The 8 Best Resistance Bands of 2023

Resistance bands are a convenient, simple, versatile tool that you can use to get in a great workout. Zabrina Motwani, NASM CPT, PPSC, founder and owner of The Zestful Space, explains that resistance bands can support muscle growth, mobility, strength training, and more. These elastic bands come in various sizes, resistance levels, and types based on your intended workout and current strength level. Because they are so versatile and accessible, they can be used by fitness pros and fitness newbies alike.

The leading benefit of resistance bands is that they make it easier to get in physical activity at home, at the gym, or on the road. Jess Brock-Pitts, MSW, LCSW, LCADC, ACE CPT/GFI, founder and owner of Enlighten Well LLC, also notes that they’re relatively inexpensive and incredibly portable, which makes them great for fitness pros and fitness newbies alike.

To find the best resistance bands out there, we spoke with certified personal trainers about what to look for in resistance bands, specifically in regard to the types, resistance levels, and materials. Then, we researched the most popular options available and narrowed them down based on the criteria listed by our experts. Here are our top picks.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

TNF Adjustable Booty Band at Tnfbands.com

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Best Budget:

Alllvocles Resistance Band Set at Amazon

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Best for Travel:

Renoj Resistance Bands Set at Amazon

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Best Loop Band:

GymShark Medium Glute Band at Gymshark.com

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Best for Beginners:

Gaiam Resistance Band Kit at Amazon

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Best with Handles:

Pro-Tec Athletics Total Body Resistance Bands at REI

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Best Full Set:

TNF 11 Pcs Resistance Bands Set at Tnfbands.com

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Best for Pull-Ups:

Serious Steel Assisted Pull-up Band at Amazon

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TNF Bands

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Why We Like It

This single booty band is adjustable so you can change resistance levels to meet your needs as you progress.

It’s Worth Noting

This band does not come with exercise instructions.

This band is our top pick because it comes highly recommended by Brock-Pitts and is versatile, durable, and can accommodate a wide range of thigh circumferences thanks to its adjustability. Rather than having to purchase multiple bands for various resistance, this one band offers three different resistance levels. And since it’s made of fabric, it won’t roll or slide down your body and out of place the way most elastic loop bands will.

Overall, this band can benefit many different users, which is why we like it so much. It's easy to travel with, accommodates various strength levels and body sizes, and it’s latex-free. While it’s easy to pack with you on a trip, it does also come with a mesh carry bag.

The one downside is that it doesn’t come with an exercise guide, so if you’re a beginner you may need to find resistance band workouts online for guidance. However, loop bands in general are pretty beginner-friendly.

Price at time of publication: $42

Product Details:

Resistance level: Light, medium, heavy
Material: Fabric
Style: Loop band

Amazon

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Why We Like It

This complete, versatile set allows for a full-body workout at an affordable price.

It’s Worth Noting

The heavier sets are more pricey.

If you’re on a budget, this long loop band set is a great option as it includes four bands at various resistance levels that allow for a full body workout. For most beginner to intermediate level exercisers, these should do the trick. The options range from 5-10 pound resistance to 60-100 pound resistance. And there are sets with higher resistance levels offered, but the price increases as the resistance increases.

If you’re new to resistance bands, it may take some time to get the hang of these since they’re less straightforward than glute bands. However, once you do get the hang of them, there are tons of possibilities—including pull-ups, bicep curls, glute kickbacks, and more.

Price at time of publication: $30

Product Details:

Resistance level: 5-10 pounds, 15-30 pounds, 30-60 pounds, 60-100 pounds
Material: Rubber
Style: Long loop, pull up assist

4.8

Amazon

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Why We Like It

Affordable, durable, and compact—these fabric glute bands are easy to bring with you on a trip.

It’s Worth Noting

The resistance levels may be better suited for beginners.

This loop band set from Renoj includes three booty bands for leg- and glute-focused exercises. The bands are made of polyester cotton and latex yarn that offer resistance, comfort, and grip. It can be immensely frustrating when you’re trying to get in a workout and the band keeps rolling out of place, but that won’t be an issue with this product.

This set comes with three bands ranging from light to heavy resistance. However, as the bands stretch over time, they may not offer enough of a challenge for more experienced strength trainers. That being said, the lowest resistance is 20-35 pounds, so this can be a great option for beginners or those just looking to maintain muscle strength. Plus, the set comes with a little exercise guide to help you get started.

Price at time of publication: $19

Product Details:

Resistance level: Light, medium, heavy
Material: Polyester cotton and latex yarn
Style: Loop band

GymShark

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Why We Like It

Affordable and comfortable, this band is a great entry point to loop bands.

