'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (2024)

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (1)

Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why Trust Us?

When it comes to versatile, portable, and affordable training gear, a resistance band is the best bet. It's perfect for those times when weights or machines aren't an option (or when you’re just not in the mood!). Resistance bands are also great for elevating your favorite bodyweight exercises, such as squats or bicycle crunches.

"I love resistance bands because they can elevate any workout by providing extra tension that is different from what weights are able to provide," says Sami Clarke, NASM, a certified fitness trainer and founder of FORM. "They are great for increasing strength for a variety of levels without overextending your body."

Best Resistance Bands

Resistance bands add an extra challenge to your workouts while assisting with harder exercises you’re trying to master, like pull-ups. Plus, it's incredible for muscle activation in warm-ups and enhancing your stretching exercises. There are many kinds of bands to choose from, each catering to a different fitness need. However, all the best resistance bands share similar durability, elasticity, and comfort. This makes it a reliable and versatile tool that can be easily integrated into any fitness routine.

What To Consider

When speaking with experts about what shoppers should pay attention to when shopping for resistance bands, four main factors came up in each convo: style, tension range, material, and extra accessories.

Style

The shape, thickness, size, and overall design of a resistance band determine how much tension it provides and what type of exercise it's best for. Small loop bands (aka mini bands, such as our favorite pick from Fit Simplify) are good for lower body exercises like glute bridges and lateral leg walks because of the shape. Booty bands are similar to small loop bands, but typically made out of knit fabric to prevent rolling, slipping, and pinching the skin (ouch). Long loop bands are the thickest and strongest options, which are great for assisting or adding resistance to pull-ups, push-ups, squats, or kettlebell swings. Long (non-looped) bands, like our pick from Theraband, are ideal for mobility and rehabilitation work.

Tension range

It’s a good idea to have an array of resistance options. Just because you may be strong does not mean you should opt for all “heavy” resistance bands (or vice versa). "Make sure you try exercises with a light band first to get the form right and then increase for greater challenge while maintaining good form and technique—something that should never be sacrificed," adds Pata.

For smaller muscle groups, like the rear deltoids, you may want to opt for a lighter version of resistance. Large muscle groups, like the legs, may require greater resistance to feel the work and offer the muscles enough challenge to work through, advises Pata.

Material

Rubber (hard) and elasticized fabric (soft) are typically the two types of resistance bands. Pata loves elastic (rubber) resistance bands for adding variety and effectiveness to workouts. "One of the things I love about incorporating it into training for clients (and for myself) is that it’s a great way to change the emphasis placed on muscles during certain exercises—by changing the direction of pull of the elastic resistance," she says. That's because the nature of elastic resistance is that it doesn't rely on gravity.

O'Brien likes to use softer elasticized resistance bands. "I love the thick, soft fabric bands because these tend to have grips ensuring the band stays in place and distributes the resistance more evenly," she says.

Extra accessories

Since most resistance bands come with multiple bands, Pata recommends getting a mesh bag for storage (if the set you buy doesn't come with one.) If you're looking for a resistance band set with extra bells and whistles like handles and carabiners for an all-in-one full-body workout, check out our pick from Bodylastics.

How We Tested And Selected

For the past two years, Women’s Health editors and freelancers, including our fitness editor Talene Appleton, NASM, and former commerce editor Neha Tandon, have been on the hunt for the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated resistance bands out there. We've consulted certified trainers Sarah Gawron, Toni Livers, Susane Pata, and Sami Clarke on which factors are important to consider when it comes to resistance bands. We also gathered a few of their top picks into our testing pool.

Our team of reviewers has tested more than 36 resistance bands for glute workouts, warm-ups and mobility work, and pull-up assistance, to name a few. The products featured on this list are the ones that impressed us the most in terms of tension, material, versatility, and overall value. Keep scrolling for our thoughtfully curated list of the best resistance bands for different needs and preferences.

1

Best Resistance Bands Overall

Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (9)

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (10)

Pros
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (11)Set of five bands
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (12)Comes with a carrier bag
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (13)Reasonably priced
Cons
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (14)The lightest band lacks utility for most users

We tested a bunch of resistance bands, and this one came out on top because of its versatility, affordability, and overall utility. Out of the many types of resistance bands we evaluated, we gravitated towards these mini bands the most often for warm-ups, accessory work, rehab, prehab, and glute workouts.

This Fit Simplify set includes five bands, which is on par with most competitors. While we love multiple resistance options as much as the next girl, it's worth noting that the lightest band may not be functional (aka, offer enough resistance) for most users on its own.

"I love these bands for warm-ups but also for accessory work," says WH fitness editor and lead tester Talene Appleton, NASM. "They're great for activating my glutes prior to squatting heavy, but I can also burn out my triceps doing extensions with the light one."

With a diameter of 12 inches, they provide intense tension throughout the range of motion. We found this length to offer a comfortable, snug fit (but not too snug) from the start, particularly for exercises involving both legs simultaneously. However, larger individuals may encounter discomfort with this size band when both legs are placed inside the band, as the band may feel overly tight and restrict the full range of motion.

