Whether you’re looking to incorporate upper-body conditioning, core exercises, or physical therapy into your routine, using resistance bands is a great way to enhance your strength, stability, and mobility. The best resistance bands are high-quality, versatile, and portable, allowing you to target various muscle groups with minimal equipment, rather than relying on free weights and larger gym equipment.
To find the best resistance bands, including loop bands, tube bands, power/assist bands, and resistance straps, we tested 31 options, assessing each for 15- to 30-minute full-body circuits at least three times a week over several months of testing. We evaluated each option for its quality, ease of use, grip, portability, and value to find the top options on the market.
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Key Specs
Tension Range: Light, medium, heavy (specific weight not listed) | Material: Woven fabric, elastic | Style: Loop bands | Included Accessories: Carrying bag | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Who They’re For
Best for exercisers who enjoy challenging Pilates and strength training workouts and want a set of loop bands that can withstand frequent use.
Why We Love Them
Bala Bands Resistance Bands are both effective and aesthetically pleasing, designed to support workouts ranging from yoga and Pilates to strength training and injury rehabilitation. During testing, we immediately noticed and appreciated how these fabric resistance bands stayed in place perfectly on both workout leggings and bare skin. Moving through a wide range of lower-body, core, and upper-body exercises, we found that the elasticized fabric provides plenty of grip without creating an uncomfortable pulling sensation on the skin. The result: An extremely comfortable wear for a truly challenging workout.
We also appreciated the bands’ resistance range versatility, providing solid options for most movements and fitness levels. The size of the bands added to this versatility, making them functional for leg extensions, clamshells, banded front raises, and more. They come in a petite mesh carrying bag, making them a great travel companion as well. Using them well after our formal testing period came to a close, we easily dub this set of high-quality bands one of our favorites and well worth the very reasonable price tag.
Potential Flaws
- Our main complaint with these resistance bands is that their resistance levels aren’t labeled, and the various colors, while very pretty, don’t make it intuitive.
Most Valuable Insight
“I bought my Bala Bands as soon as I was medically cleared for postpartum exercise, excited to explore Pilates and strength training combo workouts to support my recovery. The bands immediately became one of my favorite home gym and travel workout tools, and 18 months later, I can confirm that they’ve held up impressively well to frequent use. I use these bands three to five times a week and can’t imagine my workouts without them.” —Alena D., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs
Tension Range: Light (14-25 pounds), medium (25-35 pounds), strong (35-50 pounds) | Material: Cotton | Style: Loop bands | Included Accessories: Carrying bag, exercise booklet | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Who They’re For
Best for intermediate to advanced exercisers on a budget who want to add resistance to their lower-body workouts.
Why We Love Them
GYMB’s Non-Slip Bands are another great loop band option, particularly for lower body exercises, because they’re sturdy and reasonably priced. These fabric resistance bands are made of cotton cloth, ensuring they won’t pinch your skin or break. And we like that they come with an instruction booklet and a convenient carrying bag.
Thanks to the thick fabric, they proved durable over the testing period. The strong resistance never stretched, making it ideal for intermediate to advanced lower-body workouts. The set of three—which includes light, medium, and strong resistance bands—strikes the right balance of resistance levels, and we also like that each band is labeled with the resistance level it offers. Plus, the bands are lined with a rubber grip to prevent rolling and slipping, even when we sweat.
Potential Flaws
- Even the lightest resistance level may be too heavy for beginners.
- Although each band is labeled with the resistance level it offers, we wish the color coding system for each resistance level were more intuitive.
Most Valuable Insight
“The grip is great, and these never slip down my legs during workouts. Even on sweatier days or when I’m wearing leggings with a slippery feel, these stay put. They sit firmly and comfortably on my legs where I place them.” —Ashleigh M., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs
Tension Range: Light (10 pounds), medium (15 pounds), heavy (20 pounds), extra-heavy (30 pounds), extra-extra-heavy (40 pounds) | Material: Latex | Style: Loop bands | Included Accessories: Carrying bag | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Who They’re For
Best for all fitness levels and exercisers on a budget, especially beginners who want to gradually increase resistance in their workouts over time.
