With the explosion of snatched waists and popped booties, we all know there are only a few ways to join in on this curvy fun. The first is to exercise, eat right and target train the areas you want to either shrink or emphasize. The other ways… well, do what you do. No judgment here.
Booty training is everywhere and it is easy to find a routine that you are comfortable with and will give you the results you desire. Along with the ocean of workout routines, you will notice these bands that are placed on the thighs or other areas of the legs to add resistance. Not only is this a fantastic way to target the booty but it is also extremely portable and inexpensive. There are two very notable differences between bands and that is the material they are made out of. There are latex or rubber ones and then there are fabric ones. So what is the difference? Is there actually one? Let’s break it down.
Strength:
TIE
The benefits of using bands include faster muscle building, workout routine diversity and also portability. Excuses for not being able to workout should now leave the room but in true character, a few of them are lingering. In all seriousness, both types of bands are available in a range of resistance levels to further customize your routine. Thick rubber varieties offer strength comparable to fabric bands which means you will see results no matter which type you choose.
Which resistance bands are the best?
Discover the top rated resistance bands here.
Know the difference between all 6 different types of resistance bands here.
Durability:
LATEX/RUBBER WINS
Latex or rubber resistance bands tend to maintain their integrity longer than fabric ones. It takes a LOT to stretch them out to the point where they are no longer useful. Fabric bands will become stretched out faster but do not take that to mean that they are not a solid investment. It will still take a lot of time and use for fabric bands to stretch.
Comfort:
FABRIC WINS
Fabric bands are more comfortable and more effective for use on bare skin. Rubber or latex bands tend to pinch exposed skin and can leave you with redness or markings. Also, the thinner latex style bands have a tendency to roll down or move out of place. This makes for a significant annoyance when you have to keep stopping or readjusting the band mid routine.
Design:
FABRIC WINS
Fabric bands are a big trend item right now so that means that there are plenty of design and color options available. I even saw avocado printed ones. Rubber or latex bands usually only come in solid colors and most are coordinated with resistance strength. Meaning you are stuck with the color that matches their color-coding system and not your outfit.
Cleaning:
LATEX/RUBBER WINS
Rubber or latex bands will attract dust, dirt, hair and other debris due to the texture of the material. However, cleaning them is so simple and fast. Warm soapy water and leave to air dry. Fabric bands are naturally more susceptible to staining and need to be treated like gym clothes and either spot treated or washed and air-dried.
Price:
TIE
This is a tie since both bands have a place in workout routines. Rubber or latex bands are the less expensive option and you can easily purchase a set of varying resistance levels to have a few on hand. They are readily available at major retailers. Fabric bands are slightly more of an investment and can be purchased at higher-end gyms and also online at sites like Amazon or gymshark. For some people, spending $20 on a quality fabric resistance band that has a unique pattern design is completely worth it. While others would rather buy a latex or rubber set for half the price. If you are new to resistance bands and want to try them out, go for the cheaper option just to see if you enjoy using them.
Conclusion
The verdict really depends on your usage. For lighter activities and less resistance go for rubber or latex bands. If you are intermediate or advanced consider purchasing a fabric band for some serious resistance or thick rubber ones that will withstand your endurance.
Working out and taking care of yourself is about having fun and being comfortable. Your shoes do not need to match your shirt and your resistance band does not need to have avocados printed on it. Start at a level you are comfortable with and make purchases that you enjoy but will also utilize and experiment with.
