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Seth Berkman is a writer covering fitness. He's showered with swim goggles and lugged thousands of pounds of weights on the subway to test durability. excercise band
Living Fit Resistance Bands now have weight resistances printed on them.
Beloved by brawny bodybuilders and aerobics aficionados alike, resistance bands are versatile strength-training tools. They’re lightweight, portable, and suitable for targeting muscles throughout the body.
Conor Heffernan, a lecturer in the sociology of sport at Ulster University in Northern Ireland who has researched the history of resistance bands, explained that resistance bands represent an evolution from pulleys, which strongman Eugen Sandow popularized around the turn of the 20th century.
We’ve tested 28 sets of bands and found that the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands are the best traditional tube-and-handle bands. They are reinforced with rope to help prevent the type of overstretching that can lead to potentially dangerous breakage. If you’re looking for superbands for pull-up assistance or mini-bands for physical-therapy exercises, we have picks for those, too.
The tubes in this five-band kit are clearly labeled and reinforced with an inner rope meant to increase safety.
This set of six superbands is ideal for assisted pull-ups, full-body stretches, and other exercises. Plus, it has a stellar warranty.
May be out of stock
These smaller continuous-loop bands are excellent for rehab or prehab movements and are easy to differentiate through a dotted coding system.
May be out of stock
This set includes four superbands, one mini-band, attachable handles, and an anchor, enabling a multitude of exercises.
These bands, usually made of natural rubber or latex, are the simplest to anchor and grip, and can usually be affixed to a door.
Often used for assisted pull-ups, superbands are large continuous-loop bands without handles. They’re typically made of latex or natural rubber.
Another type of (usually latex or natural rubber) loop band without handles, mini-bands are small, continuous bands useful for placing around a limb or limbs.
These bands are softer against the skin and don’t have strong odors. But they regularly cost more than latex bands.
The tubes in this five-band kit are clearly labeled and reinforced with an inner rope meant to increase safety.
A common fear is having a resistance band snap on you during a workout. That’s one reason we like the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands, which have woven cords tucked inside the tubes to prevent overstretching (a frequent cause of breakage). In addition to five bands of increasing resistances—up to a claimed 80 pounds—the set includes a door anchor, two grippy handles, and two padded ankle straps. This set has held up impressively well over seven years of long-term testing.
This set of six superbands is ideal for assisted pull-ups, full-body stretches, and other exercises. Plus, it has a stellar warranty.
May be out of stock
The Living Fit Resistance Bands cover a claimed weight-resistance range from 5 to 200 pounds, which makes them suitable for most exercises and accessible across skill levels. A set comes with a door anchor and a carrying bag. We also like that the bands are covered by a lifetime warranty: The company says it will replace any bands should they snap.
These smaller continuous-loop bands are excellent for rehab or prehab movements and are easy to differentiate through a dotted coding system.
May be out of stock
A complaint with many mini-bands is that they scrunch up easily around the legs, creating an uncomfortable pinching sensation. The Synergee Mini Loop Bands stayed in place around our limbs and are labeled by a number of dots (one to five) to help you more easily determine the resistance levels. The set includes five bands.
This set includes four superbands, one mini-band, attachable handles, and an anchor, enabling a multitude of exercises.
Since the first iterations of this guide, trainers we consulted have universally named the Resistance Band Training Economy Fitness Package as their favorite kit. We understand why: This set offers the best of both handled tube bands and superbands. Along with two hard molded-plastic handles, the set includes four superbands, an anchor, and a 13-inch mini-band. Like our top-pick tube-and-handle set, this kit has remained a pick for seven years running.
I’m a senior staff writer covering fitness and the author of Wirecutter’s guides to adjustable dumbbells, pull-up bars, and kettlebells, among others. For this guide:
Resistance bands offer an easy way to build strength without the clutter and expense of bulky, heavy weights. By stretching against force when you’re doing pushing or pulling exercises, these rubbery tubes or flat loops add load both on the action and on the return. They also can improve stabilization and aid in stretching.
“They are not going to do everything needed for an intense power workout, but can provide a reasonable alternative in a properly designed rehab or workout program,” said Nancy Kirsch, who chairs the rehabilitation and movement sciences program at Rutgers University.
You can also use certain bands (typically, superbands) to help unload certain bodyweight exercises, such as pull-ups and push-ups, so that you can train through the full range of motion while building enough strength to no longer need an assist. Presses and rows are also common resistance band exercises.
