From simple rubber bands to complex multi-band systems with handles, these are the best resistance bands we’ve tried for nailing your strength training and home workouts.
Resistance bands have become a staple in many homes and gyms. They’re portable and lightweight, don’t take up too much space, and – if you know what to do with them – can help you get an excellent resistance workout without spending big bucks on kit.
There’s a surprisingly wide array of resistance bands available too. You can get cheap and cheerful traditional options like the Amazon Basics TPE Resistance Band set. Or there are pricey powerhouse systems like TRX’s RIP Trainer or the Gorilla Bow Travel. Whatever your need there’s probably a resistance band that can scratch your particular itch.
There are two main categories of bands: simple resistance bands and resistance band systems. Simple bands are usually thin sheets of stretchy material, typically made of latex, silicone, synthetic rubber or TPE, though bands can be made of fabric – a popular material for thigh and bum-focused bands. These require a bit of imagination if you want a full-body workout, with light or mini bands great for getting the blood pumping, and heavier options supplementing dumbbells and bars. They can also be used as pull-up assists.
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We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Our team of reviewers includes experienced product testers, PTs and fitness writers – as well as the core MF team – who know exactly what sets the best products apart from the rest. This selection of the best resistance bands was tried and tested by experienced product tester Basil Kronfli. Find out more about how we test.
Best resistance bands at a glance
For its shear versatility and the amount of exercises it puts at your fingertips, we have to give the Gorilla Bow Travel the accolade of the best resistance band set. With three band options and resistance up to 350lb / 158.8kg, it’s a worthwhile investment that you won’t be growing out of any time soon.
The comprehensive Mirafit Resistance Bands Set features six bands that cover a whopping 15-230lb (6.8-104.3kg) – that’s a wide enough range for even the most hardcore fitness enthusiast.
The TRX RIP Trainer works your core unlike any other resistance band set through making each exercise asymmetrical. Buying additional cords gives you more versatility and the door anchor and carabiner are useful accessories.
With five bands ranging from 10lb (4.5kg) to 50lb (22.7kg), the Myprotein 11-piece Band Set represents great value for money. Attachable handles and leg straps give you plenty of exercise variations too.
These cheap and cheerful Amazon Basics TPE Resistance Bands may not pack enough punch for muscle building, but they are ideal for adding extra tension to mobility or rehab exercises.
Ideal for chest training, the updated Gymproluxe Band Bar Set gives you anything from 44lb (20kg) to 200lb (90kg) of resistance in a strap system with handles. It’s a design that makes dropping resistance on the fly an absolute breeze.
We’re impressed by these Serious Steel Resistance bands, not only for their range which goes from 2lb to 200lb but also for their reliable tension throughout each band’s range.
The 15-inch loop and tactile material of the Urban Fitness Fabric Resistance Bands makes them ideal for lower leg exercises – and glute training in particular. They’re decent value too.
The TRX Bandit Resistance Band Set is one of the simplest resistance band systems out there. It’s easy to use and light enough to keep in your gym bag too.
Best overall
1. Gorilla Bow Travel
Men’s Fitness verdict
This powerhouse band system provides a challenging full-body workout. You can use multiple bands to layer resistance, however loading heavier bands can be tricky.- Powerful full-body system
- Supports multiple bands simultaneously
- Priciest band system on test
- Too large and cumbersome for some
| Specifications | Gorilla Bow Travel |
|---|---|
| Resistance | Up to 350lb (158.8kg) |
| Colors | Black with coloured bands |
| Number of bands | 9 or 11 |
| Features | 3-piece bow; simultaneous band use; carry case |
If, like me, you’re someone who likes the idea of investing in a system that covers full-body fitness, the Gorilla Bow Travel should float your boat. With two different sets available offering 9 or 11 bands and up to 330lb (149.7kg) or 350lb (158.8kg) or resistance respectively, you can get a highly effective workout in.
