Exercise tubes can make for an intense workout

I am currently teaching a weight training class at King College. The class meets two days per week.

To experience different kinds of resistance training, we use free weights, machines and the stability ball one day. The other day, we used only the exercise tube to provide resistance.

You might want to check with my students, but I am pretty certain they would tell you that the exercise tube provides one hardcore workout.

At first, they all looked at me like, "Oh my, this woman apparently does not know how young and athletic we are." But after the first class, I think they had a great respect for the exercise tube. It looks rather harmless, but it can certainly provide a booty-kicking workout. They all did every exercise that I asked them to with no, or should I say very little, complaining.

Did I mention that I love this piece of exercise equipment? Not only is it user-friendly, inexpensive and compact, but it is also available in different strengths to accommodate all fitness levels.

Resistance tubes were actually developed in the 1950s. They were developed primarily for physical therapists to use in their rehabilitation clinics.

The first elastic bands were just pieces of elastic tubing cut into sizes appropriate for the different rehab exercises. As the tube became more popular, and the fitness industry got a hold of the idea, they became a more sophisticated piece of equipment.

You can now find the tubes with handles on the end, attached to a bar and even ones small enough to wrap around your ankles so you can work your lower body.

As I mentioned before, the tubes come in different strengths to accommodate every fitness level. You can also control the tension by moving closer or farther away from the tube. You can anchor the tube around something or stand on the tube to perform a variety of exercises.

Another great feature of the tube is that it travels so nicely. You can pack it in your suitcase with room to spare. If you get stuck in a hotel that does not have an exercise room, then you can do your own workout right there in the room. I am probably the only one who would do that, but it was worth mentioning.

I have reviewed the stability ball, the Perfect Pushups and now the exercise band or tube. The tube gets a perfect 10-plus on my scale of 1-10 rating.

You can find these tubes at your local sporting goods store.

I would highly recommend that you attend a class or meet with a trainer to show you all the many exercises that can be done with the exercise tube. Most tubes also come with a DVD or poster to show you the proper way to use it. See you in the gym.

LINDA STOLLINGS is a personal fitness trainer in Bristol, Tenn. E-mail her at info@fitprescriptions.com or visit www.fitprescriptions.com.