Is there a difference between the two other than one has the handles? I need to get one or both but I hate the tubing with soft handles that shift (all the recent ones I've seen). A long time ago I had one with molded plastic handles but cannot seem to find another like it. My problem with the new type is it's hard for me to keep my wrists straight; maybe they are weak. Anyway I figure I need one of the 6ft stretch bands like the firewalkers (which it seems cathe is out of at the moment) would that be just as effective as the tubing or do I need both?
Resistance tubing vs bands
- Thread starter SaraFit
- Start date
mrsprincess07
Cathlete
Bands and tubing provide the same basic workout. I personally prefer flat bands to tubing as I find it more comfortable to work with barefoot and the are more compact (the handles get to be bulky when you have 3+ pairs of them). Tubing is more popular because of the handles but also because you can get door and ankle/wrist attachments allowing the exerciser to do more gym-style resistance exercises like pull downs and hamstring curls. You can do those with flat bands but you have to use your body or house hold items are your prop instead of the tubing attachments. Another thing people like is the with tubing it's easier to find more challenging levels compared to flat bands. They make both tubing and flat bands with 110-150 pounds of resistance, but the flats tend to only be found at physical therapy offices or medical supply stores in large rolls. The tubing is easier to get a hold of on the internet. I have both flat and tubing in levels 1-10. the flats are SUPER thick and wide, the tubing is ultra thick; like a garden hose.
It's really a personal preference. If you look in Cathe's store and compare her flat bands to her tubing, IMO the flats have more resistance when comparing level to level. Regardless if you use tubing or flats you will find it will help to strengthen your wrists if you hold them in proper alignment. You will also work both the positive and negative for your muscles which is hard to do with dumbbells and even then I still think the negative is worked better with bands and tubes (gym cables would do it better than dumbbells too). Both offer the same benefits it's just which one do you have prefer. I like the flats better, some prefer the handles and the tubing tends to work better on steps and holds better under your shoes.
EDIT: You can also buy universal hard plastic handles. Along with the higher levels of tubing, I also bought universal handles. These went with the thicker tubes but also allowed you to double and triple up the tubing for maximum benefit (when you want hundreds of pounds of resistance or just to use all 3 of the traditional level tubes together). These handles also allow you to use them for flat bands. If you search the internet for a while I'm sure you can find them. I purchased them roughly 3 years ago this summer so I don't remember the site's name.
Last edited:
Thank you for your response! I would have guessed the tubing was more resistance for the same level so that is really helpful. I will just get the 6ft flat bands then since that is what is used in most of my videos (AT is the only one that comes to mind with the tubing) and I've been working out barefoot. I have a few shorter flat bands and I can use them fine, it's just that I'm tall so the 3-4 ft isn't really all that useful.