Let's talk about resistance bands - a gym bag necessity. They are widely loved for their versatility, convenience, and incredible strength training benefits.
Resistance bands have many names - exercise bands, booty bands, loop bands, hip bands... but they all refer to the same thing. For those who don't know exercise bands are elastic bands (fabric or latex/rubber) that come in different resistance levels so you can perform a variety of exercises that can target all muscle groups. They are commonly used for resistance training to help build strength and even for physical therapy to help recover from injuries.
When searching for the perfect resistance band you must look for two things:
Comfort - the best material.
Matches your strength level - so you can continue progressing in your workouts.
Latex resis tance bands
Latex, or rubber bands, are just as the name implies. They are a resistance band made out of latex or rubber. Latex bands typically come in a pack of 3 or more and come in various resistance levels that range from extra light to extra heavy. They also come in different lengths, short bands are used for lower body exercises and long bands are used for upper body exercises.
Pros
Various resistance levels - Perfect for all fitness levels.
Extremely versatile - Can be used for lower and upper body workouts.
Inexpensive - This really depends on the brand, but most latex bands range from $10-20.
Clean them easily - You can rinse them off or wipe them down pretty easily.
Cons
Uncomfortable - Latex tends to stick on the skin, so using these types of bands can cause discomfort if you're wearing shorts.
They roll up - These types of bands tend to roll up, which can be very annoying when you're trying to focus on the exercise.
They rip easily - Latex and rubber aren't durable material, they can rip rather fast if you use them frequently for kickbacks or stretching motions.
FABRIC RESISTANCE BANDS
Elastic Fabric resistance bands are simply resistance bands made with fabric
Medium resistance band
instead of latex or rubber. They are normally sold separately and come in 3 resistance levels - light, medium, and heavy. Fabric bands are normally only used for glute activation and lower body workouts, but they also come in a longer length which os perfect for upper body workouts.
Pros
Various resistance levels - Perfect for all fitness levels.
Comfortable fabric - Fabric bands usually have a non-slip grip so the band stays in place while you're performing exercises.
They're strong - The material makes these types of bands less stretchy so they add a great amount of resistance when performing leg exercises. These are perfect for avid weight lifters.
Inexpensive - They are a little bit more expensive than rubber bands, but not by much. Investing in high-quality fabric resistance bands won't cost you an arm and a leg. One band usually price ranges from $10-15, or you can get a bundle for upwards of $30.
Cons
Not versatile - The strength and the lack of stretch make fabric bands not ideal for upper body workouts. They are mostly used for lower body only, but there are long fabric resistance bands, they're just not common and don't have handles like latex bands do.
Longer cleaning process - Fabric resistance bands have to be washed in a washing machine and air-dried. So it's a bit of a longer process, but they do get thoroughly cleaned after an intense sweat session.
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