Build Muscle With Hanging Band Technique (HBT)
Article originally appeared on t-nation.com on 8/31/15
Here's what you need to know...
The Hanging Band Technique (HBT) is done using a barbell with weights hanging from bands on each side.
This is one of the few stability exercises that'll make you stronger and more skilled, which is why elite athletes and lifters use it.
Use HBT to make gains. It recruits more muscle fibers and increases time under tension.
You can do HBT using most standard barbell movements. You won't need any specialty bars, gear, or equipment.
Stability Training Gone Bad
Besides looking like a geriatric circus act, most stability exercises do very little in terms of improving stability.
But not all stability exercises are worthless. One method that works is the Hanging Band Technique (HBT).
Simply hang plates or kettlebells from bands and attach them to the outside collars of the barbell. This produces numerous oscillations and perturbations (irregular deviations in movement) to the barbell, thus creating a very unstable environment for the lifter.
The benefits of this advanced training technique are numerous.
3 Training Methods in One
HBT is a combination of three unique training methods:
Stability training
Perturbation training
Whole-body vibration training (WBVT)
Studies have demonstrated the limitations of most stability training methodologies, particularly the inability to overload and fully tax the primary muscles.
HBT, on the other hand, will tax larger muscle groups. Why? Because more load can be placed on the barbell and applied to the most basic lifts. Plus, you get the three benefits above.
The stabilization benefits actually outweigh other stability training protocols because the lifter must manage three-dimensional instability from the weights bouncing up and down, back and forth, and side to side.
In comparison to WBVT, the effects are quite similar since the barbell has a tendency to continually move making the lifter feel as if his or her whole body is quivering throughout the movement.
You'll also notice the similarities to perturbation training as the weights seem to have a mind of their own. In most studies, perturbations are produced either from a specialized device or from another individual manually creating these disruptions.
In the case of HBT, the perturbations are produced from the weights moving freely and unpredictably from the barbell.
Neuromuscular Benefits
All these features induce significantly heightened levels of motor unit recruitment in both primary and secondary muscle groups.
The amount of motor control required also elicits improvements in both intramuscular coordination (within a muscle) and intermuscular coordination (between different muscle groups).
The instability and oscillatory effects of the barbell do wonders for waking up proprioceptive mechanisms, as sensory receptors such as muscle spindles must work overtime to continually adjust to these erratic movements.
Powerlifters and Strength Athletes
More and more elite strength athletes and powerlifters are experiencing the benefits of properly applied stability training.
Various powerlifters, including Westside Barbell founder Louie Simmons, use a similar method when incorporating something called the Bamboo Bar. The Bamboo Bar is designed to shake and oscillate as the lifter hangs kettlebells from bands attached to the outer portions of the bar.
Another similar training tool known as the Tsunami Bar is becoming more commonplace in powerlifting and strength training circles.
Unfortunately these training tools typically have fairly low to moderate weight capacities, making it difficult to maximally overload the muscles, especially for heavier movements such as squats.
It should also be noted that few training facilities actually have these types of specialty bars. Fortunately, using a standard barbell with normal plates and bands is effective and practical.
Technique, Movement Mechanics, and Joint Centration
HBT is one of the most joint friendly variations of barbell training you can do.
First, the instability and unpredictable oscillations of the barbell literally force the lifter to tighten up every muscle in his or her body and maintain this throughout the set.
Not only does this have an incredible effect on muscle activation, but it almost involuntarily causes the lifter to centrate his or her joints – aligning them optimally to support the body in the most biomechanically efficient position – or else face disaster.
In fact, professional powerlifters have used a similar approach with the Bamboo Bar to recover from shoulder injuries and promote centration of the shoulder joint during the bench press.
Besides enhancing technique and forcing the lifter into the most biomechanically advantageous position, HBT eliminates a significant amount of momentum during the lift.
