All Orders arrive within 1-2 days

1-800-487-3808 9:00am - 9:00pm EST Daily

0

Your Cart is Empty

Choosing the Best Resistance Bands

by Jessica Hegg May 03, 2022 0 Comments

woman using resistance bands

Resistance bands offer all of the functionality of traditional hand weights in a compact package that can be stored or carried anywhere. Choosing the best resistance bands is about finding the type and level of resistance that can support your personal workout regimen. Take a look at our guide to all the top factors that make a good resistance band, and consider our recommendations for the most common needs.

What to Consider When Choosing Resistance Bands

Be sure to consider all of the most important factors when choosing your set of resistance bands.

Type

  • Loop

    Loop resistance bands are continuous in shape and come in a range of sizes from small to large. Our Bands are Available in a 12” Circumference making them lightweight and compact to easily fit in a gym bag or even your pocket, making them a good choice for on-the-go lower body workouts. Despite their light design, they are durable enough to stand up to intense workouts and will not snap back when tension is released. Choose from five resistance levels to integrate into your workout routine.

  • Straight

    Straight Resistance Bands feature an extra long 7-foot design that can wrap around hands or feet for unique workouts. This makes them a good choice for range of motion exercises, as well as those that use the full body. They offer the same durable, snap-resistant material as loop bands, and are good for a variety of workouts. Our Resistance Band Roll comes in a 25-foot bulk length, letting physical therapists, trainers, and other practitioners cut to length as needed.

  • Tubular

    Tube Resistance Bands are made of heavy-duty latex attached to a plastic handle on each end for extra grip. They also come with a range of accessories like a door anchor, wrist straps, and ankle straps that attach with carabiner clips. This makes them highly versatile, and good for beginners and advanced fitness enthusiasts alike.

Resistance Scale & Levels

Our tube, loop, and straight resistance bands come in five different resistance levels, letting you customize your workout. Each of the bands is color-coded for easy identification. Check below for more information on the range of resistance levels our bands offer.

  • X-Light (orange): 2-4 lbs
  • Light (green): 4-6 lbs
  • Medium (blue): 10-12 lbs
  • Heavy (purple): 15-20 lbs
  • X-Heavy (red): 25-30 lbs
  • XX-Heavy (black): 35-40 lbs

Material

You’ll want to consider things like allergies and purpose when considering the material of your resistance bands. We offer two different types.

  • TPE

    TPE consists of strong mechanical properties and elasticity similar to rubber and typically safe against the skin, making it the perfect material for resistance bands. These bands are common in communal areas like gyms and group fitness classes because they can be wiped, cleaned or sprayed with disinfectant in between use.

  • Polyester-Latex Blend

    Resistance bands made from a polyester-latex blend have a more “fabric” feel to them. This material is much thicker than TPE which makes the bands feel more fitted, snug, and less likely to roll up. The softer material tends to be more comfortable against the skin and helps to avoid pinching on the skin or pulling hair. Check out our fabric resistance bands made from a polyester-latex here. These bands can be kept fresh with hand washing and mild detergent

Versatility

All of our resistance bands are versatile enough to match whatever workout you’re looking for. However, some offer special features or accessories that make them better suited to particular needs. Overall, our Straight Resistance Bands are the most versatile, as their longer length allows for a greater variety of exercises. You can even tie their ends together for some of the functionality found in our loop bands..


Loop Resistance Bands are specialized for lower body workouts, as the unique shape allows them to grip legs without slipping. Our Tube Resistance Bands come with a variety of accessories that allow them to attach to doors, wrap around ankles, or be gripped by hands..

Our Recommendations for... 

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing resistance bands are your goals. Whether you're looking to add an extra challenge to your workouts or rebuild strength after an injury, there's a set suited for you. See our specific recommendations below.

