7 best resistance bands to help you stretch, strengthen and sculpt muscles

Best: Overall  

Rating: 10/10

These resistance bands from TRX, which is known for its suspension trainers, are high quality and come in a variety of resistances. Included in this versatile kit are four long, looped bands – two each of the blue (2-7kg) and green (7-14kg) – along with two ergonomic handles that you can slide the bands into.

The handles make the bands easier and more comfortable to use for certain moves as they stop them digging into your hands, and the rubber handle covers provide good grip, even when you’re sweaty. The handles and bands are light, so are ideal for travelling, and you can pop two bands into the handles to up the resistance.

Best: For a full-body workout

Rating: 9/10

This is a clever set consisting of two ankle straps, one short tube band as well as a long one, a handle and a 1.5lb ball. You attach the band to the ankle strap at one end with a carabiner and ring and the handle at the other. The ball can be used as an independent weight, but can also attach to the end of the band so you end up with both resistance and weight.

This set is designed to be used with the P.volve app, which provides workouts focusing on strength and function. We like the emphasis on low-impact, functional movement, and it offers classes from 20-minute core and arm definition, up to a 60-minute full body sculpt. The only slight faff is that you have to unhook the strap to swap it to the opposite leg when you work the other side of the body, but it only takes a few seconds.

Best: For comfort

Rating: 8/10

This addition from La Pochette is a looped band for lower body exercises that’s made of stretchy, breathable fabric rather than latex. It’s wide, making it very comfortable around the legs with no cutting or digging in, and it has an inner grip to stop it sliding down.

It’s extremely durable and feels extremely safe to use, with no concerns that it will snap. It can be hand washed, and is also available in heavy and light.

Best: For assisted pull-ups

Rating: 9/10

These looped bands are available in various resistances: extra light (6.7-13kg), light (18-31kg), medium (27-45kg), strong (31-54kg) and strongest (36-67kg). This set of bands is the strongest, and perfect for assisted pull-ups to help you build up to doing a full, unassisted pull-up.

Loop your chosen band around a pull-up bar and thread it through itself, and you can place either your knee or foot into the bottom of the loop to help you lift your chin over the bar. It is a heavy-duty, wide, long and strong band, and made pull-ups easier without propelling us too swiftly.

Best: Budget option 

Rating: 8/10

These are a cheap, simple and well made set of looped bands that provide a spectrum of resistance to help you progress as you get stronger, or to help you use different bands for different muscle groups.

Included is green (extra light: 5-10lb), blue (light: 10-1lb), yellow (medium: 15-20lb), red (heavy: 25-30lb), and black (extra-heavy: 35-40lb) – plus, they all come in a small bag to help with transport, and storage. They’re super light, so great for travelling. The website has some helpful videos on how runners can use the brand after injuries.

Best: For durability

Rating: 8/10

Les Mills On Demand classes were a go-to in lockdown and remain popular with those who still prefer working out at home. This resistance band is part of its home exercise equipment range and you can use it throughout the online classes, or just for your own workouts.

It’s a well made piece of kit – the band itself is strong, durable and a nice width (it’s flat rather than tubed), and the comfortable handles are attached with strong webbing. There is a band with stronger resistance (SmartBand extreme) but this option suffices for both beginner and intermediate levels. 

Best: For rehab exercises 

Rating: 8/10

Meglio offers rolls of resistance therapy bands with five different levels of resistance, from extra light to extra heavy. You can cut it to your preferred length and then tie it into a loop, onto a door handle or just wrap either end around your hands. These bands are used within NHS physio departments and are great for rehab exercises or if you’re a personal trainer who wants to give bands to clients for specific moves. If you’re sensitive to latex, they’re latex-free, and recyclable at the end of their life.