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Best Wrist Weights
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Style
If you are going to be wearing these while out in public, you probably want to make sure that they don’t look too silly.
Some options we found had a tendency to be incredibly bulky and cumbersome, which would no doubt draw some unwanted attention towards you at the gym. That’s why we made sure that we stuck to brands that offered slimmer and more compact styles that wouldn’t look like you are wearing a pair of water wings on your hands. Brands that offered a wide range of bright and fun colors was something that we also took into consideration when deciding upon a product. We also looked at the cut of each option. Many designs out there are cut to act like heavy bracelets, which is fine if you are tackling everyday tasks or going on a leisurely hike. However, if you are doing some high intensity cardio that requires a lot of movement, you might notice those options are flopping up and down your arm. That’s why we wanted to include designs that offered a thumb loop that is going to help it stay in place while being incredibly active.
Weight
How heavy and light a product could get was one of the more important things that we considered.
For most, there is going to be a limit to how much you are going to be able to carry on your arms. If you typically don’t spend much time toning your upper body, 3 pounds is more than likely going to be your max before you run the risk of a possible injury. However, one thing that we liked that some brands offered was the ability to remove or add heavier bars or bags to adjust how heavy it is. This means that users will have the ability to increase how heavy their product is as they cultivate muscle with extended use. We also wanted to make sure that we selected sizes that would work for almost anyone. For those that were looking for something thin, easy, and light, the GYMENIST design is an excellent solution. If you are trying to really tone and develop muscle, heavier options such as that from SPRI might work better for you. No matter what your fitness goals, there are designs out there on the market that will help you reach it.
Materials
The materials used to make a product is going to tell you a lot about how well it is going to hold up to extended use, and how comfortable it is going to be.
One of our favorite materials to use for workout gear is neoprene. Neoprene is a very lightweight but strong material that feels soft against the skin. When worn, it will slowly start to conform to the shape of your arm so that you may not even notice that it is there after a while. We made sure to try and select options that used neoprene as their primary material, because it is just so comfortable and durable. We also liked when companies used sandbags instead of bars to make their designs heavier. Sand is a great tool because it can be very heavy, but it is something that is going to conform to the shape of your body for a more comfortable fit much better than a steel bar. Comfort is going to be the difference between you wearing these products constantly, and it collecting dust in your closet.
Adjustability
Making sure that they fit comfortably is going to be the key to wearing them consistently.
The key here is to make sure that they fit snug, but not too tight that it is going to cut off circulation. That’s why we made sure to select designs that had a long velcro strap that could be tightened through a stainless steel buckle and then fastened with velcro. The method of adjusting was by far our favorite method because it means that it is going to work for just about anyone- men, women, or even kids. Another option that we found worked quite well were hard plastic options that had belt loops to use to adjust and a closure that was similar to a watch band. While this option is great for finding the perfect fit that isn’t going to slide around, they often come at a much higher price point over those that simply utilize velcro. The key here is making sure that you cinch it perfectly so that it feels comfortable but doesn’t move around too much. If you want something that is going to stay put for those high intensity workouts, we suggest options that have thumb holes or cut outs in the fingers.
Value
As always, we wanted to save you a little bit of money when we could.
The good news when it comes to these types of products is that they are generally offered at a very affordable price point that will cost you less than what you would spend ordering a large pepperoni pizza. There are a few exceptions to this affordable rule, however. The design brought to you from Tone-y-Bands is much more expensive than the norm, and is likely to set you back double or sometimes triple of many of the more affordable options out there on the market. The reason for this is because it is made from a strong and more durable material, it is able to be easily adjusted via pegs, and it has a much smaller profile that makes it look like a fashionable oversized watch band. If those things are important to you, it may be in your best interest to dish out a little extra money for one of the Tone-y-Bands designs.
Top 10 Picks
1. Nordic
The reason that we picked Nordic for our number one spot is because it is incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide variety of exercises for everyone in the whole family. Plus, it is made from high quality materials and comes in at an affordable price point.
