Whether you’re someone who exercises at home often, or you’re thinking about doing so, resistance bands may be at the top of your list for at-home equipment. I know that they are for me.
Resistance bands are a fantastic, versatile mode of exercise that can be used in many different forms and fashions of fitness, from rehab and recovery, to full-blown HIIT workouts. In addition, their convenience and ease-of-use are undeniable.
However, there’s one common issue, especially as you increase the amount of resistance. Will these exercise bands damage my door? The general answer is no, as long as your following a few simple guidelines.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing all things resistance bands. From their quality assurance and potential risk factors, to alternative options and potential solutions!
Not only will you drastically lower the odds of property damage, but also the odds of PERSONAL damage, such as bruising, injury, etc. (Yikes!)
Best Doors for Attaching Bands
When looking for a door in your home to attach to, remember:
Newer is better than older, and
Solid is better than hollow
Why newer? I live in a home that was built in 1937. It’s survived over 80 years of Florida hurricanes. It’s tough, but it’s old. And all of my doors are old, so I need to be careful. So when I go to throw a set of resistance bands between a door and doorjamb, I need to be checking it first.
Is the door still secured tightly in the doorjamb? Are there any screws loose? Or, for one door, are there any screws missing? (Yes)
For newer homes, you should be good in this area, but it doesn’t hurt to check. For older homes and doors, definitely inspect the door. If you’re going to be doing heavy rows, pulling 100+ lbs of force, you don’t want to have any screws missing.
How-to Guide
We can’t begin to understand the potential dangers of resistance bands and what we can do to protect ourselves until we’ve learned the proper set-up and how-to guide on how to utilize them…
How to properly attach resistance bands to your door:
Resistance bands typically come with attachments pieces depending on what brand or type of band you’ve purchased. For the sake of simplicity, we’re going to be covering resistance bands that do come equipped with attachments…
There are two types of door anchor attachments:
A simple loop & thread attachment
A loop & thread attachment that includes a large, thick foam piece that acts as a strong anchor that restricts it from slipping through the door crack.
The set-up:
Open the door
Place the door anchor attachment at preferred location (i.e. top of door, bottom of door, side hinge of door)
Thread the attachment through the crack and close door
Thread the resistance band through the loop of the attachment
That’s it!
The set-up of these bands take literal seconds before being able to begin your workout. You can now see why it is so highly desired for its convenience AND effectiveness.
Sadly, resistance bands aren’t always all sunshine and rainbows…
If you aren’t careful they can damage your door, and they can damage YOU. Be sure to make yourself aware of the pitfalls of resistance bands and take the precautionary measures so that you can avoid such damage.
Read on to find out more.
Do Resistance Bands Break Easily?
Like anything, resistance bands can become worn and torn to the point of insufficiency. If you aren’t conscious of any such wear & tear, you may find yourself or your door in rough shape soon after you begin the next workout!
So do they break easily? While companies or trainers may tell you that they are meant to last 1-3 years, we both know that it depends on the magnitude and volume in which you utilize them…
Use them daily for weeks/months on end and you can expect a noticeable depreciation in quality; use them seldom and sparingly, and you can expect to have them around for a long time.
One thing is for sure, though. Resistance bands have a limited shelf-life and they will break in du time. That’s why it’s important to always check the anchor attachments and bands themselves for any wear & tear and potential damage that could result in door damage or self-inflicted injury.
Mistakes That Could Cause Damage (Mistakes to Avoid)
Any damage that has been caused from a resistance band could have been avoided if proper care and precautions were enforced by the user.
If you follow the incoming advice and avoid the preceding mistakes, you shouldn’t be experiencing any damage to your door OR your body any time soon.
Creating Friction
As prescribed earlier, threading the band through the anchor attachment is a necessary step for set-up. However, using the band in the incorrect way can result in damage.
The terminology used by Bodylastics, an aforementioned leader in the sale and distribution of resistance bands, is “sawing”.
Sawing is the act of pulling the band in alternate directions, back and forth through the loop attachment. This sawing motion creates friction between the band and the attachment which results in early onset wear & tear.
If friction is created time and time again, it may result in a snapping of the band against the door, ultimately damaging your property.
Wrapping Band Around Object Without Loop & Thread Attachment
These particular resistance bands are intended only to be used in conjunction with the pairing of the loop & thread attachment.
If you utilize the band by wrapping it around an external object, it can result in damage to the band…Resistance bands are typically made with a soft material such as latex. This material doesn’t bold well in scenarios such as the example just mentioned.
Say to yourself: a damaged band is a damaged door. That’s not what you want!
Too Much Tension
When using a resistance band, it can only be pulled so far. Extending beyond its capability will result in a snap of the band onto the door, creating damage to your door AND your wallet!
Over-stretching the resistance band is a very common occurrence, more than you know…Don’t be apart of the statistic, be the exception!
Improper Storage
Again, resistance bands are typically made from a material such as latex. Through negligence and lack of care, leaving the band out in the sun or in a hot, confined drawer can and will result in the deterioration of the band.
One day without awareness, you may go to attach your weathered resistance band to your door for a killer workout, and *snap! Yet another mistake to do your best to avoid.
Irresponsible Use
Lastly, and unnecessary to even mention, is an irresponsible use of a resistance band. Examples of this would be to use it as a playful “weapon”, incorporating them into exercises that they are not meant for, or simply just flinging them around without any care or deliberate consideration of the assurance of the band.
Again, and for the last time, this two will result in damage to your band, door, wallet, and body.
Will TRX Damage My Door?
While TRX attachments have much of the same properties and set-up protocols as the predeceasing resistance bands, they do hold up much better in the review and reputation forums of the internet.
Not only do they differ in the versatility of use and placement, but they are also made out of much more durable material…
So the short answer to this question is a NO. However, we all know there are exceptions. Maybe you’ve assembled it wrong, maybe your door is of low-grade quality, or maybe the TRX turns out to be a lemon of faulty manufacturing (unlikely…).
Here are a few quick takeaways & tips to stop a TRX from damaging your door:
Invest in a sturdier door! This may sound counterintuitive, however, this is often the case when it comes to TRX related door injuries (don’t discriminate, doors can get injured too!).
Double check and ensure that the TRX has been attached properly. Similar to the resistance bands mentioned above, TRX involves a door anchor attachment as well. Ensuring proper placement and safety measures, you will likely avoid any damage to your door.
Don’t Yank the TRX. Use the TRX as it is intended to be use. By pulling to hard or yanking it like you’re trying to control a bull, you’ll increase the likelihood of tearing your door off its hinges… Be smart.
Consider alternative Attachments. TRX’s are versatile and can be attached to other external surfaces outside of just your door. Do your research and see watch attachment and surface works best for you.
Conclusion
With regards to resistance bands and damaged doors, the liability comes down to your actions, not the flaws in the products themselves.
Do your due-diligence, take the necessary precautions, and act accordingly and that should keep you from doing any damage to yourself, the door, or the resistance bands themselves.
