| Attention: Uname: Php: Hdd: Cwd: | Yanz Webshell! - PRIV8 WEB SHELL ORB YANZ BYPASS! 8.0.30 Safe mode: OFF Datetime: 2025-04-05 04:49:07 24.04 GB Free: 14.64 GB (60%) /home/promotinghealthnow.com/public_html/ drwxr-x--- [ root ] [ home ] Text | Server IP: 172.233.161.205 Client IP: 3.144.111.154 |
| [ Files ] | [ Logout ] |
|---|
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
As a personal trainer and Pilates instructor, I\u2019ve seen the power of resistance bands<\/a> firsthand. While these simple (yet versatile!) tools have been around for ages, they often get overlooked in fitness circles, where attention tends to gravitate toward heavier weights or fancy machines. Don\u2019t get me wrong, I love a reformer\u2014but the best resistance bands are just as effective, if not more convenient and easier to use.<\/p>\n They also provide a different kind of workout from most other types of equipment. Physical therapist Alison Fung, PT, DPT, CSCS<\/a>, tells SELF that \u201cresistance bands offer increased resistance at the furthest point of the stretch of the band, whereas a weight has the same resistance throughout the entire movement.\u201d In other words: The tighter you pull the band, the more strength it takes. So with each movement, your muscles experience a range of resistance loads. You\u2019re therefore activating muscles in ways traditional dumbbells or kettlebells just can\u2019t<\/em>.<\/p>\n The right bands can be a game changer, whether you\u2019re new to fitness or an experienced athlete looking to shake up your usual routine. To help you find the right style and brand, I turned to physical therapists, trainers, and fellow fitness instructors for their expert shopping advice. Browse their favorites here.<\/p>\n \n \n Typically made from rubber, latex, or fabric, resistance bands come in a range of shapes and sizes. Mini-bands<\/a>, which are often shaped in a tight loop, can help you focus on your lower body during exercises like squats and clam shells, while larger bands are great for overhead presses and assisted pull-ups. As physical therapist Ashanti Lyking, DPT<\/a>, tells SELF, all styles offer a unique challenge for your muscles: \u201cThe more tension you put on the resistance band, the more resistance you receive during your movement,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n \n There\u2019s a lot of home gym equipment<\/a> out there to choose from\u2014so, why choose to use bands in your workouts?<\/p>\n Tons of physical and mental benefits<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Research has shown that using resistance bands can help build muscle mass, strength, and bone density\u2014one 2023 study<\/a> found that exercising with these tools may even boost your self-esteem and bring your resting blood pressure down. And when it comes to recovering from injuries, experts like Laurence Ag\u00e9nor, PT, DPT, CSCS<\/a>, physical therapist and co-founder and clinical director of The Wellness Den by Cynergy, swear by them. She tells SELF that resistance bands are a safer way for people with chronic conditions or pain to work on their neuromuscular awareness (a.k.a. your brain-body connection) without having to lift heavy weights. \u201cWith enough resistance, you can build muscle and induce physical change,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Whether you\u2019re performing glute bridges or bicep curls, resistance bands can target many muscle groups. Fung says they\u2019re more versatile than regular weights because you can use them to warm up, to make your go-to exercises harder, or to work on your mobility<\/a> and flexibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Let\u2019s be honest: Gym memberships and weight sets can be a drain on your wallet. Bands are much more budget-friendly (many of our top picks cost less than $50) and don\u2019t require you to leave the house to squeeze a good workout in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Even a large set of resistance bands is more compact than a small set of hand weights. You can tuck them away almost anywhere, or toss them in your gym bag or suitcase when you need to bring them with you on the go.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n Here\u2019s how to shop for a set of bands that\u2019ll meet you where you\u2019re at.