Read moreStyle
What we liked about this styling of this option is that it is simple isn't too bulky like some of the other designs. It comes in a light gray shell, and stands up to be just 4.5 inches wide, which means that is it going to lay closer to your skin to give a more natural appearance.
Weight
Users can select from a variety of different options that will accommodate to their strength level and workouts. Options include 1, 2, 3, and 5 pound options that come in a set of 2.
Material
The material used for this option is incredibly soft and comfortable, as well as durable. It uses a soft neoprene exterior that will conform to the shade of your body over time, and double stitching ensures that it will not bust at the seems.
Adjustability
Strapping these products onto your body is so easy you can do it with just one hand, Simply wrap the straps around your arm, and pull it tight through the stainless steel buckle. Once you get it to your preferred tightness, hold place the strap on the very tough velcro.
Value
The cost of this pack is just a little bit more expensive than some of the other options out there, but we feel that when you consider the high quality of the materials used as well as the myriad of options, this is a really great value. Plus it comes with a 10-year warranty.
Overall
If you are looking for something that is simple and versatile, and something that is going to give you the option of selecting options that range up to 5 pounds pre-arm, this is going to be one of your better options.
2. Da Vinci
While this option from Da Vinci is a little bulkier than most, we loved that they come in many fun colors and they are also offered in a wide range of sizes that will help you really get the most out of your workouts without costing you all that much money.
Read moreStyle
The very first thing that we noticed about this option is that it comes in many fun colors that have a lot of personality. Colors include blue, green, grey, red, orange, and yellow. Each color option is punctuated by light grey accents.
Weight
Users will have the option of selecting styles that start off at a humble 1 point per arm, and also include 2, 3, 4, and 5 pound options, which is pretty standard for these types of products.
Material
There is no exact listing of what material this product is made from. What we do know, however, is that it uses a super soft material that is breathable and feels nice against the skin, and is slightly stretchy to help in pulling it tight.
Adjustability
What users like most about this design is that it is incredibly easy to get the right fit, even with one hand. Simply wrap the unit around your wrist, and pull the strap through the narrow stainless steel loop, and then fasten it against the velcro.
Value
The cost of a pair of two is priced to be incredibly affordable, and will cost you around the same amount that you would spend two smoothies for you and a friend at the end of a good workout.
Overall
This is one of our favorite options because it comes in a lot of fun colors that will add a lot of character to your workout, and it is incredibly affordable and easy to put on and take off.
3. Empower
What makes this option from Empower unique is that it will allow users to adjust how heavy their unit is at the beginning of their workout, so that they can add more pounds as their strength improves.
Read moreStyle
The styling of this product is pretty simple, and comes in a standard black with purple or teal accents along the pockets where you increase pounds added. It also offers a reflective film to keep you same on those lake night power walks.
Weight
The great part about this option is that it comes in a 3 pound, 5 pound, and 8 pound options. There are pockets along the side that allow users to remove ½ pound inserts from the 5 pound option, and 1 pound inserts from the 8 pound option.
Material
The mesh located on the outside of the unit makes it light and breathable as you begin to sweat, and soft materials on the inside. Past users feel that each of the ½ pound and 1 pound inserts appear to be filled with a sand like substance.
Adjustability
This unit is just a little bit more limited in the adjustability department. Users can wrap it around their arm and cinch it in place with velcro. Due to the fact that the velcro is a little short, it may fit a little loose on those with smaller frames.
Value
One of our favorite features about this product is that it comes in at a very affordable price point, even for the pair that measures to be an impressive 8 pounds.
Overall
If you want a little bit more adjustability as far as pounds are concerned so that you can work up to higher amounts, this design from Empower is going to be one of your better options.
4. GYMENIST
What users appreciate about this design is that it is incredibly slim and thin while adding a few pounds to your cardio routine. If you found that you don’t like the look or feel of some of the heavier and bulkier designs, this is going to be one of your better options.
Read moreStyle
Users are only going to be able to select from a few different colors, but they all depend on how heavy each unit is. Color options include black, blue, teal, and red, and all design have bright blue accents.
