The best resistance bands we tested
Best mini resistance bands: Perform Better First Place Mini Bands
Best large resistance bands: Serious Steel 41-Inch Assisted Pull-up Bands
Best therapy resistance straps: Theraband Resistance Bands Set
If there’s one piece of at-home fitness equipment that gives you serious bang for your buck in your home gym, it’s the unassuming resistance band. Essentially oversized rubber bands, they can stand in for bulkier free weights and heavy machines, adding resistance to exercises without cluttering up your closets or floors. You can also use them for physical therapy and mobility exercises.
They’re a lot more affordable and compact than other at-home exercise tools, but don’t write them off as “not enough” for strength gains. Elastic resistance training promoted similar strength gains to conventional resistance training in a 2019 meta-analysis published in SAGE Open Medicine. Plus, when you’re training with bands, it’s a lot easier to progress your workouts as you get stronger because they all offer a range of resistance.
There are multiple types of resistance bands, including small and large loop bands, tube bands with handles and resistance straps. Over the course of several months, we tested 10 different types of bands during hour-long strength workouts three times a week. Finally, we narrowed it down to these standouts.
You’ll find these in gyms across the country, mostly thanks to their durability. Made from synthetic rubber, Perform Better’s Mini Band Set can handle heavy, repeated use without tearing or snapping.
This four-band set from Serious Steel provides pull-up or chin-up assistance as well as heavy resistance for compound exercises like squats. The matte, almost chalky surface practically guarantees no slippage.
Designed more for stretching and yoga, the open-ended Theraband resistance bands can also be used for upper body exercises. These have a subtle texture that keeps them from rolling or sliding during use.
Best mini resistance bands: Perform Better First Place Mini Bands, Set of 4
$10 at Perform Better or $20 at Amazon
Walk into any strength gym and chances are you’ll see a set of these in some corner. Over the years, we’ve never witnessed one of the Perform Better First Place Mini Bands snap during a session, and we can’t say that for other brands we’ve used in the past.
This four-band set comes with four resistance levels: light, medium, heavy and extra heavy (you can also buy each band on its own for under $5 each). We’d always recommend getting a set over individual bands, though, especially when you can get this one for $10. Not only does it give you a variety of resistance options to choose from, depending on what exercise you’re doing, but you can progress over time. For example, when we first started doing banded monster walks and fire hydrants, we used the blue band; now, after several months, we’ve graduated to the black band. The lighter bands are great for beginners and for upper-body activations like banded front raises.
The reason these are so popular in gyms is because of their durability. Perform Better First Place Mini Bands are just a tiny bit thicker than others we tested, which makes it harder for them to tear over time (or for them to snap mid-workout, as mentioned above). Even when we stretch them to their absolute max — two and a half times their 9-inch length — it didn’t compromise the integrity of the synthetic rubber. These are also a little less shiny than other mini bands; their almost powdery finish provides a better grip, which, for the most part, keeps them from pinching our skin or rolling mid-exercise. (Mini bands are usually about 2 inches wide, which makes rolling a pretty common issue.)
When a product is this ubiquitous, it’s usually for a good reason. And with a price this reasonable, why not use what you’d likely find in a gym at home too?
Best large resistance bands: Serious Steel 41-Inch Full-Body Resistance Bands, Set of 4
$79 at Serious Steel or $83 at Amazon
If the last time you did a pull-up was high school PE class, that’s OK. Though these larger-looped resistance bands — aka power or assist bands — are helpful for hoisting your chin up over a bar, we often use them in lieu of weights for big compound movements like dead lifts and squats.
We tested the four-band set, which ranges from 5 pounds to 120 pounds of resistance (the five-band set, which is about $35 more, reaches 150 pounds); you can also purchase the bands individually on Serious Steel’s website. At 41 inches long, these bands can comfortably accommodate most heights, but keep in mind that taller users might struggle more with the heavier bands, as the more you stretch a resistance band, the more resistance it generates. We’ve been using the 25- to 80-pound band for pull-ups and switching over to the 50- to 120-pound band for dead lifts and squats.
