What Are Resistance Bands?

Learn what resistance bands are and how to get the most out of them.

The gym is packed full of equipment that can look confusing to the uninitiated. Cable machines look like an accident waiting to happen and the weights area is an intimidating place.

Resistance bands can be added to that list. Small, unassuming and often overlooked in favour of the heavy metal of machines and free weights, even avid bodybuilders might be left wondering what they are. But they can be an incredibly effective tool, whatever your fitness goal or level of experience.

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What are resistance bands?

As their name suggests, resistance bands are able to provide a level of opposing tension when pulled or stretched. The reason for the confusion is often down to the fact that they come in numerous different shapes and sizes.

“You’ve got mini bands, which are a small loop and go from very easy to very difficult; and you’ve got power bands that are also looped but a bit longer, and again go very thin to very thick,” says Darren Bruce, personal trainer at Third Space. “I use mini bands mainly for activation of muscles, and if I didn’t have any free weights around I’d probably use power bands.”

In addition to mini bands and power bands, you can also get tubes with handles on the end (which perform a similar function to power bands) and longer, unlooped bands that are generally used for physiotherapy and often have a lighter level of resistance.

Not sure how to use your bands? Try this resistance band full-body workout

The colour of a resistance band tends to denote the level of resistance it offers

What do the different colours of resistance band mean?

Even once you’ve got to grips with the different types of resistance bands available, there can still be some confusion when it comes to the level of tension they can provide. Fortunately, there’s a simple way of figuring it out: a colour-based system.

Most brands break the resistance down by five different grades:

• Yellow for extra-light
• Red for light
• Green for medium
• Blue for heavy
• Black for extra-heavy.

If you’re unsure, it’s best to check what’s printed on the band.

Bruce also warns that not all bands are equal. “It’s very difficult to find [bands] that are exactly the same weight. Whereas you can get two dumbbells that can be 10 kilos each, it’s difficult to guarantee that you’ve got two bands that are exactly the same [tension].”

Discover the best resistance band exercises for every body part