Because hard mini-loop bands tend to be extremely thin, we found a width of two inches to be a helpful factor for spotting any tears or rips before a full snap occurs. The thinness of this style means it may not last as long with daily usage (although we only experienced one slight tear in the six months of using them). Yet, considering its affordability, it's not a major concern. Plus, it comes with a convenient carrying case for taking them on-the-go anywhere, anytime.

Read more: Best Dumbbells

StyleMini loop band
Tension RangeExtra light, light, medium, heavy, extra heavy (two to 30 lbs)
MaterialNatural rubber
Extra AccessoriesCarrier bag

2

Best Resistance Bands for Glutes

Te-Rich Resistance Bands for Legs and Butt

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (15)

Pros
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (16)Set of three bands
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (17)Comfortable and durable material
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (18)Built in grips
Cons
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (19)Tension may be too much for some users

If you like the idea of mini loop bands but want a durable fabric material that won't pinch your skin when working glutes, this is our top pick. This set of three sturdy loop bands is ideal for intermediate to advanced exercisers looking to add extra resistance to moves like glute bridges, hip extensions, and clamshells.

The cotton material with anti-slip strips is also intended to keep the bands from rolling (and pinching your skin). "The non-slip design is ideal and allows me to maintain my workout without constant adjustments, which is a huge bonus when doing glute work laying on a mat," says Appleton. Its thick and wide design also means it won't dig into your skin, making for a comfortable workout.

Over a three-week testing period, the thick fabric proved its durability, maintaining its resistance without stretching out, ripping, or snapping. "I was impressed with how well these bands held up," says Appleton.

The set includes three bands of light, medium, and strong resistance levels, striking a good balance for intermediate to advanced workouts. "I also love the color coding for different resistance levels—after a few uses, grabbing the band you want for a given exercise becomes very intuitive," says Appleton. It comes with a convenient carrying bag, making it easy to take to the gym or elsewhere.

While the resistance is consistent and great for challenging lower bodywork, even the lightest band might be too heavy for beginners. And while the bands are labeled, a more obvious distinguishing system would have been a nice touch for accessibility purposes.

StyleMini loop band
Tension RangeLight, medium, high
MaterialCotton, latex
Included AccessoriesCarry pouch

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

3

The Best Resistance Bands For Physcial Therapy

TheraBand Resistance Bands Set

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (20)

Pros
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (21)Great for yoga and stretching
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (22)Long and easy to grip
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (23)Latex-free
Cons
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (24)Doesn't offer enough tension or durability for strength work

For those seeking bands designed for stretching, yoga, rehab, and prehab, the open-ended Theraband resistance bands are a solid choice. You'll likely spy this OG resistance band set at a physical therapist’s office. The set is the perfect prop to help you deepen any stretch or finally start doing those PT exercises you've been putting off. (P.S.–they come in a latex-free option!).

The bands have a subtle texture that prevents rolling or sliding during use, ensuring a smooth experience free of any painful snags on the hair or skin. "They stayed put on my leggings and didn’t pinch my skin when wearing shorts, even when I was sweating," says Appleton. "This texture, along with the latex-free material, gave them a more durable feel."

Unlike other resistance bands that focus on high tension, this set is meant to improve flexibility and range of motion. While often associated with physical therapy, it benefits all types of exercisers when stretching.

The three bands have color-coded resistance levels and measure five feet long by four inches wide, accommodating tall individuals especially well. Holding each end of the band while the middle was behind his back, a tester with a wingspan of six feet performed a shoulder mobility exercise without any issues.

Read more: Best Home Gym Equipment

StyleFlat bands
Tension RangeLight to medium
MaterialSynthetic rubber
Included AccessoriesNone

4

Best Resistance Bands for Full-Body Workouts

Bodylastics Resistance Bands Set

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (25)

Pros
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (26)Snap guard feature
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (27)Range of tension levels
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (28)Attachments included
Cons
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (29)Bands may be too long for smaller individuals

This set includes five resistance bands of increasing tension levels and various attachments, so you can use it to add resistance to a full-body workout from anywhere. Plus, each tube in this five-band kit is reinforced with an inner rope, preventing potential snapping back if the bands break.

"I felt confident using these bands knowing they have built-in safety guards," Appleton says. "The woven cords inside the tubes prevent overstretching, reducing the risk of breakage and rebound snaps which can—trust me—really hurt."

The five bands in this set can be combined to provide up to 96 pounds of resistance, making it a suitable choice for a range of fitness levels. Alongside the bands, you'll find a door anchor for versatile workout setups, two grippy handles, and two padded ankle straps. While this setup isn't original, we found the Bodylastics kit to be higher quality than other options we tested on this list.

"If you're looking at this set and thinking you'd have no idea how to put it to use, know that it comes with a detailed instruction manual and access to free exercise demonstration videos," Appleton notes.

