As it is, getting the motivation to work out can be a challenge. If you’re still wary of gyms (we get it), bodyweight workouts and YouTube tutorials in your living room can only get you so far. And if you do manage to go to the gym, getting adequate time on a machine can also be difficult. Thank goodness for resistance bands. These little devices are portable, tension-packed workout companions that can ensure you get that good muscle burn you so desire. Not only do they give you all the benefits of being on an actual machine, but they give you the freedom to exercise at your own pace. Below, 16 best resistance bands for women you should check out.
16 Best Resistance Bands for Women
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Published Dec 22, 2021
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What are the benefits of using resistance bands?
Though resistance bands seem like an easier alternative to weights, they actually function in the same way. The only difference is that the bands are portable—so you can get a good workout in even if you’re traveling—and where weights create tension because they’re heavy, bands work your muscles by forcing you to push against the tension. Just like free weights and machines, resistance bands can be used to burn fat, strengthen, tone, stretch and condition the whole body. “The versatility of resistance bands still allows us to target specific muscle groups and achieve great results through the extension and the contraction of your muscles,” says Crunch Australia.
How do I choose a resistance band?
Because there are so many variations of resistance bands, figuring out which one works best for you can be a bit confusing. Below, some helpful tips to make your life easier:
1. Know the type of resistance band you want
Most people are familiar with the looped resistance bands that you can wear around your ankles and knees. We’ve seen these on influencers, celebrities and when you Google “resistance bands” they’re the first to come up. They offer a wide range of resistance and come in varying lengths and thicknesses. And while the looped bands are most popular there are also sheet and tube bands to consider.
Sheet bands, according to Dick’s Sporting Goods, “are thin, continuous sheets of latex. You can use them by wrapping them around your hands, feet or other anchor points.” Because sheet bands don’t offer as much resistance as loop bands, they’re mostly used for stretching, warming up or rehabbing an injured extremity. Tube bands are all about helping you gain some muscle and are often used to work out your upper body—think biceps curls, chest presses etc. They may also come with carabiners so you can attach other accessories such as ankle cuffs for some lower-bod fitness.
2. Consider your fitness goals
Again, because there’s a wide range to choose from, the type of resistance band you go for also depends on your fitness goals. Do you want to create more definition in your legs? Are you looking to increase your upper body strength? Are you just looking for something to create some tension so you can improve your fitness level? These are all factors to think about before making a purchase and you’re more than likely to find a set that meet your needs.
The Best Resistance Bands for Women
Amazon
1. fit Simplify Resistance Bands Set
Best budget-friendly
We’re all about getting in the best shape of your life. But not when it’s going to cost you a fortune. These high-end resistance bands give you five intensity levels and up to 74 pounds of resistance without burning a hole in your pocket.
2. kootek Resistance Bands Set
Best overall set
Whether you want to sculpt, build strength, increase flexibility or get that core nice and tight, this set has it all. Not only does it come with loop and tube bands, but it also features core sliders that work for any surface from wooden floors to plush carpets.
3. peach Bands Resistance Bands Set
Best for your booty
Because a good booty workout will have you feeling like a million bucks. Made with enough flexibility so you can isolate and build your glutes with a wide variety of exercises—from squats to hip thrusts to kickbacks and more—Peach Bands’ resistance bands will make sure your buns are nice and tight.
Amazon
4. bala Resistance Bands
Best for beginners
Great for sculpting everything—calves, legs, butt, chest, abs—these bands quite literally have got your back. Plus, they feature little motivational messages for the days pumping iron seems like a Herculean task.
Amazon
5. gofit Extreme Pro Gym Set
Best tube bands
For the most intense strength training, go for this pro gym set that comes with bands at increments of 20, 30, 40, and 50 pounds so you can adjust the weight to the best level for you. It also features two door anchors so you can get a good upper body and lower body workout.
Amazon
6. te-rich Resistance Bands For Legs And Butt
Best for lower body
If you want to hit the larger muscles in the legs, namely quads and hamstrings, go for the Te-Rich Resistance Bands. Not only will you be able to do every single glute exercise you want, but because they’re made with soft cotton material and built-in latex grips, they won't roll, pinch or snap as you do those deep squats or leg raises.
Amazon
7. thefitlife Resistance Pull Up Bands
Best for upper body workout
And of course, you can’t forget those triceps and biceps. These resistance bands are great for people who also want to strengthen their upper body without doing a single push up (sign us up please). With the heaviest band offering 120 to 175 pounds of resistance, you can do lateral raises, bicep curls, pull ups, the list goes on.
Amazon
8. theraband Non-latex Resistance Bands Set
Best for latex allergies
If you’ve got latex allergies, don’t worry, there’s a resistance band set made especially for you. Get your workout on without risking the redness and breakouts that come with reacting to latex when you purchase this special set. As with other sets, TheraBand’s Non-Latex set comes with versatile bands that can be used to work out all major muscle groups.
Amazon
9. spri Braided Xertube Resistance Band
Most durable
Made with tuff tube durable rubber, this set can withstand all the wear and tear that comes with rigorous workouts, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally snapping it in half while in the throes of a HIIT session. They also come with tuff sleeve protective handles, which make for seamless gripping and may prevent callusing.
Amazon
10. healthy Seniors Chair Exercise Program
Best for seniors
Because grandma and grandpa also need to keep their hearts in tip top shape, get this set that comes with an 18-page exercise guide featuring detailed instructions on how to do select low impact workouts.
Amazon
11. leekey Resistance Band Set
Longest set
For our longer-legged readers, cop this Leekey’s resistance bands. They’re 82-inches-long (roughly six feet), so you can break a sweat without feeling limited.
Amazon
12. renoj Exercise Workout Bands
Best non-slip
Nothing is as obnoxious as having to stop and adjust your resistance band mid-workout. That’s why these non-slip colorful picks from RenoJ are a best seller on Amazon. You can do all the frog jumps, lateral walks and glute bridges and they’ll stay in place.
Amazon
13. bodylastics Stackable Resistance Bands
Most splurge-worthy
At $155, we know you’re thinking you might as well be saving up for an elliptical but hear us out. This set from Bodylastics is worth every penny because it comes with seven anti-snap bands with weight ranges from three to 30 pounds, additional clip bands that enable you to add or subtract resistance so you can up the ante to 404 pounds, plus free access to the company’s training portal where you can utilize over 5600 on-demand workouts for all your fitness needs. Bonus points: Each resistance band is made with Bodylastics’s snap guard inner safety cord, which make it super durable and could help protect you from injury should the band snap.
Amazon
14. perform Better Mini Band Resistance Loop
Best mini-band set
Coming in at 9”x2”, these little bands are the perfect pick for when you’re in a rush and want to create tension quicker. They come in a set of four and include an exercise guide.
Amazon
15. a Azurelife Resistance Bands
Best for increasing flexibility
Whether you’re a bonafide yogi, or you’re warming up before exercising, these bands will ensure that you got a nice stretch in. At five feet long, this will help you extend your range of motion and enhance muscle recovery. They may also be helpful to people who are recovering from injury as the company claims they were “used in remedial physiotherapy helping patients recover range of motion, strength and stability after injury.”
16. Gymb Booty Bands For Women
Best all-inclusive option
Not only do these bands come in three resistance options so you can really feel your fitness level progressing, but your purchase also comes with lifetime access to an exclusive video program with over 80 video workout ideas led by an experienced personal trainer. That means you won't have to spend hours searching the web for workouts.
