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These bands let me get a workout on-the-go

So...I have to confess something.

The first thing to go when I'm pressed for time is my strength training routine. I typically have 12 to 16 hours per week scheduled for exercise and training; only 1.5 hours of that is actual strength training. And since it's not sport-specific - read, something I'd do even if it weren't exercise - it gets dropped first.

But strength training really is important. The individual sports I do each develop certain muscles, but can contribute to a loss of muscle mass if I just do the cardio stuff all the time. Plus it helps to tone and sculpt...which is especially nice this time of year, when short sleeves and skirts come out of the closet and see the light of day.

So these bands, made by Bell, help me get a workout while I'm traveling or at home - anytime I'm away from the gym.

The long red band allows me to do bicep curls and tricep extensions. To do a bicep curl, I stand on the band, hold a handle in each hand, and, keeping my elbows right at my side, lift up and return to a 90-degree angle. I do tricep extensions by standing on one handle and holding the other handle extended over my head. Keeping my elbow by my ear, I bend my arm back, then extend to straight again. Typically I do two sets of 15 repetitions each, alternating between each exercise.

I use the yellow band to do seated rows. Sitting on the floor with my feet extended, I wrap the band around my feet and pull the handles back. I also do chest fly with this one - standing upright, I hold the handles in front of my chest and pull them apart. It's important with this one to use the chest and shoulder muscles, not the arms.

The green circle band gives me some resistance as I do leg exercises - for example, I will put it around my ankles, get into a squat position (knees bend deeply and always behind toes, bottom sticks out behind me) and step from side to side until it burns.

The bands come with instructions and pictures illustrating how to use them. They pack so easily that pretty much I have to admit there are no more excuses for skipping my strength training!