StyleTube bands with handles
Tension RangeLight, medium, heavy, extra heavy (three to 96 lbs)
MaterialRubber
Included AccessoriesCarrier bag, handles

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

5

Best Long Loop Resistance Bands

TheFitLife Resistance Pull Up Bands

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (30)

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (31)

Pros
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (32)Bands have long loops
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (33)Great for assisted pullups
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (34)Hefty tension range
Cons
  • 'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (35)Powdery feel may be a turnoff to some

If you're on the hunt for a versatile and budget-friendly set of heavy-duty large loop bands (sometimes referred to as 'superbands'), this is our top recommendation.

These continuous loops from TheFitLife offer excellent utility and confident support for a variety of band-assisted exercises. The material has a unique powdery feel without feeling chalky, offering a secure grip during sweat sessions.

Appleton put the four-band set through rigorous testing, exploring the range of resistance, which is 15 to 175 pounds. She found the bands to be a game-changer for her pullup practice. "I tried a variety of band-assisted workouts, and not once did I worry about them giving out on me," she says.

Appleton also loves the versatility of combining bands for extra resistance. It also resembles Rogue Monster bands but with a more wallet-friendly price tag. "If you find the largest or smallest bands unnecessary for your workouts, the set of two or three might be a more economical choice," she advises.

StyleLong loop band
Tension Range15 to175 lbs
MaterialLatex
Included AccessoriesNone

6

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (36)

What Are The Different Kinds of Resistance Bands?

If you want more intel before you add it to your cart, consider the three types Livers keeps in her gym bag and how she uses them.

Small loop band

Also known as mini bands, this style is an elastic loop around a foot long when laid flat. Livers often uses her mini band for mobility work warm-ups, especially when she’s going to hit her legs or shoulders.

Booty band

Although they look similar to mini bands, Livers says booty bands are made from fabric (rather than rubber) to be stronger and thicker to prevent slippage. True to the name, she uses it for glute exercises. Overall, she notes all smaller varieties are great for lower-body work.

Long loop band

This is a pretty versatile piece of equipment, according to Livers. You can use this type of band for assisted pullups, strength training, and stretching.

As for the strength of the band you choose, consider this piece of advice from Livers: “When you do resistance work, always start out with the lighter band and then go heavier.”

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (37)

What Are The Benefits Of Using Resistance Bands?

While the bands might not look like anything special, don’t be fooled. Resistance band training comes with these major benefits:

Strengthens muscles

Resistance band training is a "feasible alternative" to lifting weights when it comes to activating your muscles, according to research published in the Journal of Human Kinetics.

The authors compared muscle activation during upper-body strength training exercises with resistance bands versus free weights—the results were very similar. They believe that the instability created by the bands causes muscle fibers to fire even more than with free weights.

Improves flexibility and mobility

You can use bands to do deeper stretching during your strength routine. "They can improve flexibility, mobility, and strength," Gawron says.

Easy to use

It may not take long to get used to and start seeing a difference in your training routine. Five weeks of resistance band training was enough to significantly improve hamstring and inner thigh flexibility in subjects who participated in a study published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine.

This is all great news since resistance bands are relatively cheap and don't take up much space when working out at home.

8

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (38)

Can Resistance Bands Actually Build Muscle?

Even though resistance bands weigh practically nothing, they can build some serious strength and muscle.

"As the range of motion during exercise increases, the resistance of the elastic resistance also increases, providing more resistance to the working muscles," says Pata.

When returning to the start position, the muscles need to provide a lot of control not to snap back, which can cause injury.

"All of this results in an increase of muscle fibers being recruited, therefore leading to greater adaptations in muscle strength over time," says Pata.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (39)

Meet The Experts

  • Sarah Gawron is a certified trainer and Onnit kettlebell and steel mace specialist.
  • Toni Livers is a personal trainer in Ogden, Utah.
  • Susane Pata, NASM-CPT, is a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
  • Sami Clarke is a certified health, wellness, and fitness trainer and founder of FORM.

10

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (40)

Read More About The Best Home Fitness Equipment

Best Dumbbells | Best Rowing Machines | Best Pilates Reformer | Best Resistance Bands | Best Yoga Mats | Best Budget Treadmills | Best Home Gym Equipment | Best Exercise Bike | Best Under-Desk Treadmills

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (41)

Emily J. Shiffer

Emily Shiffer is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Pennsylvania.

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (42)

Reviewed byTalene Appleton, NASM-CPT

Fitness Editor

Talene Appleton is the fitness editor at Women’s Health, where she covers all things fitness, nutrition, and healthy living. She studied nutrition and exercise science at George Washington University and is a NASM-certified personal trainer and nutritional consultant. Passionate about the intersections between fitness, food, and community, she strives to foster inclusive and holistic wellness narratives for underrepresented populations. When not writing, she can be found hosting dinner parties and exploring new wellness and culinary experiences around New York and Los Angeles. Prior to her role at Women’s Health, she was the fitness and commerce editor at Men’s Health and contributed to General Surgery News, The Food Institute, and The Nessie.

'I'm A Fitness Editor Who's Constantly Testing Resistance Bands. Here Are My Top Picks.' (2024)

References

Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 6000

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.