bodylastics Premium Flat Resistance Bands Set. Includes 4 Flat Resistance Bands, Door Anchor, Carry Bag.

I am new to the world of resistance bands, so to say I was surprised when I opened these is an understatement. I was expecting loops of elastic, not flat swaths of elastic. Loops would be nice, but looking around it's apparently hard (if not impossible) to get a quality set in this price range.I'm not bothered. The lack of loops is a minor inconvenience (which can be overcome by tying the ends together to make your own loop. I tried this once, but tied them so securely around my ankles that I almost had to cut myself out, so won't be trying this again). And as for comparing to the products with handles, those would nullify what in my opinion is the biggest advantage to using these flat bands -- the ability to instantly change the intensity of resistance simply by changing your grip location (I also like this because it allows you to go a little easier on one side while using the same band if you have unequal strength).YouTube is full of ripped guys protesting that bands are just as good as free weights. You don't have to convince me; these provide a SERIOUS workout. I've primarily used the highest band (13 pounds/blue), but I appreciate knowing that I can stack smaller bands on when/if that becomes too easy. And the first time you stretch one of these bands to maximum capacity, you'll appreciate spending a little more for such a highly recommended product -- it's easy to imagine how much it would hurt if it broke and snapped against any part of your body (a couple of times the band has slipped out of my hand and snapped violently against the floor, which was demonstration enough). (Although another plus with these bands is that dropping them is not nearly as dangerous as dropping free weights would be.)I have a fairly small apartment and have been looking for a "portable gym" for awhile now. These bands should come up under such a search. You can get a whole body workout with four pieces of elastic that fold up easily into your hand or a suitcase.Granted, they do require some thinking outside the box as opposed to walking up to a piece of gym equipment and it being immediately obvious how to use it (there is a booklet provided but it has only the most basic exercises possible). YouTube again has been a valuable resource for building on that.My one complaint is the bands are a little tough on my hands (I have a cushy desk job; don't judge me). I tried some gloves with negligible improvement. But again, for the quality of these bands at this price, I'll put up with a bit of discomfort.To sum up, even though I'm not a "gym rat" and not especially committed to free weights, I consider myself a believer. These are a great, affordable and highly compact way to bring a gym home without filling up a spare room with huge bulky equipment.

The bands exceeded my expectations. Outstanding quality! Super good for squats; i.e. standing on the flat bands and holding the ends by your side and squatting without compressing your spine with heavy weights on your back, safer, effective and smooth as silk. Not to mention kinder to the joints, particularly for older folks (as you grow older, sooner or later you will appreciate exercises that are kinder to your joints. This I learned the hard way).I like squatting with these bands far more than with tube band sets. You don't have to hold any handles at shoulder height, which I found awkward and uncomfortable as I progressed to more intense resistance.Great for putting the wide band across your back for extra resistance when you do pushups. Easier and more comfortable than the tube bands. Also good for chest presses. You put the band around your back and push out with your arms at chest level while standing or sitting. Tube bands are uncomfortable in this position. They dig into your skin. The flat bands do not. They are perfect for this exercise.Excellent instruction booklet with 15 exercises giving you plenty of options for workouts, and you can get creative and make up some of your own exercises. These bands are a great addition to any home gym. You could even use them as your only workout tool. I love these bands! They are a bargain at the $19.95.Maybe next Bodylastics will come out with some innovative chest expanders; the resurrected old school expanders are powerful and versatile workout tools.

These are actually pretty good. I'd initially bought them to try and strengthen some shoulder muscles to counteract some nagging shoulder issues a physical therapist had recommended, but have found they are a good overall workout. I picked these over the resistance tube varieties the therapist was using thinking that if they did snap, there wouldn't be clips snapping back at me plus since they're wider so they should hit with less impact. It made sense to me anyhow. These are versatile in that you can easily tie them into a loop which I use to tie around my ankles for leg exercises which has proven great for balance. The door attachment is pretty useful to. I have hollow interior doors as many newer homes do and used all bands together for rows and the foam anchor did a good job spreading the load. Not going to make a habit of doing rows with all bands as I don't want to damage a door, but just wanted to test it. I've used these for a month now and am happy.My only nitpick was that I was so happy with my first purchase that I bought two more as gifts. My first order included an instruction booklet and at the time I ordered the next two, the description still said instruction booklet included, but they did not come with the booklet. Only a few days after I received my second order did they change the description omitting the booklet. Mind you for most people the booklet probably isn't so useful. However the people I was buying for don't want to deal with computers, so having a booklet would have been be nice.

Ordered this as an ultra-portable travel alternative to my Bodylastics tubular bands. The set more than meets my expectations. For a few exercises like resisted pushups and stretches, I even think the flat bands are superior to tubular bands. Don't overlook the fact that two or more bands can be used together to provide greater resistance. Like all Bodylastics products, quality is excellent and the app and user book provide a well-illustrated set of exercises. For those who are wondering whether resistance bands will work for them, this is a low cost entry into a great form of exercise.

2 years of use and they are still holding up well! Wife enjoys these very much and the different resistance levels are great for building your strength

These are very nice! The red one tore when I was trying to unknot it, but otherwise they've stood up very well to regular use.

Great bands - thick and durable. Working very well for me!

Love these! I also have the resistance bands and I use them weekly. Definitely a great buy! Highly recommend their bands.

I've had their tube bands for years and decided to order this set to go along with them. Amazing quality as usual and works just as described.