Between declining bone density and loss of muscle mass attributed to menopause and metabolic shifts, middle-aged women are prime candidates for adding strength training to their routines, according to recent HuffPost reporting. That’s what makes resistance bands, a lightweight and portable strength-training accessory, so appealing — especially as we age. Unlike that intimidating dumbbell set in the weight room, resistance bands tend to weigh approximately nothing and takes up virtually no space at all. And the benefits far outweigh the aesthetic: experts say weight training and building muscle is the ideal non-pharmacologic strategy for promoting independence as we age, facilitating activities of daily living and warding off fractures.I’m the first person to get the memo: As a certified personal trainer with a specialization in orthopedic exercise and senior fitness, the prospect of throwing around heavy weights at the gym can feel intimidating, and even dangerous if not performed with correct form or respect for your unique limitations. In my practice, I often incorporate resistance bands to activate underconditioned muscles and boost circulation as part of a warmup, but they’re equally effective at promoting time under tension or progressive overload, leading to that sought-after muscle burn that can ultimately contribute to hypertrophy (also know as muscle growth).The best part? Resistance bands are incredibly simple to use as part of a well-rounded full-body workout, and they’re remarkably affordable too. I parsed through thousands of options and found the best ones worth adding to cart, right here.YourHealthMatters.Your SupportFuelsOur MissionYour SupportFuelsOur MissionProtecting your well-being requires facts, not fiction. With health misinformation on the rise and independent journalism under pressure, your support is more important than ever. Join our membership program today.We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.Join HuffPostAlready a member? Log in to hide these messages.Fit SimplifyA set of cheap and cheerful resistance bands for all levelsFit Simplify’s resistance bands make fitness simple. You get five levels of resistance ranging from extra light to extra heavy in a durable latex material, color coordinated for your convenience. An included carry bag makes them easy to store and an instruction guide gives you plenty of inspo before incorporating them into your routine. We even recommend them as a way to get the full Pilates studio experience at home. All that for the price of a latte. Promising review: “The Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands arrived exactly as described. The set includes five bands of varying resistance levels, a handy little carry bag, and a small booklet with a variety of exercises. The guide is helpful, but what really impressed me were the company’s online videos — they’re clear, easy to follow, and make it simple to get started. These bands are perfect for anyone beginning a fitness or strengthening routine, and they’re especially great for seniors like me who are getting back into taking better care of our bodies. They’re gentle, versatile, and effective without being intimidating. I’m very pleased with the quality and highly recommend them.” — Amazon CustomerEquiproA set of resistance bands to turn your home into a home gymSkip the long wait for equipment at the gym and turn your living room into a weight room. We recently recommended this set of resistance bands for how comprehensive it is: it comes with a door anchor and a set of handles to help you get even more creative with rows and pulls, plus protective sleeves to help prevent callouses. Due to their long length, you’ll also appreciate them for stretching and mobility routines. Promising review: “Excellent resistance band set for home workouts. The handles are sturdy, and the protective sleeve gives extra safety and durability. The door anchor works perfectly for a variety of exercises, making it easy to get a full-body workout anywhere. Great quality and value — highly recommend for both beginners and pros!” — ASC5883Tribe LiftingA set of cloth resistance bands to comfortably kick your workout into high gearWhy select these cloth fabric resistance bands we recommend for preserving bone density over their rubber counterparts? They tend to feel more gentle on bare skin, leading to less sticking or snagging on body hair, especially if you’ll be performing your workout in shorts or tanks. They’re available in five resistances to suit beginners and pros alike, with six of the 11 options coming in various colorways to help you quickly identify your preferred resistance level during a fast-paced workout. Promising review: “I'm really impressed with the quality of these resistance bands. They feel durable and well made, and the fabric is strong without being uncomfortable. One thing I really appreciate is that the band does not twist or roll up while I'm exercising, it stay securely in place on my legs throughout the workout. The elasticity is excellent; it provides consistent resistance and does not lose tension or stretch out over time. This makes them reliable for squats, glute workouts, and lower-body training. Overall, these bands feel sturdy, comfortable, effective and I like the colors and look, making them a great addition to my workout routine and personal gym.” — YahairaAll in MotionA set of aesthetic fabric resistance bands you’ll want to displayFun fact: Target is a goldmine when it comes to, well, targeting your muscles through reliable, affordable and great-looking workout gear. We selected these polyester fabric resistance bands as a smart addition to your workout of any level, accommodating both strength and flexibility goals. They come in three display-worthy retro colors with an included carry case for easy storage. Promising review: “These don’t bring any of the typical issues with resistance loops - they don’t flip down or roll up when exercising and they actually stay in place and don’t slip off, they’re wide and well made so they actually provide adequate resistance and support. They’re 100% worth the extra money over rubber or silicone type bands.” — KenzieCofofA set of senior-friendly resistance bands with handlesGet a handle on your strength, mobility and bone density with these handled resistance bands a physical therapist recommended to us. Included in the set are five resistance bands of varying levels, two ankle straps to train your abductors and adductors (outer and inner thighs), a workout guide, a door anchor and foam-based handles for comfort and grip assistance. Promising review: “I don’t usually take the time to write reviews for a $20 purchase — but this one absolutely deserves it. These resistance bands exceeded my expectations in every way. The quality is solid, the range of weights is perfect and the setup is incredibly versatile. I liked them so much that I went back and bought an extra set of handles so my husband and I can both use them together. The door anchor system turns a simple set of bands into a full home gym. We’ve got ours set up on our bedroom double doors, and it works beautifully. They even included a large, easy-to-follow workout poster, which we taped to the back of another door — no guesswork, just get started. What really stood out to me, though, were the thoughtful extras: a “STOP – do not open” door tag (like at a hotel), and a handwritten-style thank you card from the owner. You can tell this isn’t some big faceless company — there’s real care behind the product.” — debbieVergaliA set of four giftable resistance bands to target every muscleI fully stand by my previous recommendation that these fabric resistance bands are some of the best gifts you can offer yourself or a loved one, especially if bone density preservation is the goal. Their cotton-coated material paired with a non-slip rubber backing is designed to feel comforting on bare skin even as you reach muscular failure. Resistance levels like Light, Medium, Strong and Heroic are sure to add levity to a particularly gruelling set. Online guides and videos help sweeten the deal and boost your confidence before you incorporate them into your routine.Promising review: “These resistance bands are very good quality, durable, and feel strong during workouts. The different resistance levels are well distributed, making them suitable for various exercises and fitness levels. They are comfortable to use, don’t roll up during workouts, and seem built to last. Overall, a great set for home workouts and definitely worth the purchase.” — TijanaGet it from Amazon for $20 (Regularly $22) in three colorsTherabandA set of beginner-friendly latex-free resistance bandsToo busy to exercise? These expert-recommended resistance bands are so fun to use, you may just find yourself miraculously carving out time. These three resistance bands, measuring five feet each, are color-coded for your convenience. They each boast a beginner-friendly level to help you gradually progress and ward off injury. Latex-free, they’re especially kind to sensitive skin and are easy to wipe down.Promising review: “I’ve been using the THERABAND resistance bands set for a few months, and it’s been a fantastic addition to my daily workout routine. The bands are easy to use and offer just the right amount of resistance for stretching, strength training, and rehab exercises.I use them at home and when traveling, and they perform consistently every time. The quality feels solid and durable, and they’ve held up really well with regular use.If you want a reliable, versatile, and portable way to add resistance training to your routine, this set is a solid choice.” — Alan M