This cord is way more resistant than I expected for a medium. I plan to order another that is one level down. I use resistant cords regularly, so I am not unfamiliar with them. An older resistance cord I purchased at Gaiam some years ago recently broke just below the handle. Snap! Luckily, that cord was an earlier model which was enclosed in a cloth sleeve. The elastic band was contained in the sleeve when it snapped loose, and there was no danger to me. I wish Gaiam still carried similar cords.