There are many different ways to get fit, especially now considering the fact that there are so many different tools and accessories out there designed to help you shed those pounds, tone up, and generally get yourself in better shape.
Today we’re looking at the several awesome ankle weights benefits, due to the fact that sales for ankle weights have skyrocketed these past few years, especially in the last year with more people forced to exercise outdoors and from home for prolonged periods of time.
When we think of toning the muscles and generally bulking up, we likely think of bench presses, deadlifts, lat pulldown machines, dumbbell curls, heavyweights, and complex pieces of kit you’ll find in commercial gyms up and down the globe.
It turns out, though, that you can improve your physique, build muscle, tone up, and build on your fitness with nothing more than a set of ankle weights.
Here’s a look at a number of awesome benefits of ankle weights that you are going to love.
What Exactly Are Ankle Weights?
Before we begin looking at the many ankle weight benefits which are available out there, first off we need to ensure that you’re familiar with what ankle weights are.
Ankle weights were originally popular in the 1980s when people would strap them to their ankles whilst taking part in aerobic exercise or perhaps while out jogging.
They soon fell out of fashion though in the 2010s they made a comeback.
Ankle weights are basically small padded sacks of varying weights that strap and fasten securely around your ankles and are designed to be worn during your workout to provide extra resistance.
So, What Are The Ankle Weights Benefits?
Now that we know what ankle weights are, here’s a look at several ankle benefits for you to enjoy.
1. Very Affordable
One of the largest benefits of ankle weights is the fact that they are so affordable to purchase.
Some fitness accessories out there are expensive and overpriced, whereas ankle weights are the exact opposite.
Despite being so effective, they’re very affordable meaning that people can afford them regardless of their budgets.
2. Easy To Use
Another fantastic benefit for users of these accessories is the fact that they are so darned easy to use.
Ankle weights couldn’t be easier to use as you simply slip them around your ankles, fasten them securely ensuring they won’t provide a trip hazard, and you can then go ahead and use them as required.
3. They Make A Great Talking Point
One benefit of ankle weights that a lot of people probably never considered is the fact that they make a fantastic talking point.
Think about it, if you’re in the gym on the stair climber, or are out jogging while wearing them, as they are so unusual people will stop and comment on them, which is ideal if you’re in a talkative mood and are looking to socialize, which many of you will be after 2020 and the first half of 2021 no doubt.
4. They’re Great For Strengthening Your Legs
Perhaps the most prominent benefit of wearing weights on your ankles is the fact that over time, doing so will help you to build up strength and power in your legs.
You’re basically adding extra resistance to whatever exercises and movements you perform, which over time is going to work wonders on strengthening your legs and making them more powerful.
5. Build Muscular Legs
Another of the awesome benefits which we need to look at today is the fact that is great for increasing muscle mass in your legs.
Simply using your legs will help to tone the muscles, but if you add extra weight and resistance to them as you use them, you can mimic the effects of lifting weights which in turn will increase muscle mass in your lower body.
Ankle weights will help to build muscle in your hamstrings, quads, glutes, and even your calves.
6. They’re Great For Accessory Work
It isn’t just people looking to slim down and tone up slightly who can benefit from wearing ankle weights. It turns out that people who are serious about weightlifting can benefit from them too.
If you’re looking to improve your squat, deadlift, leg press on any foot placement, or any other leg-related exercise, ankle weights could actually form an integral part of your training.
Think about it, when you wear ankle weights you’re building muscle in the legs and making them stronger and more powerful.
The more powerful they are, the more they will be able to lift.
Obviously, you can’t expect to squat more than 4 x World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw by simply working out with ankle weights twice a week, but if you do want to improve your squat slightly, ankle weights are perfect.
7. Use Them In The Water
A lot of fitness gadgets and gizmos can’t be used in the water when swimming because they aren’t waterproof, but with ankle weights, this isn’t an issue.
Ankle weights are very basic in design, they contain no electronics and they are waterproof and water-resistant.
This means that you can strap them to your ankles as you swim laps around the pool, helping to strengthen the legs and make your workouts that little bit tougher.
8. They’re Ideal For Weight Loss
Another very pertinent benefit of ankle weights is the fact that wearing them is ideal for anybody looking to burn fat and lose weight.
Wearing ankle weights as you go cycling, walking, swimming, or taking part in your fitness class will add resistance to your workouts and make your body work harder.
