The rubber band, which initially caused skepticism, has now become a simple and effective life hack in the world of sports. Moreover, it is popular not only among women involved in fitness, but also among professional athletes. The elastic band, which is also called tape, expander and shock absorber, is a projectile that complicates classes due to the force of resistance. It is compact, easy to use and is considered a good alternative to exercise equipment.
The main advantage of rubber bands for fitness is their versatility. The projectile can be used at home or in the gym, it is suitable for complex exercises and strengthening of individual parts of the body, it can be used by professionals and beginners. There are also no weight or age restrictions. The main thing is to know which expander to choose for your individual characteristics.
5 best fitness bands for beginners | ||
1 | Peach bands | most popular set |
2 | ONLITOP, 30x5x0.7 cm | The cheapest gum |
3 | GO DO X-easy | Suitable for children |
4 | Atemi 4pcs alr02 | Maximum set |
5 | Goodly Luting Fit Pack of 3 | The best width for rubber bands |
1. Resistance and load
What level of load is suitable for beginnersResistance or load is one of the key factors when choosing a fitness band. This is the force with which the tape returns to rest after being stretched. Moreover, this is not a stable value, since the resistance force increases in proportion to the stretching of the elastic band. Therefore, several parameters are used to designate it - approximate load, thickness and marking.
Load marked kilogramseg 5 to 10 or 10 to 14 kg. It means that with a minimum pull of the elastic band, its resistance will be about 5 kg, and with a maximum - 10 kg. By thickness the level of general resistance is also determined. The larger it is, the greater the load the elastic can withstand. And the third parameter marking: depending on the company, it can be identified by the symbols of the sizes XS, S, M, L, XL or the words Light, Medium, Heavy.
Beginners are advised to buy an elastic band with a minimum load, gradually increasing it. The range from 3-4 to 10-15 kg should be enough, while the marking should be Light. If, despite the beginning of training with an elastic band, you are already accustomed to heavy loads, then it is better to immediately purchase Medium along with the Light elastic band.
2. Length
What length of elastic band is considered optimalWhen choosing the length of the elastic, you should focus on the exercises that you plan to do with them. Mostly on sale there are products with a length of 25 and 30 cm or 50 and 60 cm, if you count along the circumference. They are considered standard and are suitable for classic fitness exercises such as squats, lunges or bends. At the same time, instructors often recommend purchasing elastic bands with a length of 30 cm. It is believed that the higher it is, the greater the load the product can carry. Elastic bands 30 cm stretch better than 25 cm.In this regard, their service life and wear resistance are somewhat higher. But in general, 25 cm is enough for beginners. The difference in this case is not so dramatic, so here you can be guided by your budget.
The situation is different with yoga, Pilates and pull-ups. For this type of sports load, the standard length is not enough. In this case, you need to choose a fitness gum from 1 meter and above.
Peach bands
most popular set
3. Width
How width affects the comfort of an elastic bandThis parameter is considered less significant than the length. But still it is worth paying attention to. The width of most rubber bands is 5 cm. It is considered standard and is suitable for any exercise. Less often in the assortment there are models with a width of 7-8 cm. These elastic bands are considered to be broadwhich gives them a number of advantages. Firstly, such models press less during stretch marks. Secondly, unlike standard ones, they practically do not twist during training. But the main plus is that with the same length, a wide tape provides a load on the muscles in 1.5-2 times more.
4. Thickness
How to determine the load level by thicknessThis value is often ignored when buying gum. However, there is a reason why the width is still worth considering. It is indicated on the packaging of the tape along with kilograms. The greater the resistance and the number of kilograms, the greater the width of the gum. That is, she directly proportional to load. However, some manufacturers make mistakes when indicating the range in kilograms. This has been repeatedly noticed by coaches.And if for professional athletes a difference of several kilograms will not be noticeable, then for beginners it can be significant. Therefore, the width is a secure parameter by which the exact load can be calculated. The table shows the standard correspondence between width and kilogram. It can be used to determine the load range.
5. Material
What material is considered the highest qualityRubber bands for fitness are made from three types of materials:
Latex. Most manufacturers prefer it. This is due to two factors. First, latex bands are the cheapest. And secondly, they have optimal technical characteristics - convenience, durability and practicality. The only drawback is associated with the likelihood of an allergic reaction to latex.
Polyurethane. Polyurethane rubber bands are often the choice of allergy sufferers. Compared to latex, this material is considered completely hypoallergenic and is great for women with sensitive skin. It is also distinguished by increased wear resistance and better quality indicators. But models made of polyurethane are much more expensive than latex ones.
