One of the outdated misconceptions about resistance bands is that they are a rehab tool used by seniors with mobility problems. All you have to do is take a look at the strength and conditioning routines of world class athletes to know that this is nonsense. Bands are a prominent feature in their regimes. In fact, Tom Brady trains exclusively with resistance bands and doesn't pick up a weight!
Whilst bands can be used by any age and fitness level to great effectiveness, there is some truth that bands are a lower impact alternative to weights, which greatly reduces the chance of injury. For the record, lower impact doesn't equate to reduced results.
The most common area for weight related injuries is at the start of the rep. This is when the joints are loaded up and the body is at its' weakest state. Think of a shoulder press for example. The point when you're most vulnerable to injury is when you're hoisting those dumbbells up into a starting position to initiate the rep. On the other hand, bands operate off elastic resistance, not gravity- the more the band is stretched the more tension is produced. This means that at the start of the rep the band tension is weaker, however by the end of the rep, the band is producing it's maximum amount of tension - matching the human body's natural strength curve.
I would argue that bands are perfect to be taken up at any age, to ensure the longevity of any strength and conditioning program. I have no doubt that integrating bands into your routine, or even switching exclusively to bands in your 30s, when your body has already accumulated a significant toll on its' joints, could prolong your strength training routine for decades. It's a marathon, not a race. Check out our programs if you're interested in taking up a sustainable, long term regime from home!