November 4, 2022

Peloton Resistance Bands: The Pros and Cons

As the popularity of resistance band training continues to grow, fitness brands that are typically focused elsewhere are adding resistance band workouts to their offerings. Peloton, known for their cycling and running programs, now offers a resistance band package along with pre-recorded resistance band workouts. We take a look at the pros and cons of Peloton resistance bands.

Peloton Resistance Bands

Peleton resistance bands

Peloton’s resistance bands are sold in a pack of 3, labeled light, medium and heavy. Peloton does not publish information on what those labels might correlate with in terms of resistance in pounds. Users guess that the lightest band falls in the 2-10 pound range, 10-20 pounds for medium, while the heaviest band might offer 20-35 pounds of resistance.

The three bands are of equal length (4.9 feet each) and easily differentiated by their red, blue and black coloring. Each has a triangular shaped handle on both ends, which pivots to allow for wrist rotation and a comfortable grip at any angle.

The price tag of the Peloton bands is what users talk about most. At $70 USD plus shipping, this package of 3 bands totals nearly $100. Although the packaging is sleek and the bands are well made, reviewers are quick to point out you can find similar products elsewhere for half the price. Still, Peloton users are a devoted group and most are willing to pay extra for the brand name.

Peloton Resistance Band Workouts

Peloton Resistance Band Workouts

Peloton resistance band workouts fall under the brand’s strength category. There are nearly 5,000 strength classes, most emphasizing body weight exercises or the Peloton dumbbells. At the time of this post, less than 40 of those classes specifically incorporate the resistance bands.

Of the resistance band workouts, most fall within the 5 to 20 minute range. Band workouts are categorized as either upper body, lower body, core or total body. The pre-recorded sessions are taught by popular instructors who users know from the cycling and running classes.

Peloton Resistance Bands Reviews

woman using laptop to look at reviews

The important question is, do users like the $70 fitness bands and the workouts, and are they worth it? We take a closer look at the pros and cons.

The Pros of Peloton Resistance Bands

Those who enjoy the Peloton bands talk about their sleek design and the comfortable grip. Weighing in at less than 1 pound each, the bands are easy to travel with. Unlike the Peloton bike, you can take your bands on the road, login with the app and keep up with your workouts while traveling.

The compact band size is also perfect for apartment dwellers who might like to have some strength equipment on hand, but just don’t have the space for a full rack of weights, or even a few kettlebells.

Bands made of rubber tubing with triangular handles are not unique to Peloton. For those who don’t want to spend extra money for the brand name, it’s worth pointing out the resistance band workouts work just as well with the $19.99 Amazon version.

Classes seem geared toward those who are new to strength training. Coaches focus on form and posture and often repeat moves, which is much appreciated by users who are new to using strength training bands.

The Cons of Peloton Resistance Bands

What most negative reviews focus on are the awkward adjustments that need to be made to compensate for the band length. At just under 5 feet long, the bands are too short for some users, and too long for others. Tall users find it difficult to stand on the band and perform bicep curls, while shorter users often fail to maintain tension, making their workout too easy.

Instructors do their best to modify workouts and offer suggestions on how to wrap, double-over or grip the bands differently. Unfortunately, most reviewers find this hard to do, or complain they aren’t given enough time to get into position during transitions. Plus, gripping the band closer in doesn’t allow you to make use of the sleek, comfortable handles.

Wrapping the bands around arms and legs, stepping on bands or gripping them with your hands also points to the primary flaw in the Peloton resistance band system: these modifications are only possible because the bands just aren’t that strong. And unfortunately, using a light band means you’re getting very little benefit from your ‘strength’ workout.

Peloton Resistance Band Alternatives

Peloton Resistance Band Alternatives

Peloton resistance bands do offer some resistance, but unless you’re brand new to strength training or simply not that strong, you’ll need more resistance to build muscle or trigger changes to your body composition.

Research says the most efficient way to get stronger is to lift heavy.1 For anyone other than the de-trained user, the Peloton bands just won’t pack enough punch. Alternatives, such as the X3 Bar System, provide stronger, closed-loop latex bands, some of which offer resistance of greater than 300 pounds. If results are more important to you than the entertainment value of the workout – you want stronger bands such as these.

When working with stronger bands, however, you can’t simply step on them, wrap them around your wrists, or grab them with your hands. Hence, X3 is a system which comes complete with a steel bar for grip and a steel plate for grounding. This makes it possible to push and pull against stronger bands, while minimizing risk of injury.

The Peloton band strength workout is quick, includes music and a coach who’s continuously motivating. But if its results you seek, your 20 minutes per day is much better spent with a resistance band system that’s built specifically for strength training.

With X3, you train with greater force to trigger Greater Gains

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