Irrespective of your age, the best resistance bands could be a enormous asset to your health routine. You may use them primarily for stretching and warming up, otherwise you may largely use them on your energy coaching. Resistance band workouts are a superb technique to construct energy, enhance muscle, and increase your vary of movement — with out subjecting your joints to the stresses of high-impact, high-intensity resistance workouts.
Easy elastic bands are additionally transportable, light-weight, and straightforward to retailer, making them a superb technique to perform a resistance coaching train program at dwelling. For older adults, this versatility could be a great asset in constructing an at-home health routine. Our crew of health consultants and licensed private trainers has examined the most effective resistance bands for seniors, and we’ve detailed all the professionals and cons you must find out about every possibility.
The 8 Greatest Resistance Bands for Seniors of 2024
Greatest General Resistance Bands for Seniors: Titan Health Gentle Resistance Bands
Titan Health Gentle Resistance Bands
Titan Health Gentle Resistance Bands
This bundle of latex superbands offers 4 resistance bands, ranging in resistance from 2-15lbs as much as 25-80lbs. Loop these round a pull-up bar for assisted pull-ups, or connect them to your barbell so as to add resistance or help all through your carry.
Specs
- Value: $74.99
- Sort of Band: Lengthy-looped band
- Degree of Resistance: 2–80 lbs
- Colours: Yellow, pink, black, purple
- Supplies: Latex
Execs
Sturdy latex building
Safety plan out there (added value)
Present loads of room for development
Cons
Not appropriate for people with latex allergy symptoms
Restricted train functions with out an anchor
If you'd like the most effective of the most effective resistance bands for older adults, BarBend health author and product tester Rosie Borchert provides these Titan Health Gentle Resistance Bands an ideal rating of 5 out of 5 for the general expertise. “These are multi-functional and tremendous simple to move,” she says. “You should utilize these for rehab, prehab, energy coaching, or to help your pull-ups.” In different phrases — these bands are all-around winners.
Borchert additionally says these bands are “tremendous handy,” noting that she will be able to hold one in her bag always for any want, together with a fast exercise on the go. Due to their small dimension and lightweight weight, Borchert provides that these bands are ideally suited for individuals who don’t need to (or can’t!) deliver any heavy or cumbersome gear into their dwelling.
As a result of these are looped bands, they’re nice for sure compound workouts — like squats, good mornings, and shoulder presses — for which you should utilize your ft as anchors. Should you don’t have wherever to anchor them, akin to a pull-up bar or squat rack submit, you may really feel a bit restricted so far as train choice. That stated, we actually like this feature for older adults who won't have exercised shortly (or ever!), for the reason that most resistance is 80 kilos, and workouts can begin with the lightest band, which has a minimal resistance of two kilos.
Value noting: Resistance bands will finally degrade to the purpose of being ineffective. It’s simply the character of the product. Nevertheless, Rosie awards these Titan Health bands a sturdiness rating of 5 out of 5, for the reason that model presents a safety program. With correct care (don’t go away them out within the solar!), these ought to final a number of years at the least. All informed, we expect these are a few of the best home exercise equipment for beginners.
Greatest Finances Resistance Bands for Seniors: REP Health Tube Resistance Bands with Handles
REP Health Tube Resistance Bands with Handles
REP Health Tube Resistance Bands with Handles
This set of resistance bands with handles is available in three totally different color-coded resistance choices, and the resilient handles are designed to offer a agency, safe grip.
Specs
- Value: $21.99
- Sort of Band: Tube bands with handles
- Degree of Resistance: Gentle, medium, and heavy (no lbs specified)
- Colours: Orange, grey, black
- Supplies: Latex
Execs
Handles enhance versatility and train choice
Colour-coded for simple resistance recognition
Cons
Resistance is just not particular in kilos (simply gentle, medium, and heavy)
Doesn't include a door or wall anchor
Not appropriate for these with latex allergy symptoms
Should you’re an older grownup (or actually, an athlete of any age) looking for a comparatively low cost — however very high-quality — set of resistance bands with handles, strive the REP Health Tube Resistance Bands With Handles. These are available in a set of three, with one every of sunshine, medium, and heavy resistance — color-coded to make choosing the correct band a breeze. Every band has a deal with on every finish. And at solely $21.99 per set, you’ll in all probability like the worth.
