If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best occlusion training bands for lean muscle growth is, then I’d recommend the Rigid Edition of the BFR Bands as the best one.
When it comes to working out, it’s hard to find a regimen that will ensure significant gains.
I’ve struggled with building muscle for years, and at one point, I thought it would be impossible due to my body type.
Fortunately, I discovered Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training, which allows me to restrict the flow of blood and lactic acid so that the muscle groups can grow and more fast-twitch muscle fibers can be activated.
Here are the top occlusion training bands we’ll be reviewing:
- BFR Bands Occlusion Training Bands, PRO
- BFR Bands PRO X Occlusion Training Bands
- BFR BANDS Occlusion Training Bands – Rigid Edition
- BFR Bands PRO Slim Occlusion Bands
- Superpump BFR Bands
How Does Occlusion Training Work?
Well, occlusion training utilizes the science of blood flow restriction, which is also known as BFR.
A band effectively allows the blood to flow into the muscles via the arteries but restricts them from flowing out of the muscle groups via constriction.
There have been several studies that prove the effectiveness of this workout technique, and if you’re doing the exercises right, you’ll see significant gains.
How to Choose the Best Occlusion Training Bands
Now that you’re ready to consider a purchase, you may be wondering about what features you should be looking for in the best occlusion training bands.
Fortunately, there are many great products on the market, but to make things easier, I’m going to highlight some features to consider before you make a purchase.
The best occlusion training bands may cost a little more, but when it comes to results, these will ensure that you’ll experience remarkable muscle growth and strengthening.
The Band Count
Simply put, it’s going to be much harder to maximize your workout sessions when you have a single band.
Fortunately, most band manufacturers produce sets of two so that you can work on specific muscle groups at the same time.
Ideally, you can also look for products that have a set of four so that you can work on both arms and legs at the same time.
Non-Slip Design
During a workout, if you always have to readjust the band so that it remains in position, then you’re not getting an optimal exercise routine.
Additionally, this means that you aren’t getting the right level of blood flow restriction.
Currently, the market has several great options that will stay in place as you exercise, and the products that I covered in the guide all have this design.
Durability
The last thing you want is to purchase a band that rips as your muscles increase in size.
Also, the ideal bands will also have the ability to stretch so that the pressure will remain at the same level as you exercise.
What are the Best Ways to Use Occlusion Training Bands?
When you’re training using BFR, it’s essential that you use the right techniques to ensure that you’re getting the right level of isolation.
This will both ensure that you can receive notable gains as well as stay safe while restricting your blood flow.
In my opinion, the most critical aspect of using occlusion as a way to build muscle is knowing your comfort level; if it starts to feel uncomfortable, loosen up the bands slightly.
In any case, here are a few additional ways to boost your gains while using occlusion bands on your legs or arms.
Use a Full Range of Motion
Whenever you’re working out your arms or legs using BFR, it’s crucial that you engage in exercises that use a full range of motion.
This means that you want to move your arms and legs in such a way that all of your muscle groups are activated at different points of the exercise.
For example, when doing curls, wrap the band around your upper arm and ensure that your curls start slightly behind your trunk and end almost touching your chest.
This will maximize the generation of lactic acid, which will become trapped using the bands. As a result, you’ll start to feel more of a burn, and you’ll experience better gains.
Don’t Over-tighten
In my experience, this is an aspect of occlusion training that not everyone really understands.
It’s imperative to restrict with this kind of training and not cut off blood flow altogether.
Effectively, you want the blood to flow into the muscles via arteries and blood to not be able to flow back into the heart via the veins.
This allows you to build up lactic acid, which is good for muscle growth.
If you over-tighten, you’re going to start to feel numbness, and extended exercises while your muscles aren’t receiving blood can be dangerous.
Don’t Wrap the Wrong Areas
Effectively, when you’re using occlusion bands, you’ll really be wrapping two primary areas: the upper arm and the upper thigh.
While it may seem like covering the knees or the forearms can help isolate these areas for muscle growth, you’ll get the most BFR results by just restricting blood flow out of the entire limb.
Exercise at a Low-Intensity Level
I love the fact that you can see some significant gains with this type of exercise without having to lift extreme amounts of weight.
This is because BFR training allows for muscle size growth, even when you’re exercising at a low-intensity level.
For example, you’ll be amazed at the leg growth that you can experience with just regular running while using occlusion bands.
The Best Occlusion Training Bands – Reviews
BFR Bands Occlusion Training Bands, PRO
BFR BANDS Occlusion Training Bands really stands out because of the fact that they have a good level of thickness, which can help boost the output of your BFR exercises.
In addition, when you’ve tied them off, you can loop the slack into the body of the band so that you aren’t annoyed by this section of material.
Once you’re ready to work out, the buckle locks firmly into place so that it doesn’t open up inadvertently during your sets.
During everyday use, the bands also have the right amount of elasticity, so you can depend on them providing a good level of pressure.
