Bala Bangles Review: Functional and Stylish Weights

Ankle weights are a great way to add light resistance to bodyweight exercises, low-impact workouts, and inclined treadmill walks. They can help to prevent training plateaus and elevate your overall fitness routine. If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen the chic, pastel-colored wearable weights that can be mistaken as a fashion statement—the viral Bala Bangles.

The product has piqued my interest for a while—Can a fitness accessory really be stylish and practical? How well do the Bangles perform? Are they worth their high price tag?—so I finally decided to put them to the test. Over the span of two months, I incorporated a pair of 2-pound Bala Bangles into my regular fitness routine—keeping them clasped to my ankles during common lower- and upper-body strength training workouts. I evaluated the Bangles for design, adjustability, wearability, versatility, and portability—more on that below.

But don’t take my word for it. To further put the Bala Bangles to the test, our experts also tested 17 pairs of ankle weights in The Verywell Testing Lab, performing various exercises and rating each set based on ease of setup, adjustability, ease of use, fit and comfort, versatility, portability, and value. And according to our test of the best ankle weights, the Bala Bangles excelled in all key categories and were an obvious choice for our best overall slot.

Who It’s For

If you’re looking to upgrade your current wearable weights or elevate your workout routine with a new high-quality fitness accessory, the Bala Bangles might be for you. The 1- or 2-pound Bangles are stylish, functional, comfortable, and versatile—hitting all the marks and more. They work best to add weight to low-impact workouts (like Pilates and yoga) and increase resistance during daily activities, like running errands and walking on treadmill desks during work breaks, but they may not add enough weight for more advanced weightlifters. If you’re a more advanced lifter looking to increase the difficulty of your strength training workouts, you may want to opt for a pair of adjustable dumbbells or resistance bands instead.

Design: Stylish and Sleek, yet Fully Functional

The most important thing about any fitness accessory is functionality—if the product isn’t safe and doesn’t work, you just won’t use it. Bala’s wearable weights excel in this category, as they do exactly what they’re intended to do: comfortably add resistance and weight to workouts and other activities. The durable weights are made of steel slabs wrapped in soft silicone for a solid but smooth feel.

A huge plus, they’re also incredibly stylish. Available in a variety of neutral, pastel colors—from sage green to blush pink—there’s something for everyone. They can fit in seamlessly as part of your regular fitness gear, along with sneakers and workout underwear. I tested a pair of sand-colored bangles (a beigey brown) and loved how sleek they looked with both leggings to the gym and sweatpants to the store.

Adjustability: Customizable in Two Ways

I appreciated that the Bala Bangles offer great adjustability for a completely customizable experience. These wearable weights are adjustable in two different ways: in circumference and in weight.

The long Velcro strap can fit a variety of body shapes and sizes. It also allowed me to wear the Bangles on both ankles and wrists. I was able to remove weight in 2-ounce increments by sliding the steel slabs off of the Velcro strap—this was especially helpful during long, arm-focused workouts.

Wearability: Comfortable and Easy to Use

You’re not going to wear weights if they slip, slide, and distract during your workouts—trust me, I’ve been there. But even during a standing split, I barely noticed that I was wearing my Bala Bangles (besides the intense muscle burn tingling in my inverted leg).

The Bangles are also extremely intuitive to use—they don’t require any cumbersome looping or latching to wear. I found it quick and easy to wrap the long Velcro strap around my wrist or ankle and secure it to the weight before use.

Versatility: For Any Workout, Anywhere

One of my favorite aspects of the Bala Bangles is their versatility—I can incorporate them into pretty much any activity. The Bangles are comfortable enough to be worn on ankles and wrists and can add intensity to almost any workout.

While testing, I wore the pair on my ankles and wrists to add resistance during strength training exercises (like tricep extensions and squats), Pilates, yoga, and inclined treadmill sessions. I also wore them while walking outside and running errands (even at the grocery store). Regardless of the activity, the Bala Bangles were comfortable, secure, and stylish.

Portability: Comes With a Compact Carry Case

Ideal for on-the-go use, Bala Bangles come with a convenient carry case. The mesh zip-up pouch is color-matched to your Bangles for a sleek, unified look. While the case is super cute and convenient, I do wish it had a handle or loop for an easier, more effortless carry.

How We Tested

Over the course of two months, I incorporated the Bala Bangles into my typical fitness routine which consists of Pilates, yoga, and walking. I also integrated some common ankle- and wrist-weight workouts to hit the upper body, lower body, and abs—like side lateral raises, single-leg bridges, and mountain climbers.

When the wearable weights arrived, I took note of their appearance, design, and portability. And during each session with the weights, I paid special attention to how adjustable they were, if they were comfortable to wear, and the different ways they could be used.

In The Verywell Testing Lab, our testing team also put the wearable weights through a sweat test to evaluate their absorbency and grip. Our testers sprayed their ankles and wrists with a saltwater solution to simulate sweat and then completed a series of workouts to test the Bangles’ performance in sweaty or humid conditions. The Bala Bangles passed with flying colors thanks to their silicone makeup, which offers great sweat resistance and limited slipping.

Price: Expensive, but Worth It

It’s no secret that the Bala Bangles are expensive. And with so many budget-friendly options on the market, you might find it hard to justify a $55 pair of wearable weights. But no other pair of ankle or wrist weights we tested rival the design, functionality, and versatility of the viral Bangles.

Trust me, I’ve used my fair share of ankle weights and nothing motivates me to add intensity to my workouts quite like the Bala Bangles. Cheaper products are often bulky, flimsy, and moisture-retaining—lacking the versatility, adjustability, and (of course) style that the Bala Bangles deliver.

The Competition

There are less expensive wearable weights available that are in many ways comparable to the Bala Bangles. But through testing, we found that no other pair excels in design, adjustability, wearability, and portability quite like the Bala Bangles do.

• P.volve 3 LB Ankle Weights: I own a pair of P.Volve’s ankle weights and appreciate their comfort and durability—which is similar to that of the Bala Bangles. But while these are more affordable than the Bangles, they do lack in adjustability as the Velcro straps are relatively short and the weight isn’t adjustable.
• Adidas Performance Ankle/Wrist Weights: Also budget-friendly, Adidas’s Performance Ankle Weights are a great choice if comfort is your main concern. But the weights are bulky and not adjustable—if customization is important to you, we recommend looking elsewhere.
• Sportneer Ankle & Wrist Weights: Just like the Bala Bangles, Sportneer’s Ankle Weights are highly adjustable—with removable weight pockets and a long Velcro strap. However, these weights may be bulky and lack the sleek, stylish look that the Bala Bangles provide.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

As a fitness editor, Michelle Parente researches and tests fitness products like the Bala Bangles for a living. But fitness is also a huge part of her personal life. Whether it’s resistance training, low-impact workouts, or 12-3-30 treadmill walks, you can find Michelle wearing weights at home or in the gym several times per week. She has years of experience using wearable weights and spent months testing the Bala Bangles to cultivate an honest and reliable review of the product.