Lean Mommy: Tubes and You

We LOVE our tubes! These resistance bands, specially designed by SPRI for Stroller Strides classes, are instrumental in our classes, and I always love finding new ways to utilize these great workout tools.

As I mentioned in our June Newsletter, it's time for you to conduct your summer tube inspections. Please be on the lookout for any signs of wear and tear, including fraying, splitting, holes, or cracks. I will be ordering new tubes next week; let me know if you'll be needing any.

From Lisa Druxman's book Lean Mommmy, here are some important tube reminders.

TUBING TECHNIQUES AT A GLANCE:

• Hold handles with a loose grip. Don't squeeze.


• Keep wrists in neutral during exercises.


• Tighten slack by shortening tube or pulling it further to keep sufficient resistance.


• Like any other exercise, breathe! The general rule is to exhale on exhertion.

SAFETY FIRST!

• Inspect exercise tubing before each use for worn spots, nicks, or tears. Discontinue use if damaged.


• For excercises that require you attach tubing to something stable, use only a sturdy pole, beam, or fence. NEVER use the stroller or a chair.


• Avoid exposing tubing to extreme heat or cold; never leave it in water or direct sunlight.


• Avoid using tubing on rough or abrazsive surfaces.


• Never pull tubing directly toward your face.


• Never pull tubing in the direction of your child.


• Never stretch exercise tubing more than three times its length. (If you can stretch the tube this far, you need a heavier-strength tube.)


• A tube can break at any time while you use it. So use good judgement when exercising around baby, and be cautious if you are carrying baby in a front-pack carrier.

CHANGING INTENSITY WITH AN EXERCISE TUBE:

You can make and exercise hard or easier in several ways:

• Use different sizes of tubes.


• Shorten the tube to make it harder or lengthen the tube to make it easier (i.e., wrap the tube around your hand once or twice, or grip it closer or farther from middle).


• Move both arms at the same time instead of one at a time.


• When performing an exercise that involves standing on the tube, stand with one or both feet to adjust the tension.


• Add balance to an exercise by lifting up one foot. Adding balance triggers more action from your core muscles to hold yourself steady.

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