Is Bala Bangles Worth It? – Everything You Need To Know
With many people wanting more and more convenient ways of getting their exercise in, many have flocked to items for home workouts, or even adding weight to their everyday tasks.
Adding weight to your walking or running is nothing new or revolutionary, but the way it is done and viewed has changed quite a bit in the past few years.
Gone are the days of bulky, dull-looking sacks tied around your ankles and wrists. With many companies pushing towards a more stylish way of getting your exercise in, Bala Bangles is among the most popular of these.
What is Bala Bangles and is it really worth your money?
What is Bala Bangles
Bala grew into a well-known fitness brand with a heavy focus on design, blending the worlds of fashion and fitness.
The company was founded by Natalie Holloway and Max Kislevitz, and its first product was the Bala Bangle, a stylish wrist and ankle weight.
Bala appeared on Shark Tank in early 2020. According to NBC News' roundup of Shark Tank products, the founders asked for $400,000 for 10%, and Mark Cuban and Maria Sharapova invested $900,000 for 30% of the company.
The investment and the exposure from the popular television show boosted the company and brought it to the forefront of wearable fitness gear.
What Does Bala Bangles Sell?
Bala sells a variety of wearable weights, as well as recovery gear and other training equipment. Most of their products are in the lower weight category and not suited for serious gym enthusiasts.
Some of their most popular products consist of:
- Bala Bangles (Wrist and ankle weights)
- Play Mat (Exercise mat)
- Power Ring (Weighted Ring)
- Bala Balance Blocks (Foam Blocks)
They also feature more items, but those seem to be the most prominent from their collection. All Bala products come in a range of color options, with calm and refreshing tones rather than loud colors.
Is Bala Bangles Worth It?
Bala is a premium brand, meaning you often pay several times what you would for basic versions of the same products. In short, for most people, no. The price is high for what you get.
Although the concept is interesting, for the majority of people it just will not make sense.
Consider this: Bala Bangles come in 1-pound and 2-pound options and have sold for around $49 and up per pair, while plain ankle and wrist weights often cost far less on Amazon.
There is also nothing special about how they work. A pound or two on your wrists or ankles adds only light resistance, the same as any other wrist or ankle weight.
A weight ring, for instance, is interesting in concept, but a regular dumbbell or kettlebell does the same job for less money.
If you want real strength gains, the CDC's physical activity guidelines recommend muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups at least 2 days a week. Most people will need heavier resistance than a light bangle for that.
Now, for some, the calm and unique color palette and style of these products is enough to pay the price. But for most people, the main goal is to lose weight or stay fit, not to look pretty doing it, because we all know that working out is NOT pretty.
The idea is interesting, and I believe that in the future, weights and equipment can and will look more appealing. For now, though, practicality and effectiveness are key in this industry.
Conclusion
Bala Bangles is still a very innovative company. Many people like their products, and there is a sense of personality to them. Many people spend extra just to have their items look a specific way.
On the other hand, why pay several times the price for something that mainly adds a nicer color and a logo? I suppose we are all guilty of this, considering we love Nike and other brands, but with fitness, the use of the item is most important.
Bala has a way to go, and their main focus should be to cut prices and reach a broader consumer base. They need to bring their unique perspective and product design to the mass market without costing you an insane amount of money.
