Ankle weights are slowly becoming an integral part of many home gyms. This simple yet effective piece of fitness gear can help you tone your body and build muscles on the go. One of the best ways to get into ankle weights is to get the adjustable types. For this reason, we’ve put together a handy list of the best adjustable ankle weights we could find.
There are so many advantages that adjustable ankle weights have over standard ones. Many are put off by the extra cost, but you will definitely appreciate the flexibility in the long run. The models we’ve chosen for this list have proven themselves numerous times by now. They are the people’s favorites which you can rely on. First, we’ll go over our picks and discuss what they have to offer.
Later on, we’ll talk about adjustable ankle weights themselves and how they fit into a standard fitness routine. The idea here is to present all of the information you could possibly need about adjustable ankle weights. That way, you’ll have no trouble making an educated decision when choosing the right one for you. Let’s get started with our top pick for today.
Top Adjustable Ankle Weights At a Glance
 Best Adjustable Ankle Valeo Adjustable
|
 Best Value Adjustable Synergee Comfort Fit
|
 Best Budget Adjustable Gymenist Adjustable
|
Best Adjustable Ankle Weights Overall
Valeo Adjustable Ankle/Wrist Weights
These Valeo weights are a solid option that deliver satisfactory performance at a ridiculously low price. They’re not the most durable nor the most streamlined model on the market, but they will get you started without burning a hole in your wallet. It is definitely a great gateway setup for beginners.
Next Best Adjustable Ankle Weights
Synergee Comfort Fit Adjustable Ankle/Wrist Weights
These robust adjustable ankle weights are all business. With two locking straps and rock solid build quality, you can count on them providing long-term reliable performance. The fact that they come in 5 different versions, from 1lb to 20lbs, only adds to what is already a great deal.
Best Budget Ankle Weights
Gymenist Adjustable Ankle Weights
If you’re not comfortable with using sand packs as weights, Gymenist’s weights might be the perfect solution for you. They use 10 metal sticks per wrap and offer good durability and surprisingly high levels of comfort. Thanks to 0.55lb increment sticks, you can be precise with your weights.
Who Should Get Adjustable Ankle Weights?
Doing weighted exercises is a proven method of building muscle. Forcing your muscles to contract against resistance stimulates them to adapt to the new workload by growing larger and stronger. While ankle weights tend not to be particularly heavy, they can be used to great effect to turn already challenging exercises into very challenging exercises. For example, they’re a great way to add weight to—and seriously increase the difficulty of—bodyweight exercises like pull-ups, dips, and knee raises. You add a pair of 10 lb ankle weights to your pull-ups, and your lats won’t know what hit them. The great thing about adjustable ankle weights is that they allow you to gradually work up to this kind of challenge.
Alternatively, adjustable ankle weights are useful for rehabilitating ankle and lower leg injuries. They allow you to carefully load injured muscles and gradually restore strength and proper functioning through all planes of movement.
Keep in mind, however, that wearing ankle weights when running or jogging can lead to injuries. Using them for this purpose should be avoided. If you’re looking to increase the difficulty of your cardio, there are much better ways than to strap weights to your ankles and potentially injure yourself half a mile down the road.
Finally, if you’re not keen on the idea of having to swap sandbags or metal sticks in and out, we’ve previously reviewed the best ankle weights to build and tone muscle. Most of those picks are the non-adjustable type.
Adjustable Ankle Weights Reveiws
 |
Valeo Adjustable Ankle/Wrist Weights |
|
|
 |
Synergee Comfort Fit Adjustable Ankle/Wrist Weights |
|
|
 |
Gymenist Adjustable Ankle Weights |
|
|
 |
Sportneer Ankle Weights |
|
|
 |
All Pro Adjustable Ankle Weights |
|
| Valeo Adjustable Ankle/Wrist Weights | |
|
|
| Synergee Comfort Fit Adjustable Ankle/Wrist Weights | |
|
|
| Gymenist Adjustable Ankle Weights | |
|
|
| Sportneer Ankle Weights | |
|
|
| All Pro Adjustable Ankle Weights | |
|
|
#1. Valeo Adjustable Ankle/Wrist Weights
Valeo’s adjustable ankle weights represent the quintessential piece of kit for budget users. This is as affordable as it gets without you having to compromise on anything essential. It’s a simple model that is devoid of anything that could isn’t considered essential.