Paul Schroeder, a spokesperson of the American Physical Therapy Association, and other physical therapists often recommend that their rehab and prehab clients use bands (most often, mini-bands) for adding light or targeted resistance to hip- or shoulder-strengthening exercises.
Most resistance band manufacturers make claims about the amount of tension that each band provides, indicated in a range of pounds. But some experts we interviewed said you should take those numbers with a grain of salt.
“A resistance band is essentially a spring,” said sports sociologist Conor Heffernan. “As that spring stretches, the force changes throughout that spring.” Heffernan explained that if a band is listed as having 15 to 50 pounds of resistance, 15 represents the lowest effort and 50 represents the maximum.
“If we stretch the hell out of a band on Tuesday, and say that’s 50 pounds, and do it again on Wednesday, we might not have actually stretched it as far [the second time]. The difficulty is getting to that upper limit and consistently getting to that upper limit.” Heffernan added that “it’s difficult for the user to know where they’re at” specifically in terms of weight with a resistance band, unlike using, say, a 35-pound dumbbell.
Kirsch said that since most bands are made of either natural rubber or a synthetic such as latex, they are subject to breaking down as a result of temperature and UV exposure. Storing them in a dark area can help prolong their lifespan. Chelsea Cooman, physical therapist for Stanford University’s athletics program, noted that you shouldn’t just leave them crumpled in a pile or at the bottom of a gym bag. “Crumpled and moist is a recipe for them to start to stick together and deteriorate,” she said.
I spent about 10 hours reading owner reviews of resistance bands, researching bands at trade shows, and interviewing experts to discuss bands’ materials, lifespan, and function, as well as the history of resistance exercises.
Throughout this guide’s seven-year history, we’ve looked at three main types of resistance bands:
We also assessed some fabric-loop resistance bands, which can be a bit sturdier than their all-latex counterparts and are less apt to roll up or to tug on body hair but often cost more. Fabric mini-bands have limited uses, such as to loop around your thighs for you to work on glute strength, said Elliott Reiff, a doctor of physical therapy and certified athletic trainer at Washington University.
Members of our paid tester panel and 10 Wirecutter staffers then tested the top 10 sets of bands, performing various exercises while also assessing feel, grip, and smell. Although almost every set of latex bands we tried had an odor, some were stronger and more unpleasant than others, with some testers describing the smells as “dried fish food” or “pencil erasers.” After weeding out some additional sets, I spent two weeks testing the remaining contenders.
For this guide, we chose to focus on sets of bands rather than bands that are sold individually. We also considered the price and warranty. As for band longevity, Cooman told us that tearing and cracking are sure signs of damage that indicate it’s time for a replacement, but before then you may notice the resistance decreasing in comparison with when the band was new.
The tubes in this five-band kit are clearly labeled and reinforced with an inner rope meant to increase safety.
Having a resistance band snap on you may be an exerciser’s worst fear—worse than getting on a machine at the gym only to be greeted by a puddle of sweat left behind. The Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands should alleviate those worries, though, as they have an internal cord that acts as a guard against overstretching, the most common reason for breakage. If you stretch one of the bands to its full length, you’ll feel the cord catch, but it won’t otherwise affect the workout. That peace of mind, along with durable components and easy-to-read labels, has made this set a favorite among Wirecutter staffers for years.
The design is convenient and prioritizes safety. Along with the internal safety cord, the bands, made of latex, have reinforced stitching for an extra layer of security. They’re also clearly labeled—recently, Bodylastics slightly redesigned the bands to show the maximum tension instead of a range of tension on each band. Although those numbers can be inexact, the labels can help you quickly tell which band you’re handling.
Workouts with these bands don’t feel awkward. Resistance band training can move your muscles in different ways than traditional strength training with weights, so stability should be paramount when you’re using bands. The Bodylastics band kit provides ample resistance with plenty of tension combinations, from very light to quite heavy. The handles feel comfortable and secure in the hands and are not too long, which helps to keep your range of motion at a good length. The door anchor strap is padded with the same cushy neoprene as the ankle straps; you first thread the loop end between the doorframe and door on the hinge side and then close (and lock, ideally) the door so that the bead is securely pinned on the far side of the door. You can then thread a tube or tubes through the loop. The set also comes with a handy travel bag for storage.