Why We Love Them
With five resistance bands ranging in tension from 10 to 40 pounds, Insonder’s Resistance Bands are our go-to pick for a budget-friendly set that works great for various lower-body exercises. They’re especially ideal for beginners who want to gradually increase resistance as their strength improves. All five bands feel equally thick and durable, giving us confidence that even the lightest one won’t tear or snap during our workouts.
We also love how easy it is to tell the bands apart, thanks to clearly labeled dots that indicate their resistance levels. While latex resistance bands are known to attract hair and dust due to static, the chalk-like coating on these bands keeps debris from sticking. Plus, the smooth surface is gentle on skin and doesn’t pinch or tug, even when used on bare legs or arms. We also like that these resistance bands are super lightweight and come with a handy mesh carrying bag, making them easy to take on the go.
Potential Flaws
- The bands slipped slightly a few times when we started to sweat during workouts, so you may need to adjust them during certain exercises.
- Unlike other band sets on our list, this one doesn’t come with an exercise booklet.
Most Valuable Insight
“These came with a durable, breathable carrying case. They’re also of very high quality and have a coating/texture that doesn’t pick up dirt or lint like most rubber bands. The tension for all levels was really good—nothing was too light, so it would provide a good workout with no other equipment needed.” —Kelsey L., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs
Tension Range: 32.4-33 pounds | Material: Waterproof cotton and latex blend | Style: Loop bands | Included Accessories: Carrying case | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Who They’re For
Best for those looking to level up their leg, hip, and glute workouts, especially those focusing on static lower-body exercises.
Why We Love Them
If your goal is to build stronger legs and glutes, Victorem’s Resistance Booty Bands Set will quickly become your new gym best friend. The budget-friendly set includes three resistance bands, each offering a resistance level of about 32 to 33 pounds. With their higher resistance, these bands are especially effective for static exercises, such as squats, hip bridges, and good mornings, as well as for activation work.
One of the standout features of these fabric resistance bands is their durability. Made from a mix of cotton and latex, they feel sturdy and well-built, showing no signs of wear and tear throughout testing. Additionally, the non-slip fabric stays flat and in place, unlike some latex loop bands that curl up during movement, says personal trainer Cassandra Padula Burke, CPT.
Potential Flaws
- These resistance bands come in a set of three, all with a resistance level of around 32 to 33 pounds, which we found too heavy for upper-body movements.
- Because all three bands have a similar resistance level, we were limited to using them only during lower-body workouts. And even then, the resistance was too high for dynamic moves.
Most Valuable Insight
“They are just as effective on sweaty skin as on dry skin. I never had to readjust because they were digging into my skin, and the best part is that they don’t roll up! I could truly get through multiple sets without having to readjust.” —Teresa M., Verywell Fit product tester
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Very durable
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Grippy, comfortable, and non-slip
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Versatile resistance levels
Key Specs
Tension Range: Small- and large-diameter sets in regular, strong, extra-strong (specific weight not listed) | Material: Latex and polyester blend | Style: Loop bands | Included Accessories: None | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Who They’re For
Best for intermediate and advanced users who regularly use resistance bands for lower-body exercises.
Why We Love Them
BC Strength’s Glute Loops are some of the most durable resistance bands we’ve ever used. This set is an investment, but thanks to the high-quality knit fabric, it holds up extremely well to years of use. One of our editors has used these weekly for over three years, and they show minimal signs of wear and tear. Additionally, the resistance bands are comfortable and easy to use during lower-body exercises.
Throughout testing, these fabric resistance bands never budged or slipped during exercises. Plus, the set includes six bands with varying resistance levels, making it highly versatile. We also appreciate the two diameter options to suit different body sizes and workouts. The smaller bands are ideal for targeted moves, like clamshells and lateral band walks, while the larger bands work well for exercises like squats and hip thrusts. Despite offering solid resistance, the bands remain lightweight and easy to carry in a gym bag.
Potential Flaws
- Even the lightest bands in this set offer a good amount of resistance, so they’re not the best option for beginners.
- We wish the resistance bands came with a carrying bag to make them easier to transport and keep track of.
Most Valuable Insight
“These are incredibly durable and versatile loop bands, and are a great investment for those who plan on using this type of equipment frequently.” —Gabby A., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs
Tension Range: Light, medium, heavy (specific weight not listed) | Material: Fabric | Style: Loop bands | Included Accessories: Carrying case | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Who They’re For
Best for those looking for a budget-friendly booty band that won’t slide down during banded squats, glute bridges, or lateral walks.
Why We Love Them
Recreation Sweat’s Resistance Band Set is a great option, particularly for lower-body exercises, because the bands are sturdy, grippy, and reasonably priced. During testing, we loved using these for banded squats and glute bridges because they didn’t slide down our thighs or bunch up at all—an issue often encountered with other mini-loop bands. They stay in place when we’re sweaty, whether we’re using them on bare skin or on slippery leggings.
We also appreciate that these resistance bands are made from comfortable fabric that won’t pinch your skin. They’re easy to carry, thanks to a small mesh bag designed for on-the-go workouts. Additionally, the quality of these bands is significantly superior to that of most other loop bands, and we love that they remain in place during use.
Potential Flaws
- We wish the bands were marked with resistance levels to make it easier to know which one to reach for during a workout.
Most Valuable Insight
“I love using these for banded squats and glute bridges because they don’t slide down my thighs or bunch up at all—an issue I typically have with other mini loop bands. They stay perfectly in place. I cannot stress enough how nice that is.” —Alena K., Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs
Tension Range: 19-80 pounds | Material: Nylon, foam, rubber | Style: Tube bands | Included Accessories: None | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who They’re For
Best for exercisers who have access to a door to anchor these to and want a stackable tube band for easily customizable resistance.
Why We Love Them
Bodylastics’ Stackable Resistance Bands are all about quality and versatility. You can easily double up on bands to increase resistance, which is perfect when you want to go heavy. For example, if you’re doing a lat pulldown and need 105 pounds of resistance, you can clip multiple bands together, says Burke. During testing, we used the brand’s resistance band set, and we were particularly impressed by the quality of construction.
They have a sturdy, durable feel, especially considering the budget-friendly price. The cushioned rubber handles (sold separately) are comfortable and easy to grip, even when hands are sweaty. Plus, the bands are highly portable and can easily fit into a travel backpack or carry-on. Note that these are sold as single bands, so you’ll need to purchase multiple if you want to stack them for added resistance.
Potential Flaws
- These resistance bands require you to anchor them to a door, so if you don’t have a proper door to attach them to, you won’t get the full use out of them.
- Placing these bands under your feet may feel uncomfortable, especially compared to flat resistance bands, so you may need to wear shoes during certain exercises.
Most Valuable Insight
“You can do so many exercises with this band that it could easily replace other weights. They are well-made, easy to use, and portable. Plus, they come at a good price.” —Smith C., Verywell Fit product tester
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Comfortable and versatile
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Solid grip, even with sweaty hands
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Budget-friendly
Key Specs
Tension Range: Light (10 pounds), medium (20 pounds), heavy (30 pounds), extra-heavy (40 pounds), extra-extra-heavy (50 pounds) | Material: Latex | Style: Tube bands | Included Accessories: Two handles, door anchor, two ankle straps, carrying bag | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Who They’re For
Best for those who want a budget-friendly training system for at-home full-body workouts.
Why We Love Them
Whatafit’s Resistance Bands Set is a versatile, budget-friendly option for full-body workouts. The bands are comfortable to use, and the foam handles make it easy to maintain a secure grip, even with sweaty hands. The set includes five bands with resistance levels ranging from 10 to 50 pounds, two ankle straps, two handles, and a door anchor—everything you need for a complete home workout.
We found that the durable latex resistance bands feel safe to use, and the carabiner clips on each band provide an extra layer of security. Like some other sets on our list, this one comes with a helpful instruction booklet featuring detailed descriptions and illustrations of suggested exercises. This made testers with little experience using tube bands feel more confident and comfortable with the system.
Potential Flaws
- While the tube bands held up during our testing period, the included accessories don’t feel quite as durable and may not last as long as other options on our list.
Most Valuable Insight
“This tube band set is a solid budget-friendly option that’s durable, grippy, versatile, and provides everything you need for a total body workout.” —Gabby A., Verywell Fit product tester
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Comfortable, even during sweatier workouts
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Lightweight and easily portable
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Durable and well-made
Key Specs
Tension Range: Light, medium, heavy (specific weight not listed) | Material: Latex | Style: Tube bands | Included Accessories: None | Our Overall Rating: 5/5
Who They’re For
Best for exercisers who want a versatile set of tube bands with handles for better grip during resistance band workouts.
Why We Love Them
Rep Fitness’ Tube Resistance Bands Set comes with three mini loop bands in varying resistance levels, making it easy to switch between exercises. These resistance bands may provide better control during movements due to the ability to grip a handle, says Burke, who recommends using these for the Pallof press, lateral raises, rows, and chest presses.
After testing these for over a month, we found that the resistance bands felt very sturdy, and the grip felt good in our hands. And after multiple workouts, they remained in like-new condition, maintaining their shape without any stretching. Plus, the bands are lightweight, portable, and comfortable, even during sweaty sessions.
Potential Flaws
- Since these have handles, they can’t be used around the knees, so these may not be the best for glute and hip exercises.
- They don’t come with a carrying case, which we would have appreciated.
Most Valuable Insight
“These bands are very versatile. With the three sizes, I’m able to do a variety of moves. During the testing period, the bands performed very well and provided a great range of motion.” —Jacob F., Verywell Fit product tester
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Six resistance levels
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Textured grip handles
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Durable and high-quality
Key Specs
Tension Range: Light (10 pounds), medium (15 pounds), heavy (30 pounds), extra-heavy (40 pounds), extra-extra-heavy (50 pounds), ultra-heavy (60 pounds) | Material: Latex, rubber | Style: Tube bands | Included Accessories: Pre-attached handles | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Who They’re For
Best for beginner to advanced exercisers who want to invest in resistance bands for upper-body moves like rows, bicep curls, and shoulder presses.
Why We Love Them
Rogue’s Tube Bands feature pre-attached handles, adding variety and versatility to home workouts. We love that they allow us to perform classic dumbbell exercises without altering our form. The set includes six bands with different resistance levels, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users. The handles also feature a textured grip, helping us maintain a secure hold, even with sweaty hands.
Another great feature is the color coding of each band to match its resistance level, making it easy to distinguish between intensities during workouts. The resistance bands are made from high-quality, durable materials, and after weeks of regular use, they showed no signs of wear and tear.
Potential Flaws
- The resistance bands don’t come with a carrying bag, which would make them easier to take on the go.
Most Valuable Insight
“The quality is excellent! They are still in like-new condition, being used at least four times weekly.” —Karen F., Verywell Fit product tester
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Clearly labeled resistance levels
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No slipping, even when sweaty
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High-quality
Key Specs
Tension Range: Purple (5-35 pounds), red (10-50 pounds), blue (25-80 pounds), green (50-120 pounds) | Material: Latex | Style: Power/assist bands | Included Accessories: None | Our Overall Rating: 4.2/5
Who They’re For
Best for exercisers who want a set of high-quality power/assist bands with a wide range of resistance levels.
Why We Love Them
We love that Serious Steel’s Assisted Pull-Up Bands Set includes four resistance bands of varying tension levels, making them versatile for a range of exercises and fitness levels. While we particularly like these resistance bands for assisted pull-ups and chin-ups, the lighter bands in the set also add resistance to exercises such as overhead presses, push-ups, chest presses, triceps kickbacks, and more.
Since the set comes with four resistance bands of ascending tension levels, we appreciate that we can start with lower resistance and progressively move up as we gain strength. Thanks to their high-quality, grippy material, we can hold on to the bands even with sweaty hands, and we never worry about them snapping back at us mid-workout. Additionally, the bands are intuitively color-coded based on the resistance they offer, allowing us to easily select the desired level during a workout.
Potential Flaws
- An included instruction guide would have been helpful for workout guidance, especially for beginners. But we like that you can find a few exercise suggestions directly on the manufacturer’s product page.
Most Valuable Insight
“These are super strong bands that will last a very long time.” —Vimal R., Verywell Fit product tester
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Durable
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Highly intuitive to use
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Very versatile
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Lacks resistance variety
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Lacks grip
Key Specs
Tension Range: Purple (25-80 pounds), green (50-120 pounds), blue (60-150 pounds), orange (70-170 pounds) | Material: Latex | Style: Power/assist bands | Included Accessories: None | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5
Who They’re For
Best for exercisers who need heavy-duty, durable resistance bands for moves like assisted pull-ups.
Why We Love Them
Titan Fitness’ Heavy Resistance Bands set comes with four pairs, providing resistance ranging from 25 to an impressive 170 pounds. We found that the heavier blue and orange bands are ideal for larger individuals who want additional support, especially during pull-ups. These are highly intuitive—you can loop them over or choke them around a pole or bar if you don’t mind them getting shorter.
While these are heavy, they’re also versatile. We found that the heaviest (orange) band came in handy for a push-up variation where we stretched the band across the squat rack spotter arms and performed push-ups with our hands on the resistance bands. Bonus points for how durable and heavy-duty they feel during all our workouts.
Potential Flaws
- The fact that the resistance bands are all on the heavier side means they’re particularly well-suited for pull-up assistance; however, they’re also too heavy for warm-ups and certain isolating movements, such as rotator cuff exercises.
- These are smooth, but almost too smooth. Our knees slid out of them during assisted pull-ups.
Most Valuable Insight
“I am a bigger guy, so in terms of a pull-up assistance pack, this is really good for me and gives me the option to taper down my level of assistance as I improve.” —Robert T., Verywell Fit product tester
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Easily withstands repeated use
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Written instructions and instructional video included
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Handles improve grip on bands
Key Specs
Tension Range: Light, medium (specific weight not listed) | Material: Latex | Style: Resistance straps | Included Accessories: Two handles | Our Overall Rating: 4.3/5
Who They’re For
Best for exercisers who want resistance straps for seated chair exercises, stretches, and certain yoga poses.
Why We Love Them
This set is great for older adults and beginner exercisers, thanks to the instruction guide featuring low-impact chair exercises that can be performed with the resistance bands. Healthy Seniors’ Resistance Straps (one light and one medium) also come with an 18-page instructional guide featuring illustrations of various exercises that can be done with the resistance bands, particularly beginner-friendly chair exercises.
Additionally, two handles can be attached to either end of the resistance straps, providing users with a better grip on the bands. Along with chair exercises, we could easily use these resistance bands for lightweight squats, bicep curls, and hamstring stretches on the floor. The latex construction easily withstands repeated stretching and continued use. The entire set consists of four lightweight pieces, making it easy to carry in a bag or gym backpack.
Potential Flaws
- We noticed that the resistance bands could slip and snap back at us when using the handles as attachments if they weren’t properly secured. However, we resolved this issue by double-knotting the bands around the handles.
