The ten Finest Ankle Weights of 2024, Examined

What We’ve Up to date

• Since publishing our preliminary examined roundup of the perfect ankle weights, we’ve re-evaluated our earlier picks and hands-on examined 5 extra ankle weight choices from prime manufacturers. Primarily based on our testing, we’ve evaluated every pair for setup, ease of use, adjustability, match, consolation, versatility, portability, and worth and included these new insights in our article.
• Primarily based on our testing insights, we’ve reworked two superlatives and product picks, together with Most Comfy and Finest Heavier Weights. We’ve additionally added three new superlatives: Most Sturdy, Finest Moisture-Wicking, and Finest Modern. 
• We consulted two new specialists, a licensed private coach, and a health skilled, to higher perceive methods to safely use ankle weights and guarantee all the info in our roundup is updated. 

What to Search for When Looking for Ankle Weights

• Weight: Our specialists suggest selecting a weight with which you’ll be able to carry out many reps, like 2- or 3-pound choices. Extra superior exercisers could wish to go for a 5-pound pair. Whereas heavier pairs of ankle weights can be found, they might put an excessive amount of strain in your wrist and ankle joints, resulting in put on and tear over time. Additionally, word that heavier weights could also be pricier.
• Materials: Many ankle weights are crafted with neoprene for breathability. Some softer choices are lined in polyester, cotton, or terry material. Whereas these supplies can really feel extra snug towards the pores and skin, they’re inclined to tearing, so that they might not be as sturdy as different choices. Ankle weights fabricated from silicone are simpler to scrub and extra sweat-resistant, however they are typically pricier.
• Filling: Ankle weights are usually full of sand, metal shot, iron powder, or water. One in all our specialists recommends sand filling, saying it molds to your physique greater than different fillings. Nonetheless, some sand-filled choices could leak. When you’re notably involved with leakage, you could wish to take into account an possibility with metal filling.
• Closure Sort: Selecting ankle weights with a dependable closure is important to avoiding accidents or painful chafing throughout train. Our specialists like Velcro closures as a result of they’re straightforward to make use of and will be adjusted to suit most ankle styles and sizes. When you’re not a fan of Velcro or need a extra exact adjustment mechanism, you could go for a pair with a magnetized belt buckle.

How We Examined the Ankle Weights

To seek out the perfect ankle weights, we examined 22 choices in our Lab, sporting them whereas we carried out leg lifts, mountain climbers, overhead presses, and extra. When testing ankle weights, we consider every set based mostly on the next key standards.

• Setup: Upon unboxing, we word how straightforward they’re to arrange and start utilizing. We take into account whether or not they come totally assembled and, if not, how intensive the setup course of is. We additionally ensure that all the mandatory elements are included. 
• Ease of Use: After finishing two train circuits, we word how straightforward every ankle weight is to make use of all through the exercise. We prioritize choices which can be straightforward to lock round our ankles and wrists and don’t require fixed changes.
• Adjustability: For choices with adjustable weights, we word how straightforward it’s to regulate the burden throughout our train routine. We additionally take into account whether or not the burden increments are affordable for many health ranges. We prioritize ankle weights that modify simply with out requiring us to reference their instruction handbook.
• Match: Ankle weights carry out effectively on this class in the event that they match snugly all through the exercise with out sliding round. We additionally search for pairs with a safe closure that doesn’t transfer or come undone throughout workouts, even once we begin to sweat. We prioritize choices with cosy, safe closures that match totally different sizes of ankles and wrists.
• Consolation: When assessing for consolation, we take into account how they really feel and whether or not they irritate our pores and skin or tug on our physique hair. We additionally word if their weight is evenly distributed or if one feels heavier than the opposite. We prioritize smooth, snug ankle weights with an excellent distribution of weight that feels nice all through our exercise and in sweatier situations. 
• Versatility: To make sure the ankle weights supply sufficient versatility, we word whether or not we will comfortably carry out each train in our full-body circuit with every pair with out adjusting our type. Pairs that rating excessive in versatility can be utilized on ankles and wrists for a lot of workouts.
• Portability: To evaluate the portability of every ankle weight, we word whether or not every pair comes with a carry bag or may simply be transported in a gymnasium backpack. We prioritize extremely moveable choices that simply roll up and/or are available a carrying case. 
• Worth: To find out the worth of every set of ankle weights, we wait to have a look at the worth till we consider all different key standards. Ankle weights that obtain a excessive worth rating are value the identical or lower than we’d take into account paying for them.

Our Consultants

We consulted specialists at every stage of our analysis, testing, and reporting course of for this story. The next specialists helped us perceive what key options to search for in high-quality ankle weights and methods to use them correctly. Though we make our product choices independently, skilled insights inform our decision-making course of.

• Kristin McGee, CPT, licensed Pilates and yoga teacher and Verywell Match evaluation board member
• Gabby Drucker, CPT, licensed private coach and proprietor of Drucker Health in Philadelphia
• Anna Mae Tiry, CPT, licensed private coach and Anytime Health franchise proprietor in Wisconsin
• Kevin Leon, CPT, private coach and energy coach at Main Edge Private Trainers in New York Metropolis
• Kollins Ezekh, health skilled of over 15 years and founding father of Constructed By God TV 

Regularly Requested Questions

Can ankle weights be used when operating or strolling?

Sporting weights in your ankles and wrists whereas strolling or operating could trigger joint stress and imbalance over time. Seek the advice of your healthcare supplier earlier than strolling or operating with ankle weights to verify it’s protected for you to take action.

What’s one of the simplest ways to make use of ankle weights?

When paired with the correct type and an applicable weight, ankle and wrist weights are efficient and protected for energy coaching and higher and decrease physique exercises. Ankle weights are a staple in Pilates routines, the place you may add them to strikes just like the double-leg stretch and backbone twist. If you wish to goal your abs, think about using them throughout hip lifts, alternating supermans, or the dragon flag.

How heavy ought to ankle weights be?

Ankle weights usually vary from 0.5 kilos to three kilos, though some choices could go as much as 7.5 kilos. For on a regular basis put on, 1 to three kilos may fit effectively, though you could wish to improve the burden when performing extra superior workouts. Take heed to your physique and converse to your licensed private coach, healthcare supplier, or bodily therapist should you aren’t certain how a lot weight is suitable. 

Why Belief Verywell Match

Megan Foley is a Verywell Match wellness and health author and an expert ballet dancer. She’s obsessed with translating meticulous analysis into compelling content material. In her 15 years of ballet coaching earlier than becoming a member of an expert New York Metropolis-based firm, she steadily used ankle weights on the barre to maximise muscle tone and general energy. Now, she makes use of Gaiam Restore Ankle Weights in her weekly yoga and Pilates courses. 

Extra reporting contributed by Tori Zhou

Tori Zhou is a Verywell Match author with 5 years of expertise writing within the well being and wellness house. She enjoys staying up-to-date on the perfect merchandise and prides herself on sifting by way of the noise to seek out choices that really work. An avid exerciser, Tori routinely makes use of ankle weights in her exercises, particularly throughout her decrease physique energy coaching routine, and is aware of what to search for in a superb set. She additionally participated within the testing course of for this text.