I don’t know about you, but I’m soooooo glad it’s Friday. I’m looking forward to a relaxing and productive weekend, perhaps with a workout or two.

Since gym workouts were nonexistent all last week thanks to the plague stomach bug, I’ve been trying to make it up this week with some quick-but-effective strengthening workouts while watching TV.

My latest tool, courtesy of the folks at TKO and Lipton Publicity, is these 4-Way Ab Stretch Resistance Bands.

I don’t know why, but until I started taking barre and boot camp classes this year at the Y, I never used resistance bands.

I’m really glad to own one now because they’re probably the best portable strength training equipment out there. Traveling? Pack them in your luggage—they weigh much less than even your lightest hand weights. Stuck inside on a rainy (or snowy) day? Bust out your resistance bands—and then toss them back into your closet or drawer.

So far, the bands seem sturdy enough. The handles are comfortable, and I like that the bands are adjustable—although I wish it was a little easier to make quick adjustments.

My favorite way to use them so far is on my shoulders and arms. They’re great for bicep curls, triceps kickbacks, front and side deltoid raises, rows, and overhead presses.

And even though I’m well into the “safe zone” for normal abdominal work, the bands are gentle enough for postpartum core/abs strengthening and toning, too.

My weekend project is going to be looking up some videos and tutorials so I can learn even more ways to use them and work on maintaining my fitness goals for the year!

If you’re interested in purchasing your own, the TKO 4-way resistance bands are available on Amazon—and they’re super affordable.

• Do you ever use resistance bands?
• What part of the body do you enjoy strength-training the most?

**I received TKO Ab Stretch 4-Way Resistance Bands free of charge in exchange for a review. I was not compensated for this blog post, and all opinions are my own.*