The Best Wrist Weights

Maybe Jane Fonda was the impetus for the fitness trend from the ’70s and ’80s or Richard Simmons. Whoever it was, they made it look fun because wrist weights are still popular today.

Buying Guide for the Best Wrist Weights

Why buy wrist weights?

Wrist weights are an easy and affordable way to add weight-bearing exercise to your home workout fitness routine. They’re great for targeted exercises like bicep curls, rows, arm circles, and lower body exercises like squats and lunges. Some people enjoy walking or jogging with wrist weights to increase heart rate and burn more calories and fat. They’ve even been proven helpful for individuals who suffer from arthritis or weakness from strokes. Simple exercises with wrist weights can also strengthen a person’s grip. In short, there are many benefits to enjoy when using wrist weights.

What should you look for in wrist weights?

• Weight: Pick the right weight for your body. Most wrist weights weigh 3 pounds or less, which may not seem like a lot. However, if you’re trying to gain muscle, it’s good to err on the side of caution and build up slowly. By the same token, when you achieve a good amount of strength, you may want to go up in weight.
• Fit: For some wrist weights, you slip them over your hand and adjust the elastic band to fit. Some users prefer a wrist weight band with a thumb hole and elastic wrap-around closure because it feels more secure and less likely to slip. Look for quality Velcro, neoprene materials, and trusted brands.
• Style: Yes, even with exercise accessories, style is important. It’s especially true when there are attractive options to choose from. With wrist weights, look for design as well as color. Some have a prettier look, while others just look tough.

What else should you know about wrist weights?

Take precautions if you use wrist weights for walks, jogs, or yoga. Exercise that involves the entire body requires muscle equilibrium. If you wear wrist weights for a walk and tire, one side of your body may begin to compensate and cause injury. Additionally, wrist weights may cause muscle rigidity across the chest, back, shoulders, and neck, especially if you’re trying to pick up the tempo. You may want to choose a lighter product to begin with, then increase the weight as your body grows accustomed to the wrist weights. You might try adding ankle weights to your workout too if all goes well.

Our Picks for the Best Wrist Weights

Pros: The BalanceFrom wrist weights have a simple design made of quality materials. The neoprene exterior protects your skin and adds durability, and together with reinforced stitching, ensures these weights will last. An absorbent inner material adds a breathable and comfortable fit as you work out. You won’t need an instructional manual to put these on. Simply place your wrist on the band, and pull the black Velcro strap around and through the metal D-ring buckle. Voila! Choose a pair from 1-5 pounds, with half pounds in between.

Cons: These weights may not fit an individual with thin wrists, even with the Velcro strapped cinched up. They’re one-size-fits-all. Some users report that their wristbands were less durable than they’d hoped and that they leak sand.

Bottom Line: We love how each weight comes in a different color and their versatility for wearing on the ankles and legs. Users say the BalanceFrom wrist weights fit well and look great.

 

Pros: You may be impressed by the design of these no-slide wrist weights and the way they’re put on. Just slip your thumb into the thumb hole, wrap the wristband around your wrist, and secure it with the Velcro-backed easy-grip pull tab. The thumb lock prevents the weighted band from slipping as you exercise. Choose between 2- and 4-pound weights. Either way, you’ll be happy about that thumb-lock keeping things in place.

Cons: If you have very slender wrists, they may not fit as well.

Bottom Line: The winning characteristic of these wrist weights is their thumb-lock design. It’s like a seat belt for the weights to keep them from flying around as you move. If you’re ready for a straightforward approach to strengthening muscles, check these out.

 

Pros: What a genius design! Instead of buying several pairs to get a variety of weights, you get a full range of weights between 3 to 20 pounds with the Fragraim wrist weight set. There are five individual sandbags in each set. If you want to begin lightly (which experts recommend), choose the 3-pound sets. Each of the five sandbags weighs 0.3 pounds. The Velcro strap has five pouches, so you can experiment from the lightest weight, adding on a second sandbag when ready.

Cons: It may be tempting to increase weight too quickly because each set comes with five sandbags. Doing so increases the likelihood of injury. The wristbands run large. To avoid buying the incorrect size, consult the product page for the weighted band you’re considering. Click on the image that shows the dimensions for that weight.

Bottom Line: Besides the smart design for adding weight in increments, the wristbands are made of quality mercerized cotton with a sweat-absorbent interior material. You don’t need to worry about sand spilling; they’re weighted with iron shod.

 

Pros: These eye-catching wrist weight bands feature six stainless steel weights (or “beads”) covered in soft silicone. Adjust the weight as needed to between 2 and 7.2 ounces to work up at your own pace. The wrist weights make an exercise you’re familiar with (like walking) and intensify it just a tad. You won’t feel like you must drag your hands on the ground as you go, but you’ll work harder. Fortunately, the wrist weight band is easy to pull off and wash.

Cons: You may find these wrist weights challenging to put on at first, though it should become more manageable with some practice.

Bottom Line: Easy to use and an easy way to slightly increase physical activity, these wrist weights are a great buy. They come in several fun colors, too.

 

Pros: They’re sort of like wrist weights but more like hand weights. You could also call them weighted gloves. These two 1-pound bars of neoprene gloves completely cover the top part of your hand. Wrap them around your hand, taking care to fit your middle and ring finger through the loops, then close the glove with the Velcro strap. These weighted gloves offer a hands-free way to walk, do Zumba, or lift weights freely. They make a great option to boost your workout while keeping injuries at bay.

Cons: Though advertised as boxing gloves, they’re not. You could hurt someone if you punched them wearing an exteriorly weighted glove like these. However, they’re great for shadowboxing or kickboxing without an opponent. With vigorous exercise, the gloves tend to slip.

Bottom Line: These light-resistance gloves make a safe way to increase your upper body tone. They’re comfortable and offer a worry-free fit. Walk your dog with the ProsourceFit gloves, do some yard work, or wear them in the weight room to add more weight to reach a fitness goal.

Final Thoughts

Adults of various ages and abilities may have the best wrist weight band waiting for them; it just takes a bit of exploration. We hope this article gave you a few ideas to consider.