You can buy additional bands and handles separately. The Bodylastics set comes with a manual and links to videos on installation and how to perform dozens of exercises (also available in the company’s app). Routines are grouped by the muscles targeted and detail proper form such as correct band placement and handle use. Bodylastics also sells individual bands separately to replace or supplement those in this kit. The bands have a lifetime warranty; within the first 90 days of ownership, if any part of the system fails, the company will replace the part for free for customers in the US, Canada, UK, and EU (after 90 days, you need to pay shipping costs).
The ring attachments and ankle straps are not the most comfortable we’ve come across. The Bodylastics set has big rings that you attach the cords to, and sometimes they can obstruct your arms or rub against them during exercises. Also, the ankle straps are longer than others, making it more difficult to find a snug fit.
We have some concerns about long-term wear. The door anchor in the Bodylastics set is made of thick foam that looks like it might deteriorate over time. Wirecutter supervising editor Ingrid Skjong, who has owned the set for years, says there is a tiny tear in the foam part of her anchor, but the nylon reinforcement is holding up nicely. Some of our long-term testers have reported that the metal of the carabiners on these bands appeared somewhat oxidized upon arrival, but that did not affect their function.
This set of six superbands is ideal for assisted pull-ups, full-body stretches, and other exercises. Plus, it has a stellar warranty.
May be out of stock
A good superband should feel durable and not slippery, and ideally it should stretch enough to enable you to extend the band over your head, such as in an overhead press. The Living Fit Resistance Bands check all of those boxes and also come with a handy door anchor.
The set includes six color-coded bands identifiable by weight resistance. While our test set lacked such markings, Living Fit bands now have clearly listed weight resistance ranges, with the thinnest band offering an estimated 10 to 30 pounds of resistance, and the thickest band ranging from 70 to 200 pounds.
The bands don’t feel slick or gummy, allowing for a solid grip. Some of our testers complained of some superband models having too much of a powdery feel. Physical therapist Paul Schroeder said companies include powder (cornstarch or talc) as a lubricant to prevent bands from sticking together, but the substance can sometimes create an unpleasant residue or slick feel (Schroeder suggested wiping powdered bands down with a damp cloth or giving them a wash in warm, soapy water). Other superbands we tested felt greasy, but the Living Fit bands felt neither powdery nor greasy and did not have an overly offensive smell.
They come with a lifetime warranty. The company’s website says that it will replace any band if it were to snap. With the second-smallest band (30 to 60 pounds of resistance), a 5-foot-7 tester was easily able to stretch the band over their head while standing on the other end. These bands also come with a carrying bag and small rubber bands to help compactly tie up each band after use, a simple but helpful accessory.
The bands’ long-term durability and the company’s warranty support remain to be seen. This is one of the very few superband sets we’ve found with a lifetime warranty. We began testing the LivingFit bands only in late 2024 and will continue to use them regularly and monitor them for any wear, in addition to how the company facilitates warranty requests, if they should arise. A company spokesperson told us that warranty claims can be sent to info@living.fit with an image of the issue.
These smaller continuous-loop bands are excellent for rehab or prehab movements and are easy to differentiate through a dotted coding system.
May be out of stock
The Synergee Mini Loop bands, which come in a five-band set, have stated resistances ranging from 5 to 50 pounds. Made of latex, the mini-bands are sturdy. They range in thickness from 0.7 to 1.5 millimeters, and each band measures 12 inches long by 2 inches wide, so they’re easy enough to slip into any bag for travel.
The bands seamlessly slip on and off. Of all the mini-bands we tested, the Synergee set was the easiest for our testers to put on and remove. They stayed flat rather than scrunching up around our legs, and the edges didn’t pinch the lower body during any exercises.
They have an easy-to-understand labeling system. Although the Synergee bands don’t list their weight resistance, they are color-coded (yellow indicates the lightest, while red means the strongest) and labeled with one to five dots, letting you know which level of resistance you are working with. The Synergee bands come with a one-year warranty for home use.
Some online reviews say the bands are too big for people with smaller bodies. Our primary tester for these bands, who measures 5-foot-7 and weighs 155 pounds, was able to use all five bands for a variety of exercises. Most of our other testers were around that size or a bit larger, and they did not experience any looseness. But some online reviewers who are shorter have noted that the bands feel too large for certain movements.
Customer service can be slow. Synergee’s website has an email form to contact customer support that promises a response within 48 hours. When we tried this method, we did not receive a response during that time. We received a faster reply using the company’s text-support line.
This set includes four superbands, one mini-band, attachable handles, and an anchor, enabling a multitude of exercises.
