The Best Resistance Bands For Prehab, Home Gyms, and More

If you subscribe to the notion that resistance band training is for wimps, then allow us to (hopefully) change your mind. Bands provide more tension through an exercise’s range of motion than barbells or dumbbells. Translation: You’re going to feel a serious burn. They’re also (generally) easier on your joints, and, unlike any standard weight training tools, you can take them with you anywhere. And if you’re serious about getting strong, bands can help improve your total on the big three.

There are, however, so many types of bands. There are bands with sensors, bands with handles, bands for your shoulders, and bands for your butt. Feeling a little overwhelmed? Yeah, we get it. Below, we’ve compiled the best resistance bands on the market — broken down into categories — to help you pick the ideal one for you.

Best Resistance Bands

• Best Resistance Bands Overall: Living.Fit Resistance Bands
• Best Resistance Bands Home Gym: TRX Rip Trainer
• Best Tube Resistance Bands: Rogue Tube Bands
• Best Resistance Bands for the Money: Living.Fit Resistance Bands
• Best Resistance Bands for Prehab/Rehab: Crossover Symmetry
• Best Hip Circle Band: Slingshot Hip Circle Max
• Best Small Loop Bands: Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands

Best Resistance Bands Overall

Resistance bands are a relatively inexpensive item that you can add to your home gym for versatility. You can use them to do accommodating resistance training, help with stretching, or perform prehab/rehab. Our favorite set is from Living.Fit.

Living.Fit Resistance Bands

Living.Fit’s resistance bands are made from natural rubber latex and come in six different resistance ranges from five pounds up to 200 pounds. The resistance numbers are listed as the amount from the start to the most resistance the band applies, which is a welcome change from the fixed resistances that most other brands list. They’re also color-coded so you can easily identify each weight. For example, the green band offers tension resistance of 50 pounds to 125 pounds depending on how long the band is stretched. This can make tracking volume easier and more accurate when lifting too.

Living.Fit offers their bands individually, or in a set of four or six. The set of four is reasonably priced at about $79.99 while the full set of six will cost you around $199.99. The bands included in the set of four are from five pounds to 35 pounds, 30 to 60 pounds, 40 to 80 pounds, and 50 to 125 pounds. The six pack adds the final two strongest bands that offer 60 to 175 pounds of resistance and 70 to 200 pounds. These are great for adding variety to your home gym workouts in a cost-effective way (with, say, assisted pull ups, shoulder warm-ups, and banded push-ups).

Who Should Buy Living.Fit Resistance Bands

• Serious strength athletes who want to use bands for deadlifts, back squats, and bench presses. These can loop around a bar or band peg for accommodating resistance training.
• Anyone who likes to do workouts with resistance bands as the primary equipment. There are six resistance options — a wide enough range for all strength levels.
• Folks who want the option of purchasing individual bands or sets. Living.Fit sells their bands both ways. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Living.Fit Resistance Bands

• Anyone who wants handles with their bands. These are strictly looped bands.
• People who are looking for mini bands will want to check out other options on this list.
• Those who prefer to buy their bands in pairs may not like that these are sold as singles, even in a set.

Training with resistance bands can provide altered resistance as you move through an exercise’s range of motion. This essentially reverses the resistance curve of an exercise, allowing you to develop strength at different points than you usually would. Living.Fit resistance bands stand out because they allow you to know exactly how much resistance each band provides from the start to finish of each rep.

Best Resistance Bands Home Gym

When purchasing equipment for your home gym, two things are usually at the forefront of importance — space and versatility. Space is usually limited with home gyms, so owners prefer equipment that stores easily and doesn’t take up a lot of room. Each piece of equipment has to perform double duty and serve multiple purposes because of limited space and budget too. That’s exactly what you’ll find with the TRX Rip Trainer.

TRX Rip Trainer

You may already be familiar with the TRX brand from their suspension training equipment. The TRX Rip Trainer was developed as a companion to that, but is an equally powerful piece of equipment on its own for developing strength and stability, as well as burning calories. This uniquely portable device features a baton instead of a handle, which attaches to the resistance cord system and secures to anchor points that you can set up anywhere in seconds. Despite only providing 20 pounds of resistance, the workouts can be fun and effective, aimed at developing core strength through rotational movements with unbalanced loading. 