It’s Worth Noting

You may need to buy additional resistance levels as you progress.

GymShark’s medium glute band is comfortable, durable, and offers moderate resistance (25-35 pounds). If you’re looking to add resistance to your strength workouts without investing in a whole set, this resistance band is a good option. It may even be a good idea to use this single band to experiment with an appropriate resistance level for you, then decide on future purchases from there.

The moderate resistance can accommodate various fitness levels, but of course, you may need to purchase bands with more resistance levels depending on your progress and fitness goals. We like that this is a fabric band made of polyester and elastodiene because it helps the band stay put during your workout.

Price at time of publication: $20

Product Details:

Resistance level: Medium (25 – 35 pounds)
Material: Polyester and elastodiene
Style: Loop

Gaiam Restore 3-in-1 Resistance Band Kit

Amazon

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Why We Like It

This set is simple, widely available, and comes with a downloadable exercise guide.

It’s Worth Noting

This set may not be as durable as some others out there.

If you’re a beginner, this set of tube bands from Gaiam is a great option because it’s easy-to-use, affordable, versatile set. It includes three different resistance levels that you can mix and match to meet your needs for any given exercise. It also gives you room to progress as you gain strength and confidence with the bands.

These tube bands come with handles and can be used for a range of exercises to work your arms, legs, and core. And as an added bonus, it comes with a downloadable exercise guide that features a bunch of movements you can do with these bands.

Since this is more of an entry-level set, you may need to replace it sooner than other, higher-end options out there. But for those looking to give resistance bands a try before committing to more advanced options, we recommend this set.

Price at time of publication: $20

Product Details:

Resistance level: Light (20+ pounds), medium (30+ lbs), heavy (40+ pounds)
Material: Latex rubber
Style: Tube

Pro-Tec Athletics Total Body Resistance Bands

REI

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Why We Like It

This tube band set includes three resistance levels and comes with a door anchor, ankle strap, and exercise guide.

It’s Worth Noting

These bands are made of latex, so be careful if you have a latex allergy.

This total body resistance band set from Pro-Tec Athletics comes with not just handles, but also an ankle strap and door anchor. Resistance bands with handles are great for exercises like squats, bicep curls, and leg extensions, while a door anchor can be used for moves like tricep extensions or crunches. Each tube has carabiner clips to easily interchange the handles, door anchor, and ankle strap. You can also double up on bands to increase the resistance level as needed.

If you’re new to resistance bands and all of this seems intimidating, don’t worry. This set comes with a downloadable exercise guide to help you safely and effectively use these bands. Like most tube bands, these are made with latex, so you’ll want to skip these and go with a fabric, latex-free band if you have an allergy.

Price at time of publication: $25

Product Details:

Resistance level: 10 pounds, 20 pounds, 40 pounds
Material: Latex rubber
Style: Tube

TNF Bands

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Why We Like It

It includes five stackable tube bands, two foam handles, two ankle straps, a door anchor, and a carrying pouch.

It’s Worth Noting

It doesn’t come with an exercise guide.

With five tube bands ranging from 5-25 pounds, this set offers a wide range of resistance levels and a wide range of exercise potential. The bands are stackable, meaning you can combine them to increase the resistance level, with a maximum resistance potential of 75 pounds. Since this set comes with ankle straps, handles, and a door anchor, you can use it for a true total body workout.

If you’re an advanced strength trainer, you may prefer buying a set with higher resistance levels (there are some out there with a maximum resistance of 150 pounds). But, for the standard exerciser, this set should do the trick.

Price at time of publication: $60

Product Details:

Resistance level: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 pounds
Material: Rubber
Style: Tube

4.2

Amazon

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Why We Like It

Durable and available in various resistance levels, this pull up assist band can support you in building upper body strength.

It’s Worth Noting

This band doesn’t come as a set.

Doing a pull-up can be an overwhelming challenge for many. And if you’re not yet able to do one, you may wonder how to work towards it. Well, there’s a resistance band for that! Power assist resistance bands are loop bands that can be tied around a pull-up bar and used to support your knee or foot to help you pull yourself up. They give you a little boost that can help build the strength necessary to do a pull-up on your own.

Serious Steel offers this pull-up assist band in various levels. The best choice for you will depend on your body weight and current strength level. In this case, the heavier the load the band exerts (the tighter it is), the easier it will make your pull-ups. The bands can be combined, so you may even choose to buy two lower resistance bands so you can also use them on their own to work smaller muscle groups like your biceps or triceps.

