You can also pop them on your wrists for an upper-body burn – think power walking, dance classes, and anything that requires your arms and shoulders to get working. Do ankle weights work? PSA: this is, of course, my own personal exercise plan and includes a mix of movements that I enjoy doing, but remember that this is for the purpose of this article. I don't intend on giving up rest days in the long term, and neither should you. If you’re thinking of taking on a challenge, it’s worth speaking to a PT who can help devise your own schedule based on your health goals and current fitness levels. What are ankle weights? Simple answer, it depends on your goals and fitness abilities. Ankle weights are there to add challenge and resistance – however, what constitutes a challenge for one person might not for another. Choose a weight that allows you to perform exercises well, without sacrificing form for weight. Are ankle weights good for running The weights are a compact size to easily stuff into your bag, take on your travels, and workout wherever you go. They’re ideal for holidays where you don’t have access to gym equipment. There’s a lot of crossover between hand weight benefits and the benefits of strength training. According to Saima, these are the most significant advantages that come from training with hand weights:

Available in a 0.5kg weight right up to 10kg (!), I initially felt that adding a 1kg ankle weight to my basket was a little bit — dare I say it — silly. Would 1kg make a difference? Should I go heavier? Or would I buy this weight and then need to upgrade it in a couple of weeks time? Thursday: 5-minute full-body workout (I took inspo from fitness instructor Maddie Lymburner’s free at-home sessions) And with the mountains (and mountains) of research showing just why rest days are so major, going forwards I don’t intend to ditch them anytime soon.We meant it when we said hand weights are versatile. ‘They can be used for an entire workout, as part of warm up sets and accessory movements,’ says Saima. ‘All lifts can be performed with hand weights, from compound exercises such as bench press and deadlifts to accessory movements such as tricep extensions and single arm rows.’ Told ya so. Are hand weights effective?

It actually feels like you’re wading through shallow water. At first I felt a bit sceptical about plodding around too much in my ankle weights any more than I need to, despite most experts giving it the green light (providing you’re not injured, have joint problems, arthritis and maintain the correct form). They are light to medium wearable fitness equipment that wraps around your ankles for extra resistance, with the aim of increasing strength in the lower body,’ says Diana van Heerden, head of fitness at FRAME. There are so many kinds of hand weights, so it’s hardly surprising that an average of 8,100 of you search for info on them every month. Have a gander at the main types below, as shared by PT and Foundry Fit coach Saima Husain:They are particularly effective used during workouts with small movement like barre and pilates as the weight won't be challenging enough for a big compound exercise. What's the best weight for ankle weights? Strengthen your bone mass and density. As Eleftheriou explains: ‘Seniors actually really benefit from using light ankle weights even when walking, as they can increase muscle mass, help cardiovascular systems, and as bone density decreases in older years when used consistently, they may help to offset osteoporosis.’

The ankle weights have been designed using durable premium quality neoprene fabric to stop them rubbing against your skin and catching your hairs when you’re working out. Our 0.5kg and 1kg ankle weights are perfect for endurance and cardio workouts whilst our heavier 1.5kg and 2kg weights are great for building your muscle strength and power.Historically used for rehab purposes, some say ankle weights have now found a renewed sense of fitness fame through the rise (and rise) of Pilates, along with their ability to sprinkle some extra spice into any bodyweight workout — just ask Halle Berry, Kate Hudson or Hailey Bieber. So, to see what all the fuss is about, I’m exercising with ankle weights for 30 days on the trot. Four words: the burn is *real*. Ankle weights are, quite simply, weights attached to or forming part of a strap that you secure around your ankle or wrist. As with any weight additions to your workout, like dumbbells and kettlebells, when used correctly ankle weights can increase overall strength, boost endurance and help build lean muscle mass. As well as the best hand weights and treadmills to up your home workout game, we've searched the web and put the following models to the test to bring you the very best ankle weights available to shop now.