Our knowledgeable tester and skilled health author Rosie Borchert has nothing however good issues to say about these bands. “I’ve been utilizing most of these bands for the final 10 years and most just lately used them to heat up my shoulders the final a number of weekends earlier than taking part in seashore volleyball,” she says. “They’re additionally light-weight sufficient to slide into my purse at any time when I go away the home.” Due to this, she charges the portability a 5 out of 5, in addition to ease of use, performance, and general expertise.
Due to the handles, train choices enhance considerably. You may nonetheless use your ft to anchor these bands for squats and overhead urgent, you may as well hook these bands round a sturdy anchor level — like a pole of types — and use them for standing chest presses, indirect rotations, woodchops, and seated rows. An alternative choice is to loop a deal with round your ankle for glute and hamstring isolation workouts.
You should purchase any of the three bands as a single, however essentially the most cost-effective means to purchase them is as a full set. It solely prices about $22 for all three, and then you definately’ll have a spread of resistance ranges to make use of for various workouts — as a result of we’re undoubtedly not overhead urgent the identical weight we squat!
[Related: Exercise for Seniors]
Greatest At-Residence Resistance Bands for Seniors: Residing Match Band Set
Residing Match Resistance Bands Set
Residing Match Resistance Bands Set
Residing Match makes their resistance bands from pure rubber latex. They’re out there in six totally different pressure ranges from 5 kilos all the way in which as much as 200 kilos and are bought each individually and in units. Add some selection to your exercises or have extra thorough warmups with a set of resistance bands from Residing Match.
Specs
- Value: $24.99 (4)—$79.99 (6)
- Sort of Band: Lengthy-looped bands
- Degree of Resistance: 10—200 lbs
- Colours: Purple, black, purple, inexperienced, blue, orange
- Supplies: Artificial rubber
Execs
Obtainable in units of 4 or 6 bands
Ranges from 10 kilos of resistance to 200 kilos
Colour-coded for simple choice
Cons
Not appropriate for people with latex allergy symptoms
The looped fashion is much less optimum for a lot of higher physique pushing actions like overhead presses
Older adults looking for resistance bands to make use of at dwelling want look no additional than the Residing Match Band Set, which comes a door anchor with every set — no extra makeshift anchors required. Certain sufficient, our product tester, an authorized private coach and CrossFit Degree-1 coach, says these bands from Residing Match have grow to be a staple of their common coaching and restoration routines at dwelling after utilizing them for a number of months.
They award the Residing Match Band Set a rating of 4.5 out of 5 for the general expertise, saying that the bands are extremely purposeful. “They've a bit extra resistance than different bands and don’t have quite a lot of give — that signifies that they’re a bit of restrictive for sure actions,” our tester says. “However once more, tremendous nice bands general, simply totally different from the standard resistance profile.”
These bands additionally earn an ideal 5-out-of-5 rating for sturdiness, with our tester saying, “I haven’t seen any vital put on and tear after utilizing them for months in my dwelling coaching routine.”
With resistance ranges starting from 10 to 200 kilos, this set is good for people seeking to begin gentle and work their means as much as heavier units. These bands are of the long-looped fashion, so that they’re ideally suited for compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, and presses. With the lighter ones, you may as well do loads of isolation workouts akin to band pull-aparts and lateral raises; with an anchor level, your train choice will enhance considerably, together with inverted rows to strengthen your again and posture.
Notably, this resistance band set comes with a lifetime guarantee: Residing Match will exchange any of your bands in the event that they snap.
Learn our full Living Fit Resistance Bands Review.
Greatest Latex-Free Resistance Bands: Fringe Sport Resistance Bands
Fringe Sport Resistance Bands
Fringe Sport Resistance Bands
These latex-free resistance bands present between 20 and 175 kilos of resistance, good for aiding with pull-ups, stretching, and attaching to a barbell for added resistance in your bench press or deadlift.