In other words, you have the most basic black nylon fabric, simple sand packs, and an overall design that we’ve seen so many times by now. Each wrap consists of 5 pockets meant to hold a 1lb sand packet. That totals to about 10lbs of soft weight between two wraps. As far as affordable ankle eights go, this is the best deal in town. The key here is to be realistic with your expectations.
This isn’t a model that can take frequent, high-intensity use. Even though it’s a decent piece of gear, there’s still a difference in material quality between it and more expensive models. However, if you’re just getting into ankle weights and want to test the waters without diving in head first, this is the way to do it.
The Good
- The most affordable you can find that still works
- Great for beginners
- Weights adjust in 1 lb. increments
The Not So Good
- Not the most durable piece of equipment out there
#2. Synergee Comfort Fit Adjustable Ankle/Wrist Weights
Next up is a pretty awesome set from Synergee. They went with a robust design that doesn’t care about compactness or a slim form factor. These ankle weights are all about performance. Made out of high denier nylon fabric, each ankle weight feels solid at first glance.
The layout is fairly simple. There are five compartments in a row with a velcro flap on top. Once you load them up, all you have to do is wrap the weight around your ankle and secure it in place with two straps. The impressive thing about Synergee’s weights is the number of adjustments you can make. First of all, these come in 10lbs and 20lbs variants.
Or to be more specific, you can choose between 5x2lb and 5x1lb weights. Speaking of weights, they aren’t your regular packs of sand. Synergee went with a sand/steel mix that is packed in tough neoprene bags. These won’t burst on you.
The Good
- Very robust set of weights designed with performance in mind
- Easily customizable with different weight options
- Features heavy-duty straps
The Not So Good
- Definitely not the most comfortable set you can get
#3. Gymenist Adjustable Ankle Weights
If there is one thing that gives adjustable ankle weights a bad name, it’s those soft sand packs. They are often times unreliable, prone to bursting and generally a pain in the rear. GYMENIST offers an alternative solution to sand weights, which does a great job overall.
They have opted to use metal sticks instead of sand packs. By doing so, Gymenist pretty much eliminated any chance of you having to deal with a useless weight and a bunch of loose sand. One thing that’s problematic with metal ingots or sticks is comfort. Those weights simply don’t bend. The solution this brand went with is slim sticks.
By being tight in diameter, these weights can be stacked without interfering with comfort. As a matter of fact, you don’t even feel them during use. Each wrap features 10 x 0.55lb metal inserts, which give you plenty of fine-tuning capabilities. The only downside is a rather short velcro strap.
The Good
- Solid metal sticks instead of sand packs
- Features good build quality and decent materials
- Very affordable model
The Not So Good
- Metal sticks might prove to be too rigid for some
- A longer velcro strap would have been appreciated
#4. Sportneer Ankle Weights
Is there such a thing as a slim adjustable weight that’s actually effective? There most definitely is. Sportneer’s model we’re looking at here certainly fits the description. It’s a very simple package that is all about performance.
Sportneer went with a slim wrap design that isn’t packed with unnecessary material all over the place. Instead, it is fairly streamlined compared to most similar designs on the market. Each wrap features 5 sand pack pockets. Each sand pack is roughly 1lb. Between 5lb of sand on each ankle, you can get a decent workout out of these. As far as build quality goes, Sportneer did a decent job.
The only complaint we can offer is that they don’t breathe as well as we’d like them to. However, that shouldn’t be a problem as long as you air them out after heavier use. Just don’t store them away if they are still wet.
The Good
- A very affordable set of adjustable weights
- Features a decent build quality across the board
- Comes with 5 sand packs, 1lb each
The Not So Good
- They don’t breathe all that well
- Sometimes they smell out of the box
#5. All Pro Adjustable Ankle Weights
Last but not least we have the All Pro adjustable ankle weights. These bad boys are probably the cheapest adjustable weights you can find if you prefer metal sticks instead of sand. What All Pro offers is simplicity. There’s nothing fancy about their weights.