Balance Pad for Low Stability

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

Recovering strength and coordination takes daily effort, and a workout routine that targets all your core muscle groups. Our Straight Resistance Bands are the most versatile option we offer, with a longer length that allows for full-body exercises, as well as arm and leg workouts. As you progress through therapy you can increase your level of resistance through five stages, allowing you to improve gradually. For physical therapists looking to offer a versatile workout to patients, the Resistance Band Roll brings all the benefits of straight bands in a bulk-order package.

VIEW THIS SET 
Fabric Resistance Bands

Lower Body Workouts

It is important to find specialized equipment for lower body workouts that can tone quads and hamstrings effectively. Our Fabric Resistance Bands  are the perfect shape to fit around legs without slipping, letting you integrate them with a variety of popular lower body exercises. The Tube Resistance Bands are another good option, as they come with ankle straps to simplify leg exercises.

VIEW THIS SET
Balance Disc for Moderate to High Stability

Upper Body Workouts

Getting a full upper body workout requires equipment that can activate all the muscle groups in the arms, shoulders, back, and pectoral region. Our Tube Resistance Bands are a good choice, as they come with a door anchor and a set of attachable handles. These let you try a wide range of different exercises that target the upper body. Our Set of Straight Resistance Bands are a good choice as well, as their length is perfect for a variety of upper body exercises.

VIEW THIS SET

Frequently Asked Questions

With so many people looking to work out at home or while on the go, we get a lot of questions about our resistance bands. Below, we answer some of the most common:

Can you lose weight with resistance bands?

Resistance bands are a fantastic way to meet your strength training requirements and aid healthy weight loss. Weekly strength training also ensures you won’t lose muscle along with fat. Muscle tone becomes increasingly important as we age, particularly in preventing injuries and falls.

Can resistance bands replace weights?

For many people, resistance bands are an attractive alternative to using weights. They provide an effective and affordable strength-training workout without the need for assistance (unlike when using heavy weights). As they are so compact and lightweight, you can bring your resistance bands to the office or on vacation and store them away when not in use.

What exercises can you do with resistance bands?

Resistance bands can be used in a myriad of ways—the possibilities are virtually endless. Use these bands for stretching during workouts like Pilates or yoga, or apply them to specific muscle-building exercises such as bicep curls and chest presses. If you want to use resistance bands for rehabilitation, ask a physical therapist for specific exercises to aid your recovery.

Need More Help?

Get more information on all Vive Health products by talking to our customer service and product specialists. Call between 8:30am and 9pm EST daily at 1-800-487-3808 or email us at service@vivehealth.com

SHOP Resistance Bands
Jessica Hegg
Jessica Hegg

Jessica Hegg is the content manager and at ViveHealth.com. With vast product knowledge and understanding of individual needs, she aims to share valuable information on making smart buying choices, overcoming obstacles and overall improving the quality of life for others. Avid gym-rat and nutrition enthusiast, she’s interested in all things related to staying active and living healthy lifestyle.



Also in Resources

Mediterranean Diet Vibes and Arthritis Goodbyes
Mediterranean Diet Vibes and Arthritis Goodbyes

by Gary Carnes April 24, 2024 0 Comments

Arthritis, a condition characterized by pain and inflammation in the joints, can significantly impact your quality of life.
Read More
The Benefits of Flexibility [A.K.A. The Secret Sauce for Aging]
The Benefits of Flexibility [A.K.A. The Secret Sauce for Aging]

by Jessica Hegg April 14, 2024 0 Comments

Staying fit helps you look and feel good, but for older adults, it’s about so much more. 
Read More
Fit Together: The Benefits of Having a Workout Partner
Fit Together: The Benefits of Having a Workout Partner

by Jessica Hegg March 31, 2024 0 Comments

These days, there are plenty of new types of equipment and classes you can try to mix up your regular workout routine. 
Read More
Tips to Simplify Meal Prepping for Seniors
Tips to Simplify Meal Prepping for Seniors

by Jessica Hegg March 04, 2024 0 Comments

For some, it’s a passion while for others it’s a chore, but either way, the cooking has to get done.
Read More