Weight
Due to the fact that this product is so slim, it is not going to be all that heavy. Options include .5 pounds, 1 pound, and 2 pound options.
Material
We didn’t find any information on the product description as to what material is used for this product, but there were a few users that found that the material used was stretchy, breathable, and felt soft against their skin while in use.
Adjustability
The bad news here is that this option is a one size fits all scenario. It is made from a stretchy material that will be able to slip up and over your hand. For some that are built to be smaller, these are going to fit a little loose.
Value
The cost of this product is just slightly more affordable than some of the other options that we have seen out there on the market, and the lighter options will likely set you back about the same amount that you spent on your morning cup of coffee.
Overall
If you want something that is going to be lightweight and slim while coming in at a very affordable price point, this is going to be an excellent choice.
5. FILA
If you are engaging in a high energy workout, you might have become frustrated by units that slide up and down your arm. What is so great about this option is that it has holes cut out in the thumbs that will prevent it from slipping around.
Read moreStyle
The only color option offered for this design is neon pink with black accents along the edges. The thing that makes it stand out from the rest is that it has a cut out to place your thumb that is going to prevent it from slipping away when engaging in a high energy workout.
Weight
There is only one option offered for this model, which measure to be 2 pounds per arm. The bad news here is that there is really no way to adjust how heavy it is, and there are no other heavier or lighter options available.
Material
Users found this option to be incredibly comfortable and breathable for high energy routines. It is made from soft neoprene on the inside that will conform to your arm over time, and a breathable mesh on the outside.
Adjustability
Putting these on is incredibly easy and can be done with just one hand. Simply slip your thumb through the thumb hole, and then fasten it in place using the velcro.
Value
The price of this pair is just slightly higher than some of the other designs that we have seen. However, considering that it comes from a trusted brand and has clever design features that will keep it in place, we feel it is well worth the higher price point.
Overall
The use of high-quality materials, as well as clever design features, make this product a perfect companion for those that like to engage in high energy workouts.
6. Tossfire
This option from Tossfire is another design that is made from those engaging in high impact cardio workouts. It is designed to stay put and not slide around on your arm just like the design we saw from FILA, but the downside is that it is lighter and a little more bulkier than other similar designs.
Read moreStyle
This product is offered in a solid black color with bright blue accents along the edges. It has a thumb cut out that will allow users to ensure that it won’t slip around on their arm when engaging in a rigorous workout.
Weight
The downside to this model is that it is only offered in 1 pound per arm, which equates to 2 pounds total. This is slightly lower than many of the other options out there, and this design is bulkier than most as well.
Material
Tossfire uses a soft neoprene for the material used, which is something that is going to feel soft against your skin, and conforms to your arm over time. It also uses velcro to cinch it into place.
Adjustability
To secure this design on your arm, simply slip it over your thumb, and then wrap the straps around your arm and secure it into place with the velcro when it feels snug but not too tight.
Value
The good news about this design is that it comes in at a very affordable price point for this particular design. It actually runs about the same amount as some of the thumbless options out there.
Overall
If you want something that is going to keep up with you for all of your high energy cardio workout, but doesn’t come in at a high price point.
7. Tone-y-Bands
The great part about this option is that it has excellent styling that simply looks like an oversized watch band, and it has a lot of adjustability so that you can easily swap out pegs.
Read moreStyle
What users like most about this option is that it actually looks quite slim and fashionable. Users can select from color options that include black, blue, teal, yellow, pink and purple.
Weight
The downside to this design is that it is only able to reach a max of 2 pounds. The good news is that you can remove pegs from the sleeves on the inside to create a lighter band when needed.
Material
The material used for this option is just a little bit different and more rigid than many of the other options out there on the market. The use of a stiff plastic makes it waterproof so that you can even wear it for water sports.
Adjustability
Changing the length of this option is as easy as adjusting your watch band. Simply find the proper hole in the band that fits your arm perfectly, and then use the pin to secure it into place. This makes for a perfect fit for a wide variety of arms.
