“Just the Thera-Band and me – that’s all you need for an effective workout!”

Interview with sports journalist and author Nora Reim

"The Thera-Band enjoys almost cult status and has already found numerous fans among professional and amateur athletes, physiotherapists and seniors - the training shapes and strengthens the entire body, improves mobility and coordination and helps prevent injuries and falls. In addition, the practical elastic band is inexpensive, light as a feather and fits in every handbag."

Sports journalist Nora Reim, author of the compact guide “Thera-Band”, explains the correct use of the handy training tool, effective exercise programs for beginners, advanced users and professionals, as well as special, realistic instructions for seniors.

In recent years, we have seen more and more athletes and physiotherapists using Thera-Band during training. Where does this tool come from and what is it used for ?

Nora Reim: The Thera-Band was born in 1978 in the US state of Ohio. From there, the colored rubber band began its triumphant march to Germany. Pull training with the elastic band has achieved almost cult status and has found many fans among athletes, fitness trainers, physiotherapists and senior citizens. The advantage of the rubber band, which is now also available in a latex-free version, is clear: when folded up, it fits in any handbag.

The different colors of the Thera-Band represent different strengths. What are they and what should you pay attention to when you start training?

Nora Reim: The color spectrum of the Thera bands ranges from yellow for beginners to black for experienced users. Competitive athletes can even enjoy gold-colored rubber. Regardless of the color, the following applies to using the band: start with low resistance, perform the pulling technique cleanly and only then increase the strength!

Speaking of technique – what is particularly important when using the band? Are there any risks?

Nora Reim: There is a difference between wrapping with your hands and fixing with your feet. Both techniques are used to secure the band to avoid injuries. Despite careful use, the rubber can tear if pulled apart too much, as professional triathlete Anja Knapp found out the hard way. Nevertheless, the Swabian is a fan of regular pulling training: "For the exercises, you usually only need yourself and the band - whereas other aids usually have to be tied to something."

Not only competitive athletes, but also working people and seniors benefit from regular exercises with the Thera-Band. How can the elastic latex band be used for the stresses of everyday life and what can it achieve?

Nora Reim: Regular training using the exercise programs described and illustrated in the compact guide “Thera-Band” for beginners, advanced users and professionals strengthens the entire body, makes it resilient to everyday stresses through the increased mobility and helps prevent injuries.

Older people in particular often suffer from weakened muscles or a lack of coordination, which can lead to dangerous falls. What options do seniors have to maintain their mobility into old age?

Nora Reim: For older and physically weak people, a form of fall prevention through so-called lifelike exercises is recommended. This involves working specifically with the strengthening resistance of the Thera-Band, for example simulating putting on a piece of clothing over your head or getting out of bed in the morning. This gives the user security and allows them to go through life feeling stronger.

You also call the Thera-Band the “smallest gym in the world”. What are its advantages over actually going to the gym?

Nora Reim: I think the advantages are clear to everyone: you can take the light, compact Thera-Band anywhere and train with it whenever and wherever you want, whether at home, outdoors, in the office, on the football or tennis court, alone or with a partner... In addition, this effective training tool is inexpensive and affordable for everyone. A folded Thera-Band is like a bar of the well-known sports chocolate from Waldenbuch in Swabia: square, practical, good.

Book tip:
Nora Reim: Thera-Band. Compact guide. How to strengthen your body and keep it flexible. Mankau Verlag, 1st edition September 2017. Paperback 11.5 x 16.5 cm, color, 95 pages. ISBN 978-3-86374-426-7, 7.99 euros (D) / 8.20 euros (A).

Link recommendations:
More information about the "Thera-Band" guide
To the reading sample in pdf format
More about Nora Reim
To the Internet forum with Nora Reim