Get to grips with the best resistance bands with handles for locked-on strength gains at home…
Resistance bands are enjoying a renaissance due to their low-cost portability. There’s also virtually no end to the number of strength training exercises you can perform with bands – from the comfort of your own home.
Whereas resistance bands were traditionally just that – bands or strips of material (usually rubber) that provide varied resistance – now resistance bands with handles are becoming increasingly popular.
With resistance bands with handles – often called ‘resistance tubes’ – you can perform most of the exercises you can with regular bands. But by being able to gain better leverage, you can exert greater force and get a more intense workout.
While bands like the Amazon Basics TPE Resistance Band set are one of the cheapest pieces of kit for resistance exercises, they are open ended and can be difficult to maintain a good grip on the ends for certain exercises. Others, like the Eono Fabric Resistance Bands, are looped bands and ideal for leg exercises, but their length can be limiting in terms of the range of resistance exercises you can perform.
Advantages of resistance bands with handles
The best resistance bands with handles are ideal for more intense sessions where you want a firmer grip on the band and require a large range of motion. They tend to have a greater resistance than simple bands.
Handles also allow you to anchor one end of the band for a greater range of exercises. Some even come with interchangeable ends, so you can swap from a handle to a door anchor, or maybe a leg strap to increase your exercise options.
Looking for inspiration? Check out the best resistance band exercises
Disadvantages of resistance bands with handles
Resistance bands with handles typically have narrower bands or tubes than regular resistance bands. So if they rub against your skin they tend to exert greater pressure, and can cause red marks and discomfort.
Although they’re less likely to snap than regular bands, they can do so with greater force. So always check for small tears before you start your workout.
Build muscle and strength with this resistance band full-body workout
Best resistance bands with handles 2023
(Keep scrolling for full reviews)
- Best for guided workouts: Gorilla Bow Travel (from $248.99 / £199.99)
- Best for core and rotation: TRX RIP Trainer ($189.95 / £159.95)
- Best for beginners: TRX Bandit ($49.95 / £69.95)
- Best system on a budget: My Protein 11-Piece Band Set ($64 / £50)
- Best for core and rotation: Gymproluxe Band Bar Set (from £104.95 / international shipping available)
Best resistance band with handles
Gorilla Bow Travel
BUY IT NOW:
From $248.99 / £199.99, amazon.co.uk
Versatility: 4/5
Band quality: 4/5
Resistance range: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Resistance: Up to 350lb (158.8kg) | Colours: Black with coloured bands | Number of bands: 9 or 11 | Features: 3-piece bow / simultaneous band use / carry case
The Gorilla Bow Travel is a one-stop shop for improving full-body fitness. With two different sets available offering 9 or 11 bands and up to 330lb (149.7kg) or 350lb (158.8kg) of resistance respectively, you can get in a highly effective workout and start making significant strength and endurance gains.
You can load the bow with anything from one to four bands. Not only does that give you four resistance strengths when you use one band at a time, you can also use multiple bands simultaneously to layer resistance. So it’s an ideal system for quickly dropping the weight when you fatigue – perfect for drop sets.
The Gorilla Bow is one of the bulkiest and most commanding of all our fitness band systems at 55in (140cm) tall when assembled. It detaches into three elements, though, so fits easily in a large bag or small suitcase.
Read our full Gorilla Bow Travel review
Gymproluxe Band Bar Set
BUY IT NOW:
From £104.95, gymproluxestore.com (international shipping available)
Versatility: 4/5
Band quality: 5/5
Resistance range: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Resistance: 26-80lb (11.8-36.3kg) / 35-105lb (15.9-47.6kg) / 52-153lb (23.6-69.4kg) / 66-198lb (29.9-89.8kg) / 88-264lb (39.9-119.8kg) | Material: Latex | Colours: Black with multicoloured bands | Number of bands: 5 sets of 3 available
The Gymproluxe Band Bar Set comes in five flavours, each giving you three resistance bands. The medium set cover a range from 35-105lb (15.9-47.6kg), and it’s also available one lighter and three heavier options covering a total range of 26-264lb (11.8-119.8kg). That’s an impressive range of resistances to choose from.
