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Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
Ankle weights make it easy to level up any workout you’re doing. It doesn’t matter whether you’re tackling an online yoga video or simply walking around the house—strap on a pair of ankle weights, and suddenly, you’re strength-training. “Ankle weights are a great way to easily add a challenge to your workouts,” Latoya Julce, CPT and trainer at 305 Fitness, says. Julce notes that ankle weights can make a great addition to both strength-training and cardio workouts. And since you don’t have to hold wearable weights, you can use them to tackle movements you might not be able to pull off with free weights.
Convinced you need to add a pair of ankle weights to your routine? We don’t blame you. Read on to learn more about the best ankle weights available now.
Best Overall
Bala Bangles
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Amazon
Sleek design
Double as wrist weights
Can use in pool
Not ideal for high-impact exercise
Bala Bangles aren’t just comfortable and practical—they’re also so cute they could double as accessories. Seriously, don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking for excuses to wear them. The bangles weigh in at 1 pound apiece, though the brand also offers sets with 0.5-pound and 2-pound weights. And since you can wear them on your wrists or ankles, they’ll make a versatile addition to your fitness routine. Stock up on a set in a color you love, and throw them on during all your favorite exercises. Since the bangles are finished with a silicone coating, they’re durable enough to toss in your bag—and you can even take them into the pool.
Price at time of publish: $55
Weight: 1 lb. each or 2 lb. each | Material: Silicone | Filling: Stainless steel | Closure: Velcro | Colors: Charcoal, blush, sea, sage, heather, shine, sand
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Holly Rhue
What Our Testers Say
"It was a slow burn, but after the first 15 minutes of exercise, I could already feel the difference. The weights force your limbs to work just that much harder at all times, which over the course of an hour or so makes a big difference. I particularly noticed the change when I wore the bangles on my wrists; my biceps, shoulders, and even back muscles were more engaged to keep my arms moving normally." — Kathleen Ferraro, Product Tester
Best Budget
BalanceFrom GoFit Adjustable Ankle Weights
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Courtesy of Amazon
Affordable
Color-coded weights
Dries quickly
Not ideal for high-impact exercise
BalanceFrom’s GoFit Wearable Weights are sleek, comfortable, and budget-friendly. And since they come in nine different weight options, you can easily find a set that meets your needs. The weights are crafted from moisture-wicking neoprene. So they promise to keep you feeling fresh and comfortable, even after you’ve worked up a sweat. Each wearable weight comes equipped with a velcro strap you can use to get a customized fit. And since BalanceFrom color-codes their weights, you can easily keep track of which weight is which—and see visual evidence of your progress over time.
Price at time of publish: $14
Weight: Pairs of 2 lb., 3 lb., 4 lb., 5 lb., 6 lb., 8 lb., 10 lb., 15 lb., or 20 lb. | Material: Neoprene | Filling: Moisture absorbing material | Closure: Velcro | Colors: Pink, green, blue, purple, gray, black, red, orange, black/yellow
Best for Beginners
BONA Fitness Ankle Weights
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Lined with reflective details
Dries quickly
Double as wrist weights
Reviewers note stitching can break easily
If you’re using wearable weights for the very first time, you’ll want a set that’s comfortable, breathable, and genuinely lightweight—and this one fits the bill perfectly. The weights are available in four pretty colors, and they come in weights ranging from 1 to 2.5 pounds (per weight). (Also nice: BONA Fitness jumps up in 0.5-pound increments, so you can go from 1-pound weights to 1.5-pound weights—and then to 2-pound weights.) The weights are crafted from stretchy, sweat-wicking lycra, so they're super comfortable—plus, since they’re lined with reflective details, they’re particularly great for walking and running.
Price at time of publish: $20
Weight: Pairs of 2 lb., 3 lb., 4 lb., or 5 lb. | Material: Lycra | Filling: Iron sand | Closure: Velcro | Colors: Grey, green, blue, purple
Best Advanced
CAP Barbell Adjustable Ankle Weights
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Courtesy of Amazon
Removable weight packets for adjustable weight
Great for high-impact exercise
Snug fit
Reviewers note they're bulky and uncomfortable
Most wearable weights cap out at 5 pounds apiece. But the CAP Barbell Adjustable Ankle Weights can reach weights up to 10 pounds apiece—giving you a total of 20 pounds to work with. Intimidated? Don’t be. The weights are adjustable, so you can start low and work your way up to 10 pounds over time. You can also change up your weight between exercises, making your go-to moves heavier and more challenging, and keeping already-tough moves on the lighter side.
