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 further ankle weight choices from prime manufacturers. Based mostly 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.
• Based mostly 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 Smooth. 
• We consulted two new consultants, an authorized private coach, and a health knowledgeable, to raised perceive the right way to safely use ankle weights and guarantee all the data in our roundup is updated. 

What to Search for When Purchasing for Ankle Weights

• Weight: Our consultants suggest selecting a weight with which you’ll be able to carry out many reps, like 2- or 3-pound choices. Extra superior exercisers might wish to go for a 5-pound pair. Whereas heavier pairs of ankle weights can be found, they may put an excessive amount of stress in your wrist and ankle joints, resulting in put on and tear over time. Additionally, observe that heavier weights could also be pricier.
• Materials: Many ankle weights are crafted with neoprene for breathability. Some softer choices are coated in polyester, cotton, or terry material. Whereas these supplies can really feel extra comfy in opposition to the pores and skin, they’re inclined to tearing, in order that they will not be as sturdy as different choices. Ankle weights product of silicone are simpler to wash and extra sweat-resistant, however they are usually pricier.
• Filling: Ankle weights are usually crammed with sand, metal shot, iron powder, or water. Certainly one of our consultants recommends sand filling, saying it molds to your physique greater than different fillings. Nevertheless, some sand-filled choices might leak. In the event you’re notably involved with leakage, you could wish to take into account an choice with metal filling.
• Closure Kind: Selecting ankle weights with a dependable closure is significant to avoiding accidents or painful chafing throughout train. Our consultants like Velcro closures as a result of they’re straightforward to make use of and will be adjusted to suit most ankle sizes and shapes. In the event you’re not a fan of Velcro or desire a extra exact adjustment mechanism, you could go for a pair with a magnetized belt buckle.

How We Examined the Ankle Weights

To search 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 primarily based on the next key standards.

• Setup: Upon unboxing, we observe 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 make it possible for all the essential elements are included. 
• Ease of Use: After finishing two train circuits, we observe how straightforward every ankle weight is to make use of all through the exercise. We prioritize choices which are straightforward to lock round our ankles and wrists and don’t require fixed changes.
• Adjustability: For choices with adjustable weights, we observe 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 alter simply with out requiring us to reference their instruction handbook.
• Match: Ankle weights carry out properly 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 workout routines, even after we begin to sweat. We prioritize choices with comfortable, safe closures that match completely 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 observe if their weight is evenly distributed or if one feels heavier than the opposite. We prioritize smooth, comfy ankle weights with a fair distribution of weight that feels nice all through our exercise and in sweatier situations. 
• Versatility: To make sure the ankle weights provide sufficient versatility, we observe whether or not we are able to comfortably carry out each train in our full-body circuit with every pair with out adjusting our kind. Pairs that rating excessive in versatility can be utilized on ankles and wrists for a lot of workout routines.
• Portability: To evaluate the portability of every ankle weight, we observe whether or not every pair comes with a carry bag or may simply be transported in a health club backpack. We prioritize extremely moveable choices that simply roll up and/or are available in a carrying case. 
• Worth: To find out the worth of every set of ankle weights, we wait to take a look at the value 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 Specialists

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

• Kristin McGee, CPT, licensed Pilates and yoga teacher and Verywell Match evaluate 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 power 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 might 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 secure for you to take action.

What’s the easiest way to make use of ankle weights?

When paired with the suitable kind and an acceptable weight, ankle and wrist weights are efficient and secure for power 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 might go as much as 7.5 kilos. For on a regular basis put on, 1 to three kilos may fit properly, though you could wish to enhance the burden when performing extra superior workout routines. Hearken to your physique and converse to your licensed private coach, healthcare supplier, or bodily therapist when you aren’t positive how a lot weight is suitable. 

Why Belief Verywell Match

Megan Foley is a contract wellness and health author {and professional} ballet dancer. With over eight years of expertise writing for well being web sites and particular person wellness manufacturers, she’s enthusiastic about 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 continuously used ankle weights on the barre to maximise muscle tone and general power. 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 contributing 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 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 power coaching routine, and is aware of what to search for in set. She additionally participated within the testing course of for this text.