The Gymproluxe Band and Bar Set 2.0 is a clever set-up that covers loads of exercises and is definitely better suited to upper-body training.
The Gymproluxe Band and Bar Set 2.0 gives you three levels of resistance in one convenient, lightweight belt. We think it’s one of the best resistance bands for chest training we’ve experienced. While it’s a clever setup that covers loads of exercises, it’s definitely better suited to upper body training.
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 east to adjust resistance
- Limited lower-body benefit
- Additional kit required for full-body training
How we test the best resistance bands with handles
Our kit tester and reviewer Laurence McJannet knows what makes a good set of resistance bands. He tested each product through its entire resistance range (including any optional extra bands) and across a wide range of banded exercises. He also used all available accessories such as door anchors, leg straps or carabiners for an extended period. Laurence tested and marked each resistance band for its versatility, for the quality of the bands and the handles and for its overall weight range.
What’s new with version 2.0
The original Gymproluxe band set came in five different version. Each one gave you three bands, but with quite different resistance ranges. So it left those new to resistance bands in particular a little confused about which set would be best for them. There are no choices with the new version, just three different bands on each end that can be engaged or disengaged to change resistance. (There are different aftermarket bands you can buy later, however.)
The set arrives in a relatively small box, with the belt, the two-piece bar and a fabric carry case. The bar measures around one metre when assembled, but is made up of two half-metre bars that securely screw together.
The belt combines three short latex bands on either side, each sheathed in fabric. The colour of the fabric indicates the strength of the band. In the box you get 2 x 22lb / 10kg white bands, 2 x 33lb / 15kg green bands and 2 x 44lb / 20kg black bands. That means if you use all the bands you’re getting up to 90kg / 200lb of resistance. Though of course you can drop bands to lower resistance.
Flexible set-up
After you’ve bought the set, you can buy other the Gymproluxe Adjustable Belt Tubes with different resistance depending on your needs. So you could swap out any of the bands for other 5kg, 10kg, 15kg and 20kg bands – allowing you to go up to 120kg / 265lb in total.
Given the fact you don’t have to use the steel bar to get a good upper body workout from the Gymproluxe Band & Bar Set 2.0, the standalone belt is a great travel option for anyone intent on keeping up with their upper body resistance band workouts while on a trip. Presses, rows, curls and flyers are all easy to access whether standing up or lying down, so you can smash out a decent workout pretty much anywhere.
Gymproluxe app
Buying the Gymproluxe band and bar set directly gives you lifetime access to the Gymproluxe app. Otherwise its £49.99 a year or £7.99 a month. For that you get access to workshops and challenges, an invitation to the Gymproluxe community, weekly live content and classes and extra downloadable material. Its worthwhile to discover the 100-plus exercises you can do with the Gymproluxe band and bar set. But I found all the exercises I needed by searching on YouTube.
Within minutes of assembling the set I was performing weighted push-ups, bench presses, biceps curls, as well as hip thrusts, lateral raises and donkey kicks. I’d start with just the 2x 10kg white bands then just the 2x 15kg green, settling on the 2x 20kg black bands for bench presses. As I improved I could start to reattach the lighter bands to that 40kg total, giving me plenty of variation.
As yet, I can’t think I’ll be wanting to go beyond the 90kg maximum. And if I did I could always swap out the white or green bands for additional black ones. Overall it’s a superbly useful tool that I can’t see myself growing out of anytime soon. It may be upper-body focused, but it’s easy and enjoyable to use with plenty of scope for mixing up your workouts.
Gymproluxe Band and Bar Set 2.0 technical specs
| Resistance | From 44 – 200lb / 20 – 90kg |
| Material | Latex |
| Color | Black with black, green and white bands |
| Number of bands | 6 (2 x 22lb / 10kg, 2 x 33lb / 15kg, 2 x 44lb / 20kg) |
