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ACCOMMODATING RESISTANCE – WHEN SHOULD YOU USE BANDS OR CHAINS? Accommodating resistance, often termed “bands and chains” is an unconventional training methodology that is rapidly gaining popularity. Over the last decade or so, there has been an increasing popularity for the use of unconventional objects in strength and conditioning (1) programming. Usually this is to increase sporting performance or to provide a different stimulus, but occasionally also just to add variety to an athlete’s training programme. One such unconventional method that has not only gained popularity with coaches, athletes and recreational weightlifters but has also been subject to an increase in research, is the use of accommodating resistance (AR), often termed “bands and chains”. The use of AR is certainly not a new thing, Louis Simmons owner and creator of the famous Westside Barbell has always been a big advocate of using bands and chains to provide AR (2). In fact, one of his articles in Powerlifting USA magazine from over 20 years ago is regularly cited in academic research (3). The aim of this article is to look at what exactly AR is, and how and when you should use it.