Rogue Resistance Bands Review (2024): Tried and Tested by a Certified Personal Trainer
Rogue Resistance Bands are the Swiss Army knife of fitness gear: they’re versatile, durable, and small enough that you can carry one around in your purse and pull it out for a little workout whenever you get the urge. For this Rogue Resistance Band review, I got my hands on a few of these bands and used them at home, in the gym, and at the beach for warmups, resistance training, and assistance with my pull-ups.
As a certified personal trainer and an avid climber, I’ve tested a variety of the best resistance bands over the years, utilizing these tools to warm up my shoulders before sport and assist with pull-ups. I even take them with me when I travel because nothing helps pass the horror of a Spirit flight like a quick set of biceps curls. Our review utilizes the BarBend equipment testing methodology to provide a clear understanding of how we test each product we review. We think that if you’re someone who’s constantly on the go, short on space, or just looking for a budget-friendly way to support your training, the Rogue Echo Resistance Bands might be a great match for you.
Rogue Fitness Echo Resistance Band
Rogue Fitness Echo Resistance Band
These latex rubber superbands measure 41 inches in length and provide resistance that ranges from 9 pounds up to 225 pounds. Loop these around a pull-up bar for assisted pull-ups, attach them to your barbell to add resistance or assistance throughout your lift, or grip each end while standing in the middle to tackle bicep curls and shoulder presses.
Main Takeaways
- Per our tester, these bands are super compact and lightweight, and can easily fit in backpacks, purses, or carry-on bags.
- From testing, we’ve found that the heavier resistance bands are best for beginners learning how to do a pull-up or for more advanced athletes looking to become more explosive with their lifts.
- Score free shipping from Rogue Fitness when you add three resistance bands (or other eligible items) to your cart.
Rogue Resistance Bands Specs
The Rogue Fitness Echo Resistance Bands range in resistance levels from 9 pounds up to 225 pounds. They’re high-quality loops constructed from Latex rubber that measure 41 inches in length and can be used for warmups, prehab exercises, stretching, plyometrics, mobility work, pull-up assistance, resistance training, and more.
I’ve used 10 different loop bands for my training over the years, and have been testing out these Rogue Resistance Bands over the last two weeks. Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of training with these superbands is how versatile they are. I can sling one over any of the best pull-up bars for assisted pull-ups or triceps exercises. They easily attach to a fixed point like a door anchor or a handrail to rep out upper body work. You can even sling two bands on either side of a barbell (when the power rack has pegs) to add more time under tension during squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. (1)
Each band carries a different resistance level and is color-coded, which makes grabbing the right one for your training fairly simple. Warming up? Grab the orange or red band. Tackling some accessory work? Pick up the blue or green band. Looking to really turn up the heat? Reach for the black, purple, red, or silver band. (Everybody is different, so you’ll need to decide how much resistance you want or need for your specific resistance band exercise.)
The first time I ever used this specific band was about 10 years ago. I walked into a CrossFit gym and didn’t understand what anyone meant when they talked about the “WOD” (that’s Workout of the Day if you’re anything like past me). I saw athletes flying through kipping pull-ups. Meanwhile, I couldn’t even do a single regular pull-up. That’s when my coach wrapped one of these bad boys around the pull-up bar and showed me how to use these as assist bands. Now, a decade later, I can do 10 consecutive unassisted pull-ups — while it’s taken lots of time and effort, these bands helped get my pull-up journey started.
They’re small and lightweight, hardly taking up any room in the corner of my home gym or stuffed into my climbing bag. “I live in a camper van, and resistance bands provide me with a form of resistance training (and they regularly whip my butt, I might add),” adds certified personal trainer and BarBend expert contributor Amanda Capritto. “Compact exercise equipment fills a critical gap. A small home gym is still a good one.”
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use Rogue Resistance Bands
While many people can benefit from the simplicity, portability, and compact nature of the best compact exercise equipment, Rogue Resistance Bands may not be for everyone. To help you decide if these tools are right for you, we’ve listed who we think would and wouldn’t benefit from bringing home these bands.
Recommended for:
- Those just starting their fitness journey who are looking for a low-impact and affordable way to strength train
- Fitness fiends who travel a lot and want to be able to take their fitness equipment on the go
- Anybody who wants to improve their stability and flexibility
- Advanced athletes wanting to spend more time under tension in their major lifts
Not Recommended for:
- Individuals with a latex allergy
- People who want a resistance band with handles
[Related: Best Resistance Bands for Older Adults]
Our Experience Training With the Rogue Resistance Bands
While it may seem limiting to use a resistance band for your workout, I challenge you to use a little bit of that brain juice — and muscle juice — and get creative. Sure, I prefer using free weights (best adjustable dumbbells, anyone?), but in a pinch — when I’m traveling, outside climbing, or playing beach volleyball — the Rogue Resistance Bands help me warm up and can target every major muscle group. All you need is a little inventiveness.
