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Although resistance bands are great for those who exercise at home and take their work out along when they travel, their value doesn’t end there.
Versatility, safety, convenience, and effectiveness are a few benefits of these simple exercise tools.
You’ll be tempted to add these effective exercising tools to your home gym when you learn more about their advantages. These inexpensive exercise tools are a convenient option for people of any fitness level or age.
However, don’t allow their simplicity to fool you because resistance bands are incredibly effective and offer various benefits over traditional free weights.
In the following article, we’ll take a look at some of the best and most effective resistance bands on the market and why you should be including them in your daily workouts.
Best Resistance Bands – Reviews & Buying guide for 2020
Best Overall: Life Fitness Power Bands
Power bands are manufactured by the company Life Fitness, and the product can be found in the training rooms of professional sports teams, athletic facilities, universities, and the best athletes clubs in the world.
However, you don’t have to be a professional athlete in order to use these power bands.
Home exercises will benefit from the combination of state-of-the-art technology, expect engineering, attention to design as well as the extreme durability of these power bands developed by the leading fitness equipment brand in the world.
Providing resistance and giving assistance, these power bands are incredibly versatile and meant to be used in various strength training exercises.
These power bands are designed to withstand even the harshest of conditions. Used in strength training, bodyweight exercises as well as flexibility training, they are designed to be multipurpose.
Each of the seven color-coded bands varies between thickness, weight, and overall resistance, ensuring that each workout is unique.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Can be used with a variety of exercises
Cons
- Have been known to snap and injure on the rebound
Runner Up: WODFitters Pull Up Assistance Band
If you’re looking for a resistance band and that will not only force your body to perform better but provide longer-lasting results, then this set will do the trick.
The WODfitters resistance bands are suitable for both men and women who are learning pull-ups, ring dips, chin-ups as well as muscle-ups.
The set is also suitable for developing muscle memory and will get you to do those kipping pull-ups and strict pull-ups in no time at all. For those who are into challenging powerlifting sessions, these are ideal.
The quality and effectiveness of these bands dictate that they are made from durable and long-lasting material.
These power bands contain layers of tough rubber, which add more sturdiness and resilience to them. So they won’t break on excess stress, and they keep their shape and form for much longer.
These bands can assist you with your mobility training, and they are also helpful in stretching your arms, hamstrings, and shoulder muscles. Even if you don’t use them for your main workout routine, they are suitable for warming up before and stretching after your workout.
These best resistance bands are sold as a set containing 5 varying power bands.
In order to get the maximum effectiveness out of these bands, you should use them together to create further resistance and efficient training.
Combining the bands gives you three levels of resistance, one with the thicker band, one with the thinner band, and one resistance level with both bands.
So irrespective of whether you’re just starting out with pull-ups or chin-ups training, these bands will help you work on enhancing and regaining your strength. Ultimately, they will ensure that you take your chin and pull-up training to the next level.
Pros
- Suitable for a variety of exercises
- Carry it in your handbag when traveling
Cons
- Be careful as they are prone to snapping
Alternative: Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands
The high durability bands are made of 100% natural latex and free of TPE, making them high-end exercise bands. They come in five resistance levels, which makes them perfect for routine whether you’re just starting out a fitness routine or are an established fitness guru.
These bands are seamlessly integrated into common workout programs, including pilates, yoga, and more. Use them for general exercise, strength training, stretching, and power weight programs as well.
Used most often for sports and fitness, they are also used by physical therapists to help rehabilitate their patients. The stretch bands are good for patients suffering from back, knee as well as leg injuries.
These superior quality elastic bands are easy on the skin, and thanks to the complimentary instruction guide, which is a 41-page e-book, there are illustrated exercises that demonstrate exactly how to make use of the bands.
As a bonus, the latex material is also 100% eco-friendly and superior in quality. They do not contain non-natural materials and are therefore gentle on the skin as well. So the bands are consequently soft, easy to use, and comfortable.
Thanks to the rigorous testing program, these bands will not snap or stretch and are also sweat-resistant. They are lightweight enough, which makes them perfect for portability and traveling. Feel free to gift them to a friend or family member for any occasion.
