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Nearly every nook and cranny of my New York City apartment is occupied by fitness equipment: that space by the TV console (foam rollers), that spot in the entryway (running shoes), that corner of the living room (yoga mat). The area beside the bookcase in my bedroom? Reserved for the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands—Wirecutter’s favorite resistance bands for four years running.

Tube resistance bands in general are terrific tools. When I worked in a gym as a personal trainer, I used them with clients for strength training and supplemental exercises, as well as to add variety to a program. Bodylastics debuted in 1998 with a four-piece set of stackable resistance bands, meaning more than one band can be used at a time to reach a desired resistance. According to the company, Bodylastics was the first to offer the stackable model. The kit we recommend—with its heavy-duty components, reinforced stitching, and durable grippy handles—sets the bar high.

Each tube in this user-friendly, five-band kit is reinforced with an inner rope meant to increase safety.

May be out of stock

May be out of stock

The kit includes five interchangeable latex tube bands of increasing resistances (which can be combined for up to 96 pounds, the company claims), a door anchor that allows you to position the bands at various heights to pull or press against, two handles, and a pair of padded ankle straps. A detailed instruction manual clearly illustrates 34 exercises—a solid jumping-off point if strength training with resistance bands is new to you.

They are a space-saving choice if you want to build strength but don’t want to clutter your environs with sets of heavy free weights. I train with a set of adjustable dumbbells at home, but the Bodylastics bands are a fixture. Because they add load on both the action and the return of an exercise, the movement becomes less about lifting against gravity and more about controlling an effort from beginning to end. Their inherent instability challenges a body’s stability. They are versatile, able to facilitate a large number (and wide range) of exercises.

For an exercise nerd like me, that versatility helps keep workouts fresh and targeted toward my primary goal: becoming a stronger, more resilient runner. I’ll spice up a high plank with a lateral pull or pair a stationary lunge with a single-arm row. I anchor the bands at the top of my bathroom door for lat pull-downs or wood chops. One of my favorite core exercises, the Pallof Press, works beautifully with these. Circuit training with them is fun.

We spent 25 hours testing 10 sets of resistance bands. With a unique safety mechanism, the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands are the best for most people.

To get the most out of the bands, proper technique and an appropriate amount of resistance go far. You’ve found the sweet spot if you can perform an exercise at a tension that allows you to complete three sets of 10 to 12 repetitions—and you feel challenged. Also, maintaining control of each repetition from start to finish will help you resist the urge to let the momentum of a band’s elasticity do the work.

I like these bands so much I even gave a set to my parents, who are in their 70s and eager-ish to start strength training. When I saw them for the first time in nearly 18 months, we spent part of our reunion with the bands, walking through the basic setup and practicing exercises. The kit won’t take up much space in their home, but I hope it will play a sizable role in keeping them strong.

After interviewing strength-training experts and testing eight sets of tube resistance bands, we found the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands to be the best of the bunch.

Read more in our guide to the best resistance bands.

We see the best prices for Bodylastics resistance bands during Black Friday and Prime Day.

Best price we’ve ever seen: $28

Store the natural latex bands in a cool place, to prevent degradation. When it’s time to work out, secure them using the included anchor only. Looping a band around a piece of furniture or other fixed object can result in damage to the band, particularly if the band saws back and forth.

To help prevent the bands from snapping, be sure not to overstretch them. Bodylastics considers a safe maximum to be about three times a band’s resting length.

Ingrid Skjong is a supervising editor on the appliance team, focusing on the likes of ranges, refrigerators, dryers, and dishwashers. She previously covered fitness for Wirecutter and has been an editor and writer at various lifestyle magazines. She is an avid runner and lives in New York City.

We spent 25 hours testing 10 sets of resistance bands. With a unique safety mechanism, the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands are the best for most people.

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