• Resistance bands are simple pieces of elastic that create constant tension to stimulate muscle growth and increase the value of your workout.
  • The best resistance bands come in a variety of tensions, allowing for a wide range of exercises and uses such as squats, curls, standing rows, and plenty more.
  • Our top pick from TheraBand is a set of durable, easy-to-use, and effective resistance bands perfect for any home gym setup.

Outfitting a suitable home gym doesn’t need to require spending thousands of dollars on the latest exercise equipment and weight loss machines. Really, all you need is your body and a couple of resistance bands to make a real difference in your routine.

I was first introduced to resistance bands in 2014 after joining in on the burgeoning barre trend. Although I’ve since traded those ballet-based classes for other workouts, I’ve remained a fan of resistance bands – and no longer underestimate just how essential they are for my weekly workouts.

Despite the fact they’re just simple pieces of elastic, resistance bands create constant tension which effectively stimulates muscle growth. To make things better, they don’t add strain onto your joints in the same way a set of dumbbells might. They’re also incredibly lightweight and highly portable, allowing you to take your workout wherever you go.

What to look for in a set of resistance bands

When shopping for resistance bands, you’ll want to ask yourself a few questions. First and foremost, what type of workout are you most interested in pursuing? A pilates-based workout requires something different from a HIIT workout, though both can be equally effective in upping your fitness levels.

Next, think about what parts of your body you’re most interested in working. While some resistance bands are best suited for your lower body, others are great for pull-up training. There are even some designed for full-body workouts, too.

Then, consider the level of resistance you're looking for. If you're already quite advanced in your fitness journey, you may be fine with a set of tight bands. If you're just getting started, however, you might want to buy a set that's a bit more elastic. Some brands even advertise these levels of resistance as light, medium, heavy, and so on, which makes it easy to know exactly the kind of weighted resistance you're choosing.

Finally, like any purchase, you'll want to keep the price point in mind. Granted, not many of these sets cost more than around $40, but if you're looking to keep a tight budget, this could be an important point to consider.

We tested a variety of the best resistance bands currently offered to find the sets best-suited to a wide range of users and exercises.

Here are the best resistance bands:

Updated on 5/18/2020 by Rick Stella: Updated the copy throughout, checked the availability of each selected resistance band, added more about what to look for when shopping for resistance bands, and updated the prices, formatting, and links.

The best overall

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced athlete, TheraBand resistance bands provide you with a killer workout and are thin and lightweight enough to take anywhere.

My first experience with resistance bands was with TheraBands, and I've never looked back. Incredibly thin and lightweight, while somehow maintaining their strength and durability, these non-latex bands do an excellent job helping you develop muscle strength.

I've used them around my thighs during squats and between my arms while working my triceps, but the possibilities (and potential muscle groups) are virtually endless.

Compared to other bands, the TheraBands offer slightly lighter resistance, starting at 2.4 pounds and ranging up to 21.3 pounds. As such, I like these bands for a wide range of exercises. Whether you're making your barre workout just a bit harder or using them for some quick HIIT moves, the TheraBands do the trick. That said, if you're looking for serious resistance, you may need something a bit heftier.

I've also been impressed by their durability. While they look as though they'll snap at any moment, I've had mine for years without issue. My old gym also kept these around and despite their constant usage by hundreds of clients, the TheraBands withstood the test of time. If they do break, their lack of any metal or plastic parts helps keep you safe.

Thanks to the latex-free construction of these bands, folks with allergies or sensitivities won't have to worry, either. While other bands may have handles or thick, cord-like composition, these supremely portable bands are easily compacted.

Pros: Latex-free, lightweight, extremely versatile in function, inexpensive

Cons: If you're looking for more resistance, this may not be quite enough for you

The best for a total-body workout

Foto: Source: Bodylastics

If you're looking for a comprehensive workout with your new favorite accessories, the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands may be the way to go.

For a full workout in a bag, turn to the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Band set. I love this set because it not only comes with five bands of varying resistance - from three to 19 pounds - but also includes two handles, two ankle straps, one door anchor, a carrying bag, and an instructional book.