Specs
- Value: $28
- Sort of Band: Lengthy-looped bands
- Degree of Resistance: 20–175 lbs
- Colours: Orange, blue, inexperienced, purple, black, pink
- Supplies: Biomedical-grade artificial rubber
Execs
Made from artificial rubber, so they're secure for folks with latex allergy symptoms
Obtainable as singles or in units
Colour-coded for simple choice
Wide selection of resistance ranges
Cons
Some clients report sturdiness points after a yr
No anchor system included
It may be troublesome to get into place for sure compound strikes, like deadlifts
Most resistance bands are constituted of pure rubber, which incorporates latex. Some folks have allergy symptoms to latex, that means latex bands are out of the query. Fortunately, there are some high quality latex-free resistance bands out there, like these from Fringe Sport. Made out of biomedical-grade artificial rubber, they're secure for folks with latex allergy symptoms to make use of.
Our tester and health author Rosie Borchert awards the Fringe Sport Resistance Bands a rating of 5 out of 5 for performance, saying, “These bands are extremely versatile. You should utilize them to stretch, to strengthen, to help in mobility, to get well, and to help with pull-ups. The extra inventive you might be, the extra workouts you are able to do with them.”
Borchert says she likes utilizing the smaller bands to heat up, particularly her shoulders, and the thicker (heavier) bands for energy workouts. She does word, nevertheless, that the thickest bands will be difficult to work with, particularly for newcomers or these with restricted mobility — the orange band goes as much as 175 kilos of resistance, in order that checks out! She says that it’s powerful to get into the beginning place for deadlifts and different workouts the place the band has to loop round your neck and shoulders.
You should purchase the Fringe Sport Resistance Bands as singles or as a set; there are a number of totally different set choices relying in your wants. With costs beginning at $28 for the lightest band and as much as $192 for a full set, these bands are a discount regardless of the way you slice it: It’s practically inconceivable to return by 175 kilos of resistance for that worth with the best adjustable dumbbells.
Greatest Full-Physique Resistance Bands for Seniors: Residing Match Full Physique and Squat Exercise Equipment
Specs
- Value: $169
- Sort of Band: Nylon-covered tube resistance bands with attachments
- Degree of Resistance: 20–60 lbs
- Colours: Black, purple, orange
- Supplies: Nylon, artificial rubber
Execs
Full set for resistance band exercises
Comes with barbell, anchor, journey bag, and handles
Can mimic most free weight workouts with this set
Cons
Solely 3 bands included, with a max resistance of 60 kilos
Is perhaps difficult for taller folks to work with the barbell
The Residing Match Full Physique and Squat Exercise Equipment is the resistance band set you want if you wish to do the whole lot from squats to biceps curls to alternating lunges. This set comes with three nylon-covered tube resistance bands with attachment factors on every finish of every band, to which you'll be able to fasten handles or a small metal barbell that comes with the set.
At $169, this isn’t the least costly set, but it surely’s a worthy funding for individuals who need to have the ability to mimic most actions they may accomplish with free weights. Due to the barbell, it’s simpler to carry out varied squatting, lunging, urgent, and pulling motions than it's with a typical loop band or tube band. People who find themselves very tall may face some challenges with overhead urgent, as being taller means you should overcome higher resistance (as a result of band stretching out additional).
Along with the barbell, which breaks down into two smaller items, this set additionally comes with handles and a door anchor to additional enhance your motion selections. All the bands and equipment match neatly into the included carrying bag.
The sunshine band offers as much as 20 kilos of resistance; the medium band offers as much as 40 kilos; and the heavy band offers as much as 60 kilos. For newcomers and lots of older adults, these resistance ranges are adequate for difficult the muscle tissues and bettering health.
[Related: Best Barbells]
Greatest Resistance Bands With Handles for Seniors: Rogue Tube Bands
Rogue Tube Bands
Rogue Tube Bands are good for performing banded variations of normal accent strikes, like curls, rows, and overhead presses. Throw them in your fitness center bag on your subsequent exercise.