If you want the versatility of both handled tubes and superbands, the Resistance Band Training Economy Fitness Package offers the best of both worlds. The set includes four continuous-loop superbands with handles, a mini-band, a carrying bag, and an anchor that you can use indoors or outside. You can find a variety of workouts on the company’s YouTube page.
The set offers lots of versatility. You can use the bands like loops or without handles. They are also thin enough that you can combine more than one to add resistance. The anchor works well pinned in a doorjamb or looped around a stationary object such as a fence pole. The hefty handles clip onto the bands easily with carabiners.
The bands have proven to be durable. The company makes its bands by overlayering and fusing many sheets of thin latex around a mandrel. Resistance Band Training says the bands should last about three years when used according to instructions. One set that we’ve had for over three years is showing no major signs of wear. The consensus among trainers consulted by this guide’s previous writer, Amy Roberts, was that this kit offers a good value despite its higher price, but only if you’re motivated to use it. The set comes with a one-year warranty; instructions for care are printed on the packaging for each band, including warnings to avoid contact with petro-based liquids and to rinse and dry the bands after use in chlorinated water.
The door anchor adds length to exercises—and thus may not be a good match for small spaces. You can wedge the anchor between a door and its frame, or you can loop the anchor around a stationary object. Either arrangement adds some length, though, so you need more floor space indoors with these bands than you would with a tube set.
The bands have some limitations. We found it more difficult to stretch the thicker bands in this set to do overhead presses, although it’s still possible. On top of that, the set includes only one mini-band, so if you want variety in your mini-band exercises, you’re better off buying a standalone mini-band set. These bands also have a vague rubbery smell.
For custom-size bands: Try Theraband Resistance Bands. These are used in many physical therapy offices and are available for purchase in rolls, so you can cut them to the length you prefer. Although they may not last as long as loop bands and may slip or need readjusting for tightness more than loop bands, they are a good option for certain exercises. Theraband also sells a “latex-free” version.
If you want fabric mini-bands: Tribe Lifting’s Fabric Resistance Bands are sturdy, soft, and clearly marked to help you differentiate their weight resistances. Sold in a set of five, the Tribe Lifting bands, like our latex mini-band pick, have numbered markings indicating one to five levels of resistance, but they also broadly state their resistance levels (from “x-light” to “x-heavy,” although the print can be harder to see on the darker colors, like green or blue). We found the bands easy to put on and take off, and they didn’t fold up on our legs. They also didn’t have any offensive odors, and the cotton and polyester fabric (the bands also contain latex) did not scratch or irritate. Speaking about the benefits of fabric bands in general, physical therapist Paul Schroeder told us that such bands can be a great option for people seeking durability, comfort, and non-slippage during leg and glute workouts. On top of that, the Tribe Lifting mini-bands actually have a higher listed max resistance than our latex mini-band pick (75 pounds versus 50 pounds). We did have some concerns that we could visibly see the fabric stretching, but textile expert and educator Deborah Young told us that the threads extending is a sign of the material “doing its job.” The bands come with a one-year warranty, and a company spokesperson recommended washing them in cold or lukewarm water.
If you want fabric superbands: The Bells of Steel Fabric Non Slip Resistance Bands come in a set of six 41-inch bands that are good for most of the same exercises we liked to perform with our latex superband pick. We were able to extend the three lightest bands in the set over our heads for overhead presses, and we noticed that these bands felt softer than the Tribe Lifting mini-bands, as their material is a bit thicker and made of latex and fabric. That texture was a big selling point for our panel of paid testers, a majority of whom said they would be willing to pay extra for something that felt comfortable. “When I work out, I want it to feel nice—it’s a tactile thing to me,” said one tester who has difficulty with range of motion. The bands have a 90-day warranty, and although they are easily differentiated by color and size, they do not list their weight-resistance levels.
We’re testing the Rep Fitness Latex-Free Pull-Up Bands, which offer a claimed 5 to 85 pounds of resistance. Made of molded, latex-free thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), they have a one-year warranty for home use. We also plan to test Rep Fitness’s Tube Resistance Bands with Handles, which offer three levels of resistance (from “light” to “heavy”) and contain latex.
We’re trying out the NT Loop Ultimate Combo Pack, which includes three fabric mini-bands (measuring 13 inches long by 2 inches wide) and two larger loop bands of varying resistances. The company says its washable mini-bands are “tear-resistant.”
This is not a comprehensive list of everything we’ve tested; some models from previous iterations of this guide are no longer available.
