Using resistance bands to level up your workouts and help increase your strength, stability, and mobility. It is a terrific way to add upper-body conditioning, core exercises, or physical therapy to your program.
Resistance bands come in a variety of styles, including tube bands, loop bands, power/assist bands, and resistance straps. Resistance bands are designed to replicate the use of machines, free weights, and heavy gym equipment when used during bodyweight motions.
While shopping for resistance bands, consider their style and whether they will help you accomplish your favorite types of workouts. Also, be certain that they are built of long-lasting, high-quality materials and that they are within your budget.
We tested 20 sets of resistance bands among ourselves. We used them at the gym and at home to determine the best ones on the market.
Here are our recommendations for every budget and fitness level.
This post contains referral links for products we love. Staying Fit With Aeran earns a small commission on these links at no cost to you, and the links will always be marked with an asterisk *.
Renoj Resistance Bands * Set is the best overall in loop band.
Pros
- Non-slip gripping strip
- There are instructions included
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Peak tension is not as high as in other bands
- Better for newcomers
Renoj’s Activity Workout Bands took first place in our loop band category after performing a series of squats, clamshells, lateral walks, and mild arm workouts.
Their non-slip grip and latex-polyester knit fabric provided a nice fit and feel. The woven fabric and double-stitched seams felt sturdy and did not break, tear, or unravel. The heaviest band of the three was not as strong as we would have wanted. We feel this package is better investment for novices.
We loved how these bands didn’t roll over when we exercised as thinner rubber bands do. These bands are small enough to fit in a gym bag on their own, they come with a mesh pouch. The provided instructions, which featured detailed, easy-to-follow exercises, were very beneficial.
Insonder Resistant Bands * are the best budget loop bands.
Pros
- There are five levels of resistance
- It comes with a small carrying bag
- Resistance levels are clearly labeled
Cons
- Slippery on wet skin
- There are no instructions supplied
Insonder’s Mini Bands are our recommendation for a low-cost set of loop bands. These bands can be used for a range of exercises and stretches. This brand comes with five bands varying in tension from 10 to 40 pounds.
The set is particularly useful for beginners who want to progressively raise the resistance of their bands as their strength grows over time. These bands feel thick and robust.
We also found that when we were utilizing this set, we felt secure that even the lightest band would not rip or shatter. We also enjoyed how the bands were easy to distinguish because of clearly labeled dots that corresponded to their resistance levels.
Static electricity attracts hair and dust to latex-based loop bands, but the chalk-like residue on these bands prevents them from accumulating debris. Throughout our testing, the smooth surface did not irritate our skin.
We discovered that the bands slipped when they came in contact with water. We were trying to simulate sweat by spraying water on our skin during activities. Despite having to gently reposition them during several motions, they remained comfortable and simple to use.
Although Insonder’s bands are quite light, they come in a mesh carrying bag for easy transport. After all, with five bands to remember, it’s easy to misplace one on the way to and from the gym. Please keep in mind that, unlike our top overall recommendation, Renoj’s Resistance Bands do not come with any instructions.
BC Strong Glute Loop * Package is the best investment loop band.
Pros
- Knit fabric that is long-lasting
- Non-slip gripping strip
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
- There is no carrying bag
The BC Strong Glute Loops were among the most durable bands we tested over a two-day period. This set is a little more expensive, but due to the high-quality knit fabric, we believe it will withstand over time.
These bands can be used for arm workouts, but we found them to be very useful for leg exercises such as squats, hip thrusts, and clamshells. We conducted these exercises, as well as some modest stretching, and found the bands to be comfortable. We also noticed that thanks to the woven non-slip strip, these bands didn’t shift or slip while we were wearing them.
Despite the fact that there are six bands included in the set, we discovered that even the lightweight bands were quite substantial, making them better suited for advanced users. But we liked that they came with two diameters (S/M and L/XL) to accommodate varied body sizes.
During testing, we discovered that the set of six bands weighs 1.8 pounds, indicating that they’re lightweight and portable. A carrying bag would have been a wonderful addition, especially given the extra price.
GoFit Extreme Pro Gym Set * is the best overall.
Pros
- Comes with lots of accessories
- Durable
- Comes with instructions
Cons
- Resistance levels could be somewhat off.
- Heavy
Although loop bands are the most common type of resistance band, we were able to get a nice workout with this variety of tube bands. Tube bands are more versatile (especially when used in conjunction with a balance board) and simple to include in a wide range of exercises, particularly upper body activities. Many of the bands we tried, such as GoFit’s Extreme Pro Gym Set, come with a variety of attachments to make our exercises more difficult.
Just about every tube band we used came with attachments. They were useful because they allowed us to grip the bands without the worry of slipping when performing high-intensity movements like rows or squats. But it’s the inclusion of high-quality door anchors and ankle straps to GoFit’s Extreme Pro Gym Set that truly stands out, allowing for even more training variety.
The hardware on the attachments appeared to be of great quality, and we liked the padding on the handles and ankle straps. We loved the extra cushioning because scratching or discomfort can arise without nice, padded material, especially while executing exercises like resistance band kickbacks or door anchor rows. Our tester also noticed that her hands did not slip even when they were moist.
There are various ways to utilize these bands, so make sure you read the instruction manual that came with them. The drawings that came with the instruction were very helpful. We returned to the book several times in The Verywell Testing Lab, and it assisted us in making full use of the tube bands. This, along with the easy carrying bag, were two of the reasons this set stood out among the other tube bands we tested during the two-day timeframe.
Whatafit Resistance Bands Set * is the best budget tube band set.
Pros
- It includes a carrying bag
- Come with many accessories
- It comes with instructions
Cons
- Attachments may be brittle
Whatafit’s Resistance Bands Set is a low-cost tube band set that does not sacrifice quality. We found the bands to be very pleasant to wear, and our hands did not slip on the grips, even during the sweat test.
However, the ankle straps lacked some level of foam padding as the handles, we were able to complete our lower-body activities despite our discomfort.
Tubes come with tensions of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 lbs, as well as ankle straps, handles, and a door anchor. We feel the measurements for size did not match the product description. However, the resistance levels of the bands increased from light to heavy, as expected.
These latex tubes appeared to be sturdy. The attachments did not appear to be as durable as other, like GoFit’s Extreme Pro Gym Set. Even during more strenuous exercises, we felt safe utilizing the bands and attachments, like the carabiner clips.
A tiny instruction booklet was included with the set, just like the other resistance bands on our list. The workouts appeared to be quite simple and the detailed descriptions and drawings made our inexperienced testers feel more at ease when using the bands.
A carrying bag was also included, which we loved because it allowed us to keep all of the tube bands and accessories together when traveling.
Click Here to Read the rest of the Resistance Bands on our list.