Looped bands with detachable handles

The 7 Best Resistance Bands For a Killer Workout Anywhere dumbbells and kettlebells to cutting edge tech like the Tonal integrated resistance training device, there’s no shortage of fitness equipment available for outfitting your home gym. With so many options, it’s easy to overlook the humble resistance band—a stretchy rubber band isn’t exactly the kind of fitness gear people get excited about, after all. Even if they lack hype, however, resistance bands are definitely worth integrating into your fitness routine.

“Resistance bands are a phenomenal tool to have in your fitness toolbox,” says Amanda Capritto, certified personal trainer and sports nutrition coach at Trainer Academy.

Resistance bands have all kinds of benefits. They’re safe to use (you don’t have to worry about dropping a heavy weight), affordable, and highly portable, which makes them especially great for working out while traveling. Runners, in particular, can benefit from using resistance bands: You can use them for dynamic stretching or injury rehab, says Capritto, and they can help you ease into strength training, nailing down proper form before working with heavy weights.

If you’re looking to learn more about the humble resistance band and which brands to buy, we can walk you through everything you need to know.

The Best Resistance Bands

• Best Overall: Resistance Band Training Total Fitness Package
• Best Value: Clench Fitness 41-Inch Loop Resistance Bands (5-Band Set)
• Best Grip: TRX Bandit
• Most Durable: Bodylastics 6-Band Set
• The 14 Best Running Shorts for Men: Theraband Resistance Band Set
• Best Latex-Free: Vulcan Strength Resistance Bands
• Health - Injuries: Walito Resistance Bands

The Expert (Michael Charboneau): I became a runner in middle school and have been covering running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist. When I’m not at a desk, I like to run, bike, and hike around Los Angeles, where I live. I’ve used all kinds of workout apparel and gear over the years, including resistance bands, and I have years of experience testing and writing about that gear, too. I've used that experience, along with extensive research on new and notable resistance bands, to put together this guide.

The Expert (Amy Schlinger): As a health and fitness journalist for over 12 years, I’ve been testing gear and trying out new fitness gadgets, machines, and other technology for a long time. I absolutely live for comparing new pieces of clothing, shoes, or other fitness tools to previous models or other gear available on the market. Resistance bands have always been a part of my fitness regimen, whether I’m doing ancillary muscle work, stepping up a bodyweight workout, or completing a physical therapy protocol when I’ve been injured.

I own countless bands and use them for all types of exercises. I became certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a personal Personal Trainer in 2020, and resistance bands are something I both use and recommend for clients of all different ages and fitness levels. They’re extremely versatile, take up little room, and are perfect for an at-home or on-the-go workout.

What to Consider in a Set of Resistance Bands

At their core, resistance bands are… Well they’re simply stretchy rubber bands. You can find them in a wide range of resistance levels, from the equivalent of a few pounds to well over 100 pounds (sometimes by combining multiple bands). A low-resistance band can add a gentle pull that helps stretch out your muscles, while high-resistance options can be used in place of lifting dumbbells.

How Resistance Bands Work

Unlike free weights or weight machines, which provide a set amount of resistance based on mass, resistance bands provide progressive resistance based on elasticity: The farther apart you pull the band, the more resistance you’ll experience.

“This is noticeable during use and provides a unique challenge to the musculoskeletal system compared to free weights,” says Capritto.

Resistance bands vary in the amount of resistance they offer, but there’s no standard rating system: Bands can be listed by a static level of resistance, a dynamic range, or just relative levels, such as “light” or “medium.” Bands are often coded by color according to how much resistance they provide, but each brand uses a different color scheme, so compare resistance by weight or difficulty level, not color, when selecting a set.

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Generally speaking, there are four types of resistance bands, each with their own subtle variations on the basic stretchy band format.

Looped Bands: Also called “superbands,” these rubber loops usually offer the highest resistance. Capritto recommends them for compound exercises, including squats, shoulder presses, chest presses, and good mornings.

“Look for a length of about 40 inches,” she says, “as that will allow for flexibility in terms of exercise types you can do with them.”

Tube Bands: Tube bands aren’t looped. Instead, they’re tubular elastic segments with carabiners or handles at each end. To use one, anchor it to a stationary object (for example, wrapping it around a pole), then pull on one or both of the handles to exercise. You can use tube bands for compound exercises, but Capritto notes they’re also great for lateral movements.

“For instance, you can anchor a tube band to a door and use the handles to perform standing reverse flys, chest flys, face pulls, lat pull-downs, triceps push-downs, and more,” she says.

Mini Bands: These are similar to looped bands, but they’re usually wider, thinner, and offer less resistance. They’re designed for low-impact movements and are commonly used in physical therapy settings to rehab injuries. Capritto points out they’re also good for stabilizing your body during an exercise or adding extra resistance to a movement.

Fabric Bands: These are similar to mini bands, but they’re made with a soft elastic fabric. This plush texture makes them less likely to pinch or pull on your skin when you wrap them around your arm or leg during a workout.

Construction and Durability

Most resistance bands are made from latex. (If you’re allergic, there are latex-free options, which will be clearly labeled.) They’re made in two ways: Layered bands are formed by adding successive layers of latex one on top of the other, while molded bands are created by pouring the latex into a mold.

While they are often a bit more expensive, layered bands are generally the better, more durable choice, according to Domenic Angelino, a certified personal trainer at Trainer Academy. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.

With regular use, most resistance bands last about a year or two before wearing out. If a band starts to lose its elasticity or show cracks or tears, it’s time to replace it.

How We Selected The Best Resistance Bands

The product recommendations below are based on a combination of Amy’s testing and Michael’s research. Michael also reached out to two certified personal trainers, Amanda Capritto and Domenic Angelino, for expert input on how to use resistance bands and how to compare models. We looked for highly-rated resistance bands online and incorporated RW editor and expert feedback, including Amy’s product knowledge and firsthand testing experience.

We included options to suit specific needs, like physical therapy, as well as more general products that should work for nearly anyone. Whether you’re a fitness pro or just starting out, these resistance bands will help you add variety to your workouts and get the results you’re working for.