Ankle Weights Pros and Cons

Just like stamina, muscles are built. No matter what part of the body, if properly developed, these muscles have their own fair share of benefits. And what better way to stay healthy, look good and be confident than to allow a bit of properly toned and contoured muscles on your calves. Ankle weights could do just that for you.

What are Ankle Weights?

But wait a minute. What are these ankle weights? These are specially designed weights worn around the ankles during workout sessions.

And just like dumb bells, ankle weights also come in different sizes and weights ranging from 1lb to 8lbs maximum. Since different people have different ankle sizes, ankle weights come with adjustable flaps including Velcro straps and belts for appropriate fitting on one’s ankle. Some even come with a provision for adding or removing weights to a preferable amount.

It is always advisable to use the size and weight best fitting the ankles. This way you can reap appropriate benefits and avoid possible injuries when using these weights. Besides, it is always important for beginners to consider starting with the smallest weights and progressively increase it as their strength builds with time.

Pros of Using Ankle Weights

Using ankle weights properly and in consistent workout sessions has several benefits. These include:

Performing any kinds of work outs like lifting legs without any weights attached to them is much easier than doing so with weights. But less work is done and so less body exertion is also experienced. Consequently much less calories are burnt. However, like other weights used during any workout sessions, ankle weights when used will require extra energy to execute leg lifting cycles. To supply this extra energy, the heart will have to beat faster and pump more blood into the system. This will cause more sweating and hence more calories will end up being burnt.

And as the body burns more calories, weight loss shall certainly be imminent over time, especially if the workouts are performed consistently.

With ankle weights attached, the body strains to generate enough energy required to perform the leg lifting tasks. This causes the heart and the rest of the blood vessels to become more active and thus healthier. Such consistent efforts over time will cause the body to get used to lifting the weights with ease until some more weight is added. This gradually increases your stamina and resilience.

For as long as the legs become accustomed to carrying out the lifting with ankle weights attached, the leg muscles will somehow start developing the necessary versatility to enable flexible movements. This is not just good for the body, but also makes it easier for different work outs targeting other parts of the body. Overall, with more flexibility, muscle coordination becomes easier and effortless which in the end enhances general body fitness.

Every time you jump into a swimming pool, the water up-thrust attempts to prevent you from sinking while gravity attempts to pull you to the base of the pool. These two forces oppose each other. However, gravity wins nearly all the time and for this reason, people who do not know how to swim, will sink and drown.

It takes the skills of a swimmer to stay afloat. The heavier the swimmer, the more the energy and skills they will need to defeat gravity and float.

That is why, with ankle weights worn, one becomes heavier and thus sinks faster. Such a person will need to work more skillfully and harder in order to remain afloat. When you get used to swimming with the ankle weights on, you will certainly have an easier time doing so without them. So, put the ankle weights on, jump into the pool and become a champion.

With ankle weights worn on your legs, alternate up and down movements of the legs (as shown in image) will certainly help tone your muscles.

This will strengthen the leg muscles, which then become better equipped for other workout styles.

Cons of Using Ankle Weights

Ankle weights are tools. And just like any other tools, if not properly used, they can cause harm and even injuries at some point. To ensure a memorable experience you should:

Working out does not need to be hurried. Wearing the right size and smallest weight is the recommended starting point. Otherwise starting with bigger and heavier weights will shock the leg muscles and hurt them over time.

Starting with the smallest 1lb weight and gradually increasing it as your body gets used to it will protect you from injuries.

It is not hard to assume that jogging while wearing your ankle weights can be a bad idea. This will without doubt hurt your ankle joints and in some cases even sprain the muscles.

Wearing ankle weights for an extended period of time will obviously strain your ankle. This can even get worse for those people who have ankle joint problems.

Conclusion

Flexible, well-toned and stronger leg muscles are good. But they can also get better if you use ankle weights to get them to a perfect feel and still have fun while doing so.