You have a simple, relatively durable wrap that features comfort flaps on the inside. These were designed to cushion the weights so you don’t feel them at all. The best part is that you can order these in 5lb, 10lb, 20lb and 40lb sizes. That’s why a lot of rehabilitation centers run these weighs.
The entire spartan approach has its flaws too. The main one being the slippery fabric they’ve used for the wraps. There is a decent chance that you’ll have to deal with some friction around your ankles as these tend to slip around. However, at this price we really can’t complain too much.
The Good
- Best bang for the buck value in this segment
- Features comfort flaps that cushion the weights
- Available in a wide range of weights
The Not So Good
- They tend to slip and move around due to the fabric used
- Not the most attractive set of weights for sure
Choosing the Right Adjustable Ankle Weights
Finding the best set of adjustable ankle weights can be tedious work if you don’t know what to look for. Everyone’s taste is different but we can still offer a few guidelines that can help you narrow down the search.
Type of Weights
Build quality should have been the first item on this short list, but that is a given at this point. The type of weights is a much more interesting story. Both soft and solid weights have their pros and cons. Solid weights can be obstructive and too rigid for some people while soft weights have a peculiar tendency to spring a leak. Choose the one that best fits your workout plan.
Amount of Weight
If you are nursing an injury or you’re just starting out, you might want to get something that offers more weights in smaller increments. That way you can really fine tune the load for each exercise. Otherwise, 4-5 weights are the gold standard.
Size
Last but not least, try to anticipate how big or small you’ll need the weights to be. This will depend on your workout plan as well as personal preference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adjustable Ankle Weights
Now that we know a thing or two about the weights themselves, let’s address some of the best, most frequently asked questions for this fitness item.
Are ankle weights safe?
Just like most other fitness gear, ankle weights are safe as long as you use them the right way. For example, there is a massive difference between doing slow leg extensions with weights on and sprinting with weights on. Former represents controlled movement with very little room for injury, while the latter is the polar opposite. No matter what, you shouldn’t run, jump or even walk with weights on. These activities were consistently found to have negative effects on your gait. Bad or modified gait leads to muscle imbalance throughout your lower body.
As long as you use ankle weights within the realm of their intended use, you will be safe. Stick to proven exercises and workout routines and follow the instructions on how to properly strap ankle weights on and you’ll have no issues at all.
Is it OK to wear ankle weights all day?
That would be a strong ‘no’. No matter attractive it may seem to wear these all day long, the risks aren’t worth whatever gains you think you’ll get. Wearing additional weight on your feet all day can lead to all kinds of issues. For starters, your knees and joints will suffer.
Just walking on hard surfaces such as concrete can create all kinds of problems with your knees, hips and ankle joints. Adding weight to that equation only makes things worse. On top of that, you will be putting additional strain on your ligaments. It’s just not worth it.
Do ankle weights help build and tone your leg muscles?
They absolutely do! The key is to perform exercises that promote muscle growth and toning of your legs. Most of these revolve around leg extensions, side leg raises and similar exercises. For example, doing prone leg lifts will load your glutes and isolate them from the hamstrings. Side leg lifts hit the gluteus medius muscles, which in turn improve your hip stabilization. A modified leg raise, where you are on your back facing the ceiling, will activate quads and benefit your knees.
Ankle weights are also great for developing strong and well-defined core abdominal muscles. Check out the video below for a great ankle weights workout that targets your core, leg and gluteal muscles.
The bottom line is simple. Ankle weights can be a very useful tool as long as you use them correctly. With adjustable weights, you get to fine-tune the load you’re putting on your legs, which greatly reduces your chances of injury or just pushing yourself too hard. Just spending a little time learning the correct exercises can have you doing isolation work on your legs like you’ve never done before. Because of that, ankle weights are slowly becoming the norm.
Well, there you have it: The best adjustable ankle weights.
Finding a good set of adjustable weights can completely change your entire fitness experience. At least when it comes to your lower body. We did our best to find a set of models that will offer the perfect combination of performance, durability, and adjustment.
On top of that, we picked models from different price ranges which should allow you to find a good fit for your budget no matter what. If you’re reading this section of the article, you should have all the necessary information regarding ankle weights. You’re ready to make an educated decision and get the model that best suits your needs.
