A Physiotherapist’s Guide to Therabands

Embrace the simplicity and effectiveness of Therabands in physiotherapy with our comprehensive guide. Discover how these versatile, elasticated bands can revolutionise your rehabilitation and strength-building routines, whether you're recovering from an injury or aiming to enhance your fitness. Learn to select the right Theraband for your needs, understand their varied uses, and explore a range of exercises to target different muscle groups. Ideal for at-home workouts, Therabands offer a practical and adaptable solution for anyone seeking to maintain or improve their physical health.

What is a Theraband?

A Theraband is an elasticated band often used in rehabilitation to help strengthen muscles. They come in a variety of lengths and resistance levels and can be used to strengthen all areas of the body either after an injury or as a way to maintain or build strength.

Why should you use a Theraband?

As a piece of equipment it is easy to use, small, portable, progressable and versatile making it ideal for using at home if you don’t have regular access to a gym.

How to use Therabands?

There are multiple ways to use a Theraband but usually one part of the band is anchored, for example by standing on one end of the band or tying it to a door handle. Then movement is performed by either pushing or pulling a body part against the resistance of the band.

Common Theraband exercises

Shoulder press - in a standing position hold onto one end of the band and stand on the other end. Now push the arm above the head so it is fully extended in a traditional shoulder press movement pattern.

Knee extension - in a sitting position tie both ends of the Theraband together to make a loop. Now tie this to a chair leg and loop the band around your foot. Starting with the knee bend at 90 degrees, fully extend the knee until it is straight.

Row - loop the Theraband onto a door handle. Hold onto each end of the band and pull the band towards you in a rowing motion.

FAQ’s about Therabands

Which Theraband should I use?

Different bands have different resistances, normally this is determined by the colour of the band but different companies have different colours relating to different levels or resistance.

The resistance level needs to be appropriate for your aim, for example it will be different after an injury compared to if you are injury free and just trying to strengthen a muscle group.

If possible be guided by a physiotherapist in relation to the most appropriate level of band.

What are Therabands made of?

Some are made from latex and some are made from a synthetic latex

Are Therabands and resistance bands the same?

Theraband is actually a brand name. The term Theraband has become known to mean the single length off band that is not a loop.

A resistance band can mean a single length of band such as a Theraband, a small looped band often used in pilates or a much thicker band often used to assist with exercises such as pull ups where you loop the band around the bar and take weight off your body by standing or kneeling in the band