<\/p>\n Most resistance bands are made from latex. But if you have allergies, don\u2019t fret\u2014there are plenty of fabric options available too. The material you choose can affect your bands\u2019 durability; latex bands may wear out more quickly with regular use, while fabric ones are often stronger, Lyking says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bands can come in a spectrum of resistance levels, often indicated by color. If you\u2019re new to strength training, start with a lighter band that\u2019ll help you work on your form. From there, Lyking, Fung, and Ag\u00e9nor all advise gradually increasing resistance as your strength improves, noticing how your muscles respond as you go. A good general rule: \u201cIf you can do over 25 to 30 reps without fatiguing, the resistance band is too light and you can try something with a little more tension,\u201d Ag\u00e9nor says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Each style of resistance band is made to help with different kinds of training. Tube bands<\/strong> have handles that are easy to hold, making them great for rows, presses, or curls, as SELF has previously reported. Fung says they\u2019re her favorite because they\u2019re the most versatile. Loop bands<\/strong> are smaller and stretchy\u2014ideal for lower body exercises, like squats. They\u2019re much simpler to use and can also make hip or shoulder moves easier, Fung adds. Eventually, she recommends investing in both types: \u201cYou don’t need to buy a lot of products to have a great comprehensive workout, but sometimes having options is nice,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n Dive into expert- and reviewer-approved loop and tube bands below.<\/p>\n \n Retrospec<\/p>\n \n \n These tube bands are excellent for strengthening all major muscle groups, including your arms, legs, and core. You can attach the included handles for arm exercises, use them as loop bands for lower body moves, or tie them around your thighs to target your glutes.<\/p>\n While the door anchor may not fit every door, it\u2019s a convenient feature for at-home training when you want to try Pilates movements like side-lying glute activations or strength moves like rows or tricep extensions. Amazon shoppers confirm that, even though this set is less expensive than others on our list, it\u2019s well-made: \u201cQuality shows in every detail,\u201d one wrote. \u201cThick nylon, well-gauged steel parts, durable latex. An excellent suite of gear for a truly fair price.\u201d<\/p>\n Material:<\/strong> Latex rubber | Resistance levels:<\/strong> 10 to 150 lbs | Size:<\/strong> 42-inch bands | Accessories:<\/strong> Door anchor, two handles, two ankle straps, carry bag<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n Theraband<\/p>\n \n \n We use these old-school resistance bands at the reformer Pilates studio where I teach for dynamic warm-ups and cool-down stretches that are meant to mobilize our clients\u2019 shoulders, hips, or ankles. But they can also be used for strength-based exercises\u2014I\u2019ll often incorporate them into deadlifts and rows to add some extra load.<\/p>\n This set is much lighter-weight than others on this list (the heaviest band only provides around 7 pounds of resistance), making it better for beginners who are improving their range of motion than weightlifters looking for new ways to strength train. But thousands of Amazon reviewers agree that they\u2019re incredibly user-friendly: \u201cLong enough to use no matter what exercises my trainer comes up with. Very nice,\u201d one wrote.<\/p>\n Material:<\/strong> Synthetic rubber | Resistance levels:<\/strong> 3 to 6.7 lbs | Size:<\/strong> Bands measure 5 feet x 4 inches | Accessories:<\/strong> N\/A<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n This is another set I use during my reformer classes and my own at-home workouts when I want to make glute exercises (like bridges, clam shells, fire hydrants, and donkey kicks) harder. Made from soft, comfortable fabric, Bala bands are comfy to use and don\u2019t budge during reps. They\u2019re compact, lightweight, and travel-friendly too; you can use them to bring your workout with you wherever you go.<\/p>\n Material:<\/strong> Polyester, nylon | Resistance levels:<\/strong> Light, medium, heavy | Size:<\/strong> Bands measure 15 x 3.25 inches | Accessories:<\/strong> Carry bag<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n The Sculpt Society<\/p>\n \n \n The TSS Booty Bands are the best mini loop set we\u2019ve found. Made from durable latex rubber, they provide the right amount of resistance for both lower and upper body exercises.However, if you’re looking for heavy resistance, they may not provide the level of challenge you need. Also worth noting: They can shift during high-intensity or fast-paced movements, so it\u2019s best to use them during controlled exercises.<\/p>\n Material:<\/strong> Latex rubber | Resistance levels:<\/strong> Light (Spicy), medium (Very Spicy), heavy (Very Very Spicy) | Size:<\/strong> One size | Accessories:<\/strong> Carry bag<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n Body-Solid<\/p>\n \n \n I worked out for years at a boutique fitness studio in New York City that had these bands\u2014and let me tell you, they\u2019ll take any leg day<\/a> up a few notches. The tubes are designed with adjustable, padded ankle cuffs that ensure a secure and comfortable fit, allowing you to complete lunges, squats, side leg lifts, glute kickbacks, and more. Grab one in the resistance level of your choice or invest in a five-pack<\/a> that you can keep using as you get stronger.