In the TRX Rip Trainer Kit, you’ll receive the Rip Trainer Baton, resistance cord, door anchor, and safety strap in case your grip slips during a workout. Additionally, the kit includes an instructional guide with suggested workouts and a carry bag for easy portability. The entire kit costs about $229 before tax and possible shipping, which may sound steep until you realize this is an entire full-body trainer in a bag — versatile and compact. 

Who Should Buy TRX Rip Trainer

• Folks who want to train only with bands. There is enough versatility in this kit that it can act as your entire home gym or supplement your training on the go.
• People who want bands with handles. Though not a traditional handle, the baton provides a unique challenge too.
• Those who already enjoy using the TRX Suspension Trainer will likely enjoy this as the companion kit. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy TRX Rip Trainer

• Strength athletes who want bands for accommodating resistance or stretching/warming up. This system is designed to be used as a workout itself, and doesn’t attach to barbells or band pegs.
• Lifters who like to work out with bands occasionally but still prefer barbells, kettlebells, and dumbbells. As part of the larger TRX system, the Rip Trainer is focused on different types of workouts than traditional barbells and dumbbells. 
• Budget-conscious shoppers. This isn’t the cheapest dish on the menu here. 

If you’re looking to sneak in a solid full-body workout at home or nearly anywhere on the go, the TRX Rip Trainer may be the product you’ve been searching for. Despite being somewhat pricey, this product offers great versatility and portability for those on the go.

Best Tube Resistance Bands

If you’re looking for bands to pack in your gym bag and be used for accessory movements, look no further Than Rogue’s Tube Bands. 

Rogue Tube Bands

The main difference between Rogue’s Monster Bands and Tube Bands comes down to two points — usability and resistance. The Tube Bands, which are equipped with handles on both ends, are meant to be rowed, pushed overhead, and curled. While you can do those movements with the Monster Bands, those are also made to be stretched with and looped over barbells.

Rogue Tube Bands offer resistance in 10, 15, 30, 40, 50, and 60 pounds with prices ranging from around $22 to $32, individually. You can also purchase a full set of all the bands for about $75 before tax and possible shipping. While the weight seems reduced, keep in mind these are meant to be used to provide a complete workout themselves. You can set them up for nearly any exercise with a little bit of ingenuity, such as stiff-legged deadlifts, squats, good mornings, and overhead triceps extensions. If you want to perform banded accessory movements, like biceps curls and more, then these offer the design you want. 

Who Should Buy Rogue Tube Bands

• Gymgoers who want a band that can be used in addition to their typical regimen. The handles on these bands make them great for accessory work.
• Folks who prefer to work out with bands that have handles. Typically, these are easier to press, row, and curl.
• Budget-conscious shoppers. These are priced lower than nearly any other band on this list.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Rogue Tube Bands

• Folks who want bands to loop around different workout tools. These are not for that.
• People who want to work out with bands but want higher-tech options. These are fairly basic.
• Athletes with high levels of strength may find even the toughest band too light here.

Portable and perfect for accessory work, as well as complete workouts for non-strength athletes, Rogue’s Tube Bands are a simple, yet high-quality pick for those looking to add band training into their regimen.

Best Resistance Bands for the Money

Resistance bands come in a variety of options and can vary in price drastically depending on the purpose, extras they come with, and resistance they provide. While usually not the most expensive pieces of equipment like power racks, there are some resistance bands that offer a better value than others — like the Living.Fit Resistance Bands.

Living.Fit Resistance Bands

Living.Fit’s resistance bands come in six different resistance ranges from five through 200 pounds. One of the best, and likely overlooked, features of these bands is that they provide a weight range for each band that lists how much resistance it provides, from least to most stretched. This allows you to track your volume and progression much more accurately than other bands, which only provide an estimate of the resistance at max stretch.