The quality of the Black Mountain Products Resistance Band Set was lacking, from its foam-covered handles to its typo-ridden overly photocopied manual. This kit comes with only one ankle strap, and the carabiners on the ends of the bands need to be rotated into place every time you clip them onto the handles—very annoying.
The Centr Resistance Bands with Handles come in a set of five bands, two handles, two ankle straps, and a door anchor. The tubes are mostly made of latex, and in our experience they seemed to be durable but lacking the strong resistance of our top tube-and-handle pick, which costs just $10 more. The set comes with a three-month membership to Centr’s training app.
The Fit Simplify Resistance Band Set hovers near the top of Amazon’s best-seller list, but it suffers from the same meh quality and annoying carabiner design as the similarly priced Black Mountain Products set. Its manual is slightly better, however, and includes advice on properly loading your exercises.
Formerly a runner-up pick in this guide, the GoFit ProGym Extreme Set has four interchangeable tube bands claiming up to 140 pounds of resistance. The set also comes with two door anchors (one more than our top tube-and-handle pick), but it doesn’t have tube-reinforcing cords. The tube bands are easy to travel with.
Hyperwear’s Resistance Tube Bands come in a color-coded set of five bands with listed ranges of 10 to 50 pounds of resistance. Also included are a door anchor, two handles, and two ankle straps, and Hyperwear covers the set with a one-year warranty. The bands felt solid and offered good resistance, but the handles were not as comfortable as those on our top tube-and-handle pick.
The Lifeline Variable Resistance Training Kit has favorable reviews on Amazon, but it disappointed us. The unpadded, hard-plastic handles were uncomfortable to grip, and our set didn’t come with ankle straps or a manual, just a flyer prompting us to visit Lifeline’s website and view its training videos. The tubes—which are made of layered latex and feel fairly sturdy—slip in and out of the base of the handles instead of being permanently connected to carabiners, as our picks are. We found that switching them out between exercises took too long.
The SPRI Total Body Resistance Kit comes with five tubes, a door attachment, and two handles, but only one ankle strap. The set costs $10 less than our tube-and-handle pick, but the handles didn’t feel as stable in our tests, and we wish the set included another ankle strap. These tubes also seemed to offer less resistance than other sets.
The Stroops Slastix bands are fabric-covered stackable tubes that are designed to be more durable. They are much more expensive and don’t come in sets, so we opted not to test them.
The Tribe Lifting Long Resistance Band Set includes five superbands, two door handles, and a door anchor. The bands don’t list their weights—like the company’s mini-bands, these are marked from “x-light” to “x-heavy”—but they are easy enough to attach to the handles, thanks to two attachment hooks that also come in the set. We found the handles to be a bit small for larger hands, though, and adding bands for extra weight was a bit more tedious in comparison with the system on our top tube-and-handle pick.
The Whatafit Resistance Bands set consists of five tubes ranging from 10 to 50 pounds of listed resistance accompanied by a door anchor, two handles, and two ankle straps. But we found that the resistances felt much lower in comparison with other sets.
The Clench Fitness Loop Resistance Bands are similar to our superband pick but have only a one-year warranty. Some of our testers said they felt greasier than other sets and pinched the inside of their hands more frequently.
The Fitness Solutions Pull Up Bands are cheaper than many other superbands. We couldn’t find the telltale ridge or seam that sets overlayered bands apart. The bands also felt different—stiffer and slicker—than others we evaluated that we knew were layered rather than molded.
The Hyperwear Super Bands come in a set of four and have a one-year warranty. Our paid testers said they were the slipperiest of the superbands we tested, and some testers said they couldn’t get as strong a grip on these bands without hand discomfort.
Rogue’s Monster Bands come in a variety of sets where you can mix and match resistances from 9 to 225 pounds. The heavier bands are great for people interested in serious strength-training exercises, and overall the bands felt strong and durable. But some of our testers didn’t like the overly powdery feel. You can purchase a door strap to assist with exercises, but it costs $45.
The Serious Steel Assisted Pull-Up, Resistance, and Stretch Bands, a former pick in this guide, are sold in a set of four bands and claim to offer up to 150 pounds of resistance. They seemed to be quite durable, but some testers disliked the chalky residue left on their hands after use, and these bands are generally more expensive than competitors.
Theraband’s High Resistance Bands are sold in a set of four bands ranging from 15 to 50 pounds of resistance. Our paid testers said they were overly powdery and slippery and had the strongest smell, with impressions ranging from “a balloon” to “a pencil eraser.”
