3FTW! TeamEditor’s Note: Our research team’s Field Notes are a sneak peek into the research we’re doing for an upcoming review of the Best Exercise Resistance Bands of 2020. If you’d like to be alerted when we publish our guide follow @3ftw.reviews on Instagram.
In preparation for our future article on the best exercise resistance bands, we conducted research across seven authoritative websites and compiled their consensus picks for the best resistance bands to buy in 2020. We found the research done on askmen.com, healthline.com, mensjournal.com, shape.com, thewirecutter.com, womenshealthmag.com, and menshealth.com to be the most comprehensive and useful as a buying guide for resistance bands. Each was chosen for its expert knowledge, testing methodology of the products, as well as their integration of customer reviews from Amazon to confirm their findings.
We found wirecutter.com the most open with their review process as they started with 23 different brands of resistance bands and narrowed them down to only 11. All of their bands were tested and user reviews were taken into account when making their decisions.
Which resistance bands made the most lists? We found the Fit Simplify resistance loops, the Black Mountain Products resistance bands, and the WODfitters pull-up assistance bands most frequently recommended as a top pick and customers seem to agree. The Fit Simplify bands were rated 4.3 / 5 on Amazon with over 15,000 reviews, the Black Mountain Products bands were rated 4.5 / 5 on Walmart with 85 reviews and the WODfitters Pull-up bands were rated 5 / 5 on WODfitters with 99 reviews.
Continue reading our research summary on the consensus picks and follow us on Instagram to stay updated on the release of our own comprehensive guide to the best resistance bands. We’ve also included links to all of the authoritative website reviews below.
Consensus Picks
The expert’s favorite exercise resistance bands
#1 Fit Simplify Exercise Resistance Loops
Selected by: askmen.com, healthline.com, mensjournal.com, womenshealthmag.com, menshealth.com
Mentioned by 5 of our 7 expert websites, the Fit Simplify resistance bands were lauded for their excellent versatility and potential, whilst consistently coming in as the lowest in the price comparisons. The experts and public were a big fan of the natural latex and while they may have stretched for some users over time, the life-time guarantee and low price more than made up for it. They were recommended highly for beginners due to the ease of use and no requirement for set-up, as well as an included instruction manual showing example exercises.
Their lightweight and small form was also appreciated as an incentive to take them travelling when required, as they took up very little space or weight in a bag. Some users did report that after some time the latex seemed to dry and crack, as well as stretch out. However, all of the experts did conclude that problems such as this were off-set and mitigated by the low asking price compared to the other picks. For this reason the Fit Simplify was given the number one spot.
Customer Sentiment:
Amazon Customer Ratings (21,400+):
Rave Review: Having read other reviews when buying loop bands and only one turning up when expecting a pack of five I was very pleased with this purchase. You get five bands of varying degree of difficulty, a guide for exercises and a bag to keep them in. I have tried all the bands and they are excellent, no snapping on first use as others have found with other brands.
– Amazon Customer Review
#2 Black Mountain Products Resistance Band Set
Selected by: mensjournal.com, womenshealthmag.com
The Black Mountain Products Resistance Bands were the best value stackable resistance bands across the 7 websites. It was also one of only 2 stackable sets mentioned by multiple expert sources. They were noted for their excellent stackable tension meaning that beginners all the way to more advanced users could find a usable resistance. However much more advanced users may struggle once they become accustomed to the highest tension.
The experts and customers also liked the interchangeable handles, ankle straps, and door stopper allowing for a wide variety of exercises for the user. The bands also came with a storage bag that customers and experts liked, meaning they could be easily stored away and taken with the user on their travels.
Customer Sentiment:
Amazon Customer Ratings (720+):
Rave Review: I’ve been using these resistance bands for a few weeks and they are serving my purposes well. I especially like the door anchor and ability to change handles. The overall quality of the product seems excellent. It’s easy to reach the company by phone. Would buy Black Mountain products again.
– Amazon Customer Review
#3 WODFitters Pull Up Assistance Bands
Selected by: menshealth.com, healthline.com
The WODfitter resistance bands were the ones most often chosen by the experts as the best bands for weight training accessories, as well as for assistance in pull-ups. The wide range of resistances was noted to be an excellent feature for those looking to supplement their weight training or gain assistance in other exercises.
Between both of the chosen experts that reviewed the product they did note that compared to some other brands, the price can get expensive, depending on the resistance or bundle that the user bought. Customer reviews were also very consistent, with almost none reporting any major damage or long term issues with the products. This product was given third place due to it being the only assistance band to make it to multiple experts lists, showing their consistency across the board in quality and usability.
Customer Sentiment:
Amazon Customer Ratings (100+):
Rave Review: Why pay 2x or 3x more for “brand name” bands when these are amazing and a fraction of the price! Shipping was super fast and the product quality is very, very good. Couldn’t be happier.
– Amazon Customer Review
Resistance Band Training Economy Fitness Package
Selected by: menshealth.com, wirecutter.com
Best for: Athletes looking to add variance to their program; at the cost of a more expensive but versatile kit
Letsfit Resistance Loop Bands
Selected by: menshealth.com, askmen.com
Best for: Athletes willing to spend a little more more for loops bands and thos who want a choice of colours to match their own personal tastes
Dynapro Exercise Bands
Selected by: mensjournal.com, healthline.com
Best for: Athletes wanting to spend a bit more money to have higher quality bands for their exercise
Perform Better Mini Bands
Selected by: womenshealthmag.com, wirecutter.com
Best for: Athletes looking to rehab injuries and those wanting strong bands that can be taken when travelling
SPRI Ultra Toner
Selected by: shape.com, womenshealthmag.com
Best for: Athletes wanting a band more capable of targeting specific areas of the body
Draper’s Strength Pull Up Assist and Powerlifting Stretch Bands
Selected by: menshealth.com
Best for: Athletes looking for a fairly inexpensive assistance band set that also can help with stretching and weight resistance
Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands
Selected by: wirecutter.com
Best for: Safety conscious athletes looking to prevent any future accidents. Also good for those wanting varied exercises with the additional handles and door stops
Sources & Resources
List of expert picks for the best resistance bands
Editor’s Note: Our research team’s Field Notes are a sneak peek into the research we’re doing for an upcoming review of the Best Exercise Resistance Bands of 2020. If you’d like to be alerted when we publish our guide follow @3ftw.review on Instagram.
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