Pros
- Non-toxic 100% eco-friendly construction
- Used by physical therapies to help patients recover faster
- Material is soft and comfortable on the skin
Cons
- They have a tendency to roll and stick to each other
Alternative: Portzon Resistance Band Set
The Portzon Resistance Band Set is stackable up to 100 pounds. Feel free to use more bands to handle, get bigger, and shred more with less assistance. Irrespective of whether you are a professional athlete or just starting out, you’ll find a suitable intensity for your workout routine.
Turn your home exercises into a personal home gym by using these elastic bands with ankle straps and door attachment to exercise while you are sitting in your office or watching TV.
Save money spent on going to the gym, and it allows you to work out in the privacy and comfort of your own home.
Made from 100% natural latex, these bands will not snap, dry out, or lose their shape over time. In fact, they will maintain their elasticity for a long time. Thanks for the sturdy metal and carabiner ring, you don’t need to worry about them snapping suddenly.
There’s also a variety of accessories that come with these bands, including big head door anchor, detachable foam handles, band guard, foot ankle straps, portable carry bag, as well as a handy user manual.
With this complete and ultimate resistance band kit, you’ll be able to take your homework to the next level.
Pros
- Stackable to 100 pounds
- Plenty of accessories to customize your workouts
- Attachments make it safe to use and avoid snapping
Cons
May not provide enough resistance for some people
Alternative: BERTER Resistance Bands
These fabric resistance bands help when it comes to toning, building muscle, and building up your legs, thighs, and butt. Ultimately, it also helps to support the knee and abduct.
Thanks to the non slip grip, these bands will also not roll or pinch up your legs while you’re exercising. This makes them ideal for women.
Thanks to the durability and ruggedness of these fabric resistance bands, it is a must-have piece of gear in your workout routine.
Use them for warm-ups, yoga, leg stretching, weightlifting, pilates, squatting as well as beach body training and so on. The bands will differently take your exercise regime up a notch or two.
There’s a nice carry bag included, which makes it easy to move your resistance bands from one place to the other. They are also sturdy and long-lasting, ensuring you have good use of them for years to come.
Pros
- Fabric material means more comfort and no rolling up and down your skin
- Non slip grip gives you peace of mind while working out
- Material is durable and long lasting
Cons
- Not enough resistance for everyone
Resistance Bands FAQ
Do resistance bands actually work?
If you’re wondering whether resistance bands really work or are just some marketing scheme to squeeze out extra consumer cash? The good news is they really do work.
Although it’s hard to believe that some rubber bands can build as much muscle as dumbbells, the truth is that these resistance bands are crucial to your exercise regime and will diversify your training and keep muscles from getting too comfortable.
In this way, you are constantly and consistently challenging your muscles.
If you’re not convinced, then keep reading to learn how resistance bands work and why you should be using them to complement your existing exercise routine.
So what are resistance bands, and what exactly do they do?
In simple terms, these bands are made of elastic or rubber, 100% natural latex, and in some cases fabric material and used primarily for strength training.
They are practical and effective. Ultimately, they are used to increase body strength and may also be used in physical therapy to help patients recover faster from muscular injuries.
Resistance bands were initially made from surgical tubes in the 20th century. However, since then, they have evolved and are now made from more durable and versatile materials. They are also now a standard for fitness and general workout routines.
These bands are available in a variety of types, lengths, and tensions. Typically the bands are color-coded, and this indicates different levels of resistance so that the user can select the correct band according to their requirements.
The tension offered as well by the elastic bands can range anywhere from 15 to over 300 pounds. So this makes them really good and robust pieces of rubber.
Resistance bands should be included in your routine because they offer various benefits. Like weight machines or free weights, these bands provide a force against your muscles. The process causes the muscles to contract and stimulate muscle and bone growth.
Ultimately, they offer four major properties which are critical to resistance training and that is resistance, a free range of motion, progressive resistance as well as allowing you to exercise at progressive speeds.
Do resistance bands build muscle?