Price at time of publication: $30

Product Details:

Resistance level: 50 – 120 pounds
Material: Rubber
Style: Loop

How We Selected

In order to select the best resistance bands, we consulted certified personal trainers on who may benefit from resistance bands and what people should look for when shopping for one. Experts we spoke to include:

Jess Brock-Pitts, MSW, LCSW, LCADC, ACE CPT/GFI, founder and owner of Enlighten Well LLC.
Zabrina Motwani, NASM CPT, PPSC, founder and owner of The Zestful Space.

These experts provided insights on their favorite resistance bands, including the best types of bands, durability of bands, and the best material for comfort and effectiveness.

We included their recommendations for their favorite resistance bands, along with their insights on what to look for in a resistance bands as we performed our own research. With this information, we were able to narrow down the best resistance bands online today.

What to Know About Resistance Bands

Type of Band

There are a few types of resistance bands with different intended uses. According to Brock-Pitts, some of these are:

Loop bands: also known as booty bands or hip circle bands
Tube bands: which are long bands with handles
Long loop bands: which look like giant rubber bands
Therapy bands: which are often long, flat, and provide lighter resistance

Each type of band is best suited to a different type of exercise. However, many resistance bands are versatile and can be used to work different muscle groups.

Use

Resistance bands can be used to target certain muscle groups and/or for a full body workout. Motwani says that while resistance bands are versatile and suit plenty of different work outs, longer bands will give you the most options.

Certain types of bands will be better suited for certain uses. Loop bands are best for lower body or glute workouts, tube bands are best for upper body workouts, long loop bands can be used for upper or lower body work, and therapy bands can help with flexibility and mobility.

Durability

While resistance bands tend to be quite durable, they can degrade over time. Brock-Pitts warns that it’s important to check your resistance bands for any damage such as tears as they can snap mid-workout (which is never pleasant).

Material

Generally, tube bands will be made of latex. If you have a latex allergy, be sure to check whether the resistance band you are considering has latex and seek out latex-free options.

Loop bands, also known as glute bands or hip circle bands, can typically be found in elastic or fabric options. Motwani says, “In general, I prefer fabric hip circles because they are more comfortable and don’t slip.”

Your Questions, Answered

Can I get a good workout with resistance bands?

Absolutely! Since there are various types of bands and levels of resistance out there, you can get a great workout using resistance bands. Brock-Pitts says, “Resistance bands can provide a challenge as you get stronger by standing further away from the anchor point, or doubling up on bands, so you are less likely to reach a point where you plateau with your resistance.”

How do I choose a resistance level?

Just like selecting weights, you’ll want to pick a resistance level that reflects your current fitness level. If you’re just starting out with strength training, you’ll want to start with a low resistance level and work up as you build strength. If you already engage in regular strength training, you may be able to start with a moderate or high resistance level.

Motwani says, “I usually recommend people to have a light, medium and heavy band to start and try exercises with the lighter resistance first and adjust from there.” Many bands are adjustable or come in kits with different resistance levels. That means you can test out different levels and see what provides a moderate challenge without being painful or overly difficult.

Are resistance bands appropriate for beginners?

Resistance bands are great for beginners. They allow you the comfort of working out from your own home, without the pressure and discomfort some people feel in public gyms. Since they come in various resistance levels, you can start with low resistance and work up as your strength improves.

Motwani agrees, but acknowledges, “Figuring out how to use them can be overwhelming, so having resources and tutorials on how to incorporate bands into a workout can help give a better understanding.” Some bands come with exercise guides, and we have a 21 day mini resistance band challenge for you to start with.

Are there safety concerns with using resistance bands?

While resistance bands are generally safe, there are a couple things to be mindful of. For one, you’ll want to be sure your band doesn’t have rips or tears as this can increase the likelihood of the band tearing and potentially causing an injury during your workout. Brock-Pitts also warns that some resistance bands are made of latex, so if you have a latex allergy you will want to be sure you buy a latex-free band. Always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions, especially when it comes to using accessories like door anchors.

Who We Are

Isabel Vasquez RD, LDN is a registered dietitian who loves all types of physical activity. She counsels clients through the private practice Nutritiously Yours LLC, and her work is especially focused on helping individuals divest from a one-size-fits-all approach to health and connect with their unique needs.

Loren Brutsch, who edited this article is an avid bodybuilder and strength trainer. She has over 5 years of experience with resistance bands and strength training so she knows what to look for when shopping for a great pair of resistance bands.