Are you looking for resistance bands under £20? We review the best budget-friendly options, what they are actually good for, and where to keep expectations realistic.
Best 5 Resistance Bands Under £20 - Cheap, Cheerful & Surprisingly Useful
Resistance bands are one of those bits of fitness kit that look almost too simple to work. No weights, no noise, no complicated setup. Just stretchy rubber and a surprising amount of burn. And yes, under £20, they can be very effective, if you know what you are buying and what you are not.
All of the resistance bands in this guide were priced under £20 at the time of our review. That price point is exactly why they are here. These are not elite-level strength tools, and they are not going to replace a fully loaded barbell. What they can do is offer huge value for home workouts, rehab, warm-ups and muscle activation.
Low Price, High Benefit - If You Put the Work In
Resistance bands are a classic case of “you get out what you put in”. They do not train you, motivate you or shout encouragement. They require self-discipline and consistency. Used properly, they can improve strength, mobility, muscle tone and joint stability. Used half-heartedly, they become expensive drawer decorations.
A Mix of Brands, Styles & Resistance Levels
Under £20 gets you a wide mix. Loop bands, tube bands with handles, fabric bands, and full sets with multiple resistance levels. Some brands oversell what their bands can do, claiming gym-level results overnight. We take those claims with a pinch of salt and focus on real-world usefulness.
Ideal for Home, Travel & Injury-Friendly Training
Resistance bands shine for home workouts, travel training, beginners and anyone rehabbing an injury. They are joint-friendly, portable and versatile. For the price of a takeaway, you can train almost every muscle group, if you are willing to put in the effort. Budget-friendly does not mean pointless, it just means expectations need to stay realistic.
Top Resistance Bands Under £20
#1, Gritin Resistance Bands
The Gritin Resistance Bands are a classic example of why resistance bands remain so popular at the budget end of the market. Simple loop bands, five resistance levels, minimal fuss, and a price that usually sits comfortably under £20. No gimmicks here, just straightforward kit that does what it says on the tin.
Made from natural latex, these bands feel stretchy but not flimsy. They are soft enough to be skin-friendly, yet strong enough to handle repeated use without immediately snapping or losing tension. That said, they are still budget bands, so expecting them to last forever under aggressive use would be optimistic. For most home users, though, durability is more than acceptable.
Where Gritin really shines is versatility. These loop bands are ideal for warm-ups, rehab work, glute activation, mobility drills, Pilates, and lighter strength training. They are not designed for extreme powerlifting-style resistance, but they are excellent for controlled movements and higher-rep work.
The colour-coded resistance levels make progression simple, and the included carry bag makes them easy to throw into a gym bag or suitcase. Claims about total-body transformation should be taken with a pinch of salt, but as a low-cost, high-utility training tool, these bands punch above their price.
Key Points Summary
- Set of 5 loop bands with clearly marked resistance levels
- Natural latex, skin-friendly and reasonably durable
- Excellent for rehab, mobility, warm-ups, and activation work
- Very lightweight and travel-friendly
- Not designed for heavy strength training
- Strong value option for beginners and home workouts
#2, CFX Resistance Bands Set
The CFX Resistance Bands take a slightly different route, focusing on fabric rather than traditional latex loops. These are commonly referred to as “booty bands”, and for glutes, hips, and lower-body work, they genuinely excel.
The woven cotton-polyester exterior gives these bands a big advantage in comfort. They do not roll, snap, or dig into the skin the way cheaper rubber loops sometimes do. The internal latex lining adds elasticity, but the overall feel is more controlled and less springy, which many people prefer for slower, focused movements.
These bands are best suited to glute bridges, squats, lateral walks, kickbacks, and Pilates-style routines. While the product description suggests full-body use, upper-body exercises are more limited due to the shorter loop length. This is not really a drawback, just something to be aware of.
With three resistance levels instead of five, progression is a little more limited, but the resistance levels themselves are well spaced. They are especially good for beginners and intermediate users who want reliable tension without slipping mid-rep.
Again, results depend on effort. These bands will not magically sculpt your legs on their own, but used consistently, they are a solid, affordable training aid.
Key Points Summary
- Fabric design prevents rolling and skin irritation
- Excellent grip for glutes, hips, and lower-body workouts
- More comfortable than traditional latex loop bands
- Three resistance levels, simple but effective
- Less versatile for upper-body exercises
- Ideal for home workouts, Pilates and activation routines
#3, Fokky Resistance Bands Set
The Fokky Resistance Bands Set is what you might call the “all-in-one temptation” of the budget band world. You get long loop bands, handles, a door anchor, protective sleeves, and even an exercise poster, all usually for under £20. On paper, it looks like outstanding value, and to be fair, for many users, it genuinely is.
Unlike simple loop bands, these are long, continuous resistance bands designed for more traditional strength-style movements. Rows, presses, chest flys, assisted pull-ups, and mobility work are all very doable here. The resistance range is also wider than most loop sets, topping out at a claimed 85 lbs on the strongest band. As always, take the numbers as a rough guide rather than a precise measurement.