The first thing you'll notice when trying this technique is how you'll naturally want to slow everything down and use smooth motions.
Bouncing, losing tightness, collapsing, or relaxing your muscles even momentarily will almost immediately cause the bar to shake and waiver uncontrollably. To offset this, everything from technique, rep speed, and motor unit recruitment has to be dialed in.
Muscle Growth
The benefits of HBT training go beyond fitness geek terminology. The effects on strength, size, and muscularity are significant because it allows you to capitalize on all three mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy.
In terms of mechanical tension, HBT training forces the lifter to fully engage all available fibers within a given muscle. This is evident even during lighter sets as anything short of near-maximal contraction will cause further disruptions to the barbell.
During heavier sets, the amount of intramuscular tension escalates, making it difficult to replicate this type of mechanical tension any other way.
HBT training also induces significant metabolic stress and metabolite accumulation as the lifter is forced to maintain constant tension throughout the set. The moment this ceases and the lifter relaxes, the barbell becomes almost unmanageably shaky.
This mimics a form of occlusion training as the muscles are continuously contracting at high threshold throughout. The amount of lactic acid accumulation, cellular swelling, muscle volumization, and overall pump you'll get from just a few sets will satisfy even the most ardent bodybuilder.
HBT training also causes muscular damage, which is the third key for inducing hypertrophy. The distinguishing factor is controlling the negative/eccentric, which happens almost involuntarily.
In fact, the way to master HBT is slowing down the negative. The lifter is rewarded for controlling the eccentric phase because the barbell will become more manageable.
Use eccentric isometrics (slow negative followed by a pause in the stretched position) in conjunction with HBT. It will maximize all facets of motor unit recruitment and muscular hypertrophy.
So, if you're looking to maximize growth with high levels of mechanical tension, metabolic stress, and muscular damage, then HBT fits the bill.
For more on maximizing muscle growth with strength training click here.
Practical Application
The Hanging Band Technique can be applied to almost any standard barbell exercise with the exception of Olympic lifts. However, there are certain movements that seem to fuse particularly well with this method. Here are a few of them.
Squats
Not only does it require focus and tightness, but you'll notice almost immediate improvements in technique and form.
Although HBT training is a fairly advanced technique, I can almost guarantee improvements in your squat pattern. Just remember to keep a neutral spine with the hips back, knees out, and a tight core, and avoid collapsing at the bottom.
LUNGES
Using HBT with a barbell lunge or split squat is one of the most physically and mentally challenging exercises you can do for the lower body. If your form is slightly off, it'll be impossible to perform them. You won't be able to control the movement
Make sure to stick your butt out and hinge slightly at the hips. Here's one of my NFL athletes and wide receiver Marcus Davis prepping for the pre-season:
You can also perform these in a more dynamic fashion that challenges stability and coordination even further:
Horizontal Chest Press Variations
Few exercises can match the pectoral activation of HBT bench press variations.
Out of necessity the lifter is forced to centrate the glenohumeral joint in order to eliminate instability, which packs the shoulders right where they need to be for maximal pectoral recruitment.
In fact, to sufficiently target the chest muscles, the shoulders have to assume this position whether it's for this movement or any other chest exercise.
Fortunately with HBT training, the lifter has no choice but to comply with the laws of optimal human mechanics as anything less will result in an attempt worthy of the greatest YouTube fail compilations.
Here's another one of my football players experiencing the effects of HBT training:
Splitting the load up across more bands is another way to increase the oscillatory effect of the barbell:
Overhead Presses
If you could only choose one exercise for the entire upper torso that targeted stability, strength, and size, this would be it. Combining the overhead press with the HBT is one of the more strenuous upper body movements you'll ever do.
If there's a weakness anywhere in the core or upper torso, this will immediately expose it. Focus on tucking the elbows during the eccentric phase and driving the weight up and slightly back for the concentric motion
Overhead Power Holds
This is a great isometric exercise for building strength, stability, and postural alignment. By combining these holds with HBT, you'll experience a lift where literally every muscle in your body from head to toe has to be dialed in.
