Question about WSB and bands

[cheesecake]

I know that most people say that you are supposed to cycle bands.

Does that mean that you should use them for 2-3 weeks and then completely stop using them altogether or just stop using them on DE days.

In other words, is it okay to use bands on ME days all the time?

Any help would be appreciated.
...chad...

 

[spatts]

Woudl you be using htem for resistance or let-off on the ME days? Like speed squat vs reverse band deads?

 

[cheesecake]

Take tonight for example, I was planning on doing reverse light band squats for a 1RM and double choked mini band rack pulls for a 3RM.
...chad...

 

[kingc_79]

i was under the impression your only suppose to use them for 2-3wks period..then switch to chains or off completely

 

[spatts]

ok, then what would you be doing on ME day?

 

[thebrute]

that's what i had to start doin. i was using them week in and week out for the first month or so. really bangs up the shoulder on bench, which is why i cycle them out and in. tb

 

[cheesecake]

ok, then what would you be doing on ME day?

Tonight is ME Lower.

On DE Lower I will do Box squats: 10x2 and Speed Deads: 6x3, both at 50-60% max.
...chad...

 

[cheesecake]

Forgot to mention that I will be using no band tension on DE days.
...chad...

 

[cheesecake]

that's what i had to start doin.

So you use them on ME days and not on DE days?
...chad...

 

[cheesecake]

i was under the impression your only suppose to use them for 2-3wks period..then switch to chains or off completely

That's what I thought too.
...chad...

 

[spatts]

So you squat with bands on ME and DE day?

I bench with chains.

 

[cheesecake]

So you squat with bands on ME and DE day?

I was. For the simple reason that I don't have chains.

Now, I just finished up my third week with bands and I was planning on not using them at all. Then Exodus suggested that I continue to use them on ME day, just not on DE day.

Make sense?
...chad...

 

[flapwrlftr]

No, I very rarely will sue bands on ME day. But, about 90% of my DE day squats are done with bands. You are doing it bass ackwards.

 

[spatts]

Exactly. The only time I ever use bands on ME day is if I'm doing Reverse Band Deadlifts, in which case the bands are not getting harder, they are letting off. If I''m not using bands for DE Squats (which is rare) I'm using straight weight.

 

[Screwball]

IMHO, bands are best used for speed work. I rarely use bands on ME day unless it's for reverse band work. You do NOT need to cycle band use with reverse band exercises. Cycling band use only refers to when the bands create resistance (choked down, doubled, triples, etc...). Chains are more forgiving and are better used on ME days or on DE days when taking a break from the bands. Good luck!

 

[cheesecake]

Thanks for the help everyone.

The only reason we have been using bands on ME days is because we do not (currently) have chains.
...chad...

 

[spatts]

I don't use chains on ME day either.

 

[Exodus]

Now I'm confused.
...chad...

whats the confusing you now???

X

 

[cheesecake]

Now I'm confused.
...chad...

 

[Liftbig]

IMHO, bands are best used for speed work. I rarely use bands on ME day unless it's for reverse band work. You do NOT need to cycle band use with reverse band exercises. Cycling band use only refers to when the bands create resistance (choked down, doubled, triples, etc...). Chains are more forgiving and are better used on ME days or on DE days when taking a break from the bands. Good luck!

i agree. even so i still use band occaisonly on ME day, for something different to do. and i use chains on me bench occaisonally with the floor press, or we will do boards with chains. i have never used chains on me squat day though, thats not to say it a bad idea though, ive just never done it.

 

[Ish]

http://www.testosterone.net/html/body_127resist.html

If you need to brush up on why.

 

[Exodus]

here is something interesting i just read of elitefts

http://www.elitefts.com/documents/first_meet_training_al_baker.htm

al baker says if you scroll down to the middle of the page under his training. he says:

"I did 8 x 3 @ 205 with doubled minis around two dumbbells with varying grips (I never use chains or free weight they tear my shoulders and elbows up)"

thats just interesting

X

 

[spatts]

Threre are so many ways to use bands and chains. Accomodating resistance, accomodating resistance with speed, active recovery, etc....

I think the point is to use the bands for accom. resistance WITH speed ON speed day, and to cycle it if necessary.

 

[spatts]

I don't usually. I just go lighter. My "off" squat is 195 + pink. When I'm working up precomp, it's more like 225 + greens or more. So pink feels like nothing. I'm going to start working in some straight weight weeks tho. Just to try it out and see if I feel a difference.

Maybe I should say, "When necessary."

 

[cheesecake]

I think the point is to use the bands for accom. resistance WITH speed ON speed day, and to cycle it if necessary.

Emphasis added.

Are you saying that not everyone has to cycle bands? I.E., that for some people that can be used all the time?
...chad...

 

[Exodus]

well spatts will have to answer for herself, but i believe that she uses chains more for speed bench than she does bands. probably becuase of her shoulder.

X

 

[cheesecake]

I don't usually. I just go lighter. My "off" squat is 195 + pink. When I'm working up precomp, it's more like 225 + greens or more. So pink feels like nothing. I'm going to start working in some straight weight weeks tho. Just to try it out and see if I feel a difference.

Very interesting.

You don't feel the added strain on your ligaments and joints from using them that much?

Let me see if I got this right. You use bands on almost all DE upper and lower days. Then you use just bar weight on ME lower days and chains on ME upper days. Is that right?
...chad...

 

[spatts]

DE lower = bands

DE upper = chains

ME days are occassionally bands or chains, but not for speed (lockouts, reverse bands deads, etc), and not very often (probably less than monthly).