Load up the bands and you have three levels of resistance in one convenient, lightweight belt. You can release individual bands to drop the weight by increments of three. Presses, rows, curls and flyers are all easy to perform whether standing up or lying down, so you can smash out a decent workout pretty much anywhere.
It also incorporates a bar for some of the best chest training we’ve experienced from a band system.
Read our full Gymproluxe Band Bar Set review
TRX Bandit Resistance Band Kit
BUY IT NOW:
$49.95 / £69.95, amazon.co.uk
Versatility: 4/5
Band quality: 4.5/5
Resistance range: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Resistance: 5lb (2.3kg) to 60lb (27.2kg) | Colours: Black and yellow | Number of bands: 5 | Features: Six-year guarantee / compatible with other TRX bands
The TRX Bandit Resistance Band Kit is a simple but durable system that gives you a tension range between 5lb and 60lb (2.3kg and 27.3kg). Just slip one or two light or medium bands into each handle and away you go.
As you progress there’s also the option to insert heavier TRX bands, while can be bought separately for around £20. It’s more versatile than larger, pricier options like the Gorilla Bow Travel as its handles can be oriented for a neutral grip for hammer curls or you can supinate for a bicep curl just by twisting your wrist.
While it won’t be for anyone looking to put on serious mass, the Bandit can still help most people get a tough, muscle-building workout in higher rep ranges.
Read our full TRX Bandit Resistance Band Kit review
Check out our full roundup of the best resistance bands
Myprotein 11-Piece Band Set
BUY IT NOW:
$64 / £50, myprotein.com
Versatility: 4.5/5
Band quality: 4/5
Resistance range: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Resistance: 10lb (4.5kg), 20lb (9.1kg), 30lb (13.6kg), 40lb (18.1kg), 50lb (22.7kg) | Colours: Black | Number of bands: 5 | Features: Leg straps / door anchor
The Myprotein 11-Piece Band Set is big on bands and value, shipping with five tube bands, two handles, two leg straps and a door anchor, as well as a breathable net bag. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better set of bands with plenty of room for beginners to develop.
The five different coloured bands range from 10lb (4.5kg) to 50lb (22.7kg) in resistance. Each end has a carabiner (clamp), which can latch onto either a handle, a leg strap or the door anchor. With the leg strap around your ankle, it’s useful for abductor, adductor and glute exercises, and with the handles on both sides, you’ve got shoulder and chest presses covered.
The MyProtein 11-Piece Band Set maxes out at 50lb (22.7kg) so doesn’t offer as high resistance as much of the competition. But if you’re looking constant tension and high rep range conditioning, its five bands work a treat – and can be doubled up for extra resistance.
Read our full Myprotein 11-Piece Band Set review
TRX RIP Trainer
BUY IT NOW:
$189.95 / £159.95, amazon.co.uk
Versatility: 4/5
Band quality: 5/5
Resistance range: 3/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Resistance: 20lb (9kg) – 15lb (7kg), 25lb (11kg), 38lb (17kg) and 50lb (23kg) are optional extras | Colours: Black and yellow | Features: Door anchor / carabiner / six-year guarantee
This core annihilator in disguise turns traditional moves into asymmetric exercises. In doing so it focuses the resistance on one side of your body, forcing you to compensate and develop muscles you’d usually work with pilates or other core-focused training.
Like most TRX kit, the RIP Trainer is covered by a six-year warranty and comes with a 20lb (9kg) medium chord. You’re not stuck with that, though as light (15lb / 7kg), heavy (25lb / 11kg), extra-heavy (38lb / 17kg) and XX-heavy (50lb / 23kg) cords are available separately at around £15 each.
The included door anchor and carabiner give you options to use it indoors and out. Just bear in mind the system requires a few clear square meters in all directions.
Read our full TRX RIP Trainer review
RELATED CONTENT:
