It's easy to lose muscle as you get older and that loss can bring a whole host of health problems with it. The solution is simple, though—strength train to maintain and build muscle. That doesn't have to mean a gym membership and heavy weights. Certified fitness trainer Theresa Moloney recently shared three exercises she used to sculpt her arms in her 50s and all you need is a resistance band.
Resistance bands are cheap, effective and easy to store, making them ideal for beginners. There are lots of options from unknown brands on Amazon, but because there is a risk of these elastic bands snapping, we prefer to buy from long-running, well-known brands like Theraband. You can buy a set of three latex or non-latex bands for beginners for less than $15.
Watch Moloney's video to see the three exercises, and keep scrolling for Moloney’s advice about the five mistakes you might be making with resistance bands.
How to do Theresa Moloney's resistance band arms workout
These exercises are suitable for beginners, but there are a few form tips to keep in mind. For the first and third exercise, aim to keep your elbows perfectly still, so they doen't move forward, backward or to the sides as you lift and lower the band.
The second exercise combines two exercises in one, so unless you're confident with both moves and the hip hinge you need to transition between them, there's no harm in doing the biceps curl and straight-arm kickback separately.
Theresa Moloney's resistance band tips
If you're new to resistance bands, Moloney offers some helpful advice on technique in this Instagram video.
The tip to move slowly for both the lifting and lowering part of each exercise is great advice, both for getting the most out of your workout and avoiding injury. Keeping your core engaged is also essential advice. If you're not sure what that means, we have an expert guide to how to engage your core. It's a skill well worth mastering.