Key to the popularity of this set is its patented anti-snap safety design, which involves a Snap Guard inner safety cord to prevent any unfortunate mishaps. While some similar offerings have a nasty habit of snapping, sending metal or plastic pieces into your wall or, worse yet, your face, this set is designed to avoid these situations.

While each individual band doesn't have huge amounts of resistance, the stackable design of this set allows you to add or subtract resistance as needed for various muscle groups, all the way up to 96 pounds.

The set also comes with an exercise book that contains exercises designed to target biceps, triceps, chest, upper/lower back, abs/core, and legs. If you're a beginner in the world of fitness, using this guidebook can be an excellent starting point. Alternatively, if you're well-versed in your workouts, you can modify these suggestions to create a customized workout that is as safe as it is tough.

Pros: Wide range of resistance, comes with exercise book and accessories, effectively a mini-gym in a bag, extremely safe

Cons: Pricier than others

The best to travel with

Foto: Source: Walmart

The Professional Mini Exercise Bands are small yet mighty, making them ideal for taking on the road.

This resistance band set from Perform Better is intended to help with physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises, but can also be put to work on a wide range of other uses. I love that these mini bands are, as the name suggests, small and portable, which makes them super convenient to take to hotel gyms or other temporary workout locations.

Happy customers have noted that the four bands included in this set really do offer varying levels of intensity for your workout.

Thanks to these bands' relatively small size, they're especially effective for more petite users. All four of the bands are 9 inches by 2 inches and can be used around the ankles, the legs, thighs, and wrists.

Pros: Offers a great workout due to small size, lightweight, portable

Cons: Because these bands are smaller, your workout starts immediately, which may be a bit intense for some

The best for versatility

Foto: Source: Serious Steel Fitness

With resistance up to 120 pounds and a considerable variation in lengths and widths, the Serious Steel Resistance Bands are our favorites for diverse exercises.

Serious Steel Assisted Pull-Up, Resistance, and Stretch Bands are sold both as individuals and as sets, which means that you can easily choose your own adventure. And for the most adventurous, you can get pretty steep resistance.

The most serious of the Serious bands clocks resistances of up to 150 pounds but don't worry, if you want something less intimidating, the brand also sells bands with resistances of just two pounds.

Thanks to this wide range, this set is particularly useful for developing strength over time or working up to exercises like pull-ups. They're also great for stretching and building overall strength. Because the finish on the Serious set is more of a powder than the classic slick rubber feel, you won't lose your grip on these bands as you work up a sweat.

These bands are made of fused latex sheets, which makes them particularly durable. That said, if you have a latex allergy or sensitivity, you'll want to stay far away from these guys. If not, however, you'll be able to enjoy the smooth stretch of these bands, and an odd but not at all upsetting vanilla-esque scent.

Pros: Wide range of resistance, length, and width; extremely durable; great for stretching and assisted strength exercises

Cons: Much more expensive than others

The best for squats

Foto: Source: RIMSports

For folks working specifically on their squat form, one of the best bands on the market is the RIMSports Elite Hip Sling Resistance.

You won't be overwhelmed by optionality when it comes to the RIMSports Elite Hip Sling Resistance Band. Rather than giving you multiple bands with varying resistance levels to choose from, this singular circle hip band does a great job all on its lonesome.

In particular, the RIMSports offering is intended to help you achieve perfect form when squatting. It works well for both men and women and doesn't slip as you squat, deadlift, or lunge - all exercises that require excellent lower-body form.

On its own, the band offers relatively high resistance, and you can make adjustments as needed by spreading your legs further apart or bringing them closer together. The band comes in just two sizes - Small/Medium for folks under 150 pounds, and Medium/Large for folks who have surpassed that threshold. Regardless of which suits you best, the abductor resistance band will help you strengthen your glutes and hips, or provide a great stretch pre or post-workout.

I also appreciate the soft and durable material used in the RIMSport band, which makes it comfortable to wear around your thighs even for longer periods of time. Plus, these bands promise to be snap, stretch, and sweat resistant.

If you've been looking for a way to ensure that your knees are pointing in the same direction of your toes, or that your back remains straight while squatting, this may be the resistance band for you.

Pros: Encourages great form, straightforward to use, non-slip, comfortable material

Cons: Comparatively limited in function