Bodylastics Resistance Band Set – Resistance Bands with Handles, Ankle Straps, Door Anchor, Carry Bag – Heavy-Duty Stretch Exercise Bands -Patented Clips and Snap Reduction Tech -Fitness Workout Bands

Comparison of Three Best-selling Brands. My name is Richard Sullivan. I am a fitness author and a personal training consultant. I am going to compare three popular brands of resistance bands here, two of which were purchased on Amazon, and the third gifted to me by the manufacturer. I am going to compare all the different components and relate important features you may not have given much thought to. Each brand has its own strengths and weaknesses, but one is the clear overall choice and you can zoom ahead to the end of this post if you’re impatient. If you search Amazon.com you will find a few dozen different types of resistance bands and brand names, but these three I am reviewing I personally own and have used multiple times a week over an extended period of time for very challenging workouts, far more challenging than what the average person would utilize.Because I did not acquire these with the goal of doing a comparison, but actually put to heavy use all three interchangeably, three or more times a week, and have done so now for a prolonged period, I think you might find my observations to be of value with regard to your deciding what to look for in considering a set of non-rubberband style resistance bands.My chief criteria, because I am an advanced strength trainer who engages in challenging workouts, is safety and durability. Due to the nature of stretch latex type materials, these materials do fatigue and age, especially with heavy use and heavy stresses placed upon them. CAUTION: At the first sign of wear on a band, stop using it. If they snap they can be painful, or even injurious.These are the three brands that I own and I have put to extended use. The Bodylastics brand is the newest at just five months old. Next, the Shredbands brand at one year old, and finally the Flexsolate Gym In A Bag (GIAB) is eight years old. I actually use all of these alone, and I use them interchangeably, mixing and matching components because each has its individual merits.I purchased the Bodylastics and Shredbands with my own money. I do not have any associations whatsoever with these companies. I was gifted the Gym In A Bag by the Flexsolate company eight years ago with no pressure thereafter for any promotional favors. I tried Flexsolate GIAB a few times right after receipt, and mistakenly and foolishly on my part I dismissed their value. To my own detriment, I never gave their bands a real chance. A little over two years ago I decided to try them again and was pleasantly surprised at the quality challenging workout I was able to achieve. Because the GIAB bands were old and I’d read online how aged latex bands can break, after some months of heavy use, I bought the Shredbands model as a supplement/backup.The very first time I used the Shredbands I chose the heaviest band, the black one, and used it solo. In my very first set, the anchor at the end of the band that keeps the handle attached failed. A plastic ball is used in this case, inserted into the hollow band, to provide a stop at the point of handle attachment, and this ball popped out, sending the end of the latex band whipping into my face. I was not happy obviously, but it taught me a valuable thing that pertains to all resistance bands, and that is, never rely on a single band—if you can help it.Instead of using one heavier band to perform an exercise, for instance, combine two or three lighter bands. This provides a safety net in case one of the bands fails, but also increases the longevity of the individual bands by spreading the stress across two or three bands rather than putting all the stresses on a single band. This is the most valuable takeaway advice: do not place all the stress on one individual band when it can be mollified by using two, or even three.In this case, for beginners especially, no matter what brand you buy, since they are so inexpensive, you might purchase two sets so you will have enough light bands to combine.The Flexsolate GIAB has advantages the others do not. The door anchor in the Flexsolate GIAB is superior in every way to the others, and as this is such a crucial safety component, I’m concerned especially about the comparative inferiority of the Shredbands door anchor.The nylon webbing material used in the Shredbands model is only about half the thickness of the GIAB’s, and the loop that will come in contact with the latex bands is not coated or cushioned. As relatively smooth as the nylon webbing might be, it is still going to cause friction which will put completely unnecessary wear and tear on the latex bands. It would behoove Shredbands to redesign their door anchor, and most especially provide a smooth surface for