5 Best Wrist Weights for Running, Walking, Adjustability, and More

Wearing wrist weights is a great way to add intensity to any targeted, upper-body exercise. Wrist weights also work well for running, walking, swimming, or practicing yoga. No matter how you exercise, wrist weight training can improve results in your cardio or aerobic workout, burning more calories. And best of all, most wrist weights also double as ankle weights for when it’s time to switch to hips, glutes, and legs. 

We’re here to present the best wrist weights in five categories: running, walking, adjustable, and the best cuff weights for women. Do yourself a favor and try a pair the next time you jog or in your next cardio and aerobic workout. You deserve it. 

Our Top Picks

Needing a quick rundown? Here’s our list:

A Closer Look: Best Wrist Weights

Here we take a detailed look at each wrist weight product.

With a coiled design, the overall best wrist weights in our ranking look great, no question, but that’s not all. Made with a lead rod and EVA plastic, they are also incredibly versatile. Simply uncoil them to adjust the size (fully-extended they’re a little less than 17-inches long) and use them for walking, jogging, yoga, or — since they’re waterproof — swimming. The pair weighs 3-lb altogether, and they’re a bit less than 1-inch thick so that they won’t add much bulk.

We felt confident putting Tbest first in our list of best wrist weights to workout with based on consumers reporting how easy they are to adjust and how they fit well. That excellent fit factor holds true no matter where you wear them on your body. They do only come in one weight and color option, though.

The last thing you want when walking with wrist weights is for them to come loose. For this reason, we chose wrist weights without the typical velcro closure when choosing the best wearable weights for walking. Instead, the wrist weights from Bala Bangles have a unique, extra-firm binding in a bracelet-style design. Bala Bangles makes these wrist weights from durable silicone, steel, and rubber. They weigh 1 or 2 pounds each and are expandable. Fully extended, they’re a bit more than 8-inches long and 3-inches wide. We also like the fun color options.

Those who’ve used the weights say they fit nicely on wrists. And though the cuff weights are perhaps a little better suited for small wrists, they’re otherwise one-size-fits-all. One consumer who normally doesn’t like using wrist weights adjusted well to this product, we learned. Another satisfied reviewer used them for both wrist and ankle weights in their pilates class. They’re also the right choice for arm-toning rather than bulking, according to reports. 

If you like to jog or run in all sorts of weather, the next wrist weights are for you. Slim enough to fit under long-sleeves without any extra bulk, these wrist weights have no closure at all — simply slip them over your wrist, and you’re ready to go. Gymenist constructs these wrist weights from durable cloth and weighed-down with sand, and they come in a nice range of weights, from half-a-pound to 2-lbs each. Just throw them in the wash to clean them.

The weights fit nicely over a wide range of wrist sizes, from petite to large. And once they’re on, they stay snug: no flopping around, according to reports. Though they’re not technically waterproof, they work well for running outdoors or while using an elliptical or treadmill. Beyond exercise, these weights treat tremors in the elderly. They’re also very affordable.

Available in weights as heavy as 20-lbs, BalanceFrom GoFit weighted bracelets are the best adjustable wrist weights in our ranking. Purchasable as light as 1-lbs, these versatile cuff weights from BalanceFrom are built with neoprene, reinforced stitching, and an oversized velcro pad. They’re extra easy to put on and take off and multipurpose enough to use them on wrists, ankles, arms, and legs. Don’t miss the moisture-absorbing interior.

Those who’ve used the weights say they’re comfortable, with a soft athletic-like fabric, and that they fit petite frames particularly well. According to reports, they may not hold up well under extreme use, but they’re more than adequate for adding a little extra intensity to arm and leg workouts, yoga, pilates, elliptical, or treadmill. But no matter how you use them, the weight stays evenly distributed, users say.

Designed specifically for a female body, Empower wrist weights are the best cuff weights for women. In weights ranging from 3–8 lbs, Empowers designed these wrist weights with neoprene and extra-thick padding. You also don’t need to buy multiple wearable weights. Choose Empower, and you can add and subtract weight by simply adding cast-iron weight bars. Or remove the bars entirely and enjoy the 2-lbs base-weight provided by iron sand. 

The wrist weights are popular with personal trainers. According to reports, the velcro is sturdy, and once the weights are in place, they stay put. Some folks like to wear them over clothing rather than against the skin. Otherwise, most consumers use them for many different kinds of exercise and on many different parts of the body. 

Our Process

For this guide on wrist weights, our team spent 3 hours researching the most popular options from over 25 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about twenty five user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each wrist weight. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 5 on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.

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