What we liked about the Serious Steel bands compared to other power bands we tried was the same sort of powdery finish we saw on the Perform Better Mini Bands. That extra little bit of traction made us feel more secure when resting our feet on top of the band while hanging from a bar, and it prevented it from pulling at our skin when it was laid across our neck or chest during floor exercises. The natural rubber — which the company says is 99.9% free of soluble proteins (aka latex allergens) — also felt a little smoother at the edges, which is much appreciated when you’re squatting 120 pounds.
Best therapy resistance bands: Theraband Resistance Bands Set
$14 $13 at Amazon or $16 at Walmart
Therapy resistance bands, or resistance straps, aren’t meant to provide as much tension as other bands. Instead, these are designed to help improve flexibility and range of motion. While they might be relegated to more of a physical therapy role, they can still benefit any type of exerciser. We liked using the Theraband Resistance Bands Set for our pre-run warm-up; one of our favorite hip openers is done lying on our back, pointing one leg up toward the ceiling with the middle of the strap on the arch of our foot and slowly moving our leg in a large circle.
The set comes with three bands offering color-coded resistance levels: Yellow provides 3 to 4.3 pounds of resistance, red provides 3.7 to 5.5 pounds and green provides 4.6 to 6.7 pounds. (You can also buy an advanced set or a super-advanced set if you want more resistance.) Each band measures 5 feet long by 4 inches wide, which was plenty large enough for us to do big movements like an overhead press, where we held each end of the band in our hands and pressed overhead while the middle of the band was under our feet. And since they’re 4 inches wide, we didn’t have any issues with the band rolling or folding over on itself.
We especially liked the slightly textured feel of these bands, which kept them from rolling on our leggings or slipping down our skin, even when we were sweating. That element also likely contributed to the more durable feel of the latex-free material, which didn’t show any signs of wear and tear after a month of use.
What to consider when shopping for resistance bands
Band type
Different styles of bands serve different purposes within your training, so make sure to choose the right one for your goals. Mini loop bands are meant to circle around your ankles or thighs to add resistance to lower-body exercises like banded squats or fire hydrants, but they can also be looped around your forearms for upper-body exercises like banded shoulder raises. Larger loops are also known as power or assist bands, and they offer more resistance for exercises like assisted pull-ups or chin-ups as well as squats and overhead presses. Tube bands are usually longer and don’t loop; instead, they come with handles on either end so you can use them for upper-body exercises like bicep curls and upright rows. They also typically come with door anchors, which allow you to secure one end of the band between a door and its frame, allowing you to generate more resistance while providing more stability. Finally, resistance straps are generally used for stretching and mobility but can also be used for exercises like tricep extensions and banded pull aparts.
Material and thickness
The majority of resistance bands are made with latex or synthetic rubber (some are made out of fabric, but those are less common). If you’re allergic to latex (or want to avoid it for any other reason), there are latex-free options available, like the Theraband Resistance Bands Set. Generally, the thicker the band, the more durable it will be. Resistance bands are designed to be stretchy — some, like the Perform Better First Place Mini Bands, will stretch to two and half times their length — but they will wear out eventually. When they reach the end of their lifetime, they often snap and go flying, so no matter how durable a product claims to be, make sure you’re checking them for rips or tears before using.
Resistance
Every resistance band comes with a specific tension range, and all the products we reviewed are sold in sets that offer multiple levels of resistance. Some offer light to heavy resistance, like the Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands, while others, like the TRX Strength Bands have specific weight ranges. Make sure to choose a set that acknowledges your current strength level and gives you some room to challenge yourself.
How we tested
We tested 10 sets of highly recommended resistance bands at home and at the gym for over a month. To determine the best resistance bands, we used each set in our regular gym workouts three times a week, as well as in warm-up routines for cardio workouts and mobility sessions at home several times a week. When using the bands, we made sure to assess how well the quality of the material stood up over time, if the bands rolled down our legs or snagged or pinched our skin, how much tension the bands offered during different exercises, how portable they were and, of course, if the price reflected the value. Check out the full breakdown of how we tested below.
