Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I had no exercise equipment beyond a yoga mat. So when I, like many others, was forced to give up my personal fitness classes and adopt a home workout routine in 2020, I had to make do with what I had. I used tomato sauce jars as dumbbells and paper plates as sliders, but they didn’t feel like the perfect long-term solution I was looking for. To build my fitness gear collection, I turned to my favorite mentors for suggestions. I quickly realized that almost all of the teachers I liked, who included arm and leg weights in their classes, used ball bangs.
Despite being drawn to their cute look, I was reluctant to buy them because of their $55 price tag. There are a variety of ankle and wrist weights at retailers that cost half the price, so I first bought a $23 pair of high-end off-brand ones from Amazon. They got the job done, but they were big, uncomfortable, and ugly. I didn’t like wearing them. I tried a few other options, but eventually I gave up on alternatives and bought ball bangs – years later, I still wear them several times a week.
The Ball Bangles are two-time NBC Health Excellence Award winners, so I’m one of the many people on our team who swears by them for making workouts like Pilates, running, and yoga more challenging. If you’re looking to improve your fitness routine, these ankle/arm weights are the first thing I recommend buying.
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What are the top bangles?
Bala Bangles are flexible arm and leg weights available in 1-pound ($55), 2-pound ($65) and 3-pound ($79) options. The weight-bearing part is made of small individual steel bars covered in soft silicone that are attached to an elastic band with a Velcro fastener. You can keep the bars together on one side of the elastic, or spread them out to distribute the weight evenly.
When tying the bangles around your wrists or ankles, you can make them as tight or as loose as you like. Exercise-only balls expressly advise against using them for swimming – doing so can compromise elasticity and Velcro, according to the brand.
To clean bungee cords, Bala recommends using a toothbrush, fine-tooth comb, strong tape or tweezers to remove anything attached to the Velcro. You can clean the weighted bars with a damp towel and mild soap (and air dry them), but you shouldn’t completely submerge them in water, according to the brand. Despite how much I sweat while wearing the bangles, when I first unboxed them, there was no smell.
How do I use Bala Bangla?
I have been using the 1 pound and 2 pound sets since December 2020, wearing them as arm and leg weights. I usually put the bangles around my wrists for an hour while walking on the treadmill outdoors and indoors. I also wrap it around my wrists while I use the elliptical machine. At home and during in-person fitness classes, including barre, Pilates, sculpting, hot yoga and HIIT, I put them on my hands and feet, and often change their position throughout. Since they are so small and light, I always travel with them. I use weights to work out at the gym or through fitness apps in my hotel room.
My experience with Bala Bangles
Since the brand launched in 2018, “Bala” has become synonymous with arm and leg weights, as it expanded its portfolio to include other exercise equipment such as hand weights ($40), yoga mats ($99) and foam rollers ($49). Bala Bangles are by far the brand’s most popular product, and based on my years of experience with them I know why. They are effective, reliable and more stylish than traditional fitness gear. Here’s everything I love about Bala Bangles, and potential pitfalls to keep in mind.
What I like
Non-bulky, elegant design
Compared to other leg and wrist weights I’ve tried, the Bala stands out for their slim profile. They lie against my arms and legs, and they don’t get in the way when I’m exercising because they’re only half an inch thick. If I’m doing push-ups or squat jumps, I have the same range of motion wearing weights as I do not.
Their soft, pastel- or neutral-colored silicone coating is also an important factor that sets them apart from other brands. They look closer to a skinny, bulky bracelet than a piece of fitness equipment. In my experience, most weights are made of stainless steel and black rubber, or come in loud neon colors, which made them intimidating to me when I was new to using them. Based on their appearance alone, Ball Bangles always feel more accessible to me than what I typically find at the gym. Plus, I consider them part of my workout outfit, so I think of them more like functional accessories than fitness gear.
