Should I Buy Stretch Bands or Dumbbells?

Quite honestly it is a tossup between the two. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, but what it ultimately comes down to is which one better fits your lifestyle. Most traditionalists will tell you that dumbbells are the only way to go. I used to think that dumbbells were the best and only choice but then I realized that I had never really used stretch bands correctly.

When I used to have a gym membership all I used were free-weights. Dumbbells are nice because they give you constant resistance from the moment that you pick them up until you put them down. You can get a really good, consistent workout from dumbbells.

The bad part about dumbbells is that they are a set weight. If they are a set of 25 lb. dumbbells then they will always be a set of 25 lb dumbbells. Then there is a storage problem. Where do you put them? Do you leave them in a set place on the floor where they are easily accessible for workouts or do you store them away? Leaving them on the floor could be a hazard for your toes/feet. Putting them away and getting them out can be a bit cumbersome.

The next important question is: Do you have kids and if so do you want them using/messing around with them? I have a young child who loves to play with everything so staying away from the dumbbells was an easy choice for me.

The last piece is the cost. Dumbbells can be expensive, especially if you keep buying heavier ones because the advancements in your workouts. Don’t be surprised if you spend around $150 for a set of dumbbells weighing 20, 30, 40, and 50 lbs.

Now lets discuss stretch bands. Just like the dumbbells there are good and bad things associated with the stretch bands.

The first nice thing about stretch bands is the cost. Beachbody bands are the nicest on the market and are quite affordable. Beachbody offers a set of three bands (20,30, and 40lb.) for $39.95.

What is nice about the stretch bands is that they come in varied resistances and you have the ability to increase or decrease the resistance of each band by simply shortening or lengthening each band. You can shorten or lengthen them by winding them into a circle while you work out.

What is also great about stretch bands is that you can store them away and transport them easily. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to hang them in a closet after a workout. If you are a businessperson who is always traveling, having stretch bands are perfect for allowing you to workout on the road and not having to worry about lugging around heavy weights.

Stretch bands do have a drawback. The one drawback is that they tend to stretch out and lose their elasticity. My bands have made it through 2 rounds of P90X and are just now starting to lose some of their elasticity.

There are both good and bad things associated with both dumbbells and stretch bands. You need to decide which one better fits into your life and go from there. Stretch bands are cheaper than dumbbells but may need replacing if you use them excessively. However, stretch bands are very easy to store and travel with. You decide.