Specs
- Value: $75
- Sort of Band: Tube bands with handles
- Degree of Resistance: Very gentle, gentle, medium, heavy, very heavy, tremendous heavy (10–60 lbs)
- Colours: Purple, black, inexperienced, blue, pink, orange
- Supplies: Latex-based elastic
Execs
6 resistance ranges to select from
Obtainable as singles or in units
Handles enhance versatility
Cons
Made from latex; is probably not appropriate for customers with latex allergy symptoms
Not rated in kilos, solely in descriptors like “gentle” and “heavy”
No anchor system included
Identified for making gear just like the best kettlebells and squat racks, Rogue Health additionally makes quite a lot of resistance bands. This set of tube bands from Rogue is our high decide for resistance bands with handles for older adults due to their sturdiness and flexibility. In keeping with our product tester, an authorized private coach, the handles considerably enhance the variety of train selections that may be carried out with these bands.
Our tester additionally calls these bands very sturdy, which they attribute to the latex-based elastic building. Whereas that guidelines these bands out for these with latex allergy symptoms, it’s an enormous optimistic for individuals who aren’t allergic.
However for older adults eager to do some overhead presses, being tall could be an impediment. “The handles make these actually versatile — nevertheless, I struggled to do overhead presses as a result of I’m tall,” explains our tester. To be honest, that’s much less the fault of those bands and extra concerning the performance of resistance bands for overhead presses to start with. Nonetheless, it’s price noting this downside for taller people.
Obtainable for buy as singles or in a number of totally different set choices, these Rogue resistance bands vary from “very gentle” to “tremendous heavy.” The lightest band offers 10 kilos of resistance whereas the heaviest offers 60 kilos, making these appropriate for a spread of energy ranges and totally different workouts. By way of worth, our licensed private coach tester scores these bands at a 4 out of 5, saying: “They’re costly however doubtless due to their sturdy latex-based elastic.”
Greatest Mini Resistance Bands for Seniors: Iron Bull Mini Bands
Iron Bull Mini Bands
The 5 pack of mini bands ranges in resistance from X-Gentle to XX-Heavy, so you may prepare with progressive overload or activate your glutes earlier than you carry heavy.
Specs
- Value: $25
- Sort of Band: Mini loop bands
- Degree of Resistance: X-light–XX-heavy
- Colours: Black, pink, orange, yellow, blue, inexperienced
- Supplies: Pure latex
Execs
Wide selection of resistance ranges
Best for lower-body workouts
Cons
Not essentially the most versatile sort of band
Not out there to buy as singles (set solely)
Product tester and health author Rosie Borchert is a fan of mini resistance bands — she’s had a set in her fitness center bag for the final 20 years. They’re nice for activating the glutes earlier than a leg exercise, in addition to getting in some energy work from a seated place, she says. So it’s excessive reward when Borchert charges Iron Bull Mini Bands a 5 out of 5 for the general expertise, making them our favourite mini bands for older adults.
Borchert explains that Iron Bull Mini Bands aren’t simply nice for glute and leg workouts, but in addition for shoulders and biceps. She provides them a 4 out of 5 for sturdiness, knocking that one level simply because mini bands usually don’t are usually tremendous sturdy. “I’ve been utilizing these bands for about two weeks, and thus far they’re holding up nice,” she says. “Nevertheless, my expertise with most of these bands is that they solely final so lengthy. They’ll slowly lose their elasticity over time and also you’ll want to switch them. These really feel actually sturdy, however simply the character of such a product isn’t extraordinarily sturdy.”
Borchert additionally commends Iron Bull for the breadth of resistance throughout these bands. “There’s an excellent quantity of resistance ranges on this pack,” she says. “You get six bands starting from X-light (inexperienced) as much as XX-heavy (black). The heavy resistance bands are nice for leg work and glute activation, whereas the lighter bands are good for these entering into health, older adults, or upper-body work like one-arm rows and overhead triceps extension.”
Greatest Comfy Resistance Bands for Seniors: DMoose Cloth Resistance Bands
Specs
- Value: $39
- Sort of Band: Cloth looped band
- Degree of Resistance: 5–75 lbs
- Colours: Grey, pink, black, blue, teal
- Supplies: Woven elastic
Execs
Woven cloth is sort to pores and skin and is safer for folks with latex allergy symptoms
Received’t roll up or snap like rubber resistance bands
Lengthy-looped fashion will increase versatility
Cons
Resistance is sort of stronger than rubber variations (for a similar score, e.g., “gentle”)
Not bought as singles, solely as units
Let’s be trustworthy — at any age, consolation is (or ought to be) key with health gear. The thought is already to push your self — why do you have to begin out uncomfortable earlier than even lifting something? Enter DMoose Cloth Resistance Bands. This distinctive set of looped resistance bands is a should for individuals who need to train with resistance bands however discover typical latex or artificial rubber bands uncomfortable to the contact. Rubber resistance bands can pull at pores and skin and physique hair, to not point out they could roll up or snap throughout use — particularly close to the tip of their usable lifespan.
