SPRI ES501R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Red, Medium)

i think this stretch cord is equivalent to a 20-25lbs dumbbell. i use it mostly for bicep curl. great product. thanks

I wanted to write this review to help others know more about this product because when I was looking around I was kind of in the dark. I ordered 3: the purple extra heavy, blue heavy, and red medium. I've worked out a lot off and on in the past with actual weights, and I'm always moving around, so this was just what I was looking for. Of course, how tall you are will make a difference, as taller people will have more tension in the bands when they are being stretched (if you're standing, of course, which is a lot of exercises). I'm 5'10", and unfortuantely my purpose in working out is to build muscle, as I'm kind of on the skinny side. The purple band isn't for "extremely fit" people, but it does offer a good amount of resistance. Here's a general guideline of what I found, based on my previous experience with weights:

If I double the purple band (grab both handles at once) and do one arm rows on a chair, depending on where you step on it, you can get a good 40-50 lbs resistance.
If you have one foot on the blue heavy band standing up, and doing curls, it's about 15-20 lbs each hand.
If you step on the red medium tube about 6-8 inches from the handle and do one arm extensions over your head, it's about 15 lbs

Again, these bands are very variable. You can increase the amount of tension by stepping closer to the handles, and by holding two bands at once, holding both handles at once, etc.

I would even recommend the green I think or the smaller ones for exercises such as lateral raises and for the rotator cuff, as stepping with one foot on the red tube while standing up, and raising both shoulders outwards provides a good 10-15 lbs.

Chest exercises are kind of awkward with this, my door frame is super weak so I don't use the door attachment but I tried what was in the instruction manual and am sticking to pushups.

Also it is great for developing stability, it's a lot harder to keep a stable motion with a cord than with an actual weight.

All in all, I would highly, highly recommend this, but if you're already benching 150+, this is probably just going to keep you toned, but you could probably build the smaller muscles. Also depends on how many handles you can grab at once or how good your grip is if you grab the actual cord.

This is a really great and durable bands...
I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

I love the bands, never thought I would because I've always preferred free weights, however these work your muscles in a different way BUT you can REALLY feel it. I do love them and sometimes prefer to do them with DVDs that don't even call for them.

I only gave them four stars instead of five because I wish they would have made at least one more size heavier. I am a female, but on days when I'm feeling good and use them for chest presses; it would be nice to have another size up to go to.

Love them, try them...the price is even more attractive and they are quality. Much, much better than the little rubber bands that come with and/or is shown on some DVDs.

Nice item for people who either live in small apartments and can't make room for a lot of equipment, or just great for general fitness and health. I supplement my weight training with bands of this type because they tend to be safe and better for the joints.