The 10-inch DynaPro Mini Precision Loop Bands come in five resistances, from light to “extra-extra heavy.” Oddly, the medium resistance felt lighter than the light resistance, and the extra heavy, which didn’t feel that way, also seemed mislabeled.
The Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands are a popular and inexpensive five-loop set with a longer length (12 inches) and lighter resistances than most mini-bands offer.
We found the Perform Better Exercise Mini Bands more likely to roll or scrunch up on our legs than our mini-band pick.
The Rogue Loop Bands come in 9-inch and 12-inch sets, with six bands included. They are differentiated by color but don’t have markings indicating their resistance levels, as our mini-band pick does. Although these bands did just as well staying in place and not scrunching up, they had a strong odor that one tester compared to “dried fish food.”
The measurements on the five latex Sports Research Sweet Sweat Mini Loop Resistance Bands didn’t always add up: The extra heavy band was a bit longer than the heavy one but roughly the same thickness—and it didn’t feel much more difficult to use.
The TRX Exercise Bands are sold in packs of four, with stated resistances up to 25 pounds. Several of our testers said that these bands scrunched around their legs and felt thinner than our mini-band pick. “It was just a tourniquet,” one tester said. “They just rolled up. It becomes very annoying.”
The Bala Bands are sold in sets of three. They are comfortable and good for yoga, pilates, and stretching. Measuring 15 inches, they are longer than most mini-bands, and as a result getting a good, snug feel on some exercises can be difficult. Although these bands are very soft (a company spokesperson said they are made of 30% terylene, 30% nylon, and 40% rubber), we found that other fabric mini-bands were better for all-around use.
The DynaPro Fabric Mini Bands set includes three bands of seemingly similar density with the length dictating the resistance: 15.25 inches (light), 12 inches (medium), and 10.25 inches (heavy). The light resistance band was too long for lateral steps or bridges (we couldn’t get the right amount of tension) but was workable when we tried hip extensions on our hands and knees. The other two lengths were okay, but we thought they could be stronger.
We tried a five-band set of Limm Resistance Loop Exercise Bands, which range in resistance from extra light to extra heavy. Due to their 12-inch length, they didn’t deliver quite the same level of tension as other sets, but if you’d prefer a few extra inches, these bands—like the Fit Simplify mini-band set we tested—will do fine, though we can’t vouch for their long-term durability.
The Mark Bell Sling Shot Hip Circle comes in three sizes based on body weight—medium (less than 150 pounds), large (151 to 260 pounds), and extra large (more than 260 pounds)—and has a tightly woven construction with secure stitching that feels sturdy. We tried the medium size, which is 13 inches long and 3 inches wide. This band, which according to the company offers a Level 2 resistance, provided plenty of resistance during our tests in exercises such as lateral steps, glute bridges, and squats. A tougher model, the Level 3 Hip Circle Max, is also available.
The Shelter Fitness Fabric Glute Bands, which come in a set of three, are some of the longer bands we tried, at 15 inches. We found them slightly too long to stay securely above our knees during lateral steps—we had difficulty keeping the appropriate tension throughout the exercise.
At 14.25 inches to 14.5 inches long and 3 inches wide, the Walito Fabric Resistance Bands have a nice feel, with rubbery threads woven in at slightly different densities for each of the three bands’ resistances. There is a distinct difference across the trio, and despite being on the long side, they stay put. We didn’t struggle to keep them in place while doing standing exercises. At around $13, this trio was one of the cheaper fabric sets we tried; the medium resistance band began to warp a bit after a few uses.
Amy Roberts contributed reporting. This article was edited by Tracy Vence and Kalee Thompson.
Chelsea Cooman, physical therapist, Stanford University Athletics, email interview, December 7, 2024
Conor Heffernan, lecturer, sociology of sport, Ulster University, video interview, December 5, 2024
Eunyoung Kim, assistant professor, textile development and marketing, Fashion Institute of Technology, email interview, November 22, 2024
Nancy Kirsch, doctor of physical therapy, professor and chair of the department of rehabilitation and movement sciences, Rutgers University, email interview, November 21, 2024
William Kraemer, adjunct professor of human sciences at The Ohio State University, phone interview, October 19, 2017
Elliott Reiff, doctor of physical therapy and certified athletic trainer, Washington University, email interview, December 8, 2024
Dave Schmitz, physical therapist, personal trainer, and owner of Resistance Band Training, phone interview, October 19, 2017
Paul Schroeder, physical therapist and a spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association, email interview, December 11, 2024
Deborah Young, textile educator and consultant, phone interview, November 26, 2024
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