The harder it works, the more energy it requires which means the more calories you will burn off.
If you want to shed a few extra unsightly pounds, just strap ankle weights around your ankles before your cardio and you’ll soon be feeling the burn.
9. Can Be Used With Many Different Workouts
As people discuss the many ankle weight benefits that these simple yet effective contraptions provide, we can’t overlook the fact that they are so versatile.
You can use ankle weights if you simply want to go for a walk around the block and burn off some extra calories, or you can strap them on before you head to your nearest gym for a circuit training session or leg training session.
You can wear them when swimming, walking, jogging, spinning when doing sports, and more on top of that.
10. Improve Your Endurance
When speaking of the many benefits which are available out there, we simply cannot overlook the fact that they are so great at improving your endurance.
If you want to get fitter and improve your stamina and your endurance to allow you to exercise for prolonged periods of time before you grow tired, ankle weights are the perfect tools to allow you to do exactly that.
11. Easy To Remove And Replace
Okay, suppose you’ve been wearing your ankle weights while running for a number of miles and you suddenly find yourself experiencing cramps or simply just wanting to take them off, how easy are they to remove?
It turns out that they’re very easy to remove.
If you want to remove your ankle weights, you can simply unstrap them and away you go.
On the flip side, if you want to replace them, just go ahead and strap them on tightly and you’re all set.
12. Ankle Weights Are Portable
When you’re making great progress with a health and fitness regime, the last thing you want is to take several days off and set yourself back a week or so.
Sadly, if you’re heading out of town, be it for a vacation, work, or a bit of both, finding time to exercise can be tricky.
Whereas it would be great if we could pack gyms in our cases and take them with us, we obviously can’t, but what we can do is pack our ankle weights.
Ankle weights are small, fairly light in weight, and very compact, making them portable and great to take with you on the road.
13. Your Balance Will Improve
One of the lesser-known benefits which we need to look at today is the fact that ankle weights are so great for people looking to improve their balance.
Ankle weights help make you lighter on your feet, improve your balance and your coordination, and they’re great for mobility, especially when using them on a balance board.
Having a good balance will not only help you during athletic events and sports in general, but it can also help you in everyday life too.
14. Ankle Weights Will Make You Faster
If you’re training for a race, or if you are simply looking for ways of making yourself run faster, ankle weights could be the way to go.
By strapping a pair of ankle weights to your ankles as you jog or run, you are conditioning your body and your legs to run as fast as possible with a weight it is not used to.
Over time, you will get used to this and you will find yourself running faster with the weights on.
Once you remove them, however, you will literally be lighter which means that you’ll take off much faster and will maintain much more of a rapid pace as a result.
15. Build More Fast-Twitch Muscle Fibers
One of the biggest reasons why professional athletes and sportsmen and women tend to train with ankle weights is because of the fact that ankle weights have been found to increase your fast-twitch muscle fibers.
Fast-twitch muscle fibers are responsible for short bursts of explosive speed and power, which means that the more we have, the faster we can run, the more power we can generate, and the higher we can jump too. This brings us to…
16. Jump Higher
Whether you play basketball or if you just want to improve your vertical leap, another awesome reason to wear ankle weights when you take part in your workouts is that doing so will help you to jump higher.
Ankle weights recruit more fast-twitch muscle fibers and help strengthen the legs.
Combine these things together and you have the recipe for the ultimate vertical leap that a pro basketball player himself would be envious of.
17. Strengthen Your Core
Your core is where the majority of your strength and power are generated from.
If you have a strong and powerful core, you will likely also have a strong and powerful frame, which will build functional strength and fitness.
What does your core have to do with you wearing ankle weights, though?
Well, basically, experts have found that individuals that wear ankle weights while working out have significantly stronger cores than those that don’t.
If you happen to wear ankle weights while going through a core-strengthening workout to target your abs and core stabilizer muscles, you’ll benefit enormously as time passes by.
Final Thoughts:
Okay, so, now that we’ve looked at what ankle weights are and we’ve explored the many different ankle weights benefits which users can enjoy, what are your thoughts on these simple devices?
Do you consider them to be a gimmick, or do you think that they’re the real thing and are worth investing in?
Considering that they’re affordable, easy to use, and so beneficial from a health and athletic standpoint, that surely means that they’re worth the investment?
We certainly think so at least, and we’re sure that you do too.
