The next time you pack your bags for a vacation, remember to throw in a resistance band or two. "Resistance bands are so easy to pack in your luggage, and they weigh nothing because the resistance is built into the elasticity of the tube," says Laura Wilson, director of programming for Pivotal 5. Plus, since resistance band exercises engage your core, you can cut down your workout to mere minutes — which leaves more time for the beach. "A resistance tube is functional and puts you a little off balance, so you're going to be using your stabilizer muscles a lot more than you would be if you were using a standard machine at the gym," Laura explains.
Packing a bunch of different resistance tubes can still take up precious suitcase space, so look for ones with interchangeable handles to cut down on the bulk, Laura suggests. Lifeline, a Pivotal 5 brand, offers handles that fit with different tubes; you can also try the Xfinity Fitness Band ($30), which is one tube that can vary resistances based on where you grab the band.
Once you've found the right resistance band for your trip, it's all about carving 10 minutes out of your day for a full-body vacation workout that targets abs. "You can cut your workout down . . . and you don't even necessarily have to do a core move because everything is going to be working your stabilizers," Laura says. For bikini-ready abs without any hotel room crunches, read on for three travel-friendly moves that you can do in any space.
This is one of Laura's favorite resistance band moves because it's a total-body exercise. "You're going to get core work with any squat and obviously leg work. And holding the handles up by the shoulders puts a little more work into the upper body; you've got to keep your arms engaged as well," she says.
Lunge variation: This move is very similar to the squat exercise.
This shoulder-sculpting move will help make you look and feel amazing in your vacation wardrobe. "Great shoulders make your waist look smaller," Lara says.
Haven't gotten enough of resistance bands? Follow along to our 10-minute resistance band video workout that will work your entire body.