You can load the bow with up to four bands, so that means four resistance strengths when you use one band at a time. You can also use multiple bands simultaneously to layer resistance. In testing, that meant it was easy to quickly drop the weight when you fatigue – perfect for drop sets.
Roughly 55in (140cm) tall when assembled, the Gorilla Bow is the most commanding of all our fitness band systems and the bulkiest. In its travel version, though, it detaches into three elements that help it fit easily in a large bag or small suitcase.
- Read our full Gorilla Bow Travel review
Best bands for resistance range
2. Mirafit Resistance Bands Set
Men’s Fitness verdict
Made of non-snap, 100% natural latex, these bands felt seriously robust on test. With a large, color-coded resistance range, the set is ideal for home gyms that are short on space.- Excellent range of resistance levels
- Robust-feeling
- Novices may struggle with traditional bands
- Plastic-heavy packaging
| Specifications | Mirafit Resistance Bands Set |
|---|---|
| Resistance | 15-230lb (6.8-104.3kg) |
| Colors | Grey, orange, black |
| Number of bands | 6 |
| Material | 100% natural latex |
The comprehensive Mirafit Resistance Bands Set features six traditional bands with a range perfectly suited for both muscle building and stretching. The bands are made of non-snap, 100% natural latex, and feel seriously robust.
The lighter bands are grey, giving 15-25lb (6.8-11.3kg) and 45-50lb (20.4-22.7kg) of resistance, the two middle bands go from 75-100lb (34-45.3kg) and 100-120lb (45.3-54.4kg) and are orange, while the heaviest bands are black with a range of 120-175lb (54.4-79.4kg) and 175-230lb (79.4-104.3kg).
- Read our full Mirafit Resistance Bands Set review
Best bands for glute training
3. Urban Fitness Fabric Resistance Bands
Men’s Fitness verdict
The Urban Fitness fabric resistance bands are comfortable to use and are great for passively adding some extra resistance to squats and glute bridges.- Super-comfortable to use
- Excellent for thighs and backside
- Limited uses
- Fabric is less hygienic
| Specifications | Urban Fitness Fabric Resistance Bands |
|---|---|
| Resistance | 15-50lb (6.8-22.7kg) |
| Colors | Green, purple, black |
| Number of bands | 3 |
| Material | Polyester, latex |
These Urban Fitness Fabric Resistance Bands are great for passively adding some extra resistance to squats and glute bridges. They serve up versatility with three strengths, and they also offer decent value, working out to roughly £8 each.
As well as being soft and comfortable, they’re also more taught than traditional bands – a standard characteristic of fabric alternatives. This extra tension is good for working out your glutes. Each band is a 15-inch loop, with the light band being green, medium being purple, and heavy being black. They even have internal grip strips sewn inside, which help keep them steady and prevent any slipping or rolling during workouts.
Best budget bands for mobility
4. Amazon Basics TPE Resistance Band Set
Men’s Fitness verdict
The Amazon Basics TPE resistance band set is a great no-frills option for those looking for light resistance workouts or injury rehabilitation.- Affordable and portable
- Drawstring carry case incuded
- Slightly sticky out of the box – may require talc
- Too light for serious muscle building
| Specifications | Amazon Basics TPE Resistance Band Set |
|---|---|
| Colors | Pink, green, orange |
| Number of bands | 3 |
| Material | Latex-free TPE |
The Amazon Basics TPE resistance band set is a no-frills stretching aid for light resistance workouts, injury rehabilitation and increasing blood flow to an area. The set gives you three long, versatile bands for under £10 – pink is heavy resistance, green is medium and orange light. Amazon doesn’t offer corresponding weight ratings for each band. But, they’re all on the lighter side when compared to the other bands on test.
These aren’t looped either, so will rely on you to grip them in order to create tension, but I found that actually makes them a bit more versatile for certain two-handed exercises like lat raises, which wouldn’t be possible with a looped band.
