The 9 Best Resistance Bands for Working Out at Home

How does something as unassuming as a resistance band—essentially oversized elastic—give us a good workout?

"Resistance bands can be deceiving," said Rozalynn S. Frazier, Health senior fitness editor. "They may not look like much, but they offer a ton of benefits."

For example, you can use resistance bands for overall body strengthening and mobility enhancement, and they're low-impact and joint-friendly.

"Consider it your all-in-one gym," added Frazier.

Resistance bands allow you to exercise at home. They're convenient to keep in your home gym when you want to fit in a serious strength workout but can't make it to a workout class. Plus, they're affordable, travel-friendly, and highly versatile.

Here's what you need to know about the nine best resistance bands to help you get a full-body workout.

Best for Beginners: Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands

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If you're new to working out using resistance bands, these 100% natural latex bands are a good choice.

Each band represents a level—extra light, light, medium, heavy, and extra-heavy—so you can start with the loosest bands. Then, you can work your way up to the medium and heavier ones, targeted for more intermediate and advanced strength training.

These bands are Amazon's bestselling resistance bands and can be used by all fitness levels. As a bonus, they're versatile enough to be used for physical therapy and rehabilitation.

On Amazon, the Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on over 113,000 reviews.

Price at time of publication: $21

Best for Travel: Te-Rich Fabric Resistance Bands

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While they may be some of the prettiest exercise bands on the market, these mini bands by Te-Rich are still incredibly durable. These bands have three different resistance levels and come with a carrying pouch and exercise guide.

Use them on their own or incorporate them into workout circuits to amp up your strength training. Plus, the mini size makes them easy to store in your suitcase or purse, so you have them whenever you want to squeeze in a quick workout.

On Amazon, the Te-Rich Fabric Resistance Bands have an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, based on over 32,000 reviews.

Price at time of publication: $20

Best Non-Slip: Gymbee Resistance Bands

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Avoid the uncomfortable bunching and scrunching with latex resistance bands by opting for a fabric option like this top-rated set from Gymbee.

Adored by shoppers, the kit includes light, medium, and heavy bands for up to 50 pounds of added resistance to your workout. Even more impressive? Each band is the same size despite offering varying difficulty levels, so the lightest band isn't too big, and the heaviest band isn't too small.

Plus, the 365-day warranty ensures you'll spend less time worrying about the band snapping and more time focusing on your workout. Additionally, free workout videos are included with your purchase.

On Amazon, the Gymbee Resistance Bands have an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, based on over 30,000 reviews.

Price at time of publication: $25

Best for Multitasking: Theraband Non-Latex Clx Consecutive Loop Bands

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Are you looking for a band you can use on land and water? These resistance bands are pool-friendly for all your aquatic workouts and hydrotherapy exercises.

Additionally, Frazier loves them because there are loops within the bands, which make it easier to make various moves and allows you to train with dumbbells simultaneously. They're also latex-free, a good choice for anyone with allergies.

"It also means you don't have to wrap or tie the bands around your hands or feet—just stick 'em in the loops and voilà," said Frazier.

On Amazon, the Theraband Non-Latex Clx Consecutive Loop Bands have an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, based on over 700 reviews.

Price at time of publication: $20

Best for Learning Pull-Ups: Intey Assisted Pull-Up Band

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If you want to learn how to do pull-ups, these bands can help. They make it easy to choose a band based on the assistance you need during your repetitions, from 15 to 125 pounds.

Remember that when you use them for pull-up assistance, you can secure them beneath your feet or under your knee for different levels of support.

On Amazon, the Intey Assisted Pull-Up Band has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on over 600 reviews.

Best for Your Butt Muscles: Vergali Resistance Bands

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These Vergali exercise bands are made of a nonslip material and come with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee. The exercise bands strengthen and build all three glute muscles—maximus, medius, and minimus. They can also help work out your quads, hamstrings, abs, and calves.

Or, if you prefer a more traditional resistance band, try Perfect Peach Resistance Bands to work your butt at five different intensity levels.

Follow the online workout videos, training guide, and complete workout resources.

On Amazon, the Vergali Resistance Bands have an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on over 14,500 reviews.

Price at time of publication: $18

Best for Upper Body: Gaiam Restore 3-in-1 Resistance Band Kit

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This exercise band is perfect for your arms, with comfortable foam handles and three resistance levels. It's not only long enough for shoulder presses but heavy-duty enough to stand up to your most elaborate arm routines, too.

Beginners can opt for the lightest resistance band (green) and slowly work their way up to an advanced weight (gray). In contrast, those at a more advanced level can layer all the bands together for the ultimate challenge.

On Amazon, the Gaiam Restore 3-in-1 Resistance Band Kit has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on over 300 reviews.

Price at time of publication: $20

Best for Lower Body: Slingshot Hip Circle Resistance Band

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Frazier also likes this resistance band because it eliminates the need to straighten out a band in the middle of a move. According to Frazier, the Sling Shot from Mark Bell doesn't flip up or get twisted the way that latex or rubber sometimes does.

The band activates and strengthens the hips and glutes. Slip it around your knees and walk with long strides to warm up, then keep it on for your squats (it'll teach you to push your knees out).

On Amazon, the Slingshot Hip Circle Resistance Band has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on over 3,000 reviews.

Price at time of publication: $22

Best Full Band Set: Whatafit 11-Piece Resistance Band Kit

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This affordable kit from Whatafit includes all the equipment you'll need for a full-body workout. The set consists of five bands (with resistance levels ranging from 10–50 pounds) that you can stack for a combined 150 pounds if you're looking to challenge yourself.

It also features a metal clipping system to attach bands to soft-grip handles, a door anchor, an ankle strap, and an exercise chart. Plus, there's a complimentary gym bag to keep them organized at home or take them with you when you travel.

On Amazon, the Whatafit 11-Piece Resistance Band Kit has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on over 38,700 reviews.

Price at time of publication: $40

Summary

So, if you want a challenging workout without the stress of finding and going to the right gym, these resistance bands will help tone all parts of your body. The best resistance bands are both affordable and can give you a full-body workout.