These natural rubber latex bands can be purchased both individually and in sets of four or six bands. Individually, the price ranges from around $19.99 to $44.99 before tax and shipping. For the set of four, you can expect to pay around $79.99, and the full set of six is about $199.99 before tax and shipping. As far as resistance, these bands go from the lightest, providing five to 35 pounds of resistance, all the way up to 70 to 200 pounds. These are a cost-effective way to add variety to your workouts with assisted pull-ups/dips, banded push-ups, shoulder warm-ups, and even more. Our only complaint here is that these bands are not sold in pairs.

Who Should Buy Living.Fit Resistance Bands

• Those who like to know exactly how much weight they’re moving will appreciate that Living.Fit provides a resistance range for their bands.
• Folks who are looking for resistance bands that they can collect over time. The sets are nice, but oftentimes you just need one or two bands to meet your needs.
• People on a budget who don’t need fancy bands with a ton of attachments or handles.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Living.Fit Resistance Bands

• Athletes who like to use bands for the majority of their workout will want to look at some bands with handles on this list instead.
• People who are looking for smaller loop or mini bands may want to check out other options here.
• Folks who like to purchase their bands in pairs may not like that these bands are only sold in singles — even in the sets.

If you’re looking to stretch your money like a resistance band, then these offer a great value. Not only are they high-quality bands, but they provide an accurate number for the amount of resistance you’re moving against with each band. For the price, you’ll have a hard time doing better than the Living.Fit Resistance Bands.

Best Resistance Bands For Prehab/Rehab

Designed specifically for shoulder health, Crossover Symmetry allows lifters to either warm up their shoulders using various weights, or crank up the resistance for more of a training session.

Crossover Symmetry

Crossover Symmetry was developed in part by physical therapists, coaches, and athletes to alleviate and prevent shoulder pain. The two separate cords — available in three, seven, 10, 15, 25, and 40 pounds — must be individually attached to an anchor point, such as a power rack or Crossover Symmetry’s custom anchors. The elastic bands are also encased in a protective sleeve to help with improving durability since these are intended to be used daily. You can perform common exercises, like rotator cuff warm-ups, face pulls, and Palloff presses for core strength.

Crossover Symmetry also provides programs for helping to eliminate shoulder pain and improve shoulder strength. The Gen3 programs focus on activation, recovery, strength, and mobility with instructions that are easy to follow. The cords are covered by a two-year warranty against breaking. Hop on the road to healthy shoulders for around $195 before tax and shipping with the Crossover Symmetry.

Who Should Buy Crossover Symmetry

• Athletes who could benefit from improved and reinforced shoulder stability and mobility. This product places a heavy emphasis on shoulder and core training.
• CrossFitters and other lifters who routinely engage in high-volume overhead work. Keeping your shoulders supple is especially important. 
• Anyone with shoulder pain or those who want to prioritize shoulder health. The types of exercises in the premade Gen3 programs put shoulder health at the forefront.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Crossover Symmetry

• Folks who want bands that can be used to perform more traditional exercises. This model is specifically meant for prehab and rehab. 
• Anyone on a budget. Crossover Symmetry is high quality, but it does cost a little coin. 
• People who have a serious shoulder injury, like a torn muscle or ligament, will want to utilize guided physical therapy from a professional.

Shoulder health is vital for athletes and avid pressers. Crossover Symmetry can help you ease and prevent shoulder pain and injuries with their unique physical therapist-approved band system. Whether you’re getting out ahead to maintain shoulder health or trying to rehab some nagging pain, the Crossover Symmetry is here to help.

Best Hip Circle Band

This band was made for lifters by lifters — specifically, famed powerlifter Mark Bell. This lower-body-focused band is great to warm up with before leg day. 

Sling Shot Hip Circle Max

To use the hip circle, you step inside it with both legs, position it above your knees, and then perform various walking movements. You can assume an athletic stance and walk laterally, forward, or backward. You can do bodyweight squats with it on. You can even wear it while lifting a barbell (though we suggest keeping the weight light).

All the while, the Hip Circle Max — which is made with stronger material compared to the original Hip Circle — will compress your legs, forcing you to drive your knees out to maintain a normal stance. As a result, your glutes and abductors will fire on all cylinders, which you want before loading them up on the front squat or leg press. 