When I’m looking to prep my shoulders for climbing I can loop the #2 orange band around a fixed point to tackle some interior/exterior rotator cuff work. During commercial breaks when I’m binge-watching “Only Murders in the Building” I tackle endurance work for my glutes and hamstrings by slipping the #4 black band over my shoulders for deadlifts. We’ll get further into the weeds of what it’s like training with the Rogue Resistance Bands in the sections below.
Versatile Use
The range of resistance levels offered in the Rogue Echo Resistance Bands makes them suitable for a wide array of uses and users. Rogue recommends that the lighter resistance bands — #0 through #2 — be used for general conditioning and rehabilitation. Bands #3 and #4 can be used with banded bench presses, squats, and mobility work. The heaviest resistance bands, #5 through #7, are best suited for advanced athletes wanting more from their deadlifts, squats, shrugs, and more. The chart below shows the resistance you can expect from each band.
I like to use #0 to warm up before I climb or play beach volleyball, #2 when I’m trying to learn how to do a muscle-up (haven’t figured it out yet, will report back), and #4 for some high-rep deadlifts and squats. Having a few of these in a variety of resistance levels allows me to keep to my routine even when I’m out of town or can’t get to the gym. I’ve even used them for some biceps curls and shoulder presses while seated on an airplane. Versatility scores a 5 out of 5.
Ease of Use
They’re pretty colors — so what? The range of color options available in these resistance bands is meant to create a simple and efficient way of deciphering which band to use. If you’re like me, you may store all of your resistance bands wadded up in a ball in the corner of your garage gym. Also if you’re like me, your partner may occasionally beg you not to store all of your resistance bands, wadded up in a ball, in the corner of your garage gym.
When it comes time for your workout, you won’t have to dig through various bands that all look the same — it’ll be as simple as reaching for the colored band you need and you’ll be off to the races. Now, because your workout was so efficient, maybe you’ll have time to organize the ball of resistance bands in the corner.
When it comes to ease of use, these bands are very simple and many movements may feel intuitive. However, some of the best bodyweight exercises or barbell setups — like the forward banded deadlift — may be a little more unfamiliar for some. When I was unsure how to set up a specific movement, I found countless YouTube videos that walked me through all the steps I needed. For these reasons, ease of use scores a 5 out of 5.
Compact and Portable
“If you travel a lot, certain compact gym items can help you keep fit on the road,” says certified personal trainer and BarBend expert contributor Amanda Capritto. “Resistance bands, for instance, are lightweight and require very little storage space, and can easily be brought on a road trip or packed into an airplane carry-on.”
My favorite aspect of the Rogue Resistance Bands is that I can hang them on the wall in my home gym, or toss them into a backpack to take my training to the gym or the beach. I even carry a resistance band on flights because they’re compact enough to slip into my carry-on. And while I may get weird looks, I can easily squeeze in some biceps curls, shoulder presses, and calf extensions from my seat. Portability earns a perfect 5 out of 5.
What to Consider Before Buying Rogue Resistance Bands
While considering whether or not to bring home a Rogue Resistance Band may be lower stakes than, say, going through what to consider before building a home gym, it’s still an investment. The following are some key areas to mull over.
- Price: Resistance bands are affordable options compared to typical strength training equipment. However, Rogue’s resistance bands are pricier compared to some other (sometimes less durable) bands. Consider how much you’re willing to spend before making an investment.
- Type of Training: While resistance bands can train all of the major muscle groups, consider if you’ll be satisfied with this type of training.
- Progressive Overload: Keep in mind that to build strength and muscle size, you’ll need to work with progressive overload. Since each band has a fixed resistance, consider if you’re willing to buy a new band when you’re ready to increase resistance.
- Compact Gym Equipment: “If you’re shopping for compact home gym equipment, I’m going to assume you need to maximize your available space,” says certified personal trainer and BarBend expert contributor Amanda Capritto. “What type of exercise do you want to do the most? Weight training? Consider a pair of adjustable dumbbells, an adjustable kettlebell, or a set of resistance bands.”
