I was doing a weight training session in my garage gym yesterday and spotted my resistance bands sitting there. Because I’m weight training at the moment I’m not using my resistance bands but they are a great way to start strength training (or resistance training) and they’re way cheaper than buying a barbell, weights, and squat rack. If you’re already pretty savvy with the different types of resistance bands feel free to skip to the bottom of the article to see what are the best resistance bands to buy.
What are resistance bands
There are two main types of resistance bands available, both are made of latex. One type is just made from latex and the other type is made from latex with non-slip fabric around it. The non-slip ones are generally a lot less stretchy than the other ones meaning you work harder using them.
Latex resistance bands
These usually come in a set of about 5 ranging from extra light, light, medium, heavy and extra heavy. Or something similar at least. The extra light band would be the thinnest and most stretchy so the easiest to use or pull, the extra heavy would be the thickest and least stretchy giving you the most amount of resistance and making it the hardest to use.
Fabric resistance bands
These resistance bands usually come in a set of three ranging from easy, medium to hard. They’re a lot wider than the rubber bands and even the easy band is quite thick and gives a lot of resistance compared to the rubber bands. This is because the fabric is less stretchy than latex/ rubber
What are the best resistance bands to buy? Well that depends on what you want to use them for. Read on for their uses.
What are resistance bands used for
Resistance bands can be used for a number of exercises ranging from upper body to lower body and the great thing is because they come in a set you can start off light and work your way up as you get stronger. If you’re looking to lose weight on a vegan diet check this article out.
Latex
Because the latex bands have such a range (if you buy the set of 5) they can be used for both upper and lower body exercises. The lighter bands are perfect for upper body exercises to work areas like your chest or to make a push up harder. The heavier bands are great for lower body exercises like squats, glute bridges and donkey kicks. All great for your legs and butt!
Fabric
With the non-slip fabric resistance bands, because they’re thicker (even the lighter band) they’re more used for the lower body exercises mentioned above. You’d have to be really strong to use the fabric bands on your upper body! The benefits of using these resistance bands is that because they have the non-slip fabric around them they don’t slip like the latex bands can. If you’re in the middle of a donkey kick you don’t want the resistance band riding up your leg!
Benefits of using resistance bands
There are many benefits to using resistance bands in your training. The two main benefits are that you can start off light and work your way up as you get stronger and fitter, and they’re very cost effective compared to buying weights or a barbell. Other benefits include:
- Can be used for stretching, especially if recovering from injury
- Builds healthy joints
- Increased flexibility
- Prevents injury
When to introduce resistance bands
If you’re currently working out and your workout includes lower body exercises like squats, lunges and bridges you’ll get to a certain point where the exercises will feel too easy, this is when to start using resistance bands. They’ll make your workout harder by working your muscles more. Ladies don’t worry about getting big, bulky legs. Resistance bands won’t bulk up your legs, you have to be lifting very very heavy weights to do that. Your legs will just get more toned and your butt will have a more peachy shape to it.
Best resistance bands to buy
Here are my recommendations for the best resistance bands to buy. Just so you know the rest of this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure here. You will not pay more for any items purchased using these links (it just helps me to continue writing great content). Clicking on the links below will take you to the Amazon product pages. OK on with the best resistance bands…
Best latex bands
UK
These resistance bands are excellent value for money. When you place your order you will receive:
- 5 resistance bands ranging from extra light to extra heavy
- Carry case
- Printed manual
- 40 page ebook
- 9 online workout videos
In addition to all this you also have the choice of two different sets. The funda set is aimed at beginners and ranges from 10lbs – 40lbs resistance. The Pro V set is more geared towards advanced workouts, leg workouts and is for you stronger peeps. It ranges from 20lbs – 60lbs resistance.
US
KBands Infinity rubber loop bands
These come in a pack of 7 instead of the standard 5 and come with a carry case and access to digital workout videos. They range from 6lbs – 50lbs resistance. Because you get 7 bands instead of the usual 5 you can increase the resistance in smaller increments making these great value.
Best fabric bands
UK
Ubitree fabric resistance band set
As you can probably tell by now I’m all about the value and this set of resistance bands by Ubitree is excellent value. A lot of the fabric band sets only come in a pack of 3 whereas these come in a pack of 5 meaning you can up the intensity more gradually. The set ranges from 10lbs – 60lbs and comes with a carry case and user guide. Because they’re fabric they won’t slip up your legs or pinch whilst you’re performing exercises like squats and leg raises.
US
Pleasion fabric resistance bands
These resistance bands are also great value because they come in a 5 pack instead of the usual 3. The resistance ranges from 10lbs – 60lbs and they come with a carry case and manual. They’re only a couple of dollars more than the 3 packs available making them great value. Because they’re fabric they won’t slip up your legs or scrunch up whilst you’re performing exercises like squats and leg raises.
Best long resistance bands
UK
Joyhill latex resistance bands
Long resistance bands are great for assisted pull ups, it’s what I’m using mine for at the moment. I want to be able to do pull ups and chin ups but I’m not strong enough yet so I use these resistance bands to help me while I build my strength up. The Joyhill resistance bands come in a pack of 5 so you can start off with more resistance to help support you and move through the bands giving you less and less resistance/ support until you can do pull ups unaided. These are great value because you get 5 in a set instead of the usual 3 or 4. They range from 15lbs – 95lbs plus they come with a door anchor, carry case and free ebook.
US
These long resistance bands are really similar to the Joyhill bands mentioned above. They come in a 5 pack so are really good value and the resistance ranges from 5lbs – 120lbs. You can build up your strength gradually with these or use them to help you progress on your pull ups. As you get stronger you’ll be going through the bands until you can do pull ups unaided. They come with a carry case and instruction manual and they’re made from natural latex.
Conclusion
I hope I’ve helped you to find the best resistance bands to buy, if I’ve missed a particular type please let me know and I’ll add it in. Using resistance bands is a great way to strength train, they’ll help you tone your body and you will have a more defined look after you’ve been training with them for 6-8 weeks. As long as you’re eating right as well. If you’re on the fence about going vegan have a read of this, it’ll change your mind for sure!
Are you working out with resistance bands already? What do you think of them? Let me know by commenting below.
Until next time
Katie
Nuttanee
Thank you so much for your review on resistance bands. I am looking for a new set for my training. I just love them because they are so practical, affordable and portable. I am going to check Inmaker resistance bands out. I love the fact that it comes with a case and the best part is the classes, I love following the classes so I do not have to think too much.
Katie
Hi Nuttanee thanks for your comment. If you do buy the Inmaker resistance bands let me know how you get on with working out with them. I think they’re great value, hopefully you will too.
Thanks
Katie
Trevor
I work out daily, speed walking and using weights and have seen a lot of people using resistance bands, but honestly, I did not really understand them properly until now. I used one in physiotherapy once for a premature hip replacement, but at the time did not like it. But you have now got me thinking to look again. As you say they are cheaper and I assume also easier to store. Do you plan to add more pictures of people using resistance bands for different exercises?
Katie
Hi Trevor thanks for commenting. If you think it would be beneficial to you and the readers I could do a whole separate article on resistance band workouts. I can think of quite a few exercises using them off the top of my head now so if I give it some proper thought I could come up with some more. Watch this space for another article!
Thanks
Katie