Who Should Buy Sling Shot Hip Circle Max

• Folks who prioritize a proper warm-up and want to make the most out of their next leg day.
• Powerlifters who need to work on overcoming knee valgus and focus on driving their knees outward.
• Anyone who wants to strengthen their glutes and adductors.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Sling Shot Hip Circle Max

• Anyone that wants to use a band for more than warming up.
• Average gym-goers who may not need to worry about specific glute/adductor training yet.

Feeling the activation of your glutes can be a difficult sensation to attain for many lifters and the Hip Circle is designed to help with that. If you’re a serious lifter who prioritizes warming up before squats (which you probably should), then the Sling Shot Hip Circle Max is an ideal addition to your gym bag.

Best Small Loop Bands

These are easily the most portable of all the bands on our list. They can fit into any band or suitcase so that you can train and/or warm up pretty much anywhere. 

Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands

These are similar to a regular resistance band from a design standpoint, but Fit Simplify’s bands are stretchier and smaller at just 12 inches long by two inches thick. You can loop them around your knees to perform lateral band walks, wrap them around your wrists for a more difficult push-up variation or shoulder warm-up, or use them to provide resistance on short range of motion lifts. 

These are 12 inches long and two inches wide. Though the specific resistance weights aren’t listed, this bundle offers five levels of difficulty — X-light, light, medium, heavy, and X-heavy. They come in three different color combination options — Assorted, Berry, and Pink. Plus, all five-band packs cost only about $16.95 before tax and possible shipping per pack.

Who Should Buy Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands

• Anyone who wants an affordable band bundle. These are, by far, the most affordable brands on this list. 
• Folks who want mini looped bands, as opposed to tube bands or longer looped bands.
• Those who like to warm up using bands. These are great to wrap around your knees and wrists to work the smaller, stabilizer muscles. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands

• People who want to train their full body with more traditional exercises. 
• Folks who are looking to spend a bit more for a complete band bundle. 
• Anyone who wants to add bands to their weighted lifts. 

These are by far the most affordable and convenient bands available on the market, though their uses are a tad more limited compared to other models.

Benefits of Resistance Bands

Bands are typically made of elastic rubber. The thicker the rubber, the more resistance the band provides. Here are some benefits of training with resistance bands.

More Muscular Tension

What makes bands unique is that they provide tension throughout an exercise’s entire range of motion. For example, when you’re doing a barbell curl, the weight is heaviest when it’s farthest away from your body — i.e., the mid-way point. Bands, however, are taught from the get, so your muscle will never get to relax. Because of the constant tension they provide, bands are a popular tool among bodybuilders to get a pump before posing on stage. 

They’re More Joint-Friendly

What’s the main difference between squatting with 500 pounds on your back versus an 80-pound resistance band? Your spine isn’t being compressed under the band (not nearly as much, at least). Because bands apply tension to your muscle throughout an exercise, you don’t need as much weight as using dumbbells or kettlebells.

For example, the 200-pound Monster Band that Rogue sells is considered heavy enough that it’s meant to loop over and around barbells only. However, how many people can hoist 200 pounds over their chest for reps? A lot. Since you don’t need to lift as much, your joints won’t be under stress. Over time, that can mean fewer potential injuries and nagging aches and pains. When it comes to band training, less really is more.

Resistance Bands are Convenient

As much as you may love your bumper plates and barbell, you can’t throw those into your gym bag and hit the road. You can roll up a few light resistance bands and toss those into your bag, however. See where we’re going with this?

If you’re on vacation, on a road trip, or simply unable to get to a gym — bands are an easy and portable workout option. They’re low-maintenance and easy to use. 

How We Chose the Best Resistance Bands

As you can tell, there’s a variety of bands on the mark. A few factors can help determine what may be best for different consumers with all the different options available. Here are the aspects of bands that we evaluated:

Level of Resistance

A critical decision to make when purchasing these resistance bands is how much resistance you’ll need. Certain exercises, such as face pulls and lateral raises, require less resistance. On the other hand, loaded stretches, squats, and using bands for deadlifts call for heavy bands to be used. On this list, you’ll find brands that offer a variety of different weights — from as light as three pounds up to 200 pounds.

