When you hear someone say “wrist weights” or “ankle weights” what do you envision? Does it make you think of Jane Fonda circa 1987? Let me tell you, those days are long gone and wearable weights have gotten a makeover my friend! Introducing (drum roll please)โฆ.Bala Bangles! After seeing them on the Internet and on the wrists of people in real life, I was instantly intrigued. In fact, I convinced myself that I had to have them for myself!
Why I Took the Plunge
Simple–I think they’re cute (my husband doesn’t, but I seldom take his fashion advice anyway)! Besides being cute, I have always loved ankle and wrist weights because of the muscle connection that you can achieve while wearing them. But I’ve never considered buying a pair for myself for some reason. The more I thought about it, I realized that I was missing out on an opportunity to strengthen and lengthen my muscles in a safer manner while teaching class, working out, or doing normal everyday activities.
In a rush? Check out my favorite wrist weights!
What are They?
Bala Bangles are wearable weights that you can wear on your wrists or ankles. They are sold as a pair, and each weight weighs either .5 lb, 1 lb, or 2 lb. The company describes them as a way to “add constant but comfortable resistance to your workout” and “turn movement into muscle.” As someone who’s constantly on the lookout for new innovations in fitness and ways to take my workout up a notch, those words were like music to my ears! Per the website, you can wear them for yoga, running, aerobics, pilates, walking, traveling, home workouts, and core training plus they come in an assortment of beautiful colors. OK, what? Let’s do this!
The Experiment
Just to clarify, my main reason for buying the bangles was to wear them on my wrists. I knew that I could wear them while exercising, but I loved that I could wear them while teaching too. So I took the plunge and bought them here. I went with Amazon because I can be a little impatient and I wanted them as fast as possible (thank you Prime)! As soon as they arrived, I came up with an idea to do an experiment in which I’d test them out for a week during my typical workouts and teaching sessions. I’d evaluate them based on these 5 criteria:
- Comfort: how did they feel on my wrists during the workout
- Restrictiveness: was I unable to do something because I was wearing the wrist weights
- Noticeable Muscle Fatigue: did I experience soreness or muscle fatigue during or after the workout
- Calorie Burn: using my Apple Watch as a gauge, was there a noticeable difference in calories burned
- Public Opinion: did I receive looks, hear whispers, etc. from onlookers as I wore the wrist weights
Workout #1: 3 Mile Run on a Treadmill
- Comfort: This was the first time for me to wear the bands, so I had no idea that it would make a difference to have the elastic side on top vs. under my wrist. There was definitely some rubbing against my skin, so I had to turn the bands so that the elastic side was down. In addition, there was a constant shift front/back as I was running which probably could have been alleviated if I’d tightened them beforehand. I also had a tendency to lean forward more than usual (due to the extra weight), so I was mindful to engage my core a little more to keep my torso lifted while running.
- Restrictiveness: During the run, I was simply moving my arms forward and back along with my normal gait. I wasn’t restricted in any way.
- Noticeable Muscle Fatigue: During the run, I didn’t notice anything. When I lifted free weights afterward (without the wrist weights), I definitely noticed that my muscles were more fatigued than usual. I could not lift my normal weight.
- Calorie Burn: I ran the same distance and did the same intervals as I did the previous week. Although my average heart rate was 13% higher while wearing weights, my active and total calories burned were about the same compared to the run from the previous week.
- Public Opinion: I caught a guy looking at me twice. But that’s okโฆhe was probably wondering what they were!๐
Workout #2: Teaching a Trampoline Fitness Class
- Comfort: They were comfortable, and I didn’t notice the shifting front/back motion that occurred during my run.
- Restrictiveness: I was able to do everything that I wanted to do. It felt like an added workout bonus to be able to use them while doing jumping jacks or intervals on the trampoline.
- Noticeable Muscle Fatigue: I had a day of rest before this workout, so I didn’t notice any muscle fatigue at the start. After class, I did feel as if I’d worked my upper body a little more than usual (but in a good way).
- Calorie Burn: My average heart rate, active calories, and total calories were 5-10% lower while wearing the weights compared to the class I taught the previous week. However, the class formats were not the same, which may have contributed to this variance.
