Pull-ups are one of the most basic strength moves out there. They require a bit of strength and technique, but are very effective.
As you progress doing pull-ups, though, you'll hit a wall. Your initial strength will wane as your body gets used to the movement. The pull-up assist bands below may be the answer to your problems.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| WODFitters Pull Up Assistance Band | Best Overall |  |
| Rubberbanditz Pull Up Assistance Resistance Exercise Bands | Budget Pick |  |
| Iron Core Athletics Pull Up Assistance Bands | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. WODFitters Pull Up Assistance Band
Pros:
- Great value. well made, fluid resistance and won’t damage door frames or windows.
- Excellent for warming up/down.
- Sturdy handle and Velcro straps.
Cons:
- Light-duty / limited resistance.
- Program comes on CD which is hard to follow without a computer nearby.
- Only comes with one band.
The WODFitters Single Band is designed to help build your pull up muscles and work as a safe resistance band for beginners and the physically impaired. Whilst it is not suitable for Olympic lifts or heavy weight training, it is a great tool to get you started on your journey to achieving a pull up.
The specially crafted WODFitters band allows you to gradually build up your strength and achieve a pull up without putting strain on your joints as there is no pressure on your wrists.
It easily fits over doorways at home, in gyms and hotels which means you will never have to miss your training. It is also easy to set up and easy to store after use.
2. Serious Steel Assisted Pull-Up Band
Pros:
- Includes a pull-up assistance and stretching wrap
- Features a steel core that is more durable than the others
- Provides a great range of motion for your muscles
- Heavy-duty construction can withstand high levels of tension
- Includes a carrying bag
Serious Steel is again at the forefront of innovation when it comes to weight lifting, exercising and health in general. This brand has introduced the latest in all kinds of fitness equipment that can improve your overall health and take your exercise efforts to the next level.
This particular cable is extremely handy for building strong muscles and enhancing all the abilities of your body. The Serious Steel assisted pull up band is not very bulky and helps you in proper training. With the assistance pull up band, you are able to flex your muscles and increase your strength which is extremely beneficial for your overall health.
This item can be taken anywhere with you, supplying your own travel gym. This is an excellent workout tool that can save you money and gym membership fees. With this pull up assist, you can take your workout at home and get fit the safe and healthy way. This is a very smart innovation that proves you don’t need to be a gym member and pay monthly gym fees.
3. FREETOO Resistance Bands
Pros:
- Stretch a good distance
- Sturdy material
- Resistance levels are varied
- 6 different colors for you to choose from
- Versatile
- Cost effective
- No need for any special equipment. You can use them at home, in the park, in your office. In fact, they are so versatile you can actually get a full body workout with them!
Cons:
- Took a few weeks to arrive, but worth the wait.
And Rehabilitation,Black,9 pcs.
These are some of the best rated resistance bands you can find. They will give you a good resistance workout and will provide you with everything you need for a full body workout. The resistance levels makes for challenging workouts.
They are a good little set. Are they the best? I’m not so sure about that. For me personally, I have issues with latex and so therefore I cannot use these as I would have otherwise. Of course, this may not be a problem for individuals who don’t have any issues with latex.
4. Draper's Strength Heavy Duty Pull Up Assist and Powerlifting Stretch Bands Add Resistance
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Sturdy build quality
- Versatile tool
- Design enables 3 ways for using: unilateral, bilateral and unilateral assisted pull-ups
- Affordable
- Comes with E-Book with detailed instructions & personal training system based on your goals
Red.
Heavy metal. Loose them and you will have a hard time finding them as they will roll around.
This is a one band version which suits the needs of many users, like those who are just starting out with resistance bands. But it can be easily upgraded if you feel the need to have additional bands.
5. INTEY Pull up Assist Band Exercise Resistance Bands
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Comes with multiple bands.
- You can vary your exercise intensity.
- You can vary your exercise grip position.
- Completely portable.
- Great for travel.
Cons:
- Plastic smell may be annoying.
- Can be a bit uncomfortable to use.
- Non-elastic material can be prone to static electricity.
- Plastic connector may be unreliable.
- Breakable
These bands are our top pick because they’re inexpensive but have the same effectiveness of much more expensive bands. The bands are definitely on the cheap side.
To help you push your pull-ups, ITSYMAKES bands are super simple to use and also provide a great variety in resistance levels. They come in several levels of resistance. If you’re using these for pull-ups and rows, you can choose one of the four resistance levels that include 3, 5, 8 or 12 pounds.
In addition, they’re easy to use and you can easily vary your grip to make these even more effective for many different exercises.
6. Synergee Pull Up Assist Bands
Pros:
- The bands are made of high-quality materials that can be stretched to between 20-115 LBS.
- The bands hold good motion when exercising, unlike some other bands.
- They are comfortable to touch and feel like a second skin.
Cons:
- You can buy a better band for the price.
- If the tension is applied too much, you might see some wear and tear.
Yoga, Resistance Loop Exercises, Travel & More.
As one of the top-rated Pull Up Assist Bands, Synrggee bands are suitable for all kinds of strength building training! Got your pull-up and chin-up for CrossFit training covered? No problem, use it for squat or deadlift training, bodyweight squat or deadlift, stretching, powerlifting, and mobility!