Rubber. The cheapest material, which is inferior in quality to the previous two. Like latex, it can cause an allergic reaction, but its wear resistance is much lower. But despite all the shortcomings, rubber products are in considerable demand due to their low cost.
In total, for beginners who are not allergic to latex, we recommend giving preference to this material. For those who care that the fitness rubber lasts as long as possible, it makes sense to overpay and purchase a polyurethane product.
6. Country of manufacture
What is the difference between latex rubber bands from different countriesNot all experienced fitness instructors take into account this nuance. As mentioned earlier, latex rubber bands are considered the most popular. At the same time, the same material can differ markedly in quality. The reason for this is the different countries where the material is produced. Most often, latex is made in China, Malaysia and Thailand. The highest quality material is considered to be from Malaysia. Typically, these rubber bands have a higher degree of strength and elasticity. They can stretch up to 5 times. And this is much more than the average. But, unfortunately, latex expanders made in Malaysia are extremely rare. As for the latex from China and Thailand, their quality is about the same.
Atemi 4pcs alr02
Maximum set
7. Purpose
How to choose a fitness band depending on the purposeWhen choosing a fitness band, be sure to build on your goals. In some cases, you need to lose weight, in others - to increase muscle elasticity. Basically, gum is used for such purposes:
Weight loss in problem areas. This is the minimum effect that is observed with regular exercise with a fitness band. Fat burning is several times faster. In some cases, the tape also has an anti-cellulite effect.
Increasing muscle elasticity. On the one hand, the elastic band activates and develops muscle groups that are not involved without it. On the other hand, it helps to quickly bring them into tone, improve elasticity and strength of resistance.Another positive effect that is observed from classes with an elastic band is the strengthening of tendons and joints.
Rehabilitation after injuries. Often, gum is prescribed as a load in the restoration of limb injuries.
It is also always worth considering the exercises that you plan to perform with the rubber band. For additional loads on the legs and buttocks it is better to buy dense elastic bands. When arm or shoulder workouts It is recommended to use tapes with medium resistance. For light warm-up you can take products with minimal resistance. By the way, weak elastic bands are often used for rehabilitation training.
Fitness instructors also recommend considering range of motion. For high range exercises, it is safer to use low resistance bands. For a short amplitude, on the contrary, you can take a tighter elastic band.
You can find out for what specific purposes the tape is intended in its description. Most models are universal. However, the specifications should indicate recommendations for use. If you are strengthening different muscle groups, it is best to purchase a set of fitness bands. Usually it includes from 3 to 5 rubber bands with different resistance. This will allow you to select the best option for different types of exercises, as well as gradually increase the load.
8. Types of fitness tapes
What is the difference between different types of fitness bandsToday on sale you can find different types of fitness rubber bands. Some of them are more suitable for beginners, others are for professionals, and others are universal in use. In general, rubber bands can be divided into three basic types:
Elastic bands. The simplest type, which is pieces of latex material of different widths and lengths. Often they are sold in rolls, so you can choose the parameters for an individual request. Such tapes are of two types: flat and tubular. The first is considered classic, with an average level of rigidity. The second option is characterized by increased strength and is equipped with handles. In general, elastic bands are suitable for beginner athletes. They are used for almost all types of exercises. But it is best used to burn extra calories. But for muscle development, they show a small effect. The disadvantage of such elastic bands is that they need to be wound and fixed by hand during training. This causes discomfort in the form of tension and slight deformation of the skin.
Standard or mini loop. This is a multi-layered rubber band with a standard length of 50 or 60 cm. Loops are sold both in a single copy and in sets of 3-5 pieces. It is the loop that is considered the most convenient fitness equipment. Unlike tape, it does not need to be supported by hands. She simply puts on her legs or arms. The loop greatly increases the difficulty of the exercises. It adds resistance, due to which additional muscle groups are activated, which are not involved without an elastic band. As a result of training, not only excess weight is burned, but muscles are well strengthened and developed. For beginners, the loop is just as suitable as the tape.
Long loop. Arranged in the same way as the mini version. Its only difference is in size. The length of the product is from one meter or more. And the width is about 9 cm. This species is considered more highly specialized. Long loops are used for yoga, Pilates, pull-ups and some gymnastic exercises.If desired, a long loop can be folded several times and used as a regular or mini.
In general, an elastic band with handles or a standard large-width loop is considered the best option for beginners. It is only worth paying extra for a long loop if your workouts require this type of elastic band.
ONLITOP, 30x5x0.7 cm
The cheapest gum
9. Color
How to determine the level of resistance by colorBeginners should definitely know that the variety of shades of rubber bands is far from being associated with aesthetic preferences. Color indicates varying degrees of hardness and resistance. As a rule, light and warm shades indicate minimal or medium resistance, while cold and dark ones, on the contrary, indicate a large load. We list the main ones:
Yellow. Denotes the softest rubber bands with the least resistance. Most of all, they are suitable for beginner athletes, or are used to prepare muscles for further training.