- Read our full Amazon Basics TPE Resistance Band set review
Best bands for constant tension
5. Serious Steel Resistance Bands
Men’s Fitness verdict
Bought individually or as a set of six, these Serious Steel bands are a great option for most exercises and offer reliably constant tension.- Consistant tention through the range
- Useful 37in and 41in lengths
- Robust and long-lasting
- May need both lengths for all exercises
- Set is more than $100
| Specifications | Serious Steel Resistance Bands |
|---|---|
| Resistance | 2-200lb (0.9-90.7kg), uniform tension |
| Colors | Orange, purple, red, blue, green, grey, yellow |
| Number of bands | 6 |
| Material | Latex |
If you want reliably uniform tension across a band’s entire range, I would have to recommend these Serious Steel bands. Their 15 layers of latex help create consistent tension whatever exercise your doing, and ensure whatever tension band you use has a robust, confidence-inspiring feel.
Another major plus with these bands, I reckon, is the sheer variety of the range. If 37in bands are just too short for overhead movements like presses, you’ve got a 41in option, or if you need less slack there’s a 31in band, while for deadlifts or leg work there are 20in and 12in bands respectively.
6. Core Balance Long Loop Bands
Men’s Fitness verdict
Buy just the bands you want or the set of four for a significant saving, and you’ll get robust bands that will last a lifetime. A useful resistance range from 7kg to 56kg too.- Quality natural latex bands
- Versatile 208cm circumference
- Robust and long-lasting
- Limiting for leg exercises
- Buying individually costs significantly more
| Specifications | Core Balance Long Loop Bands |
|---|---|
| Resistance | 15.4-123lb (7-56kg) |
| Colors | Green, purple, black, red |
| Number of bands | 4 |
| Material | Latex |
Another great value option I’ve enjoyed using is the Long Loop Band set from Core Balance. Costing £25 for the set rather than £42 if buying individually, these four bands cover a useful 7-56kg range. They are all a standard 208cm circumference, so not ideal for banded leg work, but for bent-over rows, band pull-aparts or high pulls, this set has got you covered.
The lightest band covers a resistance range of 7-15kg, which I found great for rehab or warm-ups. The other bands cover 10-30kg (black), 15-40kg (purple) and 22-56kg (green) respectively. Made from natural latex, their build quality inspires confidence – and I’m pretty confident that these bands will last for years.
Best bands with handles for chest training
7. Gymproluxe Band Bar Set
Men’s Fitness verdict
Version 2.0 has been updated to give you everything you need for upper body training in one set. It’s a good value kit and intuitive to use, but lower body training options are limited.- Excellent for chest and upper body
- Quick and easy to adjust
- Limited lower body benefit
- Additional kit required for full-body training
| Specifications | Gymproluxe Band Bar Set |
|---|---|
| Resistance | 44-200lb / 20-90kg |
| Colors | Black with black, green and white bands |
| Number of bands | 6 (2 x 22lb / 10kg, 2 x 33lb / 15kg, 2 x 44lb / 20kg) |
| Material | Latex |
The Gymproluxe Band Bar Set used to come in five flavours, each giving you three resistance bands. Gymproluxe 2.0 now gives you everything you need in one set. It’s still an impressive range of resistance, but it takes all the guesswork out of which version to get. In the box you get 2 x 22lb / 10kg white bands, 2 x 33lb / 15kg green bands and 2 x 44lb / 20kg black bands. You also get the detachable steel bar, padded exercise belt and carry bag.
Load up all the bands and you have 200lb / 90kg of resistance in one convenient, lightweight belt. Or you could load up just the white bands and have 20kg of resistance. Or you can go anywhere in between. We found it simple to release individual bands to drop the weight in increments too. Presses, rows, curls and flyers are all easy to perform whether standing up or lying down, so we found we could smash out a decent workout pretty much anywhere.
The bar lets you do some of the best chest training we’ve experienced from a band system.
