REVERSE BAND SQUAT

 

 

by Matt Kroczaleski

The reverse band method offers several benefits to powerlifters. First, it allows a lifter to handle more weight than would otherwise be possible, which offers both physiological and psychological benefits.
Psychologically, having more weight on your back or in your hands mentally prepares you for supporting and lifting those loads down the road when not using bands.
Physiologically, bands adjust the force curve to work more efficiently with your body's own natural leverages. In other words, the load is decreased in the portion of the lift where your leverages are poorest (typically the bottom part of the movement) and increased where your leverages are best (near lockout).
This mimics the force curve of a competitive powerlifter using supportive gear like bench shirts and squat suits, while also significantly strengthening the musculature needed in the lockout portion of the lift.
But the benefits extend even to noncompetitive lifters. Raw lifters often struggle with the lockout portions of the bench press and deadlift, and there's arguably no better method for fixing this than the reverse band method.

excerpt from http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/bands_for_size_and_strength&cr=