Banded lifts for strength - increase band tension or weight on the bar?

[SVRao Member Find all posts View Profile Close SVRao]

Hello,

I'm doing some banded lifts for strength and was wondering whether I should increase the band tension on the bar or just add plates as I progress. One is dynamic and the other is static (right?). Does it make a difference with respect to strength progression on the non-banded versions of the same lifts?

Thanks for any insights.

Sunil

[Jordan Feigenbaum Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Jordan Feigenbaum]

I think that using bands or chains that are provide ~20-30% of your 1RM's load is preferable. So, depending on how heavy your bands are you might have the option to increase band tension...otherwise, I'd just add weight to the bar.

I don't know if there's a big difference between band tension at 10% vs 30% and varying loads on the bar and progress in the specific lift.

-Jordan