The best resistance bands in the UK to improve mobility and strength on a budget, tested
Movement breeds motivation, not vice versa. If you want a fast ticket to a regular training habit, you need to remove the friction between you and that first rep. When the sofa looks more appealing than getting a sweat on, it pays to have a simple, quick, convenient way to kick into workout mode. That’s where resistance bands come in.
Portable, lightweight, compact and convenient, the right set of bands could be the path of least, er, resistance to easy home workouts and reaching your fitness goals.
Cheaper than a pricey gym membership and less clutter than a set of dumbbells, the best resistance bands can be deployed for everything from weights-free workouts to mobility training and physio exercises, then otherwise stashed happily in a drawer.
From loop bands that get your glutes firing to full-body training tube bands, here’s my pick of the best resistance bands you can buy right now.
At a glance
Best resistance bands overall
£95 at Technogym
Technogym Power bandsBest budget resistance bands for beginners
£35 at Technogym
Technogym Loop bands setBest resistance band set for lower-body work
£30 at La Pochette
La Pochette Resistance band setBest resistance band for lower body
£12.99 at Myprotein
Myprotein Booty bandBest resistance band for yoga and pilates
£74.95 at Mirafit
Mirafit Resistance band set
Why you should trust me
I’ve spent two decades testing the latest fitness gear and home exercise kit while training for more than 60 marathons and ultramarathons. I train most days, sometimes twice, regularly plodding more than 50 miles a week, occasionally running solo marathons and working on general strength. And all the while, I’m testing running shoes and other kit.
At 47, strength and mobility are increasingly important. I need loose hips and strong glutes to keep running those miles – and tying the laces on those running shoes. If there’s anyone who can benefit from easy at-home resistance band workouts, it’s me.
How I tested
I spent a solid month testing 18 sets of the latest and most popular resistance bands across different styles, prices and brands, including Les Mills, Technogym, Peloton and Pvolve.
I used each set of bands for their intended workouts, working them into my pre-run warm-ups and using them for assisted weights at my gym, plus bodyweight and mobility sessions at home. I even tried a bit of YouTube yoga, workout kryptonite for a tight-hamstring runner who can’t touch his toes.
After all that (and a bit of a sit down), I rated the bands on the quality of the materials, resistance range and versatility, while also considering durability, portability and value.
After testing, the resistance bands were either returned or donated to local charity shops.
The best resistance bands
Best resistance bands overall:
Technogym power bands
Technogym
Power bands
£95
What we love
Great resistance levels; very versatile
What we don’t love
Could do with a carry bag
Technogym’s set of three rubber long-loop bands offers some of the highest resistance levels for this type of band, allowing for a wide – and hard-hitting – variety of strength drills.
Why we love it
These heavy-duty resistance bands successfully bridge the gap between simple loop bands and free weights, and bagged the top spot in my test largely for their excellent versatility.
The set includes three colour-coded bands with low, medium and high resistance levels. The 31.8kg top-weight band provides resistance towards the higher level for rubber loop bands, while the greater length and stretch make them great for getting stuck into a wide range of workouts.
They’ll handle everything from strength training and power development to assisted bodyweight work (such as pull-ups) and advanced resistance exercises (rotations, banded sprints and plyometrics). They also work for activation drills, but they particularly excel when used to add an extra challenge to standard bodyweight drills, such as squats. You can also use them to make gym moves like dips and pull-ups easier.
I found them easy to anchor to gym equipment, and the thick rubber is highly robust and durable, with no visible joins or weak spots. I stretched them to the max, and they never looked threatened.
They’re a bit chunkier than thinner-style loop bands, but they’re still easy enough to stash in a gym bag. It would have been nice for them to come with a storage bag, but it’s not a deal breaker.
It’s a shame that … there are no resistance levels marked on the bands.
Suitable for: band-assisted weight training, bodyweight strength building
Material: rubber
Size of band(s): 1.3/2.1/3.2 x 104cm
Number of bands: 3
Resistance strength: 13.6/20.4/31.8kg
Technogym
Power bands
£95
What we love
Great resistance levels; very versatile
What we don’t love
Could do with a carry bag
Best budget resistance bands for beginners:
Technogym loop bands
Technogym
Loop bands set
£35
What we love
As portable as it gets, and great durability
What we don’t love
Small-loop style is not great for building strength
Technogym’s triple set of rubber resistance bands offers a range of tension up to 14.5kg, top-quality durability and great versatility for smaller loop bands.