These DMoose Cloth Resistance Bands eradicate all of these issues because of their woven building. Certainly one of our knowledgeable testers, an authorized private coach and CrossFit Degree-1 coach, says: “After a number of weeks of use, these cloth bands held their pressure rather well. None of them had been frayed or broken in any respect, which is encouraging since that is such an uncommon materials for bands.”
You may select from a pack of three (gentle, medium, and heavy) or a pack of 5 (gentle, medium, heavy, additional heavy, and tremendous heavy), although the DMoose bands aren’t out there for buy as singles. In keeping with our product tester, these bands appear to supply extra resistance than rubber resistance bands for a given class.
“I’ve used an entire lot of most of these bands, and I've to say that even the sunshine resistance band appears a bit of extra intense than a lot of the competitors’s gentle bands—so be prepared!” they are saying. “Normally, I wrestle to get sufficient problem from gentle resistance bands, however this gentle model nonetheless obtained my glutes firing rather well. I really like that as a result of whether or not I used to be squatting or doing glute bridges and clam shells, my glutes had been feeling it.”
[Related: Best Home Gym Equipment]
How We Examined and Selected the Greatest Resistance Bands for Seniors
Our crew of licensed private trainers, CrossFit instructors, weightlifting instructors, and athletes has spent collective years utilizing resistance bands for varied health functions. We additionally took every of the merchandise featured right here — plus a number of others — by way of particular assessments and ranked them from 1 (not nice) to five (superior) throughout totally different classes utilizing our BarBend equipment testing methodology.
- Supplies: From latex to cloth, we made certain to incorporate a spread of fabric sorts, for the reason that materials sort largely dictates how the resistance band can be utilized and its resistance degree (plus, we made certain to incorporate loads of non-latex choices for these with allergy symptoms or texture preferences).
- Anchoring: We analyzed anchoring techniques to find out what sort of workouts every resistance band set was greatest suited to, and gave a desire to these with sturdy anchor techniques.
- Equipment: We thought of equipment, akin to ankle straps, door anchors, and carrying luggage, in our search. The extra equipment, the extra succesful the set.
- Resistance vary: With a view to carry out full-body exercises, it’s vital to have entry to totally different resistance ranges. Most individuals can deal with extra resistance for lower-body workouts than upper-body workouts, so having each gentle and heavy bands is good.
- Sturdiness: Throughout testing, we took word of how sturdy every set of bands appeared, and whether or not we seen any untimely indicators of damage and tear.
Advantages of the Greatest Resistance Bands for Seniors
Resistance bands are a few of the health gear you may get for older adults — and, let’s be actual, folks of any age. Not solely can resistance band exercises aid you construct muscle, however not like treadmills and different cumbersome gear, bands are light-weight and straightforward to stash when not in use.
- Newbie-friendly: Whereas there are different choices for compact train gear (like adjustable dumbbells and TRX strap systems, to call a pair), resistance bands have a smaller studying curve and are beginner-friendly, decreasing the chance of damage whereas exercising.
- Versatile: Resistance bands could appear to be glorified rubber bands on the floor, however we’re prepared to wager you’ll end up stunned at how a lot you are able to do with them. They aren’t only for bodily remedy! From chest press to bent-over rows, you may work all main muscle teams with resistance bands.
- Efficient: Like with some other sort of energy coaching gear, it’s completely doable to get stronger utilizing solely resistance bands so long as you proceed difficult your muscle tissues.
Don’t neglect that cardio is vital, too — study concerning the benefits of walking as a complement to your energy coaching routine.
How A lot Do the Greatest Resistance Bands for Seniors Price?
