I have reviewed two resistance bands. One is from a set I own made by Reebok and the other is Spri (very light).

I am now reviewing one of my most used bands. That is the Spri Products Original Xertube Medium SPR0003. I took a 1-1/2 hour weight training class each week. Now that we changed gyms this similar class also using Spri bands is 1 hour. (Just wanted to clarify this point since I wrote this months ago!)

What are Xertubes?

These are 50” tubes that based on their color offer various amounts of resistance. The Medium Xertubes are red. They are considered for average men or active women. In comparison the very light yellow are considered for seniors or children. The Medium tube offers a resistance level of between 10 and 15 pounds depending on where it is held. This is twice the amount of resistance that the light yellow will give you, which is the equivalent of 3-5 pounds, which offers the least resistance. The very light yellow is easy for me to pull but the red gives me some resistance. It gives me enough that after doing 3 sets of 20 repetitions of tube curls I feel it!

In my review of the yellow bands I noted that I did not know nor did my instructor what the resistance levels are. I have found out so have noted them for you. It isn’t necessary to know. It might save some time if you are in a class though and don’t know what color to use. All you’ll have to do is pull on it though and most likely you will be able to tell. If you are in a class you’ll grab several colors and can switch around as you get tired. If you are buying them, it might be hard to know what color to buy if you don’t know the resistance level. Hopefully this review and others will help you with the decision.

These are not dumbbells but I find that they are really effective and simulate dumbbells fairly well. I am comfortable with 15-20 pound dumbbells doing a set of 12-20 dumbbells so the bands are close to what dumbbells offer.

I love owning and using tubes or resistance bands. The terms are used interchangeably. They create tension and can be used anywhere. They are inexpensive and perfect for traveling. At $6.00 each, they are a bargain!

The tubes allow me to target a muscle group. Not only do they mimic dumbbells you can also use them to mimic work on cables and barbell exercises. If you order them online you will get a free instruction chart.

As I said in a previous review, if you have ever been in physical therapy there is a good chance you have used a resistance tube or band of some sort. It is possible that it wasn’t one with handles. Physical therapists often use strips of tubing or flat bands. It is less expensive than buying the ones with handles. If you were buying resistance equipment such as this, I would recommend spending the little extra money and getting ones with handles. You can use them for more exercises and use them more efficiently.

I love the handles on the Spri. The space is a good size for both a foot and hand. The handles, which are made out of a strong flat rope like material, have another handle on the top on which you hold the tubes. Some of the bands has plastic handles on the top and some are foam.

If you order them online you can specify whether you want a hard or soft handle. If you are using the very light I would recommend soft handles. Otherwise the hard handles are quite comfortable. My hand fits right around them nicely.

The tube itself is hollow making it extremely flexible. They are quite strong and even in a gym they seem to hold up really well. I’m sure that if you were to buy them you would have them for a lifetime unless you damaged them accidentally. Spri has created what they call a patented “sleeve” which protects the Xertube. In addition laboratory tests according to the company show that Spri has a longer life than other brands and are more durable under strenuous use. The tubes are made from highest quality rubber, which includes the patented Tuff Tube component,

The tube is inserted into the handle with a rivet around it. The tube comes through the handle a bit. I cannot imagine the tube ever coming out of the handle.

Unlike Reebok, whose handles are different colors, the Spri’s handles are all black but the tubes are different colors.

I rarely train men except my husband. I feel even the extra heavy tubes that we have in the gym or that can be bought will not give enough resistance for many men who have been training for awhile. They give a resistance between 20-27 pounds. You can go in a store and try them out. I also have a band by Altus. This band has 3 resistance levels in one band. My husband can use the Altus but doesn't use my Reebok Tubes. One day I took him into the aerobics room where classes are held. We were super setting rows using the bands and push-ups. I gave him the tube with the most resistance and they didn’t offer enough for him. So I cannot recommend Spri brand for men unless they are very weak (Seriously, perhaps you have been ill, are out of shape or even older than we) or for a young person) Just for the record Spri disagrees with me and feels the purple bands- the ultra heavy are for “elite men or women.”

Xertube Medium offers an incredible workout for virtually every part of your body. There is no body part that can’t be used with a tube. The reason you might want various intensity levels is the same as the reason that you may use 20-pound dumbbells for dumbbell curls but only 10 pounds for tricep kickbacks.

My final thoughts:

Spri Xertubes are portable and easy to use. They can be held at various places to make the tension easier or harder. They are safe to use. I like tubes a lot!

There is no doubt Spri makes a great tube. I have found that using tubes can be safer for clients than dumbbells. It is more difficult to use momentum rather than muscle when doing a bicep curl, making it better on your back and using better form. I have found that using the tube eccentrically (or the negative phase- this is on the downward motion, for example in a bicep curl) is much easier to control using tubes than dumbbells. For someone just beginning or someone who doesn’t work out consistently this is a great way to get them back into proper form.

Make sure your tube doesn’t have any holes or worn spots. This is how it can snap and break and you could get hurt.

A few exercises presented by Jo your personal trainer:

I am presenting a couple of exercises you can do when using your tube. Please check with your doctor before you start any exercise program.

This is for your chest area. Stand in the middle of the tube and hold a handle in each hand. Bring them up to chest level and cross your hands. With your shoulders down lift the handles up toward your chin and then back down again. If done properly you will feel these. If you feel them in your neck you aren’t doing them correctly. Although the position of this is much different, it feels to me very much like a cable crossover that you might do on a pulley so you could substitute what I just explained if you were traveling or if you work out at home.

For your triceps (The back of your upper arm) step with one foot in the middle of the tube. Hold the handles next to your waist with your hands facing up. From that position bring your arms (just from your hand to your elbow) straight back. You are now doing what is called a kickback in dumbbell terms.

For your biceps (The front of your arm) stand on the tube and hold a handle in each arm. Keeping your elbows close to your sides bring the bands up either one hand at a time or both at the same time and squeeze your biceps as you get to the top.

The last one for your chest is called a flye. These are commonly done with dumbbells but we have done them with resistance tubes as well. You will need to lie on a bench with the tube under you back. Depending on the resistance you want and the length of your arms hold the handle with each hand or hold the tube at whatever place feels as if you are getting resistance. You will bring your arms out to the side not going below shoulder height. Your arms should be curved a bit. Now bring each arm up in an arc so that the handles touch or almost touch each other and continue.

Happy exercising – it’s good for your body and soul!


Feel free to leave me a comment or question.


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Recommended: Yes