Most Valuable Insight
“These resistance straps are very durable and feature handles for a better, more comfortable grip. The instructions and helpful videos are ideal for exercisers who appreciate a step-by-step guide for using their exercise equipment.” —Gabby A., Verywell Fit product tester
Resistance Bands We Also Tested
We tested 31 sets of resistance bands, but only 13 made it to our final list of recommendations. The following resistance bands have some notable features, but ultimately didn’t meet our rigorous testing requirements.
- Buckleband’s Starter Set is easy to use and fastens securely anywhere on your body without requiring you to wiggle it into place, unlike traditional loop bands. However, we noticed some slight tearing near the buckle when testing, so we’re concerned about its long-term durability.
- Lululemon’s Resistance Band Set didn’t stay put. And while the fabric felt very comfortable and sturdy, the resistance bands didn’t stretch as far as we would have liked.
- Rogue’s Monster Resistance Bands set comes with five power/assist bands that offer a variety of resistance levels. But they don’t come with a carrying case, and we think there are more budget-friendly options of similar quality.
- Calia’s Fabric Bands are thick and wide, staying in place thanks to the non-slip ridges inside the bands. However, the resistance offered is too heavy for most users, making it difficult to complete many exercises.
- Wikday’s Resistance Bands are of good quality and sturdy, allowing for versatility in a workout. However, we noticed that they had an off-putting, rubbery smell, and the lightest band’s small diameter dug into our skin.
- Sunny Health & Fitness’ Strength Training Band has four different resistance levels ranging from 100 to 180 pounds, making it a good choice for advanced exercisers. We found that it was easy to use, sturdy, and comfortable, but there are more budget-friendly options that offer equally good quality.
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What We’ve Updated
- Since publishing our initial fully tested roundup of the best resistance bands, we’ve re-evaluated our previous picks and hands-on tested one more set of resistance bands. We tested the bands at home during our regular fitness routines, evaluating them based on quality, ease of use, grip, portability, and value, and have included these new insights in this article.
- After weeks of thorough testing, we’ve reworked our list, replacing our Best Overall product pick.
- This current list reflects the most up-to-date, reliable options for a wide range of fitness levels and goals.
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How to Choose the Best Resistance Bands
- Style: Arguably, the most important factor to consider when choosing the right resistance band for you is the style of band that best suits your workout needs. Select a resistance band style that targets the specific body part you want to work on and can be easily integrated into your existing exercise routine.
- Tension Range: Nearly every set of resistance bands comes with a specific tension range, whether noted by level (light, medium, and heavy) or pounds. Our experts recommend purchasing a set with a minimum tension that works for lighter upper-body exercises and a maximum tension that will prove challenging for heavier, lower-body workout routines. Multi-packs of resistance bands offer a range of resistance, so you don’t have to worry about buying additional bands to tackle different exercises or to ensure you feel challenged over time.
- Material: Regardless of the resistance band’s style, most are made from either rubber or latex. These materials are stretchy, long-lasting, and easy to clean. Rubber is typically more durable, but our experts note that latex is stretchier for both high- and low-impact exercises. Though loop bands can also be made with these materials, you may also find some made with fabric, a woven knit material that provides stretch without the fear of pinching or sliding on the skin.
- Included Accessories: Some of the most popular accessories in a workout band set are handles, ankle straps, and door anchors. Handles often clip onto tube bands with a carabiner clip, offering a secure place to hold the tubes comfortably. Ankle straps fit around the ankles, allowing you to perform moves such as hip adductions and hip abductions. If the set includes door anchors, you can complete kickbacks, rows, and other exercises that require the tube bands to be hooked to a secure area (like your door frame).
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How We Tested the Resistance Bands
To find the best resistance bands on the market, we tested 31 options over several months, using them during both upper- and lower-body workouts multiple times a week. When testing resistance bands, we evaluate each option based on the following key criteria.