Why we love it
Although it’s tempting to go cheap on loop bands, you still want to make sure you’re prioritising quality. That’s exactly what you get from this trio from Technogym.
Made from high-quality natural rubber, they’re conveniently colour-coded by resistance levels. The darker the colour, the more tension they can take. They’re also strong and reliable, with a resistance that’s nicely controlled and smooth. In my tests, they snapped back into shape with no signs of losing that tension.
With three levels of resistance and relatively long stretch, they’re surprisingly versatile for a shorter loop. I found them best for pre-run activation drills, simple strength exercises and adding resistance to my bodyweight moves such as lunges, glute bridges and banded walks.
The rubber finish is smooth and feels good against the skin – as good as rubber bands can feel, that is. The width is decent, so they didn’t roll up, and the seamless design meant there were no lumps, bumps or snags to cause chafing.
They pack up really small, and if you need help with technique and ideas for drills, Technogym’s app has loads of workouts for inspiration.
It’s a shame that … they don’t come with a storage pouch.
Suitable for: warm-ups and light bodyweight strength
Material: natural rubber
Size of band(s): 29 x 5cm
Number of bands: 3
Resistance strength: 9.1/12.7/14.5kg
Technogym
Loop bands set
£35
What we love
As portable as it gets, and great durability
What we don’t love
Small-loop style is not great for building strength
Best resistance band set for lower-body work:
La Pochette resistance band set
La Pochette
Resistance band set
£30
What we love
Soft, strong, stylish and great for the lower body
What we don’t love
Doesn’t really work for the upper body
La Pochette specialises in high-end workout accessories, and this trio of short-looped bands brings a bit of style to lower-body band workouts.
Why we love it
Essentially the same as the Myprotein Booty band below but in a three-piece set, La Pochette covers more of your lower-body prehab, rehab and activation bases with light, medium and heavy resistance options.
The bands come in three subtle colours that are more stylish than the majority of garish bands available. And if the muted cashmere, putty and grey tones denoting the weights aren’t immediately distinguishable, they’re also conveniently labelled – not all bands do this.
Each band is thick (good for durability), wide (good for staying in place) and soft (great for comfort on bare legs). There’s also a non-slip inner grip that helps them stay put if you’re using them over leggings or other gym gear.
Like the Myprotein fabric band, these are robust and reliable. You can give them full force without fear of them snapping under tension. They also hold their shape well.
A lightweight mesh carry case is included, making these easy to drop into most gym bags.
It’s a shame that … the shorter band length means they’re not suited to upper-body exercises.
Suitable for: activation, stability, mobility and low-to-moderate resistance work
Material: fabric
Size of band: 38 x 8cm
Number of bands: 3
Resistance strength: not specified
La Pochette
Resistance band set
£30
What we love
Soft, strong, stylish and great for the lower body
What we don’t love
Doesn’t really work for the upper body
Best resistance band for lower body:
Myprotein Booty band
Myprotein
Booty band
£12.99
What we love
Durable; wide; good resistance for the lower body
What we don’t love
Not as versatile for full body workouts
The Myprotein fabric “booty band” comes in three levels of resistance and is made for lower-body strength, mobility and recovery.
Why we love it
If, like me, you’re not the biggest fan of rubber against the skin, Myprotein’s fabric booty band will bring welcome comfort to your warm-up and mobility work.
The wide fabric band is wonderfully soft and much gentler on bare skin than its rubber rivals. Hairier-legged folks will also get fewer painful pulls. There’s a textured inside that helps it grip when you’re wearing leggings, and the wide fabric construction improves stability. Of all the bands I tested, this one had the least unwanted movement, and there was much less roll than with rubber loops.
It’s also nicely durable, stretching well beyond what you’d normally need during regular drills with no risk of snapping. This gave me plenty of confidence when using it.
The band is sold in three resistance gradations (light, medium and heavy), and the resistance level was excellent. In my testing, I found it a great option for glute bridges, clamshells, lateral walks and hip thrusts, as well as for waking up muscles before my faster running sessions. It comes with a convenient small net pouch, too.
It’s a shame that … the shorter length is less well-suited to upper-body drills.
