Wrist weights can be a great way to intensify low-intensity training and increase its benefits and add calorie burning and arm toning to your daily activities. With that in mind, in this article, we will share with you some of the best wrist weights that you can buy today.
We will also look at when you can use wrist weights to enhance exercise, how heavy you should go, and what you should look for when buying wrist weights. We will also talk about some of the risks associated with wearable weights and precautions to take to ensure against injury.
Best Wrist Weights To Buy Today
USINGFIT Wrist Weights
These weights are designed specifically for wrists, with 0.5 or 1kg per wrist options. They feel more comfortable and stable than many options thanks to thumb loops that help keep the weights in place rather than sliding around your arms.
They are filled with iron beads which means that they can create heavier weights with relatively low density. They are made with wetsuit fabric which allows them to hold up better while you sweat it out.
The firm Velcro sealer shouldn’t wear out over time, so you can use these affordable weights for a long time.
- Wrist weights
- Thumb loops
- 0.5 or 1kg options
- Wetsuit fabric
- Velcro fasteners
TOSAMC Durable Wrist Weights
If you want something that feels barely there while working out, then try these wrist weights that feel a little like putting on a watch. They even have a watch-style clip to secure them. Choose from 1.2, 2, or 3-pound options for each wrist and from eight colours. You can add or remove weight blocks from the bracelet to reduce the weight.
They are made from durable silicone that is comfortable, easy to clean and waterproof, so you can even wear them in the pool if you want. The secure fasteners mean that they shouldn’t go anywhere while you are working out.
- Adjustable wrist weights
- 1.2, 2, or 3kg options
- Silicone with removable weights
- Waterproof
- Eight colour options
ADHKJSHX Wrist Weights
If you want something flexible and easy to use, then you will love these twistable wrist weights. Rather than traditional bracelet-style weights, these are flexible sticks that you can twist around your wrists or ankles. This means that they feel more secure for activities such as swimming.
Each weight is 325 grams and you can choose from black or blue options. They are 17.7 inches long, which gives you plenty of space to twist without feeling bulky.
These are a great choice if you plan on sharing wrist weights as well since they are easy to size and repel sweat. Possible to use on the ankles.
- Flexible write weights
- 3.25 grams per side
- Flexible bending closure
- Foamed cotton
- Two colour options
TOPESCT Adjustable Wrist Weights
These are among the most comfortable adjustable write weights with small removable weights spread across an elastic strap that can measure from between 7.08 to 11.8 inches in length. The detachable weight blocks are 2.7 inches tall, so these weights are also suitable for smaller folk.
Choose between one or two-pound weights sets per hand, and remove weight bocks to decrease the weight. Choose from four different colours (pink, blue, black, or grey. They are made from skin-friendly silicone that should not chaff and are both sweat and waterproof, so they can be worn swimming.
While these can double as ankle weights, they are specifically designed to feel firm and comfortable on the wrists.
- Adjustable wrist weight
- 1 or 2 lb sets
- Skin-friendly silicone
- Sweat and waterproof
- Four colour options
PROIRON Wrist Weights
These weights by PRIORON are specifically designed to work well on either the wrists or the ankles, with the lighter 0.5kg option great for wrists, and the heavier 2kg option better for ankles. You can also choose 1 or 1.5kg per writs options and from four different colours (pink, blue, grey, or black).
The lightest weights are adjustable from 25.5cm to around 40cm in length, and the weights are 9cm in depth, so they feel substantial but not too big. The nylon feels comfortable against the skin and the iron buckle holds firm.
As a nice touch, they have a reflective lining to improve your visibility at night.
- Wrist or ankle weights
- 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2kg options
- Soft nylon with firm metal strap
- Four colour options
- Reflective lining
Stepforwarder Wrist Weights
This is another option that can be used on either the wrists or ankles with 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2kg options based on iron sand. They are made from nylon with a Velcro strap and sturdy metal fasteners. There are four colour options (red, purple, blue, or black) but colour depends on weight.
The 0.5kg option, most suitable for wrists is adjustable from 24-40cm and is 9cm in depth so it doesn’t feel too big on your wrists. As the weights get heavier, the dimensions get slightly larger, with the heaviest weights being 12cm in depth.
The weights themselves are made from breathable Nylon that shouldn’t slip around, even when you work up a sweat.
- Wrist or ankle weights
- 0.5, 1, 12.5, or 2kg options
- Breathable Nylon
- Non-slip material
- Iron sand weights
Upkey Wrist Weights
If you are looking for light weights that feel like just using a bracelet, then this is another set of great silicone weights. Each bracelet is adjustable from 0.14-0.57lbs and comes in a distinctive green shade. They close just like a watch and feel like a chunky bracelet.
The bracelet is made from silicone to hold iron cylinders, which are removable to adjust the weight. They have a stainless-steel watch closure with nine levels of adjustment.
- Adjustable wrist weights
- Watch style closure
- 0.14-1.57lbs
- Distinctive green colour
- Silicone with iron cylinder weights
How Are Wrists Weights Used?
Wrist weights can be used in a variety of ways to add intensity to exercise and therefore boost results.
Replace Gripping Weights
Wrist weights are often used in place of hand weights so that you can keep your hand free during exercise, or if you have grip problems, such as arthritis in the hands, which can make gripping weight uncomfortable or even painful.
