Buying Guide for Resistance Exercise Bands

Resistance exercise bands are a great piece of workout equipment that can be easily incorporated into your existing fitness routine. Using resistance bands can increase flexibility and core strength no matter the fitness level you are at. These versatile pieces are small, portable and cost-effective. With a variety of colors and resistance levels to choose from the options can be overwhelming so we have put together a buying guide to help make choosing the right resistance band for your needs fast and easy. You can see all of our resistance bands by clicking here.

Latex and Latex-Free

When choosing to purchase resistance bands the first decision you must make is between latex material bands or latex-free material bands. There are significant differences between them and it will pay to know them. Latex is a milky fluid substance that is taken from the rubber tree. When the substance is exposed to air it coagulates. Latex allergies are often a concern when purchasing resistance bands but it is important to know that according to the American Latex Allergy Association, less than 1% (about 3 million people) of the general population in the U.S. are affected by a latex allergy. If someone has an allergy to latex and they are exposed to it, the reaction can vary from mild hives to severe chest tightening and abdominal cramps. Latex-free resistance bands allow you to be worry-free as they do not pose the allergy risk. These bands, however, do have a slight downside. When imprinting your logo to the bands for promotional purposes, latex-free bands do not hold the imprint as well as the latex bands. The nature of the latex-free material will cause your logo to wear-off very quickly. The latex-free bands have a wax coating on them that makes it difficult for the ink to adhere to. The wax coating will not transfer off onto skin or clothing and cannot be seen on the bands. Although the complication of a potential allergic reaction is avoided with latex-free bands, the rate at which the imprint can wear off can also be a complication. We require a written acknowledgment with any order of latex-free bands. Although the latex and latex-free bands are offered in the same color options, the colors are not actually the same. The difference in material means a difference in color. If you have been looking at a green medium resistance latex band but realize you need latex-free, be mindful that the green color of the latex-free will not be the same green as the latex. The charts at the bottom show the differences for comparison.

​Determine the Best Size - Length and Width

The length of the resistance band is important when it comes to the types of exercise you plan on doing with it. Certain exercises require a longer band while for others a shorter band is better. Your height is also something you should consider when choosing the length of the band. Almost all our resistance bands come in 3 length options. - 3 foot- 4 foot- 5 foot- 6 foot The width of the band is also important for the style of exercise you are planning. The wider bands can offer a better grip in certain cases and be more comfortable. The widths that are available are: - 4 inches - 5 inches - 6 inches

Plan Your Art Around The Imprint Area

The imprint area of each band is determined by whether the band is latex or latex-free. If the band contains latex, the available imprint area will measure 4” wide by 14” long. If the band is latex-free, the imprint area will measure 2.5” wide by 14” long. This is not to say your imprint must be this size however, it cannot be any larger. Each band can be printed with just a single color. Every band is different on the imprint color that is available so check the specific product to be sure. The imprint colors will be either white, black or navy blue depending on the band. We do have a full-color imprinting option available.