Article: TheraBand Comparison – which one is right for you?
TheraBand Comparison – which one is right for you?
Executive Summary for Quick Readers
This article shows you how to choose the right TheraBand for your training goal, fitness level, and personal preferences.
- It explains the TheraBand principle of progressive resistance and the color coding of resistance levels from extra light to maximum strong.
- You will learn about the different types of bands: classic TheraBand, latex-free exercise band PLUS, CLX with loops, and tubings.
- Specific recommendations will help you choose the right band for rehab, functional training, strength building, home fitness, or intensive athletic training.
Reading time: 6 minutes
Many know it, everyone loves it: The TheraBand has developed into a true classic in functional training and home fitness over the last 40 years. No wonder, because the "smallest gym in the world" offers countless exercises for the back, chest, stomach, arms, legs, or glutes – especially in the home gym. But which TheraBand is actually the right one?
Contents
What is TheraBand?
What began with a few colorful latex bands in 1978 in Akron, Ohio, USA, has become synonymous with resistance training and exercise programs to accompany various physiotherapies, rehabilitation measures, and also generally to increase strength, mobility, and flexibility.
The TheraBand exercise band was brought to Germany by Ludwig Artzt in the early 1980s. Since then, the versatile band has been continuously developed in terms of material and stretch properties.
However, the functional principle has remained the same then as it is today: Instead of lifting heavy weights, the muscles have to assert themselves against the resistance of the band that arises when stretched. The increase in this resistance is almost linear thanks to the high-quality processing. An important property for optimal training that you will not find in cheap bands.
What TheraBand strengths are available?
The TheraBand colors are not chosen at random. Each color stands for a different strength level: from extra light beige to extra strong gold. From therapeutic use to professional competitive sports, there is something for everyone.
In addition to this patented color coding, the decisive main characteristic of the colorful fitness bands is the principle of progressive resistance. What does that mean? The further the band is stretched in length, the more force you have to exert to pull the band. The increase in this resistance is almost linear thanks to the high-quality processing. An important property for optimal training that you will not find in cheap bands.
All TheraBand strengths at a glance
All TheraBands presented below are available in up to eight different resistance levels, from Extra Light to Maximum Strong, which are aimed at various groups of people with different needs:
- Extra Light | Beige: completely untrained individuals, rehab
- Light | Yellow: therapy and care as well as in rehabilitation after injuries
- Medium | Red: therapy and rehabilitation, playful children's training, prevention training
- Strong | Green: all-rounder for leisure and sports as well as advanced rehabilitation and prevention training
- Extra Strong | Blue: demanding popular sports, strength building
- Super Strong | Black: strength training for advanced athletes
- Special Strong | Silver: demanding strength training for advanced athletes
- Maximum Strong | Gold: strength training for professional athletes
The choice of the band color and the associated band strength depends on the individual training condition. An exercise with the band should be repeatable approx. 15 times. If you are significantly above or below this value, simply choose a stronger or weaker band.
For each exercise session, the conventional exercise band should always be wrapped twice around the hand or foot to prevent slipping. With the band that suits you, you can train your legs, stomach, glutes, back, shoulders, arms in a single full-body workout.
What TheraBand exercises are there?
Exercises with the fitness band belong to functional training. Here, you train not individual muscles, but entire muscle chains. This makes sense, because several muscles are always involved in every movement in your daily life. You could observe this training principle during the 2006 FIFA World Cup with the German national football team.
TheraBand exercises are available for the whole body. You can use them to train your back, strengthen your abdominal muscles, strengthen your arms or train your legs. The variety of exercises is virtually limitless.
Comparing the best TheraBands
The original TheraBand
The original from the USA is still one of the best fitness bands today. Various lengths and strengths ensure maximum versatility. The version with 2.50 m length in a light-protected zippered bag is perfect for home use.
UPDATE 25.09.2024: The zippered bag has been completely redesigned. You can now transform it into a fully functional door anchor. For even more exercise variety in no time.
For professional use in athletic training and physiotherapy, all TheraBand colors are also available as roll goods in 5.50 m and 45 m.
Latex-free TheraBands
Those who want or need to avoid latex in the band can take a look at the latex-free alternatives. These offer the same positive stretching properties as the original and are also available in different lengths: as a set with 1.50 m long bands for beginners and advanced users, as well as rolls in lengths of 22.85 m and 45 m – ideal for frequent or professional use.
Training without wrapping: TheraBand CLX
The latest innovation from TheraBand is the CLX. This fitness band consists of several interconnected loops, which further expand the already extensive variety of exercises and make wrapping around hands and feet during training unnecessary.
This creates individual grip options and innovative training possibilities for simple, versatile, and progressive resistance training without wrapping or knotting the band. Hands and feet can simply be inserted through the loops; multiple wraps of the band for fixation are not necessary.
The CLX is also available in various color-coded resistances and in the two lengths 2 m and 22 m. With this latex-free training band, you are perfectly equipped for all workouts.
Looped: Tubings
Tubings are tubular resistance bands made from the same material and with the same stretching properties as the original exercise band. However, they are usually used with handles, which makes upper body training much more comfortable, as wrapping or similar is no longer necessary. On the other hand, this limits the variability mainly to exercises for arms, shoulders, etc. Wrapping around the feet, for example, is difficult with tubing. If you want to focus on upper body exercises in your rehab or strength training, TheraBand Tubing is a good alternative.
The TheraBand Tubing, like the exercise band, is available in up to seven resistance levels. For end consumers, the ready-to-use Bodytrainer Tubing is available in 1.40 m length with fixed handles. Depending on personal preference, fixed plastic handles, foam or loose loops are available. For professional use, lengths of 7.50 m and 30.50 m roll goods are also available. Here, however, handles, foot straps, and co. must be fixed separately. All tubings are made of natural latex.
Conclusion: Which TheraBand is right for me?
Which fitness band is the right one? That depends on personal taste and individual training goals.
If you want the original classic, choose the original TheraBand. Here you get a classic latex resistance band in an optimal training length in a practical zippered bag. Perfect for any home workout. If you want to try several colors, you can use the sets. Physios and trainers have enough stock with roll goods. If you are allergic to latex, you can get almost everything in an equivalent latex-free version.
If you want to do without the typical band wraps, choose the TheraBand CLX or the tubing. Thanks to the many available strengths, you'll find something to suit every fitness level.
For (almost) every fitness band: everyone can train with it. This applies to recreational athletes, athletes, children, as well as seniors, rehab patients, and pregnant women. Thanks to the many available strengths, all training areas are covered. Each variant is absolutely flexible and can adapt to the individual needs of every person. If you only want to buy one fitness tool, you definitely can't go wrong with this inexpensive all-rounder.
Written by Jonas Schön
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