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If you’re looking for home gym equipment that will help you build strength without breaking the bank or taking up valuable space, resistance bands may be what you need. To help you select the bands that are right for your exercising needs, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best resistance bands on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
Top 5 Resistance Bands
- Best Lower-Body Workout: Walito Resistance Bands for Legs and Butt
- Most Customizable: Bodylastics Resistance Bands Set
- Most Resistant Loop Bands: SUNPOW Pull-Up Assistance Bands
- Best For Medium Resistance: TheFitLife Exercise Resistance Bands with Handles
- Best For Light Workouts: Black Mountain Products Resistance Bands Set
Best Lower-Body Workout: Walito Resistance Bands for Legs and Butt
These resistance bands have a simplified system of light, medium, and heavy resistance levels that you can identify based on their colors. They’re also built with soft, stretchy fabric for comfort and rolling prevention.
Key Features
- Three loop bands
- 14-50 pounds of resistance
- Available in other color options
- Made of cotton
- Lifetime warranty
- Carrying bag included
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers liked these resistance bands because they were comfortable, had a wide range of motion, and didn’t roll or slide off of their legs. However, some dissatisfied customers said that they provided too much resistance and that there was little resistance difference between the three bands.
Most Customizable: Bodylastics Resistance Bands Set
This Bodylastics set is available in four versions with a quantity ranging from five to 14 bands and a maximum resistance ranging from 96 to 404 pounds. Made from premium latex, nylon, plastic, and metal, the Bodylastic Resistance Bands Set will withstand any level of exercise for years to come.
Key Features
- Five tube bands
- Three to 96 pounds of resistance
- Available in other quantity and resistance options
- Made of latex
- Two handles, an ankle strap, two door anchors, a carrying bag, and a guide included
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers pointed to the Bodylastics Resistance Bands Set’s sturdiness, range of motion, and durability. However, some dissatisfied customers were unhappy with its difficult setup and displeasing smell.
Most Resistant Loop Bands: SUNPOW Pull-Up Assistance Bands
The resistance bands in this set have a loop style like the Walito ones, making them best for workouts where you’re toning the lower half of your body. The set comes with five resistance bands ranging from five to 170 pounds of resistance for a more intense workout.
Key Features
- Five loop bands
- Five to 170 pounds of resistance
- Made of latex
- Lifetime warranty
- Carrying bag included
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked the range of thicknesses and resistances that these bands offered. Those who gave the product a negative review said that the bands broke too easily and that the company wasn’t easy to reach about the lifetime warranty.
Best For Medium Resistance: TheFitLife Exercise Resistance Bands with Handles
This set provides anywhere from 10 to 110 pounds of resistance with its five anti-snap latex bands. This makes the set perfect for customers who have graduated from the beginner stages of resistance-band workouts and want a higher degree of resistance.
Key Features
- Five tube bands
- 10 to 110 pounds of resistance
- Available in other resistance options
- Made of latex
- Two handles, an ankle strap, two door anchors, a carrying bag, and a guide included
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked these bands because of their high quality, easy setup, variety of resistances, and adaptability. However, some customers claimed that the bands were cheaply made and didn’t provide enough resistance for intense workouts.
Best For Light Workouts: Black Mountain Products Resistance Bands Set
The lowest resistance for these bands is two pounds, and the highest is 75 pounds. This makes the bands best for beginners or fitness enthusiasts who want a light workout. Additionally, their handles come with various attachments, including two foam handles, an ankle strap, and a door attachment, to accommodate different applications.
Key Features
- Five tube bands
- Two to 75 pounds of resistance
- Available in other quantity and resistance options
- Made of latex
- Lifetime warranty
- Two handles, an ankle strap, a door anchor, a carrying bag, and a guide included
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked these bands’ lightweight, easy setup and use, and affordable price. However, some customers ran into issues with the straps ripping off of the handles. Others were confused by the warranty that said they were only recommended for use for up to 90 days.
Buyer’s Guide
There are several factors to consider when you’re picking resistance bands, including how experienced you are and how you plan on using them. Keep reading to learn more about how to choose the right bands for your needs.
Type
There are several types of resistance bands that you can purchase depending on what you want out of your workout. Four of the most common types include sheet, loop, tube, and figure-eight.
Sheet
Sheet resistance bands are long and flat. They don’t typically have handles, but you can wrap them around your hands to get a grip. They offer a lot of stretch and length and are often used in physical therapy.
Loop
Loop bands are circular bands that are used for pull-ups, biceps curls, push-ups, and other similar exercises. Shorter loop bands can be utilized for lower-body workouts, such as glute- or leg-based exercises.
Tube
Tube resistance bands are made out of rubber or latex. They typically come with handles, door anchors, and ankle straps that attach to their ends, allowing you to do a variety of workouts.
Figure-Eight
Figure-eight resistance bands are shaped like an eight with two handles on each circle. They have a third handle on the connecting point of the two circles that you step on as you pull the other two handles up to complete upper-body workouts.
Resistance Levels
Resistance bands tell you how resistant they are to being stretched in pounds. The more resistant a band is, the tougher the workout will be because you will have to use more strength to stretch it. Thicker resistance bands typically offer higher resistance levels, while thinner bands are best for inexperienced users.
Accessories
Most resistance bands come in a set, so a carrying bag is often provided to make transporting them to and from your workout area easier. Some sets, especially those with tube bands, also come with other accessories, such as handles and door anchors, to give you more usage options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use resistance bands?
It depends on the type of resistance band you’re using and the type of workout you’re doing. For example, if you’re using loop bands for leg workouts, step into the band, and pull it up a few inches past your knees. Stand on one leg as you pull the other leg out in a semicircular motion.
Another exercise you could do with resistance bands involves strengthening your arms. Attach your tube bands to a door or wall using the included anchor, or loop them around a stable structure. Attach the included handles to the ends of your resistance bands, and pull the bands toward you.
Do resistance bands work for strength training?
Yes. Resistance-band workouts create muscle tension, which increases your muscles’ strength and definition with continued use.
Are resistance bands good for stretching?
Yes. Resistance bands can be used for stretching because of their elasticity. Using resistance bands ahead of intense workouts to activate your muscles can prevent injuries.
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