If your bands aren't to heavy, I found that if you use a 45 lb plate with another on top, you can somewhat adjust the amount of tension you want from the bands by sliding them around on the floor or placing them on another plate. This way, you can also easily adjust where you want them on the bar. When I use them, I take the band and make a loop around the plate(s) and through the center and bring the band back on itself. This gives good tension at the top without killing your elbows from too much tension (single loop to bar). The DBs also work well if the bands are light enough and the DBs are heavy enough. Hope this helps.