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Resistance bands are easy-to-use, budget-friendly, and easy-to-store away workout tools that are a great alternative to weights. Once you’ve found the right ones, you’ll be amazed by how you’ve managed to train without them.
A resistance band with handles is an elastic band that can provide resistance from 5 lbs to 600 lbs for strength training or habilitation by activating muscles when stretched. You can get various kinds of bands from ones attached with handles, a barbell, or a generic loob band.
We’ve tested a wide range of workout resistance bands and ranked them based on versatility, quality, durability, and budget. Read on to find out the best workout bands with handles to help you build muscle and boost your flexibility.
Table of Contents
Top Five Resistance Bands with Handles
1. Torroband
Price: $99.99
Product link: https://gymless.org/visit/Torroband
Specifications: 4 bands included (40lbs, 60lbs, 70lbs, and 80lbs), door anchor, ankle strap for leg workouts, and 2 anti-slip handles
Tension range: 40-80 lbs
Number of bands: 4
Pros:
- The adjustable resistance band system
- Sturdy construction
- Suitable for everyone
Cons:
- No instruction manual is included in the package
Providing up to 350 lbs of resistance, the Torroband resistance bands are powerful workout bands that are perfect for home training or on-the-go workouts. They stimulate your muscles while being easy to use and travel-friendly. You can have a functional full-body workout wherever you go.
For a more detailed review of this product, check out our Torroband unboxing and review. If you feel like this product is the right one for you, make sure to use our $100 discount link to save a bundle at checkout.
2. Redge Fit Bar
Price: $89.99
Product link: https://amzn.to/3OR2C1d
Specifications: Each band provides 30lbs of resistance, a retractable bar that weighs 3.5 lbs, 2 handles, adjustable straps, and a travel bag
Tension range: 30-180 lbs
Number of bands: 4-6
Pros:
- Affordable
- Two styles of grips; handles and barbell
- Easy to store away or take traveling
Cons:
- No instructions included
- You’ll have to pay to use the app
The Redge Fit gives you hundreds of workouts to get results you can achieve and fall in love with. This system is constructed of high-quality durable anti-break elastic which allows you to work out from anywhere, whether it’s your living room, hotel, or the park. It’s portable and you can do popular exercises on them such as squats, hip thrusts, good mornings, bicep curls, chest flies, and many more.
Not sold on Redge Fit Bar? Check out my comprehensive unboxing and product review here along with follow-along workouts:
Heavy Resistance Bands
3. The X3 Bar
Price: $399.00
Product link: https://www.jaquishbiomedical.com/products/x3-bar
Specifications: X3 Elite Bar (alloy steel bar with internal bearings), heavy-duty ground plate, and heavy-duty resistance bands (extra-light, light, medium, and heavy).
Tension range: 30-180 lbs
Number of bands: 4
Pros:
- Up to 600 lbs of force available
- Full-body muscle-building workouts
- Train for only 10 minutes a day for greater gains
Cons:
- Expensive
- The bar length may be too short for some users
The X3 Bar was invented by the “Tony Stark of The Fitness Industry” who boasts that all you need is 10 minutes of training per day. Dr. John Jaquish (check out his profile here) has created a high-quality, portable, all-in-one home gym that can provide up to 600 lbs of available force to trigger muscular growth at a lower risk of injury. If heavy resistance bands are what you’re after then the X3 Bar is a great choice.
Want to know more info about this product? Check out this X3 Bar Product Review and Workouts Article to see our thoughts on this machine.
Variable resistance training (VRT) is one of the most effective ways to grow muscle and burn fat. This is a type of strength training that compels muscles to work harder when they are near their full range of motion.
A study has revealed that VRT offered greater strength gain in 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench presses after 7 weeks of using VRT when compared with using traditional free-weight resistance training.
Amazon Resistance Bands
4. Whatafit Resistance Bands Set
Price: $24.97
Product link: https://amzn.to/3H8Nbjl
Specifications: Non-slip comfortable handle, durable door anchor, adjustable ankle straps, heavy-duty carabiners, and 5 bands included (10lbs, 20lbs, 30lbs, 40lbs, 50lbs).