Suitable for: activation, stability, mobility and low-to-moderate resistance work
Material: fabric
Size of band: 43 x 7.5cm
Number of bands: 1
Resistance strength: 24.9kg
Myprotein
Booty band
£12.99
What we love
Durable; wide; good resistance for the lower body
What we don’t love
Not as versatile for full body workouts
Best resistance band for yoga and pilates:
Mirafit resistance band set
Mirafit
Resistance band set
£74.95
What we love
Lots of resistance levels to stretch your fitness
What we don’t love
Long bands can be harder for beginners to control
Mirafit’s resistance loops offer a huge variety of resistance levels, making them well-suited to both upper- and lower-body workouts.
Why we love it
In an excellent multipurpose set of six bands, Mirafit’s long-band resistance loops cater for a wide range of workout needs across your upper and lower body. They will suit beginners, intermediates and experts alike, although total newbies may find the longer band length requires a little extra control. They add extra resistance or assistance to weighted drills and bodyweight work, and you can also whip them out for prehab and rehab.
I found the variety of resistance levels and thicknesses provided a lot of flexibility, working well for my flailing yoga and mobility work. There’s a good range of resistance, and the toughest band was among the strongest on test.
They’re clearly marked for easy identification, highly durable and a great tool for finessing your fitness routine. You can buy them individually, or as a set which comes in a handy carry bag.
It’s a shame that … absolute beginners may struggle with the longer bands, which require some control
Suitable for: assisted weight training, bodyweight strength building
Material: natural latex
Size of band: 1.3/2.1/3.2/4.5/6.4/8.3 x 208cm
Number of bands: 6
Resistance strength: 11.3/22.7/45.4/54.4/79.4/104.3kg
Mirafit
Resistance band set
£74.95
What we love
Lots of resistance levels to stretch your fitness
What we don’t love
Long bands can be harder for beginners to control
The best of the rest
Les Mills Sculpt bands
Les Mills
Sculpt bands
£49.99
What we love
Superbly stashable; good for gym bags and carry-on
What we don’t love
Big, scratchy patch where the loop joins
Best for: travel
The most travel-friendly fabric bands on test, this short-loop trio offers light, medium and heavy resistance that’s best suited to warm-ups, mobility drills and controlled time under tension across the upper and lower body. That covers everything from reverse lunges and hip openers to banded rows.
Silicone waves on the underside offer good grip, although I found they weren’t quite as stable as some wider fabric bands. The soft finish is a big comfort boost over regular rubber bands, though, and handy labels make it easy to see the resistance levels. The smaller, thinner bands also pack neatly into a mesh pouch.
It didn’t make the final cut because … they’re a little pricier than the rivals.
Suitable for: toning, mobility, stability and activation; material: fabric; size of band: 31 x 5/6/7cm; number of bands: 3; resistance strength: 12.7/15/18.1kg
Les Mills
Sculpt bands
£49.99
What we love
Superbly stashable; good for gym bags and carry-on
What we don’t love
Big, scratchy patch where the loop joins
Peloton resistance bands
Peloton
Resistance bands
from £60
What we love
Video routines make these great for beginners
What we don’t love
Higher resistance would suit the more experienced
Best for: a full-body workout
These tube-handle bands offer light, medium and heavy resistance levels. The colour-coding system makes them easy to use with the small but useful selection of band workouts on the Peloton app. The video routines cover upper-body, lower-body, full-body and core work and are great for newcomers who need a little guidance, though you’ll need a £12.99 per month subscription to unlock them.
The bands’ resistance levels cater for light to moderate strength and mobility work, but they don’t quite hit the levels needed for harder strength work. Easy-grip aluminium handles add a durable, premium touch, though, and each band comes with its own travel- and storage-friendly pouch.
It didn’t make the final cut because … we would have liked a higher top resistance level.
Suitable for: light to moderate resistance workouts, warm-ups and mobility; material: natural rubber latex band, aluminium handles, nylon and rubber grip; size of band: 150cm; number of bands: 3; resistance strength: not listed
Peloton
Resistance bands
from £60
What we love
Video routines make these great for beginners
What we don’t love
Higher resistance would suit the more experienced
Pvolve P Band
Pvolve
PBand
from £43.32
What we love
Fingerless gloves offer great comfort levels
What we don’t love
Only good for upper-body workouts
Best for: upper-body conditioning
Pvolve’s unique tube band replaces regular handles with built-in fingerless gloves, a setup that feels a bit more comfortable – or at least easier – than gripping handles as you curl, row and stretch. That frees you up nicely to focus on controlling your movement and engaging your muscles, while cutting the callus risk that comes with some handle bands.
