The Ultimate Bala Bangles Weights Review: My Experience After Extended Use
As an avid fitness enthusiast who is always on the hunt for gadgets and accessories to enhance my workouts, I was intrigued when I first came across Bala Bangles on social media. The bright colors and sleek, minimalistic design instantly drew me in. But I had my doubts whether these trendy wrist and ankle weights could really take my exercise routines up a notch.
After over 6 months of near daily use, I‘m finally ready to share my thoughts in this in-depth Bala bangles weights review. Read on for everything you need to know from my first-hand experience using Bala‘s popular accessories.
Overview of Bala Bangles Weights
For those not familiar with the brand, Bala Bangles are wearable weights that add subtle resistance to body movements throughout your day. The weights themselves slide into a flexible silicone sleeve that has a velcro closure to secure comfortably on your wrist or ankle.
Bangles weights start at just 1/2 pound each, making them gentle enough for daily use. But they also come in 1 pound and 2 pound options to turn up the intensity. With the weights being so lightweight and slim, I hardly notice I‘m wearing them as I go about my regular activities.
Benefits I‘ve Personally Experienced
I primarily use my Bangles during dedicated workout sessions, but also keep them on for hours at my standing desk job. Here are the main benefits I‘ve experienced:
- Makes standard strength training, pilates and barre workouts noticeably more challenging in a good way! I fatigue faster and feel the burn intensely with the same number of reps.
- Wearing Bangles daily helps me stay lightly active even when I can‘t squeeze in a proper workout. Things like typing, writing, cleaning and other micro-movements turn into mini toning moments.
- I‘ve toned up way quicker adding Bangles 1-2 times per day than I expected over the past few months. My upper body, arms, shoulders and legs look much more defined.
- The motivating colors and sleek design gets me actually excited for exercising versus dreading it. I find myself eager to workout more frequently since getting my Bangles.
Beyond the functional benefits, I also just love the way Bangles instantly elevate my workout outfits from basic to chic. I get compliments whenever I wear them to the gym!
Usage Tips for Beginners
If you invest in Bangles, here are my top tips for making the most of them as a fitness beginner:
- Start slow with the 1⁄2 pound weight so your body can adjust to the subtle added resistance during workouts and daily wear.
- Focus on maintaining proper form first before increasing intensity by wearing the bands longer.
- Alternate wearing Bangles on your wrists and ankles during different workout blocks for balanced resistance.
- Follow workout videos on Bala‘s website to safely learn new moves that incorporate wrist and ankle weights.
- Invest in two sets so you can wear 4 bands total (two wrists and two ankles) to turn up the intensity as you progress.
Are Bangles Worth the Price Tag?
With a $55 price tag for a single Bangle, the upfront cost feels steep for ankle and wrist weights. After all, you can grab no-name options on Amazon for under $15.
But after logging extensive use of my Bangles over 6+ months, I firmly believe they have been worth every penny.
The quality, comfort and results simply can‘t compare to generic alternatives. My Bangles still look and perform like new despite near daily use. The batteries in my television remote die faster than these bands lose their effectiveness!
For under $100, I‘ve been able to completely transform the intensity and effectiveness of all my workouts. The bands have absolutely made exercise more efficient and enabled me to push harder during training.
When you calculate the cost per use, a $50 investment that elevates hundreds of workouts over years to come is pretty minimal in the grand scheme. So I wholeheartedly think the price is justified.
Plus Bangles often run limited time sales around the holidays that let you stock up for 15-25% off. So keep an eye out for discounts on Bala‘s website for the best deal possible.
An Honest Look at Downsides of Bala Bangles
No product is absolutely perfect, so in the spirit of an unbiased review, let‘s chat drawbacks.
The number one complaint I had starting out was wrist and ankle irritation. The adjustable velcro takes some getting used to in order to find the right tightness that secures weights during rigorous exercise without any friction rubbing on your skin.
I‘d strongly advise wearing them over top of a lightweight long sleeve shirt when doing high intensity training until your body adjusts to having bands gripping your wrists and ankles.
The other minor gripe I have is that heavier weight options max out at just 2 pounds per band. As someone who lifted weights for years before discovering Bangles, I wish I had the option to purchase 3, 5 or even 10 pound bands for more of a hardcore challenge once I get strong enough. But for accessories targeting general fitness, I realize the lighter offerings still fit most people‘s needs.
Outside of those two small complaints around wearability and max weight though, I have no notable criticism about Bangles‘ quality or performance.
How Bangles Stack Up to Other Popular Fitness Accessories
Wondering how Bangles compare against other workout gear designed to amplify results? I‘ve tried them alongside some trainer-recommended accessories with thoughts on how they stack up:
Vs. Crossrope Jump Ropes
Biggest Differences: Crossropes focus on a single cardio workout (jumping), while Bangles take a full body approach through resistance training.
Which is More Effective? Depends on your goals. Crossropes will get your heartrate pumping faster which is great for calorie burn. But Bangles build more balanced, lean muscle mass through strength training.
Verdict: Bangles make sense if you want to sculpt your body. Crossropes are ideal if weight loss through sweat sessions is the primary objective. Both yield results but cater to different priorities.
Vs. TheraBand Resistance Bands
Biggest Differences: Both accessories aim to intensify strength training routines through added tension. But bands have stretch which engages muscles differently than rigid wrist/ankle weights. They also mostly target lower body vs Bangles‘ upper body focus.
Which is More Effective? Again this comes down to goals. Bands allow you to dial up resistance levels substantially for monster leg burns. But for arms, shoulders and back definition, I find Bangles win out.
Verdict: Bands train lower body while Bangles focus on upper. I personally slightly prefer Bangles but recommend having both on hand since they complement each other.
Vs Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
Biggest Differences: As traditional adjustable hand weights, Bowflex aims to replace an entire rack of weights in one compact design. Bangles instead offer constant light tension for endurance training.
Which is More Effective? Bowflex helps you push heavier weights each rep, accelerating strength gains. Bangles blend cardio and strength for more well-rounded fitness.
Verdict: Bowflex is ideal for bulking and lifting PRs. Bangles compliment them nicely for active recovery days. I found owning both made my training more flexible and balanced.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Bala Bangles?
At the end of the day, who can benefit most from forkig over $50+ for workout accessories?
Bangles cater best to folks looking for motivation to workout consistently, seeking head-turning gear that makes standard training routines feel fresh again.
They also work well for those lacking home gym space since they conveniently turn everyday tasks into mini strengthening moments.
And if you find yourself slacking on self care while working from home, keeping Bangles on your desk makes it stupid easy to stay lightly active all day long.
For me, the decision to invest came down to convenience and fast visible results accelerating my fitness journey. But Bangles may offer more or less value depending on your current goals.
If you remain on the fence about whether these trendy wrist/ankle weights warrant the higher price tag, I recommend taking Bala‘s quick 60 second fit quiz. It asks lifestyle and fitness questions to gauge whether their accessories line up with your needs and objectives.
Over 6 months later, I stand by my decision to invest in Bangles despite initial sticker shock. For under $100, I‘ve upgraded every home workout since with gear I genuinely look forward to strapping on. So take the plunge on a set (or two!) for yourself if your budget allows.
Just maybe save a New Year‘s resolution or two until after they arrive. Because achieving fitness goals gets a whole lot more exciting (and stylish) with Bangles along for the ride!
