These Ankle Weights Make At-Home Workouts More Challenging

Since the days of jazzercise and power walking, strapping on a pair of ankle weights has been a tried-and-true way to add an extra challenge to your regular workout regimen. And these days, the best ankle weights are much more stylish, comfortable, and easy to maneuver than the bulky contraptions of the past.

The Best Ankle Weights

What to Consider

Here's what to look out for when buying a pair of ankle weights:

• Weight: Be sure to find the right weight for you. Many of the options on our list are adjustable, which means you can add or remove metal bars or small sandbags to change up the weight mid-workout. If you’re just starting out, you may want a lighter option, as low as 1 pound. For a serious challenge, these weights go up to 10 pounds per leg.

• Comfort: You’ll also want to look for a set that’s comfortable and secure. If you have especially small ankles, check that the strap is adjustable to your size. And the same goes for larger ankles: It’s important that the Velcro strap stays firmly closed so the ankle weights don’t throw you off balance or cause irritation mid-workout.

• Fabric: Finally, opt for a material that’s comfortable against your skin. If you don’t like the feeling of polyester or velcro, opt for a set of weights coated in silicone or neoprene, that tends to be smoother against sensitive skin.

Whether you want to up the resistance during a yoga class or add a challenge to your water aerobics class, these are the best ankle weights for every kind of sport and activity in 2022.