This pressure will ensure that you won’t lose lactic acid or allow the blood won’t flow back into your trunk.
The body of these is also designed not to slip, and the bands themselves have a stitch that’s reinforced for extra durability.
Pros
- These have the right level of thickness.
- They lock firmly into place when you’re exercising.
- The elasticity can help optimize your workout sessions.
Cons
- These don’t work as well on legs as they do the arms.
- The buckle could be a bit sturdier.
BFR Bands PRO X Occlusion Training Bands
Occlusion Training Bands by BFR Bands is part of their PRO X Model line of bands.
These bands offer the same two-inch width design and reinforced stitching of the first product, but they differ in that they have a more robust buckle and the ability to pull to tighten.
As a result, these can make for an excellent go-to product for people that will be occlusion training more frequently.
You can put them on and loop them in quickly so that you can work through your sets more quickly. This also helps the strapping process become more doable with one hand.
These also have a very easy-to-read number system printed on the outside of the band. These numbers allow you to visually ascertain the tightness of the band.
In my experience, people that are new to occlusion almost always tend to tighten too much, and with these, you can establish an easy five level of tightness, which should be ideal.
Pros
- The number system makes these very convenient to use.
- They are made of high quality, elastic materials.
- The buckle system is very intuitive, and you can tighten with one arm.
- These have a good width.
Cons
- The Velcro loop isn’t sewn on as well as it could be.
BFR BANDS Occlusion Training Bands – Rigid Edition
BFR BANDS Occlusion Training Bands – Rigid Edition differ slightly from the ones I’ve reviewed previously because these are designed specifically for the arms and not the arms and legs.
As a result, these have a design that is more rigid and more effective when you’re occlusion training the arms.
Despite this added rigidity, they are also reasonably comfortable thanks to the inclusion of an added comfort liner and edging that’s stitched to be softer on the skin.
When it comes to BFR functionality, these also feel a bit snugger when you’re occlusion training, which can help benefit your routine.
Also, like the PRO X series, these include very visible numbers so that you can decide on the level of tightness you need to maximize your workout.
The slider is also explicitly designed to be anti-slip, so you should be able to keep the same level of tightness throughout your sets.
Pros
- These can be tightened with one arm.
- They are more rigid than most other products of the type.
- The hook and loop is very reliable and won’t slip.
Cons
- This is supposed to ship with an eBook, but this is often neglected.
BFR Bands PRO Slim Occlusion Bands
BFR Bands PRO Slim Occlusion Bands has a slightly different design than the other occlusion bands that you’ve read about.
The first thing that you might notice is that these are noticeably thinner; they are only about an inch in width.
This is designed this way so that you can more easily fit these between your muscle groups, and by doing this, you should have better venous restriction and lactic acid retention.
When it comes to the other design features of this product, it’s clear that BFR Bands wanted to make the band unique.
The buckles system on this is robust, and it also has a patent-pending design that’ll allow it to lock more securely than most occlusion band models.
You’ll also notice that the material is slightly thicker than other occlusion bands; this adds to the durability and doesn’t sacrifice the elasticity of the product.
Pros
- These fit right between the deltoid and the bicep.
- The numbers help you keep an eye on the precise level of restriction.
- The buckle is one of the most secure that I’ve ever seen.
- It’s straightforward to tighten with one arm.
Cons
- The stitched fabric can chafe against the arms during some workouts.
Superpump BFR Bands
The final product that I’ll be reviewing also has the honor of being the only non-BFR Bands BFR band in this guide.
Superpump BFR Bands also has a distinct design that looks stylish during a workout.
These also differ because they are relatively budget-friendly and have a slim profile that some bodybuilders may prefer during their routine.
Like the previous product, these can fit reasonably well between the deltoid and bicep muscles.
These are designed to fit most arms under 20 inches in circumference, and the bands also incorporate a relatively reliable hook and loop system that will allow you to cinch the bands closed with ease.
The straps are also designed to stay put, so your workout won’t be disrupted by the band suddenly coming loose.
These also fall somewhat into the midpoint when it comes to size – at least in comparison to the other reviewed products since they have a 1.5-inch width.
Additionally, the strap system is completely capable of being used one-handed.
Pros
- These have a comfortable width for most arms.
- They store very easily.
- These have a military-grade hook and loop system.
- They are very comfortable.
Cons
- These are only for the arms.
- They could be somewhat sturdier.
Final Thoughts
In my own experience, the best occlusion training bands can undoubtedly provide you with noteworthy muscle development, which is why I wanted to make this guide so that you can find a product to help you build.
All of the products that I reviewed in the guide will work well and provide the right degree of restriction, but there is one that stands out.
This product, which is the Rigid Edition of the BFR Bands, stood out for me because of the inclusion of numbers.
These numbers help you easily track the pressure level, which can make BFR exercises much more manageable.
I also loved the comfort level of these bands; there are no pokey edges that can make exercise uncomfortable.