Tension range: 10-50 lbs
Number of bands: 5
Pros:
- Multifunctional and portable
- Good quality materials
- Large tension range for beginners
Cons:
- Limited tension range
This resistance band set would be a great addition to your home gym. It has enough resistance to give you a good workout and it doesn’t take too much room. If you don’t have time for the gym then this is a good option to help you stay in shape—ideal for toning your arms, chest, shoulders, glutes, and legs.
We recommend you get this set if you are on a budget as these resistance bands are very cost-effective, well-constructed, and get the job done. Overall, this band has over 39 thousand reviews on amazon and all seem positive but I would watch out as customers mentioned that some bands snapped after a few months of use.
5. TheFitLife Resistance Bands
Price: $24.68
Product link: https://amzn.to/3GOxL3h
Specifications: 5 anti-snap latex bands (10lbs, 15lbs, 20lbs, 25lbs, 40lbs), 2 cushioned handles, 2 ankle straps, door anchor waterproof carrying bag, and a user manual
Tension range: 10-40 lbs
Number of bands: 5
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Cost-effective
- Versatile use
- Great for all fitness levels
Cons:
- Limited tension range
- The door anchor has worn after a couple of uses.
TheFitLife Resistance bands are practical tools for your strength training routine. They take up little space, they’re easy to transport and can be used by anyone from beginners to advanced levels. With multiple bands ranging from 10lbs, 15lbs, 20lbs, 25lbs, and 40lbs, this band set is highly recommended by many physiotherapists to their clients.
This set of resistance bands has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars and users comment that the bands are valued for money but they wish that it offers higher resistance bands, and the sponge padding of the grip handles does not seem durable.
How Effective Are Resistance Band Workouts
Resistance bands might not look like much, but they can help you build muscle and provide similar strength benefits to weight training. According to this study, effective hypertrophy-oriented resistance training should include a combination of mechanical tension and metabolic stress.
Make sure to train consistently for at least 3 sessions a week at a minimum of 30 minutes per session. Then apply progressive overload by gradually increasing the weight, frequency, reps, and sets in your training routines.
To reap the full benefits of resistance band training whether it’s for building muscle, weight loss, or staying in shape, you should have adequate recovery and a healthy diet. Want to take your recovery to the next level? Check out these articles:
- The Give Best Supplements For Muscle Recovery
- The Calisthenics Diet Planning Guide: How To Achieve Your Dream Body
- Low Carb Vs High Carb Diet For Calisthenics: Pros and Cons Of Each Type of Diet
Resistance Band Training Benefits
1. Train Anywhere
Resistance bands are ultra light-weight which makes them portable and you can take them with you wherever you go such as at home, gym, office, hotel, and beach. Moreover, some resistance bands have high resistance potential (the highest being 600 lbs), which makes the advantage of working out anywhere and anytime more substantial.
2. Low-Cost Exercise Investment
Other than bodyweight training, resistance band training is easily the next best cost-effective form of resistance training. This is correct as you’ll have hundreds of exercise options with the ability to target all muscle groups to improve functional strength and build muscle.
We would like to highlight this point by mentioning that a set of resistance bands can cost you between $20-$100 while purchasing a set of dumbbells can cost you over $200 with the same resistance variability.
The Takeaways: Resistance Bands With Handles
Resistance bands are practical, portable, and affordable equipment for developing strength, mobility, and range of motion. They are also frequently used for rehabilitation after injury to strengthen muscles at home. I can assure you that as long as you use them properly with the correct techniques, resistance bands will surprisingly challenge your muscles and help you progress toward your fitness goals.
Want to build muscles with resistance bands as Pat Chadwick did? Book a consultation to learn all of the exercises using proper form and have a fully personalized training and diet program.
I’m Pat Chadwick, a qualified Level 2 and Level 3 calisthenics coach and certified personal trainer from London, England. I have over six years of experience training students specifically in the art of calisthenics. I’ve competed in various UK competitions, including the Kalos Stenos Championships, where I achieved third place in the lightweight category. My passion is highlighting the beauty of calisthenics as an authentic and pure form of body expression. I believe that everyone has the potential to become a champion of their body and mind, and that calisthenics opens the door to personal empowerment.