- Type of Bands: If you want a resistance band with handles, you might want to consider a tube band instead of these. Similarly, if you’re in the market for the bands some athletes wear around their thighs to warm up or activate their glutes, you’ll want to peruse mini bands instead. (2)
- Allergies: If you’re allergic to the material the band is made out of, it’s just not going to do you any good. Got a latex allergy? Opt for a latex-free resistance band like the ones offered by Fringe Sport and DMoose.
Rogue Resistance Bands Vs. Competitors
The chart below puts the Rogue Resistance Bands up against what I consider are some of the best resistance bands. While I’ve tried all three options, it’s difficult to pick a clear winner since they’re all durably constructed and feel like they’ll last for years to come. However, Titan Fitness may be more cost-effective if you’re willing to bundle and Fringe Sport is the only latex-free option of the three. You may also want to consider options from our list of the best pull-up assist bands.
Ordering and Assembling Rogue Resistance Bands
When you order from roguefitness.com, you can get free shipping when you order three or more qualified items. While shipping and handling are calculated based on your location, when I only had two items in my cart, the shipping and handling came out to $9.95 — (I’m no mathematician, but I think you ought to just add another $10-ish item to your cart to get free shipping). My package arrived in less than a week.
Places to Buy Rogue Resistance Bands
You can buy the Rogue Echo Resistance Bands directly from Rogue Fitness.
Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews
If you’ve ever walked into a CrossFit gym, you may have seen the Rogue name plastered across various pieces of equipment from air bikes to some of the best barbells we’ve tested. They’re known for making quality goods that can take some serious wear and tear.
There are 110 reviews for this item on Rogue’s website. While many of the reviews garnered a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, there are a few less-than-stellar reviews with complaints about durability. However, on a majority of these complaints, Rogue’s customer service touched base and had a member of the warranty team reach out to issue a replacement. Customer service earns a 4 out of 5 with our team. If you need to get in touch with Rogue, you can contact them by phone at (614) 358-6190.
Warranties
These bands are covered by a 1-year warranty. If something happens within a year and you need a refund or a replacement, just reach out to customer service with your original purchase receipt handy.
Final Thoughts on Rogue Resistance Bands
The Rogue Resistance Band feels strong and durable, and while not as durable as the brand’s Rogue Monster Bands (which are slightly more expensive), I can see myself getting loads of use out of these before I start to notice any deterioration in the latex rubber. I love that I can easily take this fitness equipment with me to the beach, out on a climb, and most importantly when I’m traveling out of town and away from my home gym.
Whether you’re an older adult looking to tackle some on-the-go prehab workouts, have heard about the notion that strength training improves the quality of life but hate the clanging of weight plates, or are an elite athlete wanting to add time under tension to your bigger lifts, there’s a Rogue Echo Resistance Band that just might fit the bill. (3)
Rogue Resistance Bands FAQs
How much do Rogue Resistance Bands Cost?
The Rogue Echo Resistance Bands range in cost from as low as $12.50 up to $60.75 for individual options. When choosing a band, you’ll also have the option (for some of the bands) to add a second band. Adding a duplicate band will cost less than the initial band, saving you between $3 and $14.50.
Where are Rogue Resistance Bands made?
The Rogue Resistance Bands are made in the USA.
Do inexpensive resistance bands work?
You can find resistance bands for cheaper than these Rogue Resistance Bands. However, you’ll want to be prepared for these bands to have a shorter shelf life than more high-end options. While latex rubber is inherently less durable than other types of fitness equipment materials, a cheaper resistance band may be more likely to snap during your workout.
References
- Skovdal Rathleff M, Thorborg K, Bandholm T. Concentric and eccentric time-under-tension during strengthening exercises: validity and reliability of stretch-sensor recordings from an elastic exercise-band. PLoS One. 2013 Jun 25;8(6):e68172. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068172. PMID: 23825696; PMCID: PMC3692465.
- Christensen, B., Bond, C. W., Napoli, R., Lopez, K., Miller, J., & Hackney, K. J. (2020). The Effect of Static Stretching, Mini-Band Warm-Ups, Medicine-Ball Warm-Ups, and a Light Jogging Warm-Up on Common Athletic Ability Tests. International journal of exercise science, 13(4), 298–311.
- Khodadad Kashi, S., Mirzazadeh, Z. S., & Saatchian, V. (2023). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Resistance Training on Quality of Life, Depression, Muscle Strength, and Functional Exercise Capacity in Older Adults Aged 60 Years or More. Biological research for nursing, 25(1), 88–106. https://doi.org/10.1177/10998004221120945
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