5 Best Resistance Bands For Basketball [2024] (2024)

In a rush? My recommendation for the best resistance bands for basketball is the HoopsKing P.R.O. Basketball Resistance Band.

Playing basketball requires you to be quick, agile, and strong. It’s more than just a hobby for many – it’s something one can do daily to stay healthy.

As a competitive basketball player, I’ve come to appreciate the benefits of dynamic resistance training.

With this basketball training tool, players can improve their vertical jump, speed, endurance, and explosive power in-game.

To up your game, let’s look at the 5 best resistance bands for basketball players.

In this article, I will thoroughly review their features, pros and cons, and will provide you with the best tips for buying these bands.

• HoopsKing P.R.O. Basketball Resistance Band
• LEEKEY Resistance Band
• SKLZ Non-Slip Fabric Resistance Band
• Bucwild Sports Resistance Bands
• Kbands

5 Best Resistance Bands for Basketball

Check out my recommendations below.

1. Best Overall – HoopsKing P.R.O. Basketball Resistance Bands

Features

• Material: Natural Rubber
• Texture: Grippy
• Length: 41 inches
• Tension level‎: 10 pound-150 pound

The HoopsKing P.R.O. Bands are great for basketball because they can help you develop explosive power and build strength on the court.

HoopsKing’s resistance bands come in four color-coded resistance levels. This allows for gradual progression as you strengthen and improve your performance.

Expect a wider range of tension levels for each color, such as black (10-30 lbs.), purple (30-50 lbs.), green (65-85 lbs.), and blue (100-150 lbs.).

Last Updated on: October 14, 2024

Training alone with the bands is perfect for working on resistance training without a partner.

I incorporate HoopsKing P.R.O. bands into my workouts for explosive dribbling, defensive slides, lateral quickness, and overall strength gains.

Pros

• 100% natural latex
• Resistance bands aren’t hard on the joints
• Portable and convenient

Cons

• Quite pricey

2. Best Value – LEEKEY Resistance Band

Features

• Material: ‎Natural latex
• Texture: Non-slip
• Length: 81.9 inches
• Tension level‎: 15 pound-125 pound

The LEEKEY Resistance Bands are a game-changer and a must-have for your basketball training program.

With an upgraded, non-slip design and natural latex durability, they stay super stable and can withstand intense explosiveness training.

Ideal for stretching and resistance, these versatile bands cater to various exercises—from pull-ups to agility drills.

This basketball resistance band comes in four different levels, with each color corresponding to a specific resistance range: Red (15-35 lbs), Black (25-65 lbs), Purple (35-85 lbs), and Green (50-125 lbs).

The only downside? Some users might prefer a single option with a broader tension level for simplicity.

Pros

• Non-toxic and odorless
• Easy to use
• Durable and lightweight
• Versatile

Cons

• The grip texture needs improvement
• Could use a higher tension level

3. Best Budget – SKLZ Non-Slip Fabric Resistance Band

Features

• Material: Polyester, Natural Rubber
• Texture: Fabric
• Length: Bands measure 2.5”x13″
• Tension level‎: Light to heavy

After having tried this, I’m genuinely impressed by the SKLZ Non-Slip Fabric Resistance Band.

The pro-knit bands have a great material that doesn’t roll up during exercises like squats and glute bridges, giving a deeper burn to your muscles.

They’re versatile and work well for different workouts like yoga, HIIT training, or CrossFit.

The non-slip cotton fabric ensures they stay in place, and their portability makes them convenient for home, gym, or travel workouts.

The superior quality and machine-washable features add to these basketball resistance bands’ overall durability and usability.

Pros

• ‎Washable and easy to clean
• Lightweight
• Anti-slip
• Durable
• Comfortable fabric

Cons

• Doesn’t mention the resistance level in pounds

4. Bucwild Sports Resistance Bands

Features

• Material: Natural rubber
• Texture: Smooth and grippy
• Length: 10.5 inches
• Tension level‎: 2 different levels (Adults and young athletes)

With two tension levels catering to different age groups, these bands are excellent for enhancing skills like pitching, throwing, and running.

The bands benefit athletes in basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and various workouts.

Whether preparing for a game or hitting the gym for a strength training session, using these bands beforehand has significantly reduced my risk of injury and improved my overall performance.

Their sturdy build, ease of use, and additional accessories make them a reliable choice for anyone aiming to improve their strength and flexibility safely.

However, it’s important to note that despite the following advantages, these bands have some limitations. They’re best suited for exercises that involve attaching them to a fence.

Pros

• Easy to carry
• Comes with extra accessories
• Sturdy
• Safest to use
• Comes with a workout guide

Cons

• May stretch out too easily

5. Kbands

Features

• Material: Neoprene, Rubber
• Texture: ‎Non-Slip
• Length: ‎9 inches
• Tension level‎: Light, Medium, Heavy (10 lbs. to 140 lbs.)

