The best resistance bands should be a great tool for warming up and exercising your whole body, much like a top kettlebell, especially when you've got limited equipment or space.
In fact, they can be a great way of activating your muscles before going into some heavier lifts like squats, deadlifts, or bench press.
If they sound like the ideal bit of kit for you, then our guide, based on features, price, and reviews, should help to kick off your search in the best way possible.
From well-rounded and varied bands, like these Whatafit Resistance Bands, to something slightly more heavy-duty, like these Draper's Strength Resistance Bands, we've got everything you need right here.
Best Resistance Bands
- Whatafit Resistance Bands
- Gritin Resistance Bands
- adidas Power Tubes
- TRX Bodyweight Resistance System
- Draper's Strength Heavy Duty Resistance Bands
Best Resistance Bands – Whatafit Resistance Bands
Brand: Whatafit | Material: Rubber | Resistance Range: 10lbs - 50lbs | Dimensions: 20cm x 17cm x 11cm
The Whatafit Resistance Bands come as a 5-piece set ranging from 10 to 50lbs of resistance, making them ideal for beginners looking for something lighter, or fitness enthusiasts who would prefer something a bit more challenging.
They come with a number of attachable straps to help you work out your whole body and a handy travel pouch which makes them ideal for when you're on the road and need something to keep you fit.
They are made out of a high-quality, natural latex which should not only provide great resistance but also give you enough elasticity to stretch out, providing you with a full range of motion during an exercise.
A nice feature about this item is that you can attach the bands together to push the resistance past 50lbs if you're not finding them challenging enough and want to push yourself that bit further like you can with a top barbell.
Best Resistance Bands On A Budget – Gritin Resistance Bands
Brand: Gritin | Material: Rubber | Resistance Range: Light to XX-Heavy | Dimensions: 16.5cm x 12.5cm x 1.3cm
Resistance bands are highly versatile, for example, they can be tied to a top squat rack, and they often come in various shapes and sizes, like these slightly wider bands from Gritin.
The Gritin Resistance Bands are particularly useful for lower body workouts as you can put them over your legs to increase the tension as you squat, lunge, or deadlift which is helpful for those who struggle using just the bar for any of these exercises.
Once more, they are great for traveling with or even just to take with you to the gym to warm up before moving on to the heavier weights.
Ultimately, they're a relatively inexpensive fitness item that should help you achieve your fitness goals if used regularly.
Best Resistance Bands For Comfort – adidas Power Tubes
Brand: adidas | Material: Unspecified | Resistance Range: Level 1 to 3 | Dimensions: 145cm x 13cm x 3.5cm
You have most likely heard of adidas as they have been around for the last 72 years and are one of the leading manufacturers of sports equipment.
These Power Tubes are a great example of their expertise as they provide you with an easily transportable bit of kit in your top gym bag that can help you take your work out anywhere.
They have been designed with comfort in mind with their soft handles and protective, durable sleeve, and therefore should be ideal for anyone who prefers slightly longer workout sessions.
The protective outer sleeve also helps provide a buffer between yourself and the tube in case you accidentally let go of it and the band ends up whipping you on the way down which might just help beginners who are new to resistance band training.
Best Multi-Purpose Resistance Bands – TRX Bodyweight Resistance System
Brand: TRX | Material: Unspecified | Resistance Range: 350 Tension Level | Dimensions: 134.6cm x 3.8cm x 15.2cm
TRX is another recognisable brand within the fitness space, and its resistance system provides a great way to take your bodyweight training to the next level.
What makes this bit of kit unique and different from the typical resistance bands is that it has been designed to hold a person's entire body so you can suspend yourself to complete exercises such as bodyweight bicep curls, lunges, tricep extensions, and so on.
The TRX System is ideal for working out anywhere as it just needs to be anchored onto something for you to begin your session, which certainly helps when you don't have the space for you're own complete home gym.
TRX also provides a 35-page workout guide with two bonus online workouts, meaning beginners don't have to worry about not knowing how to use it as the handy guides will help talk you through a killer routine.
Being a more dynamic bit of kit, much like some of the top kettlebells, the TRX System makes for a great option for full-body workouts
Best Heavy-Duty Resistance Bands – Draper's Strength Heavy Duty Resistance Bands
Brand: Draper's Strength | Material: Unspecified | Resistance Range: 2lbs - 150lbs | Dimensions: Unspecified
If you are a slightly more experienced lifter then you might need something a little more heavy-duty, like these bands from Draper's Strength, to keep your workouts challenging.
However, if you are a beginner then don't fear as these bands range from 2lbs to an impressive 150lbs of resistance so there really should be a band in there for everyone.
This item is highly versatile as you can perform a number of different exercises with it either by itself, or you can hook it around an anchor to support more of your bodyweight for movements such as pull-ups or tricep extensions.
Their heavy-duty nature means their designed to be strong and therefore be incredibly durable, so you shouldn't need to worry about snapping it and having to replace your band for a little while.
All in all, if you're a keen lifter with all the gear, like one of the best weightlifting belts, then the Draper's Strength bands might be for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Resistance Bands
With so many different variations of resistance bands to choose from, you might have a few queries about them, but we're here to clear up a few of the most common questions.
Are Resistance Band Workouts Effective?
If used correctly and regularly, resistance bands are an extremely good way of exercising your entire body, especially as they're relatively inexpensive pieces of kit.
They are also highly effective for warm-ups and even for physiotherapy if you've been injured and are looking to increase your strength in a certain body part on your road to recovery.
Where they're great is with providing maximum force at different parts of the movement, as they're at their toughest when extended the most.
Try a shoulder press with these and see for yourself!
How Many Reps Should I Do With A Resistance Band?
This really depends on whether you're looking to increase size, strength, or muscular endurance.
Typically speaking, resistance bands aren't the best tool for the job to increase sheer strength, but they are great for more endurance-based workouts, getting a good 'pump', and performing complex physiotherapy movements.
How Do You Clean Resistance Bands?
If you own rubber resistance bands, they should be fairly simple to clean.
Simply wipe them off with a damp cloth or something similar and any dirt will likely come off easily.
It's advised you avoid using soap or cleaning products as this can affect the elasticity.