the bands to resist against.The Bodylastics door anchor on the other hand is far superior in both strength and size to the Shredbands door anchor, with a smooth pad installed at the point where the bands will be undergoing the most friction and stress. Unlike the rough surface of the Shredbands door anchor at the point of contact with the bands, the Bodylastics anchor’s smooth point of contact with the bands will minimize friction and stress. However the unsubstantial soft foam knob, used in the door anchor stop, although huge in comparison with the anemic Shredbands version, still gives me concern.The most superior door anchor by far is the terrific Flexsolate Gym In A Bag door anchor which is large, heavy and robust in its materials and construction. Best of all it has a very wide pliable clear plastic sheaf covering the nylon webbing where the bands will be subjected to the most stress, which in my opinion places the least amount of wear and tear on the bands, allowing them to last longer. Indeed, the Flexsolate GIAB bands are 8 years old now and still in use, with only one having failed as it was used not in combination with another as I now recommend.The latex bands among the three models themselves differ in that as I mentioned before, the end of the Shredbands band popped its plastic ball that provided a stop where the carabiner strap attaches. The Flexsolate GIAB bands have held up even after eight years of exposure to salt air, as I live near the ocean where everything corrodes, (even the elastic in your underwear.) The Bodylastic bands feel superior in thickness and strength to the other brands, and additionally contain a string running through the hollow center of the bands to provide a safety in case the latex ever does break, which is an important safety consideration.The rigid handles on the Bodylastics model is far more robust in construction than that of the Shredbands handles. Both models’ are comfortable. The Flexsolate GIAB on the other hand has soft loop handles which I feel allow your hand to rotate more naturally while performing an exercise.The ankle straps used mainly for glutes/butt work are far more robust too on the Bodylastics model, although the Shredbands is lighter weight and quite secure regardless due to the over-generous strip of velcro, something the Flexsolate GIAB model lacks.The Flexsolate GIAB bands feature an open plastic clip that attaches it to the handles whereas the other two feature heavy metal caribiners. The Flexsolate model, although looking as if they could possibly detach since the clips do not close over, have never done so due to intelligent design in my opinion. The heavy metal caribiners used on the Bodylastics and Shredbands models would seem as if they would be more secure than the open hook design of the plastic GIAB model, but I’ve not found this to be the case, and in the event of a failure the GIAB’s small plastic hook would do far less damage if it hit you.The most recent version of the Flexsolate GIAB pictured on their website has an interesting new door mount design that I do not own, so I can’t comment on it. The door anchor I describe herein does not appear in the photo of the newest version of the GIAB on their website, and the GIAB itself seems to be out of stock. The Flexsolate GIAB is not available on Amazon.As an aside, the many YouTube videos demonstrating the use of these underappreciated bands are very disappointing, failing to fully mine the bands’ amazing low-impact muscle-strengthening potential.My overall choice then, if I were restricted to buying only one set of bands, would be the Bodylastics model. Reclaim Your Youth: Growing Younger After 40: You Really Can Turn Back The Clock by Richard Sullivan (2009-07-12)

Last Forever – purchased in 2013. Bought these back in 2013. Have used them very hard, often for long workouts, etc & they are Still holding up. I like that they have the cord in the middle, so they won’t rip you up if they snap. I have had other bands break & if you get caught by it, it can hurt pretty bad & leave some serious welts. I’ve used bands for many years to complement weights (used to have a power rack & Olympic set in my living room), kettlebells & bodyweight exercises and have found, that for my needs, I can get a really good workout using them. The value is Great compared to other types of equipment & they are very easy to transport when moving too, which is a huge plus. Am married now & I plan on buying some for my wife to use as mine are getting pretty old now & would rather her have a new set so there’s no concerns. I will say the range of motion on these can be a bit restrictive @ times due to the cordage in the middle. But for me, that’s something I’m willing to work around to not get whipped in the face, back or neck if one of these fails (which has happened before). YMMV. Good health to us all!