Resistance Bands, if you’ve never heard of them, are a great fitness accessory that work to provide a bit of extra intensity to your bodyweight workouts. They enable the user to increase the difficulty of an exercise without adding weight, are incredibly user-friendly, easy to incorporate and small enough to bring anywhere. With so many resistance band options on the market today, the question becomes which style of band to choose: fabric bands or latex/rubber bands? Let’s dive into a little bit about the pros and cons of each style, so you can choose the band that best fits your needs!
Latex Resistance Bands
Latex resistance bands are probably the most common type that you will see people using. They generally come in a pack and include anywhere from 3 to 5 bands with varying levels of difficulty or tension. Most of them are color coded so you know which difficulty level you are using. This is a nice feature since you can easily switch up the resistance level depending upon the exercise being performed and your current strength level. Latex bands can be used for lower, upper or even core strength exercises since they stretch further than fabric bands, making them a super versatile option. Common complaints regarding latex bands however, are that they roll up during use and can pull on leg hairs (ouch!) as well as that they stretch out more so than fabric bands over time. Latex resistance bands tend to be less expensive than their fabric counterparts, so they are replaceable without being a strain on your wallet, however this does make them a less eco-friendly option.
Fabric Resistance Bands
Fabric resistance bands on the other hand are typically sold individually as opposed to in packs. This means that you will need to purchase a few of them separately in order to get varying resistance levels, and since they are the more costly option, the expense can add up quickly. Fabric bands also tend to be much stronger than latex bands allowing for less stretch. This means that fabric bands are generally used for lower body exercises only so they are less versatile than latex bands, but make up for the lack of versatility in their overall strength and performance levels. You will definitely feel the burn while using a fabric band! Fabric bands are usually seen as the more comfortable option as they do not roll up when performing exercises. Another bonus is that they can be washed after a good sweat session, whereas latex bands can only be rinsed or wiped. Fabric bands tend to hold their structure better than latex bands, so even though they are the more expensive option, you won’t be replacing them nearly as often as latex or rubber bands, which might be worth it in the long run.
What will you use?
Both Fabric and Latex bands are durable, with varying resistance levels, and are great to increase the intensity on a variety of exercises. They are super portable, meaning you’ll have to ditch all of your excuses and get that workout in! When it comes down to it, the best option is the band that is the most comfortable for you, that will allow you to keep progressing and keep getting stronger, and ultimately- the one that you’ll use!
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