As a drummer, I've used this pull up assist bands to work out for several months. So far, I've found no problems with this product and it has met my expectation. It is easy to set up and the design is great. It fits my long arms and can even be used as an alternative for heavy powerlifting bands.
7. Rubberbanditz Pull Up Assistance Resistance Exercise Bands
Pros:
- Strong and durable
- Contains 2 door anchor bands
- Portable and convenient
- Compatible with all pull-up bars.
Cons:
- Too hard for beginners to use
- Large bands may be too difficult to wrap around a door
- Small, medium, large designations are too large
- Bands can rip with minimal use
Yoga | Workout Fitness Resistance Pack.
With the Rubberbanditz Pull Up Assistance Resistance Exercise Bands, you never have to struggle to do a pull up ever again. This is a complete pull up assistance tool set for beginners as well as advanced users alike.
The set of 4 bands can be used all at once or separately in whatever way is comfortable to you to get that much needed extra assistance within your reach. The rubber bands are compatible with all industry standard pull up bars, an important feature in a good resistance band.
8. MummyStrength Resistance Bands
Pros:
- Wide width of range of weight resistance.
- Accommodates individuals of all heights and fitness levels.
- Perfect for casuals and CrossFit WODs.
- Reasonable price.
- Soft material.
- Stretch wrist strap for preventing injury.
- Free download of Mummy Strength workout guide + printable exercise card with each.
- Double backed rubber bands with high elastic strength.
- Good package design and information in the user guide.
Cons:
- Colors are not very descriptive.
- Exact weight resistance can only be found in the PDF.
Some of the best home resistance bands on the market are Mummy Strength Exercise Bands. These bands are easily some of the most affordable, and available in a wide range of stretch and weight resistance. It can take your pull ups to the next level.
The bands have been designed with high elastic strength, that comes with soft and flexible covering layer to secure users from injuries. Mummy Strength Resistance Bands also have (30) different levels, from beginner to advanced, so there is an ideal band for everyone.
9. Iron Core Athletics Pull Up Assistance Bands
Pros:
- Worth it and quick to use.
- These are very nice, the red is a pretty color, and it has 4 different levels of resistance so it can be used for men and women, and people of different strength levels.
- Easy to adjust to different lower levels, though I use…
- I have no complaints about them. They are comfortable to wear and do everything I need them to. Love them!!
Cons:
- I don't like the loop style. I prefer the more silicone option but this is useful as I can attach it to a doorway or a pull up bar. There's a loop at the end opposite of the buckle. I think the loop could be longer.
- There isn't one. Perfect for use.
- I really wish that they could have been made of different material, that would be cool and more interesting.
- I don't think a huge weight was put into the design, and therefore the product, but rather, more effort was put into the effectiveness and user friendliness. This is how it should be.
Easy Storage. Carry Bag Included.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What resistance band should I buy for pull ups?
If you are at an intermediate or advanced level, a good pair of resistance bands might be a worthwhile purchase. They are a great way to work up to doing pull ups. They are also very portable and they allow you to take your pull ups with you, which is always a good idea.
What brand of resistance bands are best?
Get an assortment of 5 types and brands of resistance bands to try. Each instructor will probably use a different kind. Don't bother with very cheap ones (like I bought when I started). Get a medium price or better kind. You don't need the very best ones.
I recommend doing 2 sets of 10 reps in the assisted pull ups first and then moving to regular pull ups for sets of 10. Use the bands with the least amount of stretch when you start.
Do resistance bands help with pull ups?
Yes, resistance bands help with pull ups.
If you have tried doing a lot of different pull ups at the gym but are not getting the results you like, try doing banded pull ups.
Banded Pull Ups are pull ups where you loop a resistance band over the bar and then put the other end of the band around your foot.
There are a few ways to do this, which makes banded pull ups more challenging and more fun.
When you do these, it is important to remember to keep your core tight and your body is in a straight line throughout the exercise. I find that placing my foot on the floor in line with the resistance band, so my toes are gripping the ground, takes some of the back and leg strength out of the exercise. Be careful to keep your toes gripping the floor throughout the exercise.
Are banded pull ups good?
Banded pull ups are not ideal because, obviously, you do not have a spotter with you in your home. Therefore, you must have a band that is long enough to allow you to safely perform an unassisted banded pull up in case you fall short.
In terms of safety, however, banded pull ups are no different than doing weighted pull ups. If you are strong enough to do a few body weight pull ups, adding a band makes them slightly more challenging.
If you can’t do a pull up at all, banded pull ups are a good way to build up to that point. You can gradually increase the band resistance until you are able to do pull ups without assistance.
Conclusion
Choosing the best resistance bands for pull ups is essential. Not all bands on the market are created equal, and some of them are better for back exercise, some for chest.
Make sure you know exactly what kind of bands you need and want to buy to avoid wasting money.
Buying resistance bands can be a confusing task if you don’t know what you are looking for. There are many choices available to you both online and at your local store.
We have reviewed and selected some best resistance bands for you here. We hope these reviews will help you make the right choice.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| WODFitters Pull Up Assistance Band | Best Overall | |
| Rubberbanditz Pull Up Assistance Resistance Exercise Bands | Budget Pick | |
| Iron Core Athletics Pull Up Assistance Bands | Upgrade Pick | |