Resistance band exercises: 10 moves, what the colors mean and a 20-minute full-body routine

The short answer: the best resistance band exercises for a full-body workout are the squat, chest press, row, pull-apart, lateral raise, biceps curl, triceps extension, leg press, standing hip abduction and clamshell. Do 8 to 12 reps of upper-body moves and 12 to 16 of leg moves, 2 to 3 times a week with a rest day between. A 2019 review found bands build strength as well as weights.

The NHS counts band work as muscle-strengthening activity. For moves with no equipment, see our exercises at home.

What are the best resistance band exercises?

The best band exercises work the big muscle groups the NHS lists: legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms. These 10 come from British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Cleveland Clinic guides.

How do you do each resistance band exercise?

Move slowly in both directions and breathe out on the effort. If you can’t keep good form, the BHF says to switch to a band with less resistance.

1. Squat. Stand on the middle of the band, feet hip-width apart, holding the ends at your waist. Bend your knees and lower your hips as far as is comfortable, then stand. Seated version: stand up from a chair holding the band, then sit back down.
2. Chest press. Pass the band behind your back and hold an end in each hand under your arms, elbows out to the sides. Press your hands forward until your arms are nearly straight. Return slowly.
3. Row. Anchor the band at chest height and hold an end in each hand. Pull your elbows back close to your sides, then let your arms extend slowly.
4. Pull-apart. Hold the band at shoulder level, hands shoulder-width apart, palms down. Keeping your arms straight, pull your hands out to the sides until your shoulder blades squeeze together. Return slowly.
5. Lateral raise. Stand on the middle of the band with one foot and hold an end in each hand. With elbows slightly bent, raise your arms out to the sides to shoulder height. Lower slowly.
6. Biceps curl. Stand on the band and hold the ends at your sides, palms forward. Keeping your elbows by your sides, curl your hands up toward your shoulders. Lower slowly.
7. Triceps extension. Hold one end of the band on your left hip with your left hand. Hold the other end with your right hand just behind your right hip, elbow pointing back. Straighten your right arm behind you without moving your elbow. Switch sides.
8. Leg press. Sit tall, loop the band under one foot and hold the ends at your waist with your knee drawn up. Push your leg out straight against the band, then bring it back. Switch legs.
9. Standing hip abduction. With a loop band around both ankles, hold a wall or chair. Lift one straight leg out to the side, then lower it. Switch legs.
10. Clamshell. Lie on your side, knees bent, with a loop band around both thighs. Keep your feet together and lift your top knee, then lower it. Switch sides.

What do resistance band colors mean?

Band colors show resistance levels, and darker colors usually mean more tension, as Cleveland Clinic notes. But colors and strengths vary by brand, so check your set’s own chart. The figures below are for TheraBand flat bands, one of the most common brands, as measured in a 2016 lab study.

Resistance rises the further you stretch, so every band gets harder near the end of a move. The study also measured every color below the maker’s figures, by 13% to 44%, so treat any chart as rough. Bigger moves need more tension: Cleveland Clinic gives the example of a chest press needing more than a biceps curl. That’s why the BHF suggests a set of several bands.

What is a good 20-minute resistance band workout?

A good 20-minute workout is a short warm-up, two rounds of six full-body moves and a cool-down. Do it on 2 or 3 days a week, leaving at least a day between sessions, as the BHF advises.

Next time, swap in the other four moves. For back-friendly moves to add on rest days, see our exercises for lower back pain.

How do you anchor a resistance band safely?

Attach the band to something sturdy, and tug it hard before every set. Cleveland Clinic gives that advice for door anchors, and an NHS physiotherapy leaflet says the band must be anchored to a sturdy object before you start.

• Check the band first. Look for small tears or punctures before each use. Throw away a damaged band.
• Keep it away from your face. The NHS leaflet says never to use a band near or level with your eyes, in case it snaps back.
• Don’t overstretch it. Cleveland Clinic warns this can make a band snap. Use a heavier band instead.
• Wear shoes so the band can’t slip, and check your soles for stones before you stand on it.
• Mind latex. Many bands contain natural latex. If you’re allergic, buy latex-free bands.
• Store it cool and dry, out of sunlight and away from radiators. Sun and cold can weaken bands.

How do you progress with resistance bands?

Make the band tighter, add reps or sets, or move to the next color, changing one thing at a time. The BHF suggests starting a move with your hands closer together, or holding the band tighter, to add resistance. Harvard Health notes that with bands you change the tautness to make a move harder or easier.

1. Start with 1 set of each move at a level where the last 2 reps feel tough.
2. Build to 2, then 3 sets over a few weeks.
3. When the top of the rep range feels easy, shorten the band or step up one color.
4. Only move up if your form holds, as Cleveland Clinic advises.

Are resistance bands as good as dumbbells?

For building strength, yes. A 2019 review of 8 studies found elastic bands and tubes gave similar strength gains to weight machines and dumbbells in both the arms and the legs. Each has its strengths:

When you want an exact number to beat each week, try our beginner dumbbell workout. For a weekly plan that combines strength and cardio, see the best workout routine.

When should you stop a resistance band workout?

Stop right away if you feel sharp pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or light-headedness, the NHS leaflet says. If pain persists, get advice. The BHF says to check with your doctor first if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure.

What should you do next?

Pair your band workouts with enough protein, since strength and protein together are the core of keeping muscle as you age. If you’d like four weeks of high-protein meals planned out, the meal plan below has grocery lists and prep plans. It was written with menopause in mind, and its meals are high in protein.

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Quick questions

Are resistance bands as good as weights?

For building strength, yes. A 2019 review of 8 studies found that training with elastic bands or tubes gave similar strength gains to weight machines and dumbbells, in both the upper and lower body. Weights make it easier to track exact progress, while bands are cheaper and portable.

Can resistance bands build muscle?

Yes. Cleveland Clinic says bands can strengthen muscles as effectively as traditional weights, as long as you take your muscles to fatigue and keep raising the challenge. Shorten the band, add reps or sets, or move up a color as each move gets easier.

Do resistance bands count as strength training?

Yes. The NHS lists working with resistance bands as a muscle-strengthening activity. To count toward the guideline of 2 strength days a week, work all major muscle groups and keep going until you need a short rest before repeating the move.

Which resistance band color should a beginner start with?

Start with a band you can stretch through the whole move while still feeling your muscles work, as the BHF advises. That is usually one of the lighter bands in a set. Colors vary by brand, so check your set’s chart, and use a heavier band for bigger moves like squats.

Can resistance bands snap?

Yes, they can. Cleveland Clinic warns that overstretching a band can make it snap, and sun or cold can weaken it. Check for small tears before every use, throw away damaged bands, and never use a band near or level with your eyes.

How often should you do resistance band exercises?

Two to 3 times a week is a good target. The BHF suggests doing band exercises at least 2 to 3 times a week and leaving at least a day between sessions so your muscles can rest. Walking or other light activity fits well on the days between.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, a latex allergy, a joint or back problem or another health condition, check with your doctor or a physical therapist before starting.

Sources

• British Heart Foundation: Resistance band exercises you can do at home in 10 minutes
• Cleveland Clinic: How effective are resistance bands for strength training?
• West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: Resistance bands patient leaflet
• Uchida MC et al. Thera-Band elastic band tension: reference values for physical activity. J Phys Ther Sci, 2016
• Lopes JSS et al. Effects of training with elastic resistance versus conventional resistance on muscular strength: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SAGE Open Med, 2019 (abstract)
• Harvard Health Publishing: Resistance training by the numbers
• Cleveland Clinic: Your simple guide to progressive overload training
• NHS: Physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64