Resistance Tubes are typically manufactured in three designs: 

Standard Tubes:    Have fixed handles on either end of a length of tubing approximately
40” – 48” in length.  The handles typically have a metal ring in the webbing through which
the tubing passes and is secured by means of a bung inserted into the hollow part of the
tubing.

Well known brands of standard tubing include:  PRO TUBE,   PROPLUS TUBE,  FITPRO TUBE,
XERTUBE  and  REEBOK TUBE.

Step Straps: Are similar to Standard Tubes except they have some form of protective material
either rubberised sheathing or webbing in the middle of the product to minimise the risk of
damage to the tube at the point of most wear when trapped underneath an aerobic step,
under the user's feet or when secured to a door or step attachment.

Well known brands of Step Tubing include:   PRO STRAP  and  FITPRO STRAP.

Clip Tubing Systems: Have detachable handles and other attachments such as ankle cuffs,
bar attachments which clip directly to a length of Rubber Tubing.  This rubber tubing
may vary in length according to your requirements -  lengths of 42” and 24” are typical.

The only Clip Tubing System in the UK is the high quality  PROCLIP  brand.

How Durable are Resistance Tubes ?

Resistance tubes are generally much more durable than toning bands and tend only to fail
through abuse or old age.  The most common abuse is overstretching of the tube and physical
damage to the tube where it is trapped under feet or objects which in themselves sharp or
rough or where the ground underneath is rough.

PROPLUS tubes have a reinforced stitched handle with a safety loop to protect against
failure of the handle fixing. This makes them more durable than other brands.

How Versatile are Resistance Tubes ?

Tubing products are typically less versatile than toning bands because they can only be
gripped at the handle.  This means that people of different heights will get different value,
for example; tall people may struggle to perform a shoulder press by standing on
the tube without overstretching it and are forced therefore to use a machine or door
attachment to bring the insertion point higher to allow safe exercise. Equally when trying
to perform an exercise requiring a short length of tube i.e. a chest press with the tube behind
your back, the advantages of having handles are lost by the need to wrap slack tubing
around the hands.  In this instance a door or machine attachment will be needed to maintain
the versatility.

The PROCLIP   system adds considerably to the versatility of tubing.  The system includes
door and machine attachments, and are compatible with ankle straps and bar attachments
and have a variety of strengths and lengths of rubber to alleviate the problems mentioned
above.  A key advantage of the PROCLIP system is that there is no need to manufacture
more than three strengths of tubing, as multiple pieces can be clipped to handles and
attachments to provide a much more versatile range of resistances than any other tubing
system.

What Strength of  Resistance Tube should I Choose ?

Different manufacturers use different colour coding to signify the strengths of their products
so it is not possible to buy a colour of band and be sure of its strength.  The following chart
will therefore help as a guide to choosing your tubes.

LEVEL 1:        Is a  thin tube with low resistance – it is ideal for pre and post natal use, for
the very unfit and for the elderly.

LEVEL 2:        The most commonly purchased level for exercise classes.  Level 2 tubes
are ideal for most exercises for females of average fitness or keen exercisers in their later
years.

LEVEL 3:      The basic tube for males of average fitness and regular female exercisers.
  Exercise class teachers will typically purchase one Level 3 tube for every two level two
tubes bought.

LEVEL 4:       There is a large jump in resistance between Level 3 and level 4 tubes.  Level
4 tubes are designed for female sports participants used to serious resistance training and
for keen male exercisers and sports participants.