Wellness Thing of the Week: Bala Bars Hand Weights
Keep on top of your New Year fitness resolutions with these pretty but practical weights
‘Dumbells are dumb’ is probably not what you’d expect to hear from a fitness accessories brand, but it is exactly the motivation behind Bala. Born in 2018 from the garage of a husband and wife duo, Bala brings beauty to workouts with a curated selection of colourful accessories and props designed to enhance your fitness. Think weighted bangles, sleek sliders (no, not the burger variety) and hand weights, otherwise known as ‘Bala Bars’.
But can these accessories, even when endorsed by Gwyneth Paltrow’s infamous Goop, really change the way we work out? Here’s the scoop.
What exactly is a Bala Bar?
Far from the traditional ‘dumb’ dumbell, the lozenge-styled Bala Bars are ergonomically shaped. Without those awkward circular ends, they’re much better at distributing weight evenly. But that’s not all – they weigh just 1.4kg (3 lbs) each, which is the secret to their sculpting power. Yes, a huge dumbbell might look impressive, but it can frighten beginners and lead to poor technique. Instead, using lighter weights with precise, repetitive movements achieves a burn that’s hard to beat, and sculpts even hard-to-tone areas.
Pretty and practical
Make no mistake, Bala Bars can be used for both low- and high-impact workouts. Whether you prefer the adrenaline rush of cardio aerobics or a calmer core blast from pilates or barre, the beauty of these hand weights lies in their versatility. Rather than the grating textured steel you find at the gym, they’re made from soft silicone, offering a user-friendly grip and making flow between movements much smoother.
Flexible fitness
Gym or living room? We’ve all learnt how to be flexible with fitness. Each set of Bala Bars comes in a mesh carry case, so you can take them anywhere. Wherever you are, there’s no excuse for not squeezing in a quick 15 minute burn.
So, are they worth the admittedly high price tag? Well, you can start incorporating these weights into your workout straightaway and if you’re not sure where to start, there’s a library of free workout videos available on Bala’s website. If you fancy a virtual session with celebrity trainer Luke Lombardo or fitness pro Aubre Winters, they’re ready to go whenever you are.