The moderate resistance level is effective for targeting arms, shoulders, back and some core, although you can’t use it for lower-body drills. The band also comes with trial access to Pvolve’s on-demand classes and live virtual studio – handy if you’ve never flexed a rubber band in anger before. However, full membership after the trial costs $24.99 (£18.56) a month or $224.91 (£167) a year.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s only good for the upper body.
Suitable for: strength and mobility for upper body and core; material: latex band, woven polyester, neoprene and cotton gloves; size of band: 35cm; number of bands: 1; resistance strength: 15.9kg
Pvolve
PBand
from £43.32
What we love
Fingerless gloves offer great comfort levels
What we don’t love
Only good for upper-body workouts
What you need to know
What are the different types of resistance bands, and what do they do?
Some bands are more versatile than others, but there isn’t a single type of resistance band that will cover all your training needs. It’s important to identify your workout goals before you invest. Are you aiming to add extra resistance to your drills, work on flexibility and mobility, or replace bulky free weights?
Loop bands: these are flat, closed-loop bands that come in varying levels of thickness and grades of resistance. They’re light, compact, brilliantly portable and can be used for warm-ups and muscle activation (great for glutes), as well as adding an extra challenge to regular bodyweight or weighted drills and mobility exercises such as lateral walks. They’re good at targeting muscles with controlled movement. Longer loop bands can be used for assisted pull-ups, too.
Mini bands: these are smaller continuous-loop bands with resistance ranging from light and easy to very difficult. These work best for muscle activation, stability and control rather than heavy strength. They’re good for glute firing, hip stability, rehab and warm-ups.
Tube bands: these are rubber tubes with handles on both ends. They’re great for full-body workouts, often coming colour-coded by resistance level. The handles make them better for rows, presses and pulls, too.
Therapy bands: unlike loop bands or tube bands, these flat, elastic resistance strips are mainly used for rehab, mobility and light strength work. They provide progressive tension for controlled movements and are good aids for yoga and pilates.
What are the benefits of resistance bands?
“Resistance bands are a useful tool for increasing muscle awareness during exercise,” says Caroline Bragg, master pilates trainer at Third Space. “They add tension to a movement, helping people develop better proprioception, coordination and understanding of how their body moves.”
“One of their biggest strengths is improving alignment and movement quality. For example, placing a mini band around the knees during a squat can encourage the knees to track correctly and help recruit the appropriate muscles throughout the movement.”
Resistance bands help us to work concentrically and eccentrically: concentric work builds our ability to create force, while eccentric work teaches us to control and absorb it, says Marie Grujicic, founder of virtual yoga studio Awespire by MG. “Training both creates stronger, more resilient and adaptable muscles. As I often say, we don’t just want strong muscles, we want ‘smart’ muscles that can respond to the way we move, and bands are the perfect tool to support it.”
They also play a significant role in rehab from injury. “The key difference between free weights and resistance bands is that bands provide variable resistance,” says James Stirling, personal trainer, running coach and a Technogym wellness ambassador. “That can be good for beginners or those coming back from injury. The user has full control of how much resistance they apply to the movement being performed – as the band stretches, the tension increases.”
How effective are resistance bands?
“Very effective!” says Grujicic. “It’s remarkable how such a simple, travel-friendly piece of equipment can develop strength and stability without placing heavy loads on the joints.”
Bands can work both slow-twitch muscle fibres, which support endurance and posture control, and fast-twitch fibres, which are important for strength, power and quick reactions.
“They’re incredibly versatile because by changing the way you use them: resistance, tempo, range or direction, you can train strength, power, stability and mobility. That versatility is why they’re one of my favourite tools for overall wellness,” adds Grujicic.
Provided they’re used correctly, resistance bands can be an effective alternative to moving heavy metal at the gym.
Studies show resistance band training can help to improve lower-limb strength, balance and flexibility, and to build explosive power, sprinting prowess and agility in athletes. But you need to get your reps in.
“Bands can also create muscle fatigue when used with higher repetitions, which may contribute to some muscle growth and endurance adaptations,” says Bragg.
“However, for developing significant strength or muscle, traditional resistance training with equipment such as dumbbells, kettlebells or machines will produce better results because greater loads can be applied.”
For more ways to get fit with the Filter:
The best home exercise kit, chosen by personal trainers
The best treadmills for your home
The best cross trainers and ellipticals
Kieran Alger is a running, fitness and health journalist who splits his time between testing, training and tapping out reviews. You’ll regularly find him in the gym testing training equipment or running down lofty challenges while wearing three watches, brand new running shoes and a whole host of kit that needs thorough investigation
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