Resistance bands are an incredible tool for building and shaping your muscles. Not only are they super effective, but they are affordable as well. A good set of bands can last you for years, however, you need to use and treat them properly. Keep your bands in tip top shape by avoiding these 5 common mistakes:

1. Avoid “Sawing” your bands – Sawing is when you your bands are anchored and you alternate pulling one side of the band at a time, almost like a pulley. This action creates friction, and heat which can literally melt your bands.

2. Never wrap your bands around a hard stationary object – Resistance bands are made out of latex ( a soft material). When they are in contact with a hard surface and then stretched, the friction can literally can tear the latex.

3. Do not thread your bands through small hooks or wires – One of the most common mistakes with resistance bands is threading them through a wire fence, eyelet or ring to secure them. When they are stretched in this scenario, the securing object acts like a knife and literally cuts the band in half.

4. Do not shorten the bands to increase resistance – Most damage to resistance bands occurs when users shorten the length of the band, or stretch it further to create more resistance. This action can stretch the band beyond its elasticity and eventually create tears.

5. Do not leave your bands in direct sunlight, or in a dry environment – Latex is a natural material. Similar to other natural materials it will break down in direct sunlight, or dry out in hot and dry conditions.

http://www.bodylastics.com/blogs/bodylastics-blog/40738435-top-5-mistakes-with-resistance-bands-that-could-cause-them-to-snap