<\/p>\n Material:<\/strong> Rubber | Resistance levels:<\/strong> N\/A | Size:<\/strong> 16 x 2 x 3 inches | Accessories:<\/strong> N\/A<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n Fitense<\/p>\n \n \n Pull-ups<\/a> are one tough, total-body workout\u2014but their benefits when it comes to building upper body strength make them well worth the effort. Both of the strength-training studios I work out in have these types of bands on hand to offer a boost while taking some of the load off your arms and shoulders.<\/p>\n This particular set includes six bands ranging from 15 to 170 pounds of resistance (meaning they can also be used for other exercises too). Amazon shoppers love that the bright colors make it easy to see which level you\u2019re using, as well as the rubber itself, which they say is thick and easy to grip.<\/p>\n Material:<\/strong> Natural rubber | Resistance levels:<\/strong> 15 to 170 lbs | Size:<\/strong> Bands measure 81.9 inches around and 0.4 to 2 inches wide | Accessories:<\/strong> Door anchor, instructional poster, storage bag<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n Can resistance bands build muscle?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Absolutely: Resistance bands can promote muscle growth by repeatedly stressing your muscles, Lyking says. However, she adds that it\u2019s crucial to use heavier bands as you progress\u2014and to remember that bands can only take you so far.<\/p>\n \u201cIn order to keep building muscle, you must continue to progressively overload the muscle as it adapts to the intensity of your workouts,\u201d she says. \u201cThis typically can\u2019t be achieved using resistance bands alone, as you\u2019ll reach a maximum resistance.\u201d Eventually, you may need to introduce weights into your training routine to get stronger, Ag\u00e9nor adds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n How do resistance bands compare to free weights?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Both resistance bands and free weights are great for strength training. \u201cYour muscles don\u2019t care if you\u2019re using bands or weights\u2014the important thing is reaching muscle failure, which is when you’re slowing down or unable to perform more reps,\u201d Fung says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Are resistance bands suitable for older adults or those with mobility challenges?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Yes! Resistance bands are a safe and effective option for many older adults and people with mobility challenges. They provide a low-impact way to boost strength and neuromuscular awareness, Ag\u00e9nor says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n What role do resistance bands play in warm-ups?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bands are excellent for dynamic warm-ups\u2014I recommend using them during exercises like clam shells<\/a> to prepare your body for the more demanding movements ahead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Related:<\/strong><\/p>\nOur top picks<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\n
What are resistance bands?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Why resistance bands are worth considering<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat to look for in resistance bands<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\nShop the best resistance bands<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Best for Full-Body Workouts: Retrospec Resistance Bands<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\nResistance Bands<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
Cons<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
\nBest for Mobility: TheraBand Resistance Bands Set<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\nResistance Bands Set<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
Cons<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
\nBest for Glutes: Bala Resistance Bands<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
Cons<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
\nBest Mini Loop Bands: TSS Booty Bands<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\nBooty Bands<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
Cons<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
\nBest for Lower Body Workouts: Body-Solid Ankle Cuff Resistance Tubes<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\nAnkle Cuff Resistance Tubes<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
Cons<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
\nBest for Pull-Ups: Fitense Pull Up Resistance Band Set<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\nPull Up Resistance Band Set<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
Cons<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
\nFAQs about resistance bands<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n