Sports headbands and elastics
Seven-metre throw, goalkeeper in front, and a drop of sweat running into the eye at the wrong moment: headbands and hair ties on the page take care of this kind of detail, and they also help prepare the body before the effort.
Plush or thin headbands, hair ties, neck warmers, and resistance bands for warm-ups and strengthening.
Sweatband or thin headband: two uses
The sweatband absorbs. The Swoosh Classic from Nike, made mainly of cotton terry cloth, stays in place and catches sweat before it drips down your face. The thin headband holds your hair back: the Flex Classic from Nike, sold in packs of three or six, comes in various widths to suit every hairstyle. Between the two, the adjustable Premier headband can be tightened to your desired tension.
Resistance bands: warm up before playing
The resistance bands from Sveltus, Tremblay CT, Pure2Improve, or Fit & Rack are used to activate muscles before your session: shoulders of the shooter, hips and glutes, ankles. In handball, where the shoulder and knee take a lot of strain, a few minutes of activation with a band is a common warm-up routine. The different resistance levels allow you to progress over the weeks, and the same bands can be used for strengthening after an injury, following a physiotherapist's advice.
Hair ties and neck warmers
Sports hair ties, like the Flex Hair Tie from Nike, are designed to hold a ponytail during exercise. Neck warmers protect against the cold during winter runs and commutes to the gym when it's far from home.
Boxing wraps and wristbands
The page also includes wrist support bands, used in weightlifting and boxing to stabilize the joint during effort. This is different from the terry wristband, which is just for absorbing sweat.
Nike, Hummel, Erima: the brands on the page
- Nike: from the Swoosh Classic terry to the Flex Classic thin and the adjustable Premier.
- Hummel: headbands with the chevrons of the Danish brand.
- Erima: headbands and accessories from the German team sports brand.
- Sporti: training bands and accessories for clubs.
- Craft: headbands from the Swedish brand, designed for performance.
Alongside the headbands
For sweaty hands, sweatbands do the same job as the headband, at the wrist. After your session, a towel takes over, and for strengthening, the fitness and strength training page goes beyond just bands. All the small equipment is on the accessories page.
Headbands at bargain prices
The end-of-line items in the bargain accessories and the special equipment offers are the two pages to replace a headband at a lower cost. Black Friday and the sales add their discounts to these.
Frequently asked questions
How do I wash a sweatband?
In the washing machine on a low temperature, with towels, without fabric softener, as this reduces absorbency. Let it air dry: the tumble dryer relaxes the elastic faster.
What resistance band should I choose to start?
Start with a light or medium resistance, with which you can do your sets without cheating on the movement. Move to the next one when the last repetitions become easy.
Does a thin headband stay on during a match?
Yes, if it’s the right width for your hair. Get several widths, like in the Flex Classic packs, and keep the one that stays in place during jumps.
When should I replace a resistance band?
As soon as it shows a crack, a thinner area, or starts to stick. A damaged band may snap under tension and whip your face: check it before every session.
Headband or cap for running?
The headband absorbs sweat and lets your head breathe, while the cap also protects from sun and rain. Indoors, only the headband is appropriate.