A big plus is the use of TPE material, making these a solid option for anyone with latex sensitivities. The bands feel smooth and reasonably robust, though at this price point, long-term durability will depend heavily on how aggressively they are used and whether the protective sleeves are fitted correctly.
The door anchor and handles add versatility, but they also introduce more setup time and more components to keep track of. If you enjoy structured workouts and want something closer to cable-machine movements at home, this set offers impressive flexibility for the money.
Key Points Summary
- Long resistance bands suitable for full-body strength training
- Includes handles, door anchor, sleeves, and carry bag
- TPE material, good option for latex-sensitive users
- Wide resistance range compared to loop bands
- Slightly more setup required than basic bands
- Excellent value if you want variety rather than simplicity.
#4, Hybrid Resistance Bands Set
The Hybrid Resistance Bands Set sticks to the basics, and sometimes that is exactly what you want. Five loop bands, five resistance levels, a carry bag, and a simple guide. No door anchors, no handles, no complicated add-ons, just straightforward training tools.
Made from natural latex, these bands feel light, stretchy, and easy to use. They sit firmly in the same category as the Gritin-style loop bands, but with slightly higher stated resistance levels at the top end. Whether that translates to noticeably more resistance is debatable, but the progression feels sensible for most users.
These bands are best suited to warm-ups, mobility drills, glute activation, Pilates, rehab exercises, and lighter strength work. They are not designed for heavy compound movements, but that is not really the point. They shine in consistency, convenience, and ease of use.
The “odour-free” claim is optimistic, but they do tend to smell less rubbery than some cheaper latex bands. Comfort is good, although like all thin loop bands, rolling can happen during certain leg exercises depending on technique.
If you want something affordable, portable, and uncomplicated, this set fits the brief nicely without making big promises it cannot realistically keep.
Key Points Summary
- Set of 5 loop bands with clear resistance progression
- Lightweight and extremely portable
- Ideal for rehab, Pilates, warm-ups, and activation work
- Natural latex with decent elasticity for the price
- Limited for heavy strength training
- Simple, no-frills option that does the basics well.
#5, COFOF Resistance Bands Set with Handles
The COFOF Resistance Bands Set is the most ambitious option on this list, and arguably the one that tries hardest to punch above its price tag. Normally sold slightly over £20, it only makes this list because it was discounted at the time of our review, which already tells you something important, value here is very price-dependent.
This is a tube-style resistance band system with handles, ankle straps, a door anchor, and a workout poster. In short, it is aiming to replace a lot of traditional gym movements with elastic resistance. Rows, presses, curls, leg work, and rehab-style exercises are all very doable, assuming you are willing to take a few minutes to set things up properly.
The headline figure is the stackable resistance, claimed up to 150 lbs when all bands are combined. As always, take that number with a pinch of salt. Elastic resistance feels very different to free weights, and “150 lbs” does not mean it replaces a 150 lb barbell. That said, there is more than enough resistance here for beginners and intermediate users, and even advanced users can get decent sessions with slower tempo and higher reps.
Build quality is solid for the price. The latex tubes feel thick, the handles are padded, and the clips are reassuringly sturdy. Still, like all tube systems, longevity depends on sensible use and regular checks for wear. This set suits people who want variety and structure, and who are motivated enough to actually use all the accessories rather than letting them gather dust.
Key Points Summary
- Tube-style resistance bands with handles and ankle straps
- Stackable resistance for progressive training
- Includes door anchor, workout poster, and carry bag
- Good value when discounted under £20
- More setup time than loop bands
- Best for users wanting gym-style movements at home.
Conclusion - Which Budget Resistance Bands Are Actually Worth It?
Resistance bands under £20 are a classic case of “you get what you bring to them”. None of these will magically replace a gym, build slabs of muscle overnight, or transform motivation levels on their own. What they can do, however, is offer flexible, low-cost training tools that work if you actually use them.
- If you want simple, no-excuses training, the Gritin Resistance Bands or Hybrid loop bands are hard to beat. They are lightweight, portable, and ideal for mobility, rehab, warm-ups, and general fitness. Perfect if you want something you can grab and use without thinking too much.
- If your focus is glutes and lower body, especially if you hate rolling latex bands, the CFX fabric bands make a lot of sense. They are comfortable, durable, and beginner-friendly, even if they are more limited in exercise variety.
- For those wanting maximum versatility, the Fokky and COFOF sets offer the most bang for your buck. These are better suited to structured workouts and strength-style routines, but they do demand more effort, space, and motivation.
Our Honest Recommendation
Choose based on how likely you are to actually use them, not on resistance numbers or flashy claims. A cheap band that gets used three times a week beats an “ultimate set” that lives in a cupboard every time. Used consistently, even budget resistance bands can deliver very real benefits. Used inconsistently, they are just colourful rubber reminding you of good intentions.
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