Quality

Bands are susceptible to snapping, and if that were to happen as you trained, you could get hurt. That’s why we chose brands known for producing quality products and even feature a band on the list that encases their bands as an extra safety precaution.

Accouterments

Some sets of resistance bands come with additional tools that might enhance the experience. Commonly included are door anchors (which provide a static point from which the resistance bands can be pulled), soft-grip handles (which allow pulling and pushing exercises), and even sensors that track your performance. Resistance bands in loops or are flat typically will serve different exercises and won’t utilize these add-ons. Hey, it’s nice to have options, no matter how “extra” they may seem.

Colors

Colored bands won’t help your gains, but they will help you stay organized. Typically, brands will color their bands to signify a specific resistance level. Over time, you’ll be able to associate each band with their assigned weight (even if you’re half-asleep during an early morning workout). You’ll know that orange bands are for warm-ups, red bands are for pull-ups, and black bands are for deadlifts. Is it necessary? No. But is it a nice-t-have feature? You bet.

How Much Do Resistance Bands Cost?

As far as workout equipment goes, resistance bands are on the more affordable side of things. Some options that are designed to be a total body training solution can be more expensive, but since no weights or machinery are involved, the materials are relatively cost-effective.

Best Resistance Bands Overall	Living.Fit Resistance Bands	From $14.99 to $29.99 individually or $29.99 to $69.99 for sets
Best Resistance Bands Home Gym	TRX Rip Trainer	$229.95
Best Tube Resistance Bands	Rogue Tube Bands	From $22 to $32 individually or $36.50 to $75 for sets
Best Resistance Bands for the Money	Living.Fit Resistance Bands	From $14.99 to $29.99 individually or $29.99 to $69.99 for sets
Best Resistance Bands for Prehab/Rehab	Crossover Symmetry	$45 for bands and packages from $195 to $305
Best Hip Circle Band	Slingshot Hip Circle Max	$25.00
Best Small Loop Bands	Fit Simplicity Resistance Loop Exercise Bands	$12.95 for a set of five

You can pick up resistance bands individually or in sets, with sets usually being more cost-effective in the long run — as you might expect. Basic resistance bands range from around $13 to $45 while sets of bands can run about $30 to $75. Whole-body trainers are usually more expensive and cost in the range of $195 to $305.

What to Consider Before Buying Resistance Bands

Not sure which resistance band is right for you? We’ve compiled some questions to ask yourself before buying to hopefully help you choose the best bands for your training goals.

What Exercises Will You Be Doing?

If you have a specific exercise or type of exercise that you are hoping to use the resistance bands for, you will probably have an easier time deciding which brand to get. The offerings that include ankle straps and soft-grip handles provide utility for a wide range of exercises but may not fit the needs of all.

The metal clips at the end can be uncomfortable to use if they aren’t attached to anything. If you want to do heavier-resistance training or exercises such as assisted pull-ups, you should opt for the highest resistance level possible. The resistance bands shaped in a loop are ideal for banded walks, lunges, yoga, and pilates-style exercises, as no additional tying or attachments should be necessary.

What is Your Budget?

These exercise resistance bands typically won’t set customers back that much in terms of price on their own, but those looking for added tools and gear will probably need to spend a bit more. Resistance bands that include ankle straps and handles typically will cost more than looped or mini-looped resistance bands.

The higher-end offerings that provide much more weight resistance will reflect that increased durability with its price. These can cost as much for a single band as whole sets of other brands do. If you are only looking to do some light resistance training, then a lower-cost and lower-resistance set is probably appropriate.

Are These for Personal Use or a Group?

If these are for personal use, it may not matter much if the resistance bands are color-coded. However, if these are to be used in a group setting such as a physical therapy office, studio, or gym, it may be worth buying bands from the same company. Some brands have strict color coding that matches the color to resistance level throughout all of their products. This is not true of all brands, unfortunately. When buying for a group of people, it may be beneficial to purchase various sets that are clearly color-coded and even have the resistance level labeled on the latex. This may help avoid confusion when multiple users need resistance bands.