If you’re contemplating buying resistance band to build and tone your muscles?
Well, keep reading because, in the following section, we’re going to show you how resistance band can actually help you build and tone your muscles.
Building muscles is a lot easier than it actually sounds. However, it will require dedication, consistency, and of course, determination from your end.
And in order to understand how the best resistance bands help build your muscles, you need to understand the science behind how muscles actually grow.
When you work out, you put greater stress or tension on your muscles than they are normally used to. This damages your muscles creating microscopic tears in your muscle fibers.
However, after your workout, your body starts repairing these damaged muscle fibers through a cellular process that fuses the muscle fibers back together while also forming new muscle protein strands.
Ultimately, this increases the size and thickness of your muscles and is what we call muscle hypertrophy.
Now, if you’d like to build muscle using these bands, there are a few requirements that you need to take note of.
Tension and overload
Stimulus is creating tension via resistance, in terms of fitness and building muscle. So in order for your muscles to grow, you need to exert greater resistance on them in the form of tension. So basically, you need to put stress on your muscles.
The tension on your muscles can be caused by external loads, gravity, or elastic tension. And you can achieve this with your body-weight alone, free weights, machines or of course resistance bands. The good news is that as long as the tension is sufficient, your muscles will respond.
Adequate recovery
Recovery is the next phase of muscle growth. It is crucial that you eat well, get enough sleep, and also drink plenty of water in order for maximum muscle growth. You need to have rest in the form of certain days off from training in order to allow your muscles to recover.
When it comes to diet, you need to maintain a high protein diet for your muscles to grow. Your water intake is also essential, and you should drink lots of water to maintain good protein synthesis.
Muscle adaption and progressive overload
Your muscles adapt to the stress you place on them by growing. Over time, a hard workout will seem easier, and you’ll just go through the motions, and while muscle adaption is good because that’s how you grow, you need to continually increase the stress you put on your body to work out.
If not, and if you do the same workout, meaning using the same resistance or tension, then your body will plateau, and you won’t continue developing muscle.
How to use resistance bands?
Resistance bands can be used by people on every fitness level. They basically work much the same way as free weights would. So you can do the same exercise and increase the level of resistance as you progress.
When it comes to picking a resistance band, you should always choose one that feels challenging for the movement based on the number of reps and sets in your circuits. However, when it comes to the type of band, you need to ask yourself how and why you are using one.
Initially, it is recommended that you choose bands with the least resistance and then work your way up from there. All you need to remember is that when using bands, the goal is to always feel challenged but able to control the resistance at the same time.
How do beginners use resistance bands?
If you are a beginner and want to know more about the best resistance bands and how you can use them, then keep reading.
Resistance bands can strengthen every major muscle group in your body and also isolate muscles to stability, relieve a sore spot, or even prevent injury. In fact, they can be more effective than using heavyweights.
They also vary from lightweight to extremely heavy, and this allows for great progression and includes a challenge to even the fittest person.
So if you are a beginner, you need to feel comfortable with the movement you are doing. So if you have any health concerns or existing injuries, first consult with your health professional before beginning any exercise routine.
Some of the exercises that can be done for beginners include sidestepping, straight arm pull down, bridge, bicep curls, and bent over the row.
What resistance should I use?
It is recommended that when you start out, you should choose resistance bands with the least amount of resistance.
This is to ensure that you are comfortable while working out as a beginner and also to just get you accustomed to using resistance bands during your training workouts.
Thereafter, as you progress, you can start increasing the resistance according to your comfort levels, but you should note that it should be challenging enough to motivate your muscles to grow. So your resistance or increase in resistance should be gradual.
Conclusion
Resistance bands are probably the essential tool you can have in your gym bag or home gym. Not only do they help to build and tone your muscle, but they also do it in a much gentler way than free weights or other heavy machinery.
Resistance bands are also suitable for people on every single fitness level irrespective of whether you are a beginner or a professional fitness guru.
So when it comes to taking your fitness routine to the next level, invest in resistance bands to help you achieve ideal muscle hypertrophy.