- Read our full Gymproluxe Band Bar Set review
Best bands with handles for core strength
8. TRX RIP Trainer
Men’s Fitness verdict
You’ll want extra bands to give your exercises variability, but this is a stellar piece of kit for sculpting defined abs. Just check your ceiling height before you get started…- Excellent core training kit
- Ships with a workout guide
- Only the medium resistance band included
- Requires ample space to train
| Specifications | TRX RIP Trainer |
|---|---|
| Resistance | 20lb (9kg) – 15lb (7kg), 25lb (11kg), 38lb (17kg) and 50lb (23kg) are optional extras |
| Colors | Black and yellow |
| Features | Door anchor; carabiner; six-year guarantee |
The TRX RIP Trainer is not just a pole with a band on the end; it’s a core annihilator in disguise.
Excellent for turning traditional moves into asymmetric exercises, I enjoyed the fact the TRX focuses the resistance on one side of your body, forcing you to compensate, and in turn develop muscles you’d usually lock into with pilates or other core-focused training.
The TRX RIP Trainer is covered by a six-year warranty and comes with a medium chord, which packs 20lb (9kg) of resistance. Four other cords are available: light (15lb / 7kg); heavy (25lb / 11kg); the extra-heavy (38lb / 17kg); and XX-heavy (50lb / 23kg), costing between £24.95-£49.95 / $24.95-$49.95.
I also appreciated the included door anchor and carabiner, which give you options to use it indoors and out – although the system requires a few clear square meters beyond as well as relatively high ceilings.
- Read our full TRX RIP Trainer review
Best budget bands with handles system
9. Myprotein 11-Piece Band Set
Men’s Fitness verdict
Another great-value set, Myprotein’s bands come complete with leg straps, handles and door anchor. It’s a versatile piece of kit ideal for high rep-range conditioning.- Excellent value
- Enables loads of exercises
- Too light for low rep ranges
- No instructions or quick-start guide
| Specifications | Myprotein 11-Piece Band Set |
|---|---|
| Resistance | 10lb (4.5kg), 20lb (9.1kg), 30lb (13.6kg), 40lb (18.1kg), 50lb (22.7kg) |
| Colors | Black |
| Number of bands | 5 |
| Features | Leg straps; door anchor |
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better set of bands for beginners than the MyProtein 11-Piece Band Set. The system is big on bands and value, shipping with five tube bands, two handles, two leg straps and a door anchor, tucked away in a breathable net bag.
The five bands are all different colours and range from 10lb (4.5kg) to 50lb (22.7kg) in resistance. Each end of each band features a carabiner (clamp), which can latch onto either a handle, a leg strap or the door anchor. I used the leg strap around my ankle, and found it ideal for abductor, adductor and glute exercises. With the handles on both sides, you’ve got shoulder and chest presses covered.
The MyProtein 11-Piece Band Set isn’t as high resistance as much of the competition, but for constant tension and high rep range conditioning, I found the five bands – which can be doubled up for extra resistance – work a treat.
- Read our full Myprotein 11-Piece Band Set review
Best lightweight bands with handles
10. TRX Bandit Resistance Band Kit
Men’s Fitness verdict
If you’re starting out using resistance bands, we can’t think of an easier way than with the TRX Bandit. It’s not one for putting on serious mass but it still provides a decent workout.- Portable and lightweight
- Comfortable to use
- Won’t be for heavy strength training
- More expensive than four individual bands
| Specifications | TRX Bandit Resistance Band Kit |
|---|---|
| Resistance | 5lb (2.3kg) to 60lb (27.2kg) |
| Colors | Black and yellow |
| Number of bands | 5 |
| Features | Six-year guarantee; compatible with other TRX bands |
The TRX Bandit Resistance Band Kit is incredibly simple, but it’s also very effective and user-friendly, consisting of two light bands and two medium bands, as well as two handles.