Different Ways to Train With Bands 

Bands are one of the most versatile pieces of training equipment. You can use bands to get a workout in or enhance a workout. Or, if you need some mobility work, bands can help limber you up. Here are some common ways to train with bands.

In Place of Weights

Don’t get it twisted; you don’t need a barbell and weight plates to get swole. If you own a band, you can squat, press, row, and plank your way to more muscle or less fat. That said, one downside to training with bands is that you can’t track progression as easily — and progression is a major key to getting bigger and stronger. 

When you’re using dumbbells, you know that you can, say, do 10 dumbbell presses for three sets using 80 pounds. You’ll add a rep to each set for a few weeks until you’re performing three sets of 15 reps. Then, you’ll drop the rep count back down to 10 and use 85 pounds. Simple, right? 

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The weight of a band isn’t really comparable. Even if a band claims to offer 50 pounds of resistance, simply moving your hands up or down even an inch will make a move easier or harder. There’s no true way to know how much you’re lifting. You can keep track of reps, but it isn’t easy to objectively track your progress without knowing the actual load. That said, if you’re on a mission to be as strong as possible, then we doubt you’re training exclusively with bands anyway. 

If you want to look a little fitter, move better, and be healthier, then focus on manipulating the tempo of your lifts, how many reps you’re doing, and cutting down rest time. 

As a Part of Your Warm-Up

Bands are great to use to stretch and activate your muscles. You can do moves like band pull-aparts, banded lateral walks, and banded versions of classic moves like deadlifts, squats, and rows to prime your body for heavy lifting.

They provide just enough resistance to challenge your muscles without fatiguing them. Also, the constant tension bands ensure that your muscles are active during an entire range of motion. This is important because good mobility isn’t just about how long your range of motion is but how strong you are at the end of that ROM.

Added to Barbells and Machines

We’ve mentioned this a few times throughout the articles, so allow us to dig into accommodating resistance finally. In the sport of powerlifting especially, it’s common for lifters to add bands to the big three lifts (deadlift, bench press, and back squat). You can set up the bands to either pull down or up on the barbell to either work on the lift-off or lockout phase of the lift.

Say you loop a band around the center of a bar for deadlifts and stand over it. The bar is going to feel heavier as you pull it up, and the band gets tight. So, if you load the bar with 405 pounds, you’ll be pulling what feels like 405 pounds during the lift-off phase and, depending on how heavy of a band you use, let’s say 455 at lockout. If you’re a lifter who struggles with locking out their deadlift, banded pulls may be the answer you’re looking for.

On the flip, you can loop two bands to the top beams of a power or squat rack and loop the other ends around the sleeves of a barbell. Because the band is starting extended and is pulling the bar up, it’ll be easier to lift. That means you’ll want to load the bar up with more weight than you’re using to lift off the floor.

Say you can typically pull 405 pounds, try loading around 465-485 pounds. By the time you lock the bar out, you’ll be pulling 405 again. This banded deadlift variation improves your power off the floor. You can apply the same logic to moves like the bench press, squat, leg press, and even chest machines.

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Final Word

In general, resistance bands provide a ton of versatility for a relatively cheap price. On top of that, they take up a small amount of room, making them a must-have for pretty much any gym or lifter. They’re easy to throw in your gym bag to pull out when you need them. Whether you’re warming up your shoulders, engaging your glutes, or performing accessory exercises, they pack a punch in a compact vessel. Resistance bands are often used by physical therapists for rehab and prehab too, providing yet another useful function.

Other types of resistance bands provide an entire workout on their own with a focus on stability and prehab to help prevent injuries. These may be more costly than the loop types of bands, but they provide a unique and often fun challenge in addition to being extremely portable. It would be quite difficult to transport your entire home gym with you, but many band systems can be stored in a simple bag. The types of resistance bands are as versatile as the workouts you can do with them. For such a generally low cost and high level of utility, picking up a few bands or a set is a must for avid lifters.

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