Photos courtesy of Wonder Bands
Most fitness enthusiasts have invested in treadmills and weights for their home gym because of the quarantine. As for me, I’ve stuck with my yoga mat, cheap weights and used books to add more weight to my dumbbells, though they made it harder for my grip. Then I discovered wearable weights that are definitely more comfortable than my DIY setup.
For those wondering what they are, wearable weights are weights you can wear on your wrists or ankles to add load to your usual workout routine. Sometimes, they also come in the form of vests. The wearable weights I tried are from Wonder Bands, which come in a pair of 1/2 lbs or 1 lbs.
Here’s how it feels
The bands on my arms felt really comfortable and I liked how they were designed to fit any size. Normally, I had to adjust my wrist watches just so they could fit my thin wrist, but these ones are designed to stretch to fit the wrists.
I attached the weights while doing a 10-minute workout, which I used to do for my warm-up. But the bands increased the difficulty of my warm-up, I sweated a lot and had to take a break twice because the extra weights leveled up my routine. I’d say it was a game changer.
For those who like feeling a little sore after a workout, the additional 1 lbs can make a lot of difference. Initially, I even thought the pair of weights wouldn’t do much since the bands don’t look intimidating at all. But boy, do they make my muscles burn!
I also wore the bands on my ankles as I moved around the house. They felt comfortable and I liked how I could just incorporate them in my chores, wrapped around my ankles as I do the dishes or water the plants. I also tried using them while folding my clothes, and liked how it turned the boring chore into a mini-workout, which BTW, didn’t feel dragging at all.
If there’s anything I didn’t really like about the product, it’s that it can feel too heavy on the wrist when worn for a long time. I also don’t recommend using it while using your laptop. In terms of cost, I do find the set a bit expensive (P1,699 for a pair), though I think it’s worth your money if you’re really into subtle but effective add-ons to your workouts.
Style-wise, I like how it fits any workout outfit easily. I also think the pair is easy to clean because of its texture. I look forward to trying this pair next time I walk or jog around the village
The verdict
I would recommend Wonder Bands to people who’d find additional 1/2 – 1 lbs in their routines useful, and to those with limited time and space to work out since you can wear them while doing chores, or incorporate them in your workout when you have no gym equipment at home. People can also use the bands during Pilates or yoga. Just remember not to strain your wrists and ankles when wearing them, and take them off when not needed. It’s best to use them during standard exercises.