This is an excellent drill for overhead Olympic lifts. It reinforces a tight and stable lockout/slot position – teaching you to finish behind your ears with the hips pushed back. The carryover to Olympic weightlifting is huge.
And if you can stabilize the HBT overhead power hold, then catching a snatch or locking a jerk into the slot position will become second nature.
Deadlifts and Hinges
Although HBT training can be employed on standard deadlifts, RDL's, and good-mornings, the greatest value can be accrued with single-leg variations. If you're looking for something to light up the glutes and hamstrings, try HBT single-leg RDL's
Rows
Bent-over barbell rows can also be combined with the HBT. Similar to the hinging movements, single-leg variations are the epitome of strength, stability, and symmetry.
Besides devastating the entire posterior chain in both upper and lower body, single-leg bent-over rows performed in the HBT fashion are one of the more challenging exercises you'll ever perform.
If you have a tendency to use excessive momentum on your rows, here's your cure.
ISOLATION MOVEMENTS
The constant tension you'll have to create throughout your targeted muscles during sets of HBT work elicit incredible pumps as the muscle is semi-occluded throughout the set.
As a result, combining this method with isolation movements such as curls, skull crushers, and front raises is both agony and ecstasy as the level of pain is great but the results even greater.
Isolateral Variations
The hanging band technique can also be applied to isolateral variations as shown in these videos. Just make sure to have a competent spotter as these can be deceptively challenging to balance and stabilize.
Bamboo Bars and Earthquake Bars
The hanging band technique is also incredibly effective when applied to unstable specialty barbells such as the bamboo bar and earthquake bar as shown here by my awesome athlete Ben Lai. These provide more instability and oscillations than a traditional barbell not only because if the flex they provide (how much the bars bend) but also because they’re significantly lighter and therefor more susceptible to oscillating kinetic energy.
Although the level of constant tension, metabolic stress, and motor unit recruitment is inordinately high with these bars, the lifter does sacrifice a level of muscle damage, micro-trauma, and pure overload since he or she will be forced to reduce the weight to a greater degree than the HBT method applied to a standard barbell. With that said, the bamboo bar and earthquake bar may be superior for improving stability and proprioception however they’re likely not quite as effective for muscle growth compared to using the HBT with a normal barbell. However, the lighter loads used with the bamboo bar and earthquake bar also make them even more joint friendly. Use code AHPBANDBELL to get 10% off at https://www.bandbell.com/
Water Weight
Water weight is also another incredibly effective form of oscillating kinetic energy. Here I’m demonstrating 21 unique variations of the Tidal Tank alongside my awesome athletes and clients including MLB pro baseball all star Austin Meadowns, NFL athletes Austin Larkin, Marcelis Branch, Julian Williams, Taylor Heinicke, Bryce Jones, Pro Basketball Player Yelena Leuchenka as well as my awesome clients Leslie Petch, Cali Shadburn, Kim Schaper, Michael Horner, Ashley Shadburn, Elizabeth Yates, Cami Shadburn, Vera Forkner, Mitch Ellis, and Eric McIntyre.
Similar to sandbags the Tidal Tank is truly a unique training tool in that the water weight creates incredibly high levels of oscillating kinetic energy & unpredictable perturbations. Every athlete I had try this was amazed at how tight & dialed in they had to be from head to toe in order to control the oscillations. Use code DRSEEDMAN to get 5% discount at Amazon.
The options are endless as you can literally treat the Tidal Tank like a traditional barbell in terms of the exercises you can perform from squats, presses, rows, pullovers, curls, lunges, hinges, bridges & more. Additionally the tank can be filled with anywhere 0-45 lbs of water weight making it suitable for many levels.