Resistance Exercise
Wrist weights are also often used during resistance exercises in which you need hand mobility. Examples of this are Yoga, Pilates, and Calisthenics. You can use the weights to add intensity to movements when you need to keep one hand firmly on the ground or gripping another part of your body.
You can read all our guides to Yoga here.
Cardiovascular Exercise
Light wrist weights during cardiovascular exercise can make you work that little bit harder. This can help you burn more calories, or boost performance. For example, if you use wrist weights while running to train for a race, when you come to race day and run without the, you will find delivering your best is much easier. The same goes for other activities such as dance or martial arts.
The American Council on Exercise suggests that an individual who uses wrist weights during exercise can increase their heart rate by 5-10 beats per minute and elevate oxygen consumption by 15 percent. It can also increase calorie burn by 15 percent.
Balance Leg Training
Some forms of cardiovascular exercise focus on the legs, such as the step machine or stationary bike. Adding wrist weights can help ensure that you are working your upper body at the same time as focussing on leg strength and cardiovascular health.
Arm Toning
Some people choose to wear wrist weights under their normal clothes when completing day to day activities to turn washing the dishes or folding the laundry into arm toning exercises.
Enhancing Low-Intensity Exercise
Wrist weights can also be worn during low-intensity exercises such as walking or hiking to increase calorie burning and the toning effects of the activity.
Warnings About Wrist Weights
While wrist weights are a great way to add intensity to a workout, adding too much weight and too much intensity can lead to injury. Using heavy wrist weights when doing intense exercise such as running can put a significant strain on the ligaments in your joints, wrists, arms, and shoulders and lead to injury.
It is always advisable to start with light weights for short periods of time and build up both time and weight as you become stronger. If you notice that wrist weights are changing your form when executing certain exercises or that they are causing you any kind of pain or discomfort, you should stop using them immediately. Try lighter weights that allow you to retain good form and build up weight over time to the point of stress but not pain.
How Heavy Should Wrist Weights Be?
For the best results when doing low-intensity exercise you want to work with wrist weights between 1-2% of your overall body weight. So, for example, if you weigh 60 kilos, you will want weights between 0.6 and 1.2 kilos divided between your two hands.
But while you might be working up to 600-gram weights on each wrist, you will want to start with significantly lighter weights and work your way up to avoid injury.
The only time you might want to use heavier wrist weights is if you are using them for resistance training, for example in a Pilates session or in place of gripping weights. In this case, you can use heavier weights, but you should be executing controlled exercises that minimize the potential for injury to the wrists, arms, and shoulders.
Best Wrist Weights Buying Guide
The first and most important consideration when choosing wrist weights is getting the right weight.
Adjustable Wrist Weights
If you are just starting out and/or looking for wrist weights to use in low-intensity exercise, you will probably want to go with adjustable weights that weigh up to the maximum weight that you should be using (2% of your body weight divided between the two hands). You should look for a pair with removeable weights so that you can start with a significantly lighter weight so that you can start small and build up over time.
Wrist and Ankle Weights Combined
You might want to go for something heavier if you are considering getting weights that can also double as ankle weights, you might want to go with something a bit heavier. But even when using ankle weights, you don’t want to exceed 3% of your body weight for cardiovascular exercises. You might only use something heavier for specific resistance training.
For Resistance Training
If you are looking for weights for specific resistance training exercises you might choose something heavier and not adjustable. But going with something adjustable is always a good choice since it means that you can control the intensity. But an adjustable weight usually means a less comfortable fit.
Design and Fit
There are generally two types of wrists weights on the market. There are padded weights that you wrap around and seal with Velcro, and there are silicone weights that look more like a bracelet or a chunky watch. Which is more comfortable depends on your preference.
In most cases, the padded weights tend to be more comfortable when using your weights on both wrists and ankles. Calf muscles mean that silicone bracelets don’t always fit so nicely on the legs. Silicone bracelets are considered a more “barely there” option for the wrists.
There are some padded options out there for the wrist that include thumb loops which help the weights stay in place and feel more stable if you are using wrist weights in dynamic training or just day-to-day activities.
Material
The idea when working out is to build up a sweat, so most wrist weights will be water-resistant. But if you are looking for weights to use in cardiovascular activities such as swimming, be sure to choose completely waterproof materials such as silicone.
Interested in buying ankle weights? Read our guide here.
FAQs
What is a good weight for wrist weights?
Ideally, you should be using wrist weights between 1-2% of your bodyweight in low-intensity exercises, divided over your hands. But to avoid injury, start light and build up over time.
Is it good to wear wrists weights all day?
Wearing wrists weights during day-to-day activities can help you burn more calories and tone up your arms while doing day-to-day activities. If the weights are light, there is no reason why you can’t wear them all day. But if you start to feel any pain or discomfort they should be removed immediately.
The Verdict
Wrist weights can be a great way to enhance your low-intensity training when used the right way, and they can also be a useful tool for some types of resistance training. But the key with wrist weights is always to use them safely.
If you use weights that are too heavy or use them in intense forms of exercise, you can end up with serious injuries in your wrists, arms, and shoulders. Wrist weights should be adding light intensity and should never impact your execution of whatever exercise you are doing.
Start light and work your way up over time, that way you avoid injury, and you get the benefits of slowly increasing load and stress.
References
- Wearable Weights: How they can help or hurt – Harvard Health
- What to know about Wearable Weights – WebMD
Last update on 2024-04-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