An effective way to increase the level of exercise
I never expected my hair bangs to tone my arms and legs overnight – after all, they’re only 1, 2 or 3 pounds, depending on which model you buy. But over the years, I’ve added them to workouts that I’m starting to find easier, and they push my body by providing a manageable but challenging level of resistance. And unlike other ankle and wrist weights I’ve tried—which, yes, can do exactly what the Bala can—I actually enjoy wearing them. They stay on my body and never move around, including when I’m doing high-impact dance cardio workouts or exercises like jumping jacks. This wasn’t the case for a pair of Gym Ankle weights I’ve tried before, which moved up and down my legs as I exercised, creating an uncomfortable and confusing experience.
Depending on how I position them, they affect my body differently. Around my ankles, the bangles mainly target my glutes, hamstrings and quads. They add intense burn to leg exercises such as leg lifts and fire hydrants. Around my arms, the weights mainly target my biceps, triceps and shoulders, although they are also useful for some abdominal and back work. They do bicep curls, push-ups, overhead presses and shoulder lifts very hard at high repetitions. I also like that I can keep my arms open with the bracelets around my wrists, so if I really want to increase my arm workout, I’ll opt for a pair of dumbbells while wearing them.
Comfortable to wear
I sometimes forget I’m wearing my ball bangles because I find them so comfortable, even for long periods of time. Once I wear them, they become an extension of my arm or leg. I put the weights directly on my skin, but some select NBC staff members who tried them also had skin irritation, especially around the feet. If you’re worried about this, try wearing long leggings and putting your weight on them.
Ideal for travel
Whenever I travel, I bring my Bala Bangle with me so that I can exercise wherever I am. I usually run outside when I’m traveling, but if I can’t for some reason—like it’s raining, too hot, or too cold—I can still do an effective, challenging exercise class in my hotel room with my ball around my legs or arms. Sometimes I’ll also use them as dumbbells by wrapping them around my wrists.
Ball dumbbells also lie flat compared to dumbbells, which makes them easier to throw in my suitcase or weekend bag. The weights don’t take up more space than a small toiletry bag, so I don’t sacrifice space when packing them. This, along with their versatility, makes them worth the few pounds they add to my luggage.
Potential drawbacks should be considered
Velcro loses its stickiness over time
When you repeatedly stick and unfasten Velcro, it eventually weakens in strength. After years of use, this started to happen to the strap of my ball bangles and likely would have happened to any other competing brand using velcro. It’s not a big problem because I can still save weights to my body. But if I do high intensity movements like jumps or mountain climbers, my balls sometimes start to slip so I have to adjust them. I’ve never experienced this until recently, and I’ve owned my Balas for almost six years. So overall, the velcro weight is strong, but over time, it may weaken.
Challenge wear with a fitness tracker
This isn’t unique to ball bangles – it’s more something to be aware of if you plan to wear wrist weights at the same time as a fitness tracker. I wear my Apple Watch on my left wrist, so when I wear it on my left wrist, I have to place it above my watch, causing it to rest on my wrist. At first, I found it annoying, but there’s really no way around it and I got used to it over time. A fitness instructor once suggested putting my left upper bangle on my watch instead of placing it on my wrist. I tried it, but it didn’t work for me. I couldn’t see the stats displayed on my watch during the workout, and the weight wasn’t flat against my body, so it bounced around.
Who are Bala bungalows best for?
Bala Bangle is ideal for those who want to add resistance to their workout, whether it’s a fitness class or a walk around the block. They especially make arm and leg exercises more challenging, help you target different muscles and build strength over time. I prefer pilates, barre, yoga, HIIT, sculpture and dance cardio, as well as leg and arm weights for running and using the elliptical machine. So if you do any of these types of workouts, or are interested in starting, Bala Bangles compliments them well.
Weights are also perfect for those who travel often, but may not have access to a gym while traveling. There are many online fitness classes that are easy to do in a hotel room and include free ones on YouTube that include leg and arm weights. I never travel without my balls, and I’ve been in many situations where I completely depend on them to get my workout.
Why trust NBC’s choice?
I’m a reporter at NBC Select, where I cover fitness, including articles on women’s running shoes and training shoes. I also frequently test and review fitness products, such as Brooks Ghost Max and On Cloudclips sneakers.
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