Their effectiveness, versatility, and comfort make Kbands an excellent choice for athletes of all levels seeking to improve their speed, agility, and strong core muscles.

With a unique design to prevent rolling, these bands offer unmatched versatility for various exercises.

Available in different resistance levels, Kbands can cater to all fitness levels.

These bands will ensure your legs adapt to the extra resistance and increase their capacity to store and release elastic energy – especially during in-season strength training.

The non-slip thigh straps and swivel clip resistance bands ensure a secure fit and prevent discomfort or slipping during workouts.

However, sometimes, they can be uncomfortable on exercises with high repetitions.

Pros

• Best for leg strength conditioning
• 18 color-coded levels for precise progression
• Unmatched durability for intense workouts
• Suitable for various exercises
• Unique design fits small thighs

Cons

• Less comfortable during longer workouts

How to Buy a Training Resistance Band for Basketball

Generally, it is important to add resistance bands to your training to boost your basketball court performance and fitness.

Beginners should start with lighter resistance bands (10-15 lbs) to build strength gradually, while experienced players can use heavier resistance (50 lbs or more) for more intense workouts.

To get the best basketball resistance bands, follow these buying tips.

Adaptability

Consider the resistance band’s versatility and ability to accommodate various exercises and basketball training goals.

A highly versatile resistance band should be able to withstand different training routines like agility drills, weight lifting, sit-ups, dribble moves, jump training, mountain climbers, practice passing, etc.

Resistance Level

Select the appropriate resistance level based on your current fitness level.

Beginners may start training with lighter bands (around 10 to 15 pounds) and shift to heavier ones as they get stronger and more experienced.

Advanced athletes may require heavier resistance bands to challenge their muscle fibers and achieve maximum results.

Switch to higher resistance bands for more challenge and effective muscle building as you get fitter or find your regular training easier.

Choose bands with various resistance levels for progressive training. Check its color-coding to easily identify them.

Note: Color codes vary across brands, so look for a guide from the resistance band’s manufacturer!

Adjustability

Look for adjustable resistance bands with extra accessories that tailor the difficulty to specific exercises.

If you’re just doing basic sets, you can get by with simple bands. However, consider bands with handles, door attachments, carabiners, or ankle cuffs for added resistance.

But if you’re just starting, I recommend keeping your tools simple and establishing a routine first.

Training Drills You Want to Accomplish

Think about the specific basketball drills you want to include in your training. These drills determine the ideal length of the band you need to buy.

I’ve listed below some of my favorite basketball drills using resistance bands.

1. Explosive Squats

Wear a band during squats, kickbacks, clamshells, and bridges to prevent injuries and strengthen your lower body.

For explosive squats, attach the band to a sturdy anchor, loop it around your waist, and do jump squats for improved vertical jump and court strength.

With this exercise you’ll develop more fast-twitch muscle fibers, essential for jumping higher on the court.

2. Upper-Body Strength Training

To enhance your upper-body strength for powerful shots and more rebounds, utilize resistance loops to perform exercises like bicep curls, shoulder presses, and rows.

This ensures controlled movements and maximizes muscle engagement for effective passing during your games.

3. Lateral and Linear Movements

Use resistance bands to improve your dribbling skills and overall regular movement.

Loop the bands around your ankles or above the knees and perform lateral layups to strengthen your lower body for fast and effective dribbling.

Unlike free weights, wearing a band while doing lateral and linear movements builds explosive strength for leg muscles – which fuels a player to jump higher.

4. Planks

Strengthen your core muscles, including hips, groin, glutes, and back, essential for basketball, by doing plank variations with a band.

This exercise is effective for enhancing stability and maintaining proper form.

5. Vertical Jump Training

To boost your high jump power, try using lighter weights and performing higher repetitions.

For vertical jump training, use longer bands (around 80 inches) for easy looping and attachment.

The resistance loops are helpful when you want to develop fast twitch fiber muscles needed to ace that slam dunk – for example, lunges.

6. Agility Drills

Use resistance bands to improve your agility on the court.

Basketball resistance bands are ideal for basketball agility drills because they provide horizontal resistance, unlike traditional weights that rely on gravity and only work on a vertical plane.

Fabric, Latex or Rubber?

Resistance bands are typically made from fabric, latex or rubber. The band’s material affects its durability, comfort, and performance.

Fabric bands offer comfort, while latex bands provide resistance for strength training and are very durable.

Rubber is the most affordable, but it may be flimsier than latex.

Conclusion

Basketball resistance bands are stretchy bands designed to enhance your basketball skills and maintain good form.

You don’t need to hole up in the weight room or splurge on fancy equipment to get some basketball training in; just get some bands!

Adding resistance to your routine is a great way to get stronger, build skills, and have more explosive power so you can play basketball better.

With a little care and attention, you can use resistance bands to take your basketball skills or exercise routine to the next level.