Value
The downside to this model is that it has quite the hefty price tag. It cost 2 to 3 times as much as many of the average priced options out there on the market.
Overall
What users really like most about this option is that it has has a sleek design that looks like an oversized watch band, and has easy to remove pegs to allow users to change how heavy or light it will be. Plus, the ease of adjustments will ensure that it won’t slip around on your arm.
8. oFit
This is another option that is going to do an excellent job of staying put while in use. Due to the fact that it fits around all of your fingers will provide an even distribution of weight that will reduce the risk of the heavy fabric cutting into your skin.
Read moreStyle
The styling of this option is pretty basic, and it offered in a solid black color with the 3co logo printed in white letters. It is made to fit over your thumb, and has individual finger cutouts to ensure that it doesn’t slip around.
Weight
The bad news about this option is that it is only offered in 1 pound options per hand. There are no options that will allow users to use heavier or lighter options.
Material
The exterior of this model is made from ultra-durable neoprene. This material is considered to feel soft against the skin, and it also is quite breathable and easy to wear for long periods of time.
Adjustability
The finger holes in this option is a one size fits all scenario. To secure it on your arms, simply pull the straps tightly and cinch them in place for a firm but comfortable fit.
Value
The cost of this design runs pretty par for the course. It isn’t the most expensive design out there on the market, but it is not the least expensive either.
Overall
If you want something that is going to have a very comfortable and even fit that isn’t going to move around on out during intense exercises, this option from 3coFit is going to be worth a look.
9. A2ZCARE
For those that want something that is a little bit more heavy duty and tough, this option from A2ZCARE is worth a look. They are considered to be quite bulky, but they are a quite but heavier than other options we have seen out there.
Read moreStyle
Utility trump's style in the instance of this design from A2ZCARE. It is offered in a solid black material that has a very small logo in green letters where it is adjusted.
Weight
This unit tops out at 4 pounds per arm. The best part about this design is that users will have the option to remove bags from the base to make it lighter or heavier as they see fit for their workout.
Material
Instead of using neoprene, this design uses nylon as the material for the exterior. The 1 pound inserts are filled with sand to provide a soft material that conforms to the shape of your arm for a comfortable fit.
Adjustability
This option is very easy to adjust, and users get the perfect fit with just one hand. Simple wrap the unit around your arm, and pull the strap through the stainless steel buckle, and secure it with velcro.
Value
The cost of this unit is one of the more affordable options out there on the market. Considering that it maxes out at 4 pounds, this is a really great deal. Plus, it comes with a 1-year limited warranty in case anything goes wrong with your purchase.
Overall
For those that want something that is a little more heavy duty and aren’t too concerned that a product is a little on the bulky side to pack on the pounds, this is a great option.
10. SPRI
The thing that we liked most about this design from SPRI is that it is sleek and simple, and comes in at a standard weight that is going to be prefect for just about any type of cardio exercise.
Read moreStyle
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to this design. It is offered in a solid black color that has the SPRI logo printed in red letters. To keep it from sliding around on your arm while in use, it has a thumb hole that users can take advantage of to keep it from sliding around on our arm.
Weight
Each unit weighs 2 pounds per arm, and 4 pounds in total. The bad news here is that users will not have the option to select lighter or heavier designs, and there is no way to remove bags or pegs to change how heavy it is.
Material
We could not find any indication of what the exterior material is made from, but users feel that while it is in use it is very breathable and feels comfortable against their skin. It is also filled with sand to make it heavier, which is a much more comfortable option.
Adjustability
Simply slip your thumb through the thumb hole on this unit, and then wrap the velcro strap around your arm until it is snug but not too tight, and then cinch it into place with the provided velcro.
Value
What we liked most about this design is that it comes in at a very affordable price point that we feel is an excellent deal considering the high-quality materials used and the smart design.
Overall
If you are looking for something that is going to stay put through all of your most intense cardio workouts and that comes in at a great value, this option from SPRI is worth a look.
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