Up to two bands can slide into each handle at a time, creating an easy-to-grip resistance band system with up to four resistance strengths. Tension ranges from 5lb (2.3kg, one light band) to 60lbs (27.2kg, two medium bands), and I found the Bandit handles work with heavier TRX bands, which can be bought separately from £14.95 / $14.95.
While it won’t be for anyone looking to put on serious mass, I think the Bandit can still help most people get a tough, muscle-building workout in higher rep ranges.
- Read our full TRX Bandit Resistance Band Kit review
| Specifications | Gorilla Bow Travel | Mirafit Resistance Bands Set | Urban Fitness Fabric Resistance Bands | Amazon Basics TPE Resistance Band Set | Serious Steel Resistance Bands | Core Balance Long Loop Bands | Gymproluxe Band Bar Set | TRX RIP Trainer | Myprotein 11-Piece Band Set | TRX Bandit Resistance Band Kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star rating |
★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
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| Resistance | Up to 350lb (158.8kg) | 15-230lb (6.8-104.3kg) | 15-50lb (6.8-22.7kg) | light, medium, heavy | 2-200lb (0.9-90.7kg), uniform tension | 15.4-123lb (7-56kg) | 44-200lb / 20-90kg | 20lb (9kg) – 15lb (7kg), 25lb (11kg), 38lb (17kg) and 50lb (23kg) are optional extras | 10lb (4.5kg), 20lb (9.1kg), 30lb (13.6kg), 40lb (18.1kg), 50lb (22.7kg) | 5lb (2.3kg) to 60lb (27.2kg) |
| Number of bands | 9 or 11 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 6 (2 x 22lb / 10kg, 2 x 33lb / 15kg, 2 x 44lb / 20kg) | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Features | 3-piece bow; simultaneous band use; carry case | 100% natural latex | Polyester, latex | Latex-free TPE | Latex | Latex | Latex | Door anchor; carabiner; six-year guarantee | Leg straps; door anchor | Six-year guarantee; compatible with other TRX bands |
| Colors | Black with coloured bands | Grey, orange, black | Green, purple, black | Pink, green, orange | Orange, purple, red, blue, green, grey, yellow | Green, purple, black, red | Black with black, green and white bands | Black and yellow | Black | Black and yellow |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
Frequently Asked Questions on resistance bands
If you’ve not used them before, you’d be forgiven for wondering what resistance bands are. Small, unassuming and often overlooked in favour of the heavy metal of machines and free weights, they can be an incredibly effective tool, whatever your fitness goal or level of experience. As their name suggests, resistance bands are able to provide a level of opposing tension when pulled or stretched. As well as looped or open bands (the latter are often lighter and used for physiotherapy), there are mini bands, which are a small loop and go from very easy to very difficult, and power bands that are also looped but a bit longer, and again go very thin to very thick. You can also get resistance bands with handles on the end, which perform a similar function to power bands.
Rather than asking what makes a good resistance band, you should be asking what makes a good resistance band for you. Most bands on the market serve a purpose, with lightweight options being great for stretches and basic resistance training, and more heavyweight bands being better for muscle building. Standard bands are generally more portable, while systems take up more space. From a safety point of view, a good band is one that won’t snap. You should always check that your band doesn’t have any micro tears in it before you start working out. Imagine being flicked with the biggest elastic band by the most brutish bully in school – if a resistance band snaps mid-workout, it won’t be pretty.
By their nature, bands also have variable resistance. Often their resistance is measured by two corresponding weights – 5-10lb (2.3-4.5kg), for example. The first weight measurement – 5lb – is the band at 50% tension. The second weight – 10lb – is the band at 100% tension. Bands usually hit 100% when stretched to double their starting length. If you have shorter limbs and want maximum tension, you shouldn’t opt for really long bands as it may be tough to hit that 100% resistance. Likewise, tall people shouldn’t opt for bands that are too short, as they might hit full tension too soon, preventing them from being able to get a full range of motion when training.