- Quality: Throughout our testing period, we note the quality of each resistance band. Do the resistance bands feel like they’re made of high-quality material that doesn’t pinch or rub the skin? Do the resistance bands stretch out at all, or did they remain in like-new condition over our testing period? Sets score well in this area if they’re made with durable materials that maintain their quality over time.
- Ease of Use: Are the resistance bands easy to use during our workout routines? Or do we have to modify moves to use them properly? Is it fairly easy to set up the bands for an exercise, or does it require effort to position them properly? We value bands that make setting up for a workout a simple, intuitive process.
- Grip: Do the bands hold steady during exercises, or do they constantly slip, causing us to stop our workouts to readjust them? For loop bands, do they dig in or pinch our skin, or do they feel comfortable? For tube bands with handles, are the handles easy to hold, even with sweaty hands? We only recommend sets that stay put during workouts without causing any discomfort.
- Portability: If the set comes with multiple bands and accessories, does it include a carrying bag to easily store and transport the equipment? Can the resistance bands easily fit into a gym bag, or are they too heavy or bulky to transport? We value portability to make it easier to use the bands on the go.
- Value: To determine whether each band or band set is truly worth its price, we wait to check the price of each resistance band until after our testing period has concluded. We then evaluate whether the price of each set is worth its quality and whether we would buy each at its full price or wait until the set goes on sale.
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Our Experts
We consulted experts at each stage of our research, testing, and reporting process. The following experts provided valuable insights on how to effectively evaluate and test the resistance bands. Their guidance helped us identify the key features to consider and understand the differences between various types of bands. While we choose products independently, expert input influences our decisions.
- Cassandra Padula Burke, CPT, RDN, personal trainer, triathlon coach, and owner of Catalyst Performance Lab in Finksburg, Maryland
- Noelle McKenzie, CPT, personal trainer and co-founder of Leading Edge NY
- Gabby Drucker, CPT, personal trainer and owner of Drucker Fitness in Tarrytown, New York
Frequently Asked Questions
What strength resistance band should I start with?
The ideal strength resistance band for you depends on your fitness level, goals, and the type of exercises you’re doing. For instance, beginners, those recovering from injury, and individuals prioritizing upper-body exercises should start with a light or medium resistance band. Meanwhile, more advanced users, those targeting larger muscle groups in the legs, and people focused on building strength and endurance should reach for a medium or heavy resistance band.
Do resistance band exercises actually work?
Yes, research suggests that working out with resistance bands can help activate muscles, build strength, and improve endurance. In fact, when used correctly and consistently over time, resistance bands can be just as effective as free weights or machines in improving muscle strength, tone, and function.
What’s the best material for resistance bands?
The best material for resistance bands depends on the type of resistance band, your workout needs, and any skin sensitivities you may have. Most are made with either rubber or latex, both of which are stretchy, long-lasting, and easy to clean. Many loop bands, in particular, feature fabric as well to make them more comfortable to wear and use.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
April Benshosan is a Verywell Fit writer and experienced weight lifter. She uses booty bands for hip and glute activations before leg day and wears them during weighted hip thrusts. She always brings her loop bands along with her when traveling. April’s work highlights her passion for arming people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.
Additional reporting contributed by Jennifer Zeltwanger, ACSM-EP, and Alena Davis, ISSA-CPT
Jen Zeltwanger, ACSM-EP, has 25 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and understands the importance of finding high-quality products that enhance your fitness routine. She is particularly focused on finding and recommending products for effective home workouts.
Alena Davis, ISSA-CPT, is a Verywell Fit writer and exercise enthusiast. As a former personal trainer who prioritizes strength training in her weekly workout routine, she understands the value of outfitting her home gym space with equipment that supports her overall health and fitness goals. For this article, she helped test some resistance bands, using them regularly for her Pilates and strength training workouts. Bala Bands are her current favorite.
