Caroline Stewart
Looking for something a little more dynamic than simple weights? These tools help you incorporate dynamic resistance training into your routines.
Resistance training is any workout where your limbs move against resistance (such as body weight, gravity, added weights, bands, etc.), which makes movement harder to accomplish. Resistance on the contracting of your muscles not only makes the exercises more difficult, but it also helps your body build more strength.
Our roundup of resistance tools includes bodyweight band trainers, resistance bungees, speed chutes, and weight sleds with a specific focus on keeping things interesting with dynamic resistance tools.
Best Body Weight Resistance Trainer: Ultimate Body Press ($50)
Our first tool for resistance training uses your own body weight for resistance. The Ultimate Body Press consists of two straps that have hand grips and feet loops to give you an upper body and lower body workout. These straps hang vertically, which helps prevent chafing against the skin of your arms when doing push up, dips, or flys. And if your feet are in the straps, they’ll stay put as you do your exercises.
You can use the Ultimate Body Press anywhere—mount it over a door or on a sturdy tree limb with the utility strap, or loop it over a pull up bar. Depending on the length you allow for the straps and the positioning of your body, you can tailor your workout to the resistance of your choosing. So if you want a more intense workout, lengthen the straps; if you want to build more stamina, make the straps shorter. The heavy-duty straps and buckles quickly adjust when you need them to.
This trainer can be used anywhere there’s a stable place to hang it. Plus, it even comes with a carrying bag for easy portability. But if you decide to set this resistance trainer up in your home, you can hang the large wall poster right next to the straps so you can look at its 26 exercises and 3 sample workouts.
Best Resistance Bungee: SKLZ Dynamic Resistance Assistant Trainer ($30)
Resistance bungees can be used to train for any sport, from football to soccer to basketball, to even swimming. Use the SKLZ Dynamic Resistance Assistant Trainer solo by attaching the velcro end to a pole or sturdy base, or with a partner who holds the end. The person performing the exercise straps in and gets to work.
You can position the belt (which is attached to the bungee cord with a ring) at any orientation around your body to allow for 360-degree training, helping with your balance, speed, power, and even vertical jump. The sheathed cable of this bungee stretches from 8 to 22 feet, letting you train with any drill or movement needed to improve your overall physical fitness.
If you want more resistance, you can double up these bungees depending on the level of intensity you’re looking for in your training. The possibilities are endless when training with this tool. You can attach this to your ceiling to add resistance to burpees. Attach it to the side of the pool when you’re swimming. Wear it while doing agility footwork with cones and ladders. As long as the bungee cord can move in the space you’re working, you can add it in as an extra layer of training.
Best Resistance Parachute: Unlimited Potential Speed Chute ($20)
Sprinting is a great way to improve your speed, helping with explosiveness and stamina. Add a resistance parachute like this Unlimited Potential Speed Chute and you’ve incorporated strength with an already challenging workout!
Just strap the belt around your waist and this chute, which comes in sizes of 40 or 56 inches, will add intensity to your sprints—producing from 11 to 33 pounds of resistance. This chute also has a carabiner that attaches to an O-ring, which allows the sprinter to move in 360 degrees. Most chutes only allow for forward movement, but with this option, the sprinter can train in any direction, improving the athlete’s power and speed.
The Unlimited Potential Speed Chute works for both group sports or individual training. Plus, the velcro strap on the belt can adjust anywhere between 20 and 42 inches, so this chute can work for everyone, both kids and adults. Lastly, this lightweight chute comes with its own portable carrying bag that you can easily fit it inside and bring it with you anywhere you like to sprint.
Best Resistance Sled: Rep Fitness Weight Sled ($259)
Resistance sleds, like the Rep Fitness Weight Sled, are helpful for building power, speed, and endurance, whether you’ve got weight loaded up on the sled or not. Stack weighted plates in the center post of this sled and either push it using the two removable/repositionable posts or pull it using a harness (such as the ComCor Pro Sled Harness).
Loading the Rep Fitness Weight Sled up with weights will train the muscle groups along your back and glutes, while training with less weight helps with speed and conditioning. Similar to using a resistance parachute, this sled increases strength through weights and sprinting. But when you add more resistance through weights, you get a more intense cardio workout. Note that this sled should only be used on turf or grass for optimal workouts.
