Many elastic band weight training is a new technique that maximizes muscle tension during resistance exercise.  Tension and time under tensions are the most important factors increasing muscle strength.  Elastic band weight training increases muscle tension during the pushing and recovery phases of weight training exercises and is a good way to increase strength rapidly.  It involves connecting one end of a bungee cord or thick rubber bands to a bar (or weight machine) and the other end to a hook on the floor or bench.  A Cornell University study by Corey Anderson and colleagues showed that strength increases were 3 times greater in the squat, 2 times greater in the bench press, and nearly 3 times greater in average power following elastic band weight training compared to traditional weight training.  Elastic band training began as an exotic overload method for weighlifters but is now a mainstream training technique for women who want to increase strength rapidly.  (Journal Strength Conditioning Research, 22: 567-574, 2008)