Although you can’t necessarily overload the muscles particularly for stronger athletes, performing movements in a single leg or unilateral fashion as well as with eyes closed or split stance positions requires incredible levels of motor control, core strength, balance, & full body stability. Furthermore this device gives you immediate feedback about symmetry & alignment as even the slightest deviation causes the water to shift in one direction making it feel like your trying to control a mini tidal wave.
Whether you’re looking to build stability, take stress of your joints, or simply looking for a unique tool to master your motor control, balance, technique, & alignment, the Tidal Tank is tough to beat. It’s also easily portable as the water can be dumped out and added in at any time allowing you to fold it and put in your suitcase for travel purposes. It’s probably the best travel piece on the market.
Myths of Stability Training Debunked: The Real Issue
Many in the industry complain that stability training limits gains because you can’t go heavy. The reason you can’t go heavy is because your stability, motor control, muscle function, alignment, posture, & body mechanics need work. In fact when performing most forms of stability training, you should be able to handle at least 75% of the load you typically handle on traditional variations as I show here with the bamboo bar/earthquake bar from Bandbell.
If you you’re unable to use such loads then again it’s because your activation patterns, alignment, & body mechanics are amiss. So stop bashing stability training as an excuse to cover up your own limitations & weaknesses.
With that said the single best way to master your body mechanics so you can easily perform advanced movements including heavy stability exercises is to master the basic foundational movement patterns with ECCENTRIC ISOMETRICS. Check out my NEW Eccentric ISOMETRICS training program as it has the foundational program I use with my athletes & clients to help them master their movement. If your looking for more detailed explanation, science, & dozens of studies to explain why eccentric isometrics are so effective check out my book MOVEMENT REDEFINED with over 600+ pages of educational info.
You’ll notice in the video I’m using eccentric isometrics with 90 deg angles on these split squat lunges as you’re forced to do so as anything less will make it impossible to control the oscillating kinetic energy & chaotic perturbations created from the HBT.
Lastly, the slight decrease in load on stability exercises won’t limit hypertrophy & strength gains as you’ll more than make up for it with increased constant tension, metabolic stress, increased muscle activation, enhanced intramuscular tension, & increased full body tension all of which are great hypertrophy & strength stimuli. So yes, stability training can be very effective for strength & hypertrophy if you’re properly trained & you can handle substantial loads with control.
9 Things to Know About HBT
Distributing the same load between more bands will cause smaller but more frequent oscillations. This emphasizes something I refer to as reactive stabilization as the lifter must react quickly to continuous changes in movement.
Loading more weight onto a single band creates fewer yet larger oscillations. This emphasizes transitional stability. The lifter must learn to adjust his recruitment patterns to control for large shifts in sway and weight distribution.
The severity of 3-dimensional instability experienced during a given set is strongly predicated on how well the lifter can lock his body into the proper position. The better your form is, the less the bar will oscillate, thus allowing you to handle greater loads with more control.
You should be able to handle 80-90% of the load you can normally handle on a given lift. If you're unable to do this, then your form or technique likely need improvement.
Going faster causes more oscillations to the barbell but less external feedback to the lifter in regards to form and positioning. Slower movement lets you know if you're locked in immediately because any deviation to the barbell is due to faulty mechanics rather than excessive movement produced from faster motions.
Most bands will work, but there are subtle differences depending on the type and tension. Thinner bands oscillate more and create more instability, but they're more likely to hang closer to the ground, potentially limiting range of motion.
Try using this technique once every three or four workouts with any particular barbell movement. If you squat twice per week, then you'll perform HBT approximately once every two weeks.
Don't overcomplicate this in terms of programming. HBT can be done like any other variation of your standard barbell movements. If your training routine calls for 4 sets of 5 barbell squats, then use the same set and rep scheme in conjunction with HBT training.
This is an advanced technique, but it can be effective for teaching proper technique to intermediate and some beginners. HBT leads to proper positions and forces the lifter to control the load while staying incredibly tight.
