I’ve been working on improving my fitness recently, which has developed into an oft-interrupted routine of sorts featuring Turbo Jam, jogging, and the “Inhale” yoga show on the Oxygen network. I also try and do some toning exercises a few times a week, and while we have a decent selection of traditional gym equipment in the garage, I find it’s much easier to do my arm curls/crunches/whatever in the comfort of the living room (usually while basking in the brain-numbing glow of American Idol).

While the 12-lb dumbbells I’ve been using have worked out pretty well for the toning stuff, I recently picked up a resistance band—and wow! Those things are awesome. You can hook the middle of it under your feet (you’re basically standing on it, pulling or pushing against the tension) for all kinds of exercises, like shoulder raises, bicep curls, tricep extensions . . . pretty much anything you can do with a barbell. The band can also be used to hook one foot to the other for leg lifts, and best of all, there’s a canvas thingy that allows you to attach the band to a door for even more targeted exercises (lat pulldowns, tricep pulldowns, etc).

It seems like you can really get a hell of a strength workout with the band, and it doesn’t take up any room in your house. Plus, it costs ten bucks. And it’s way easier than going to a gym. WIN.

Notes:
• A little booklet of exercises comes with the bands, to help you get started.
• I bought the ‘medium’ resistance, but plan to get the ‘heavy’ ASAP. If you can do, say, 12 arm curls with a 12-lb bell, I think I’d advise starting with the heavy.

Link: Xertube Resistance Band on Amazon
Ballpark price: $15, on sale for $10