Whether you’re stuck at home working out, unable to get to the gym, or on a rehab regimen, the right resistance band can be a very helpful fitness tool. Knowing what to use is important. We wanted to look at what each band is best used for, how they perform, and the impact on your wallet. Here are some of the different types of resistance bands you may come across:
LOOP BANDS- loop resistance bands consist of one single band formed in a loop. They don’t have handles and are more strap-like. You can use them to help perform bodyweight exercises.
TUBE BANDS- Tube resistance bands will often have handles which you can attach an anchor to. They’re ideal for creating a home gym.
MINI-BANDS (CIRCLE BANDS)- Mini-bands are like loop bands, but smaller, thinner, and wider. They are often used for lateral movements, by placing them above your knees or ankles.
THERAPY BANDS- Therapy bands are long and thin and used to help strengthen muscles after an injury.
FIGURE 8 BANDS- These bands look like a figure 8, with handles on top and bottom. These bands are great for pull-apart exercises.
We wanted to highlight what we found to be the best of the best when it comes to exercise bands.
The Whatafit Set http://www.whatafit.net is lightweight, versatile, durable, and works great for both upper and lower body workouts. If you are looking for a full-body set for under $30, the Whatafit is the pick for you. The Whatafit Set works with all muscle groups. The handles, ankle straps, door anchor, and the many ways to vary the resistance make this a very versatile set. It comes with five different bands from 10 to 50 pounds, adding up to 150 pounds. The steel clips and latex make for a durable product. The handles are very comfortable for the hands, and the ankle straps fit a wide range of ankle sizes.
Pro-Tec Athletics Exercise Stretch Band https://www.pro-tecathletics.com/ offers scalability and versatility to this singular band. The rubber strip is comfortable and provides good grip. This band allows you to ease into your stretches and offers a small amount of resistance for exercises like squats. You can use it to stretch out your upper and lower body or for a light resistance rehab regimen. The singular band is small enough to travel with, simple to use, and is a option for a light warm-up and stretch before working out. This band won’t replace your weight rack, but it will get you warmed up and stretched.
Potok Resistance Band Set is a compact three-band set to take on the go. The resistance range is low, but the light, medium, and heavy bands can be used together for 50 pounds of resistance. The bands are simplistic 6-feet-long straps and priced under $10 at Amazon and Wal-Mart. This band set alone will not meet all your workout needs, but it will help you get light exercise on the go. The Potok bands are meant for a lighter, lower resistance workout and are a great option for conditioning or rehabbing muscles.
Supalak 15-Piece Resistance Bands is highly versatile containing five bands with resistances ranging from 20 to 40 pounds. The stackable straps add up to a maximum of 150 pounds of resistance, offering high range and scalability. This set comes with two adjustable ankle straps, two sets of padded handles, and two door anchors. The set is durable, user-friendly, and versatile. It can be used indoors, outdoors, at home, or in a gym, and for every muscle group. Amazon offers the set for around $40.
