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It’s 2024, and my home gym could use an upgrade. And whether you’ve made working out your New Year’s resolution or already have your routine down pat, there’s a good chance that you came back from holiday revelry, looked at your sad pile of dumbbells, and felt just as uninspired as I did. What we need is a small but effective, functional but pretty piece of equipment that makes us actually want to work out. The always-cute Bala Bangles fits all those categories, and luckily for us, Target just put the one-pound pair on sale.
Bala has been around for a minute, but for those who don’t know, Bala Bangles are wrist and ankle weights — basically wearable weights you strap on to your body during workouts to add some extra resistance. You can wear the Bangles during workouts like yoga or Pilates or even when you’re out on a walk, mixing some strength work into your cardio (we love a two-for-one). Bala also offers classes showing you how to work up a sweat with their equipment, including Bangles and more.
Bala is also known for its sleek, aesthetically-pleasing look (check out their grabbable Bala Bars and Bala Beam to see what we mean), and the Bangles are no exception. They really could pass for jewelry — statement cuffs, anyone? — if you wanted to fit in some weight work on a night out. More importantly, they’re a great choice for those of us living in small spaces; once you’re done with your workout, place the Bangles in their carrying case and stash them away. No more untidy stacks of dumbbells under the bed (yes, I’m calling myself out here).
Down in the review section, shoppers are gushing about the Bangles. “Super cute, nice and quick to put on,” one person wrote. “Great addition to weight training, walking, barre, yoga, anything really. They’re amazing.” Others noted the high quality of the Bangles, saying that the Velcro straps continued to hold up even after years of use, and that they’re “SO comfortable and effective.”
Our own reviewer here at SheKnows used the Bala Bangles on her wrists and ankles, depending on the exercise, and said “They provided a nice dose of resistance strengthening, toning my arms as well as around my abs as I did certain movements.” After a few months of use, she could see more definition in her shoulders, abs, and biceps.
Bala Bangles usually go for $55 (or $65 from Amazon), but Target currently has them on sale for $44, a 20 percent discount for those who act fast. (Note that only one color, Golden, is currently on sale.) If you’re looking for a simple, effective addition to your workout routine, now might be the time to buy.
Before you go, check out more of our favorite affordable workout equipment: