http://www.halfhourpower.com/
Do you guys think this would work? Or do you KNOW that this would work?

I've tried it. I've been impressed with the results so far. IMO, you have to have a pretty strong base of lower-body (core and leg) strength to complete the full workout as intended. ... I'm not there yet, IMO, but I'm much closer.

I've ordered their Pro Package DVD. Supposed to arrive any day. I'll let you know my assessment when I get a chance to watch it.

 

[rudester]

I sprung for some rubber bands about a year ago, and i do believe they have benefit in the footwork department. I noticed there are videos of Federer using them in his training program for instance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGcum_MGR5Q&playnext=1&list=PL77B9C3298514BC73&index=42
Unfortunately i was just getting started with the rubber bands when i had meniscus issues and had to discontinue them. I have seen videos of other pros, such as Melanie Oudin training with rubber bands.

 

[Mike Hodge]

Resistance bands

Steven:

The website that CF mentioned above is good, and IMO provides a good overview and a sound workout plan.

I've also seen the Etcheberry DVDs. Those are good, IMO, as well.

The main thing to remember, from my experience, is that the players in these types of videos, including HP, are high-level athletes. They make it look easy; it's not. The HP bands jerked me around like a rag doll at first. LOL. Some of Etcheberry's stuff hammered me into the ground when I first tried it. LOL.

I started playing a little over a year ago and got serious about tennis/fitness. No matter what DVD or book you have, it takes a lot of work, particuarly with core and flexibility issues.
My advice: Find a qualified coach/trainer, who knows you and your physical abilities, develop a plan that you're comfortable with and go from there.

 

[NLBwell]

Don't know about the particular workout program, but bands will get you strong and allow more movement and types of motion than weghts.

 

[Mike Hodge]

I took a look at the HP Pro DVD. It's outstanding, particularly the parts about the core strengthening with the dowel and band; and the shoulder stretches.

 

[tlm]

ANY exercise is better than none at all.
Yes, band resistance works. Yes, it will make you more fit and a little bit stronger. NO, in itself, it will not improve your tennis.

LeeD is right on the money with his assessment.

 

[Mike Hodge]

Resistance bands

Where HP can help is in improved footwork. I'm much more fluid getting in and out of my split step. The bands are excellent for developing balance and explosiveness in accordance with footwork.

For me, improved balance and footwork have helped me become a better tennis player. Obviously, these attributes can be achieved without HP, no question.