- Public Opinion: People were curious about what they were, but no one made a big deal about it.
Workout #3: Teaching a Barre Class
- Comfort: The wrist bands were comfortable, and I didn’t have to adjust, tighten, or loosen them during class.
- Restrictiveness: I was not limited in my range of motion in any way; however, I was very aware of how much I use my arms while teaching! It definitely wasn’t as easy to do simple motions like pressing my hands to the sky during the warm-up. But, it felt like an added bonus to be able to get some resistance training in while teaching.
- Noticeable Muscle Fatigue: I’d had one day of rest since the previous workout, so I didn’t feel fatigued.
- Calorie Burn: My average heart rate was 12% higher, active calories 2% higher, and total calories were about the same compared to the class I taught the previous week. However, the class formats were not the same, which may have contributed to this variance.
- Public Opinion: Clients were intrigued and asked questions about how to wear them in class. Others commented that they looked cool!๐
Working #4: Taking a Barre Class
- Comfort: The wrist bands were comfortable, and I didn’t have to adjust, tighten, or loosen them during class.
- Restrictiveness: I was not limited in any way during class. Floor work (forearm planks especially)
weren’t uncomfortable and I didn’t notice the wrist bands. - Noticeable Muscle Fatigue: I definitely noticed a difference by using them in class because I’d worn them the day before. I used my normal light and heavy hand weights and I was more challenged, especially during shoulder work. All work with the resistance bands (long tubes with handles on the end, wrapped around the barre) was more challenging, side planks were more difficult especially while lifting my arm above my head, or lowering my arm as I twisted through my torso. I felt more winded in class and was sweating more than usual.
- Calorie Burn: My average heart rate was 6% lower, and active and total calories were 7% lower while wearing the weights compared to the class I took the previous week. However, the class formats were not the same, which may have contributed to this variance.
- Public Opinion: There was none (other than the instructor who thought they looked cool)!
Common Questions About Wrist Weights, Especially Bala Bangles:
Yes! I think Bala Bangles are definitely worth it, especially if you’ve done a particular workout for a while and it’s time to add a new challenge. Bala Bangles are an easy way to increase the intensity of an exercise by adding more weight to your arms or legs.
Yes! These wrist weights are easy to adjust because the weights are attached to velcro-like material. You can make the wrist weights tighter or looser depending on your preference.
Yes, they come in sets of two .5 pound weights, 1 pound weights, or 2 pound weights. You might prefer to use 1 pound weights for an upper body workout, and 2 pound weights for a lower body workout. So it may be useful to have a couple sets of wrist weights.
I clean my wrist weights after every use. First, I spray a non-toxic disinfectant on a towel. Then, I wipe the weights with the towel.
I put my Apple Watch on first. Then, I put the wrist weight on behind the watch. I tighten the wrist weight a little more than usual so that it doesn’t move too much while I’m working out.
My Conclusion About Wrist Weights
Guys, I love these things and I think they are awesome! I love how you can add a little extra resistance to your workout by using them. But you can also wear them around your house while you do laundry, etc. Plus, they are super cute! In a way, they look like jewelry, so some people may not even realize what they are.
You may see some reviews in which people complain about their smell after sweating in them. I have not had that experience. As mentioned above, I wipe mine after every sweat session and I’ve never had a problem with a smell.
As a safety caveat, if you have any injuries, definitely check in with your doctor first before you use these weights. Your doctor may advise against adding the additional weight via wrist or ankle weights. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?
But if you’re injury-free and you’re on the fence, I recommend that you take the plunge and get them today! You can find them here in an assortment of colors.
Here’s to taking your fitness up a notch! Oh, and if you’re looking for ways to start and keep a new fitness routine, check out my post here!
Mrs. Traylor is a Fitness Instructor, NASM Certified Personal Trainer &ย Nutrition Coach, AFPA Certified Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist,ย wife, and momma who provides actionable advice for positive lifestyle changes with fitness, nutrition, and wellness.ย Read about Wendyโs inspiring entrepreneurial journey, and subscribe to Wendy’s newsletter here!
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