A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research showed that using a combination of bands and weights is more productive than using weights exclusively. So it’s important to know how to use resistance bands. There are two principal ways in which the body builds muscle: mechanical tension and metabolic stress. The first, which sees muscles contract strongly when loaded with heavy weight, is less applicable for band training. The focus with bands, therefore, is on metabolic stress: the burning you feel when a muscle is working hard for a long time.
Resistance bands are great for building muscle and are certainly something you should implement into your workouts, particularly if you have limited access to space or equipment. They are very versatile and you can use resistance band exercises to train every muscle group in your body. The key to using resistance bands to build muscle is to make sure the resistance is challenging enough, and to make sure you’re completing the movement with correct form.
To build muscle, choose a resistance where you can complete 6-8 repetitions of your chosen exercise with perfect form for 3-4 sets. Be careful to not complete the exercise too quickly and focus on completing the exercise through the full range of motion (i.e. don’t shorten the movement because the weight is too heavy or you’re moving too fast). By focusing on sufficiently challenging resistance, and a steady pace of movement through a full range of motion, resistance bands are an effective way to build muscle.
We don’t all have the space or cash to set up a pro-level gym at home (I know I certainly don’t). And if we’re starting out, the first choice we’ll most likely need to make is this: dumbbells vs resistance bands? Both can offer plenty of resistance and versatility for a full-body workout, but that is where their similarities end. Cost, storage space, weight, longevity, safety and precision all differ between dumbbells and resistance bands, and are all factors to consider if you’re choosing between the two.
Mini bands are looped bands that are generally 30-45cm in length. They might appear a bit limited compared to longer power bands or those with handles on each end. But the benefits of mini resistance bands are plentiful, and they can be a very handy tool to have in your gym bag. Our top four benefits of mini bands are their versatility, their usefulness in activation work, their ability to increase the load of bodyweight exercises and the fact that they’re a compact and low-cost way to workout, wherever you are.
How we rate the best resistance bands
When choosing between the myriad band options on the market, we chose the best resistance bands for this list based on the following criteria:
- Versatility relates to how many exercises and workouts the band is suited to. Some bands, like the Eono Fabric, are only suited to specific strength training, i.e. quad exercises, so its versatility rating is lower. On the other hand, the Myprotein 11-piece Band Set includes a number of bands suitable for both compound movements and more targeted accessory work.
- Band quality is all about the quality of materials used, and how durable the bands are. Cheap, plastic bands are unlikely to last long, whereas high-quality rubber is built to last.
- Resistance range refers to the level of resistance on offer. Bands like the Amazon Basics are all fairly light, whereas with the Mirafit Band Set you have the option to go impressively heavy.
How we test the best resistance bands
I’m an experienced product reviewer and fitness expert and tested the bands over a six-week period from my home gym, across a variety of exercises and home workouts. As well as different resistance ranges, I also tested different lengths of bands where available, to ensure I could conduct a thorough range of exercises. These included leg work such as banded lunges and side steps, overhead exercises including presses and squats, chest work including pull-aparts and chest presses, and arm exercises such as lateral raises and upright rows. Depending on the length of band, I tried to conduct as many of the best resistance band exercises as I could. I rated the bands according to three main criteria: versatility, band quality and resistance range. From these scores I gave them an overall rating.
Updates
- October 2025: We’ve updated affiliate links, added the Mirafit bands to the summary panel and added a section on the benefits of mini resistance bands.
- December 2025: We’ve added Serious Steel Resistance Bands to the guide, as well as to the summary box.
- January 2026: We’ve added Core Balance Long Loop Bands to the guide and replaced the Eono Fabric Bands with the Urban Fitness bands – and added them to the summary box.
- February 2026: We’ve added the Amazon Basics and TRX Bandit system added to summary box; main image updated.
- May 2026: We added schema tables for our specs, updated all product links, and updated our FAQ section.
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