It’s time for part 2 of “things you aren’t doing – but SHOULD be doing – with a Jaeger Band.” In case you missed it, be sure to check out Part 1, too. Also, be sure to pick up a J-Band HERE, if you haven’t already done so.

Without further ado, here are five more exercises to try with the oh-so-versatile J-Bands!

6. Core-Engaged Dead Bugs

In this core stability drill, we use the tension from the band to build some extra core stiffness to resist lumbar extension (lower back arching) and (to a lesser extension) rotation during leg lowering. Add a big exhale at the bottom to fire up the anterior core and reaffirm good positioning.

7. J-Band Assisted Leg Lowering

This builds on our previous drill from a core stability challenge standpoint (straight leg is harder than bent-knee), but also helps individuals improve their hip mobility. Make sure to double up the band to get sufficient resistance, – and don’t do this with cleats on!

8. J-Band Assisted Quadruped Band-Assisted Thoracic Rotation

Here’s a Functional Movement Systems inspired drill we’ll use with those athletes who have very limited active thoracic mobility into extension. In other words, they passively rotate well (with the assistance of the assessor), but can’t get to that same range of motion actively. The band assistance reduces the gravity challenge against which an individual has to extend and rotate.

9. Band-Assisted Overhead Squat

I’ve traditionally done this drill with a TRX, but one day, I had an athlete try using the J-Band on the road when he didn’t have a TRX handy. His immediate response was that it was “frying” his lower traps. Maintaining continuous tension in scapular posterior tilt and thoracic extension really takes this squat pattern assistance drill up a notch.

10. Side Bridge with Horizontal Abduction

Once an individual gets a solid feel for arm care, I’m all for integrating core stability with scapular control and rotator cuff challenges. This is one advanced progression along those lines. I say “advanced” because many individuals struggle to get a true “T” positioning on horizontal abduction; instead, they’ll yank down with the lats (more on that HERE). That said, I recommend athletes perform this on video or with a coach watching the first time, as they’ll usually be in the wrong pattern. The goal is 90 degrees of arm elevation, and you should feel this predominantly in the mid-traps.

That wraps up this two-part series – but it’s certainly just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to innovative exercises you can integrate with a versatile piece of equipment like Jaeger Bands. With that in mind, if you don’t already have a set in your training bag, I’d highly recommend you pick up a J-Band. Your arm – and the rest of your body – will thank you for the investment!