8 Best Resistance Bands (Review) in 2019

How We Chose Our Selection of Resistance Bands

There is plenty of variation in the types and style of resistance bands available and it might be difficult to know where to even start when looking to buy your own. So we take the guess work out of that process for you by scouring the internet and retailers offering all the various types of bands to suit all ranges of budget too so that we can bring you a comprehensive highly recommended selection. We work alongside fitness industry experts and read consumer reviews to ensure that our suggestions have been professionally pulled together.

Features To Look For In Resistance Bands

Besides the obvious tension, look out for additional useful features when buying your workout bands like a storage bag included. The great benefit of resistance band training is that you really can do it anywhere so being able to keep all your kit together when you travel in a handy storage bag is a great additional extra.

Buying a resistance band to use for lower body workouts? Then look out for ankle cuffs that are secure but easy to take on and off with strong and reliable Velcro fasteners.

Prefer to have a band with integrated handles? Again consider what exercise you are primarily going to be doing and check that the handle is appropriately shaped and will be comfortable whilst performing something like a lat pull down for example. The handle shape is an important consideration.

Types of Resistance Bands

There are actually more varying types of resistance band than you probably realised and they are designed in order to achieve different results and support a far reaching series of exercises from assisted pull-ups to lateral band raises to good old booty workouts. The basic types are as follows:

Fit tube or compact resistance bands

These are the kind you see at the gym, featuring a latex tube but with fixed plastic handles either end making them ideal for performing a range of upper body, targeted arms and lower body movements. They will come in different strengths to increase or lower the resistance level usually denoted by a different color latex.

Flat resistance bands

You get these in two different types. What’s known as a therapy band and also a fit loop band. Rather than tubing, the band is flat. They’re frequently used in rehabilitation exercises and Pilates for example.

Lateral resistance bands

They are tubular style bands but with an ankle cuff on either end rather than handles meaning they are perfect for really challenging your lower half and giving it a good blast.

Clip tube resistance bands

Again with a latex tube but these will have a handy metal clip fastener allowing you the versatility to change out the handles. You should be able to get them in different lengths and thicknesses and they are super portable so make a great addition to your holiday suitcase.

Figure eight bands

Also called bow tie resistance bands, they’re shaped, you got it, like a figure eight and have a handle on both loops and a third one in the middle. This makes them the ideal band for working the upper body and isolating arms, great for check expansion exercises for example. They’re usually 20 inches long.

Pull-up resistance bands

Long and strong as you’d expect from a band that is going to assist you with the ever challenging pull up. They are made of one thick continue loop of latex and come in different strengths to support your weight as you hone that pull up technique. You’ll usually use these in conjunction with a pull up bar at the gym

Ring resistance bands

These are designed in a complete circle with two handles or less flexible sections either side of each other. They’ll usually measure about a foot diameter and can be a great way of targeting the lower body.

Resistance Band FAQs

Q: Why Should I Use resistance bands while exercising?

A: Resistance bands make a great portable alternative to the usual weights and dumbbell sets you might carry out at the gym. They still provide you with a valuable form of resistance but in a very accessible and light-weight piece of equipment. So light weight in fact, you can quite literally pop one in your workout bag and take it with you to park for a few targeted tricep sets post run or even better still pack in your weekend bag or suitcase for a business trip or that annual holiday.

With the flexibility and versatility that a resistance provides, in such a transportable and compact bit of kit, there are no excuses for not keeping up with your regular workout routines, wherever you might happen to be. A resistance band is a great investment for home or away. Buy one and even stick it by the bed so that last thing at night and first thing in the morning you can grab your band and get some regular resistance training into your day.

If you’re a relative new-comer to exercise a resistance band will build up your strength and confidence and they are a great, fun and non-impact way, to maintain muscle definition, particularly if you have a desk job and are sat around for long hours.

A resistance band can also be used to give your body a good old stretch.

Resistance bands are perfect to use whilst exercising because they are safe, secure and very easy to use and offer the ultimate in both progression and regression.

Q: What resistance band tension is right for me?

A: Resistance bands can be bought singularly or often in a set so it might be an idea when you’re starting out to invest in a set which will still be relatively inexpensive so that you can gauge for yourself what resistance you need where. It’s likely that your legs are going to be a hell of a lot stronger than your arms for example so switching around your resistance band strengths is a good strategy. The strength of the band will most likely be denoted by its color but you will also be able to see and feel the difference in thickness and length which will affect the overall resistance. There are 4 main levels of tension and they will take you from a light or rehabilitation style workout right through to supporting your advanced needs. Note though that for some types of exercise where the band is intended to support your own body weight, lighter can in fact be more difficult!

Light Tension Bands

Thinner design and provide around three pounds of resistance so not very much. This makes them ideal for beginners to resistance training, anyone under-going rehabilitation or if you are working instead on flexibility.

Medium Tension Bands

These might a great starting place if you already have some strength, no you will quickly progress and are confident and comfortable with your own fitness abilities. They should provide anywhere from six to thirteen pounds of resistance so significantly more than a light band offers.

Heavy Tension Bands

Noticeably thicker, these bands can provide up to nineteen pounds of resistance so are a great band for someone who already has good strength and levels of fitness but is wanting to inject some variety into their usual workout.

Very Heavy Tension Bands

Providing the most demanding levels of resistance with anywhere up to twenty-three pounds of tension, these should only be used by someone who’s already well experienced in weight and resistance training.

Q: What are the benefits of using resistance bands?

A: It might be that you just want to maintain some definition and gently challenge your muscles, perhaps because you are rehabilitating from an injury, are getting older and need to dial down the intensity, or you may be a newbie and need to start out slow and steady.

A resistance band offers a safe and easy way to get some valuable conditioning into your routine without the need to invest in an expensive gym membership as it’s something that you can easily do from the comfort of your own home. Be changing the strength of our resistance band or using it in different positions, you are able to get a more challenging and targeted workout for your muscles, choosing to isolate particular areas where you might have a weakness or just want to build some more tone.

They are inexpensive, easy to store and carry and provide you with a quick and easy means of getting some toning exercise into your workouts wherever you might be.

Don’t think that they are only suitable for people who want a light workout either. They can be fully incorporated into any advanced workout and because they are made from flexible material, can help you really hone and sculpt the more difficult to reach muscles that you just can’t adequately reach with weights or one of the bulky machines down the gym.

Quite literally, you can use a resistance band to pretty much target every muscle group in your body from legs, to arms, to back, chest and buttocks.