The best resistance bands
A whole gym that fits in a drawer: the resistance bands for home workouts, physio and pull-ups.
Resistance bands add load to exercises without weights: squats, rows, presses and physio moves. They're cheap, light and go anywhere, so they suit beginners and people rebuilding after an injury as much as gym-goers.
Mini loops are for legs and glutes; fabric loops do the same without rolling up; long loops help with pull-ups and stretching; tubes with handles stand in for dumbbells.
What matters
- The right type for the exercises.
- A range of strengths to progress through.
- Fabric if latex rolls or pinches (or for allergies).
- A bag to keep them together.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Gritin Resistance Bands, Set of 5 Mini Loops
Under £10 Price range
Five colour-coded latex loops, from gentle to tough, that turn squats, bridges and side steps into proper work for the legs and glutes. Tiny enough to live in a gym bag or suitcase.
What owners say: Owners find them great value and good for home workouts and physio exercises, and like the range of strengths.
A closer look: Start with the lightest band and move up only when you can do 15 slow reps with good form. Keep them out of direct sun: latex goes brittle and snaps.
- 5 loops, 5 resistance levels
- Natural latex, 30 × 5cm
- Carry bag and exercise guide
- 144g for the set
- For Pilates, physio, warm-ups
Best for: Legs, glutes and physio
- Type
- Mini loops
- Bands
- 5
- Resistance
- –
- Extras
- Carry bag, guide
#2 of 5
Best for pull-ups
FitBeast Pull-Up Assist Bands, Set of 5 (5–125lb)
£30–£50 Price range
Long 208cm loops that take some of your weight on a pull-up bar, so a first unassisted pull-up becomes a realistic goal. Also for stretching and heavy banded work, with a door anchor and grip pads.
What owners say: Owners find them strong, useful for pull-ups, stretching and full-body training, and well made.
A closer look: Loop a band over the bar, put a knee or foot in it and lower slowly: the slow half builds strength fastest. Drop to a lighter band as you get stronger.
- 5 long loops, 208cm
- Marked from 5–15lb to 50–125lb
- Door anchor and grip pads
- Natural latex
- Storage bag and exercise guides
Best for: Working up to pull-ups
- Type
- Long loops (208cm)
- Bands
- 5
- Resistance
- 5–125lb
- Extras
- Door anchor, grip pads, bag
#3 of 5
Most comfortable
CFX Fabric Resistance Bands, Set of 3
£10–£20 Price range
Woven fabric with a latex lining, so they don't roll up the thighs or pinch skin like rubber loops: the comfiest way to do banded squats and hip work.
What owners say: Owners find them comfortable, non-slip and good quality, and like that they stay put during leg workouts.
A closer look: Put the band just above the knees for squats and side steps. Wash them by hand now and then: fabric bands get sweaty.
- 3 fabric loops, 3 strengths
- Cotton-polyester with latex liner
- Non-slip, won't roll
- 36cm loops
- Storage bag, 390g
Best for: Squats and hip work
- Type
- Fabric loops
- Bands
- 3
- Resistance
- –
- Extras
- Storage bag
#4 of 5
Best home-gym set
HPYGN Resistance Tube Set with Handles and Door Anchor
£10–£20 Price range
Five tubes from 10 to 50lb that clip together for up to 150lb, with handles and a door anchor: rows, presses and curls without buying a rack of weights.
What owners say: Owners find the set good quality and versatile, and a handy stand-in for weights at home or on the road.
A closer look: Close the door the anchor is in firmly, on the hinge side, and check the clips each time before pulling hard. Great in a hotel room.
- 5 tubes: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50lb
- Stack up to 150lb
- Handles and door anchor
- Steel D-ring clips
- Waterproof carry bag
Best for: Replacing weights
- Type
- Tubes with handles
- Bands
- 5
- Resistance
- 10–50lb (150lb stacked)
- Extras
- Handles, door anchor, bag
#5 of 5
Best budget
Fokky Resistance Bands, Set of 5 (4–30lb)
Under £10 Price range
Five latex mini loops from 4 to 30lb with a carry bag and manual, for less than a coffee and cake: an easy stocking filler for anyone starting to exercise at home.
What owners say: Owners find them good value and handy for home workouts, glute exercises and rehab.
Heads up: They're latex, so not for anyone with a latex allergy; fabric bands are the alternative.
A closer look: Keep them with the trainers by the door and do a set while the kettle boils: little and often is how bands work best.
- 5 loops, 4–30lb
- 100% natural latex
- Colour-coded
- Carry bag and manual
- 140g
Best for: Stocking fillers
- Type
- Mini loops
- Bands
- 5
- Resistance
- 4–30lb
- Extras
- Carry bag, manual
How they compare
| Feature | #1Gritin 5 loops | #2FitBeast long loops | #3CFX fabric | #4HPYGN tubes | #5Fokky 5 loops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best for pull-ups | Most comfortable | Best home-gym set | Best budget | |
| Picked Rating | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Price | Under £10 Price range | £30–£50 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | Under £10 Price range |
| Type | Mini loops | Long loops (208cm) | Fabric loops | Tubes with handles | Mini loops |
| Bands | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Resistance | – | 5–125lb | – | 10–50lb (150lb stacked) | 4–30lb |
| Extras | Carry bag, guide | Door anchor, grip pads, bag | Storage bag | Handles, door anchor, bag | Carry bag, manual |
| Best for | Legs, glutes and physio | Working up to pull-ups | Squats and hip work | Replacing weights | Stocking fillers |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Swipe sideways to see all 5.
Photos are illustrative. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.