Durability
- Materials: We noted what materials the bands themselves were made of, as well as any materials used for accessories, including clips, handles, ankle straps and door anchors.
- Stretch: We stretched each band to its max resistance point to see how strong and stable they were and assess risk of snapping.
Function
- Feel: We noted the texture and strength of each band, and we tested them against our skin in multiple exercises to assess any issues with pinching, pulling or other discomfort.
- Versatility: We performed multiple types of exercises with each band to see how versatile they were for workouts, mobility and recovery.
Features
- Bonus features: When relevant, we assessed additional elements — including clips, handles, straps and anchor points — for strength, security and quality.
Other resistance bands we tested
Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands, Set of 5
$21 $7 at Amazon
These are often recommended among the best resistance bands, and we don’t disagree — we had these at home for ages before testing products for this story. The Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands come in a set of five, including X-Light, Light, Medium, Heavy and X-Heavy bands made from natural latex. We often use these for activation exercises before a run, and because they come with a little carrying case, we have traveled with them in the past. However, they seemed a little less durable than the other mini bands we tested. The stickier rubber material was thinner and felt more likely to tear over time than the comparable Gritin Exercise Bands.
Gritin Resistance Bands, Set of 5
$16 at Walmart
We hadn’t tried these before, but they came highly recommended. We’d put them as a perfect middle ground option between the Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands and the Perform Better First Place Mini Bands. They also come in a set of five, leaning more toward the heavier end of the spectrum. There’s no extra-light option; instead, you get an XX-Heavy band. The natural rubber material has a more matte feel than the shinier rubber of other options, which we think keeps it from pinching or pulling at our skin.
Rep Fitness Pull-Up Bands, Set of 5
$70 at Rep Fitness
The Rep Fitness Pull-Up Bands, a staple in our gym, are a solid alternative to the Serious Steel 41-Inch Full-Body Resistance Bands. They’re also pretty affordable. This set of five ranges from 5 to 150 pounds, but you can also purchase the bands individually, starting at $10. In testing, we found these to be just a tiny bit slicker and thicker than the Serious Steel set. While some people might prefer that, especially when actually doing pull-ups, the slightly wider nature of these bands made them less comfortable on our neck and skin while doing compound movements on the floor, which made us think they’re a little less versatile for at-home users.
TRX Strength Bands, Set of 6
$195 $175 at TRX
If you’re looking to generate some serious tension during at home workouts, the TRX Strength Bands complete set gives you a ton of options, including bands that offer between 5 and 150 pounds (you can also buy the bands individually). The natural rubber latex stayed put on skin and fabric, and we liked using the lower and midweight options for pre-workout activations, like good mornings, then switching over to the heavier bands for squats. For another $55, you can buy the TRX Bandit, a universal-fit set of handles that attach to all but the thickest bands to make the set more versatile.
GoFit Extreme Pro Gym Set
$70 $60 at Amazon
The GoFit Extreme Pro Gym Set comes with multiple tube bands, two handles, two ankle straps and a door stopper. The four bands generate resistance at increments of 20, 30, 40 and 50 pounds, which would make this set a little more intense for beginners (when stacked together, you get a total of 140 pounds). That extra weight does make it more expensive by about $20. These tubes are also hollow, which makes them slightly less durable than solid tube bands. That said, this is still a great set for anyone looking for a more advanced set of tube bands.
Gaiam Restore Strength and Flexibility Resistance Band Kit
$15 $14 at Amazon
Similar to the Theraband Resistance Bands Set, Gaiam’s Restore Strength and Flexibility Resistance Band Kit comes with three bands of varying resistance: green is Light (+/- 20 pounds), blue is Medium (+/- 30 pounds) and gray is Heavy (+/- 40 pounds). Despite the differences in weights listed, we found the two products to be extremely comparable in terms of tension. They’re also the same length, although Gaiam’s bands are slightly narrower, which combined with the silkier texture of the material, caused them to roll and fold over on themselves more easily when we were doing exercises that required the bands to be flat across our back like seated tricep extensions, or when the band was across the bottom of our foot for the leg circles we mentioned earlier.