How to do Seated Shoulder Presses with an Elastic Exercise Band

When you are traveling or having a busy spell at work, exercise and working out often fall by the wayside. There is simply not enough time to drive to the gym, do a workout and then get home, showered and changed. Fortunately, you can strengthen just about every muscle in your body using an elastic exercise band, a small, stretchy cord with handles that rolls up in a small enough ball to fit easily in a briefcase or purse.You can do seated shoulder presses with an elastic exercise band in order to keep your muscles toned.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Elastic exercise band
• Chair

How to do Seated Shoulder Presses with an Elastic Exercise Band

1. Sit in the chair with your feet flat on the floor. If you do not have a straight-backed chair, that is okay as long as you keep your back straight.
2. Run the elastic exercise cord under the chair. You should have equal lengths of the cord on both sides of the chair.
3. Use slow, controlled movements. Hold the handles of the elastic cord at shoulder level. Do not clench your fists, but hold the handles firmly. Your elbows should be bent at a ninety degree angle.
4. Extend your arms fully over your head. This motion should be smooth and controlled in order to get as much out of the exercise as possible.
5. Return your arms to the original position. At this point in the exercise you will be moving with the pull of the cord. It is vital that you resist the pull of the cord even when you are moving with it rather than allowing yourself to make fast, jerky movements.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish to increase the resistance of your elastic exercise cord, loop the cord around each hand one time. You can make as many loops as you need to achieve the desired resistance.
• You can repeat this exercise as many times as you wish. Most trainers recommend that you do three sets of 10 to 20 repetitions each.
• Consult your doctor before beginning a new diet or exercise routine.