Red. Indicates an easy level, which is also recommended for beginners.
Green. Usually this color indicates the average level of load. For the very beginning, there can be a lot of such resistance. A green projectile can overload the muscles. Therefore, it should only be used after a yellow or red level.
Blue. This is an advanced level designed for professionals with a high level of training.
Black. The most rigid elastic bands with a resistance of about 85 kg are marked with this color. They are rarely used even by experienced craftsmen.
Please note that this is only a rough standardized guideline. Each company has a range of colors that correspond to individual parameters.
10. Manufacturer
The most popular manufacturers of fitness rubber bandsWhen choosing a company, we recommend giving preference to large manufacturers with a good assortment of rubber bands, as well as the presence of other sports goods. Among them we note:
GO DO. The company has one of the best assortments of rubber bands on the Russian market. On sale there are single copies with a different level of load, as well as kits for beginners and professionals. Here you can find a fitness band for any purpose.
Peach bands. The company cannot boast the same extensive range as GO DO. But she can be awarded the audience award. Rubber bands Peach bands scored the maximum number of positive reviews from users. Quality, wear resistance, convenience, appearance - all important indicators for products at their best.
ONLITOP. The company has been on the market since 2014 and today includes more than 10 types of sporting goods in its assortment. Among them you will find hoops, jump ropes, trampolines, horizontal bars and, of course, fitness rubber bands. The main trump card of the company is low prices. Even if you buy expanders individually and make a set of them, it will be much more profitable than a ready-made set from other manufacturers.
5 best fitness bands for beginners
Of all the variety of elastic bands on the market today, it is difficult for a beginner to figure out which model to choose for their purposes. Especially for you, we have prepared the top 5 best rubber bands for fitness, which are ideal for beginner athletes.
Top 5. Goodly Luting Fit Pack of 3
The model is very popular among women who decide to complicate fitness classes. The kit includes 3 durable elastic bands for light (8 to 14.5 kg), medium (13 to 23 kg), and heavy (20 to 30 kg) levels. All ribbons are made of latex, each of them is 8 cm wide and 75 cm long. In general, even the last level is quite convenient for amateurs with minimal training. The tapes are made quite high quality - there are no crooked seams or the smell of rubber. In the process of training, they do not roll down and do not rub. Please note that in this model, the actual resistance is less than the declared one.
Top 4. Atemi 4pcs alr02
The Atemi set includes 4 natural latex bands. Due to its low load, it is suitable for beginner athletes. The resistance of the lightest tape is only 4 kg, and the heaviest - 18 kg. Therefore, the set can be used to work out any muscles, as well as rehabilitation after injuries. By the way, users claim that the declared load is still less than the actual one by about 1-2 kg. The tapes have a standard thickness and width, during some exercises they can twist a little. The main advantage of the set is, of course, low cost.
Top 3. GO DO X-easy
GO DO X-easy is ideal for those who want to work out with a rubber band for the first time. The expander with a length of 60 cm and a load of 4 kg is designed specifically for children, women and beginner athletes. Most of all, it is suitable for warming up muscles, improving joint mobility and losing weight.Users noted that the elastic band showed the maximum effect during the warm-up of the hands. But for the legs, such resistance may not be enough. But the company has a large selection of tapes from the same line. You can always purchase a similar gum with the next load level.
Top 2. ONLITOP, 30x5x0.7 cm
Yellow mini-loop designed to improve the tone of the muscles of the buttocks, legs, chest and shoulder girdle. The manufacturer indicates that the elastic should be used for side steps, swings, lunges, and also as a chest expander. The model is perfect for women, children and beginners. It is with a load of 5 kg that many begin their acquaintance with fitness tapes. If you wish, you can continue and purchase the next gum in the light green line with a resistance of 8 kg. Compared to other companies, ONLITOP prices are much lower. At the same time, buyers are satisfied with the quality of rubber bands.
Top 1. Peach bands
An excellent set for preparatory and initial trainings. Beautiful appearance, convenience, affordable price - that's why users have left a lot of positive feedback about the product. The kit includes three tapes with resistance from 5 to 25 kg. They are made of dense latex and equipped with silicone inserts - for a stronger fixation. The length and width of the elastic is more than the standard - 38 and 8 cm, respectively. Thanks to these parameters, it does not roll, does not slip and does not rub. Despite the Chinese manufacturer, the tapes are quite wear-resistant and withstand heavy loads.