Certainly one of our favourite issues about resistance bands is their inexpensive worth. Not like bigger, tech-driven items of kit, such because the best treadmills or train bikes, resistance bands received’t require an enormous upfront fee.
| Greatest General Resistance Bands for Seniors | Titan Health Gentle Resistance Bands | $74.99 |
| Greatest Finances Resistance Bands for Seniors | REP Health Tube Resistance Bands with Handles | $21.99 |
| Greatest At-Residence Resistance Bands for Seniors | Residing Match Band Set | $44.99 |
| Greatest Latex-Free Resistance Bands | Fringe Sport Resistance Bands | $28–$192 |
| Greatest Full-Physique Resistance Bands for Seniors | Residing Match Full Physique and Squat Exercise Equipment | $169 |
| Greatest Resistance Bands With Handles for Seniors | Rogue Tube Bands | $75 |
| Greatest Mini Resistance Bands for Seniors | Iron Bull Mini Bands | $25 |
| Greatest Comfy Resistance Bands for Seniors | DMoose Cloth Resistance Bands | $39 |
What to Contemplate Earlier than Shopping for the Greatest Resistance Bands for Seniors
Don’t be fooled by the concept your exercise routine and gear must be fancy to be efficient. Then once more, you’ll need to keep away from an impulse purchase. Listed below are a few of the elements you’ll need to take into account earlier than making your buy.
Sort of Band
Between long-looped resistance bands, hip/glute resistance bands, tube resistance bands with handles, cloth resistance bands, and remedy (non-looped) bands, there’s a sort of resistance band for nearly each sort of train.
Loop bands are greatest for compound workouts like squats, whereas hip/glute bands are perfect for lower-body isolation workouts akin to hip abductions (cloth bands often match into that class, too). Tube bands are glorious if in case you have a powerful anchor level, they usually help you do loads of pushing and pulling workouts for the higher physique. Remedy bands are inclined to have much less resistance and are perfect for warm-ups and damage rehab.
Resistance Vary
Most people will discover it ideally suited to have an entire set of resistance bands with a number of resistance ranges, particularly if these bands represent everything of their energy coaching gear. Older adults could particularly profit from a resistance band set that lets you steadily enhance the problem to your muscle tissues whereas specializing in type and approach with lighter bands.
Anchoring System
A sturdy anchoring system takes you from with the ability to just do the fundamentals — like squats, shoulder presses, and deadlifts — to with the ability to carry out an train routine that mimics the complexity of 1 you are able to do with free weights. When procuring, search for sturdy anchoring techniques akin to people who bolt right into a wall (if portability isn’t a priority) or high-quality door anchors.
Equipment
Whereas not mandatory, equipment can even elevate your property exercise routine. Contemplate buying a resistance band set with ankle straps and various kinds of attachments for the tip of the band.
Greatest Resistance Bands for Seniors FAQs
Are resistance bands good for seniors?
Completely; resistance bands are a superb means for older adults so as to add resistance to their energy coaching workouts. They’re an particularly nice possibility for people who really feel that even the best bodyweight exercises aren’t difficult sufficient anymore, and need a secure and efficient technique to progress their health.
How do seniors use resistance bands at dwelling?
Older adults can use resistance bands at dwelling for nearly any train. Should you’re not sure of correct type or approach, take into account signing up for a training program, logging onto one of many best workout apps, or doing a number of periods with an in-person private coach earlier than doing the workouts at dwelling by yourself. Alternatively, you possibly can lookup educational movies on YouTube for steering.
How ought to an 80-year-old use resistance bands for legs?
The precise workouts anybody ought to do rely upon their health degree, energy, mobility, and motion limitations and expertise they might have. For an 80-year-old exercising with resistance bands, seated workouts would be the most secure possibility relying on earlier expertise and present skills. Whereas seated, it’s doable to do leg extensions, hip abductions, marches, calf presses, overhead presses, band pull-aparts, and extra.
Which resistance band degree is greatest?
One of the best resistance band degree is completely depending on the exerciser’s present energy degree, in addition to the train being carried out. If planning to train with resistance bands at dwelling, it’s ideally suited to have a full set with various resistance ranges. This may help you safely and successfully carry out a spread of workouts for each the higher and decrease physique.