Price at time of publish: $20
Weight: 20 lb. pair | Material: Polyester | Filling: Sand | Closure: Hook and loop | Colors: Black
Best Adjustable
Gymenist Ankle Weights
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Removable metal bars for adjustable weight
Durable
Snug fit
Reviewers note metal bars digging into legs
Many ankle weights are adjustable. But GYMENIST’s ankle weights give you more control than most. Each wearable weight comes lined with 10 different pockets you can slide metal bars into to increase your weight (or remove metal bars from to decrease it). Each set ships with 20 metal bars designed to fit inside these slots. Each metal bar weighs 0.5 pounds, so the total set can weigh anywhere from 0–10 pounds, depending on how many metal bars you’ve decided to use.
Price at time of publish: $40
Weight: 10 lb. pair | Material: Neoprene | Filling: Metal sticks | Closure: Velcro | Colors: Blue
Best Comfortable
Fragraim Ankle Weights
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Color-coded weights
Durable
Snug fit
Don't work as wrist weights as advertised
Many wearable weights are made of neoprene, lycra, or silicone. But if you’re looking for a pair that will be genuinely soft and comfortable, you may want to try the Fraigraim Ankle Weights, instead. The weights are crafted from mercerized cotton, a material that promises to be soft, stretchy, and durable all at once. And since they’re filled with sand, they’ll hug your ankles in a way traditional metal weights just can’t. Use the adjustable velcro strap to customize your fit, and slip into these weights any time you need an added challenge. They come in weights ranging from 1 to 15 pounds apiece, so you can easily score a set that suits your needs.
Price at time of publish: $18
Weight: Pairs of 1 lb., 2 lb., 3 lb., 4 lb. 6 lb., 8 lb., 10 lb., 12 lb., 15 lb., or 20 lb. | Material: Cotton | Filling: Moisture absorbing material | Closure: Hook and loop | Colors: Red, green, purple, dark blue, orange, sky blue, gray, black, dark gray double buckle, black double buckle
Best Style
Equipt Movement UWrap Vegan Leather Weights
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Sleek design
Double as wrist weights
Pricey
Crafted from vegan leather, EQUIPT’s UWrap Vegan Leather Weights look incredibly sleek—and they feel great on your ankles, too. The sleek, black weights are crafted from smooth polyurethane and are filled with small metal balls. Each one weighs 1.5 pounds, meaning a set will give you 3 pounds to work with. So slide these surprisingly stylish wearable weights onto your wrists or ankles the next time you want to make your workout a little tougher.
Weight: 1.5 lb. each or 3 lb. each | Material: Vegan leather (polyurethane) | Filling: Metal ball | Closure: Velcro | Colors: Black
Best for Walking
P.volve Ankle Weight Set
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Snug fit
Great for high-impact exercise
Affordable
Reviewers note stitching can break easily
P.volve’s Ankle Weights will look great over your favorite leggings—or your go-to gym socks. The versatile weights are crafted from soft, stretchy neoprene. And since they’re filled with sand, they’ll hug your ankles every time you strap them on. Each weight weighs 3 pounds, giving you a total of 6 pounds to work with. And since the weights were designed with lower-body exercises in mind, you can rest assured knowing they’ll stay securely in place during yoga routines, Pilates classes, and walks around the neighborhood.
Price at time of publish: $20
Weight: 1.5 lb. each or 3 lb. each | Material: Neoprene | Filling: Sand | Closure: Velcro | Colors: Gray, teal
Best for Yoga
Gaiam Fitness Ankle Weights
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Amazon
Breathable
Color-coded weights
Snug fit
Not ideal for high-impact exercise
Gaiam is a best-in-class option for all kinds of yoga equipment. So it’s no surprise that the brand’s wearable weights rock. Crafted from a blend of polyester and neoprene, the weights promise to be comfortable to wear. And the built-in mesh panels will keep your ankles from overheating every time you work out. Choose between 2.5-pound weights and 5-pound weights, and snag a set that suits your needs. And strap them on to make your favorite yoga classes a little more challenging.
Price at time of publish: $18
Weight: 5 lb. pair or 10 lb. pair | Material: Neoprene, polyester, mesh | Filling: Sand | Closure: Velcro | Colors: Green, blue
Best for HIIT
Tone It Up Ankle Weights
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Snug fit
Sand is evenly distributed over ankle
Dries quickly
Velcro can be hard to undo
Tone It Up’s Ankle Weights will help you work up even more of a sweat during your next cardio session. The soft, stretchy weights are filled with sand. And since they fasten with velcro, they’ll offer a snug fit every time you strap them on. Each weight’s figure-8 shape will help the sand disperse evenly over your ankle, challenging you while keeping you comfortable. Snag a 5-pound set to score two 2.5-pound weights, and slide into them to toughen up all your favorite HIIT and cardio routines.
Weight: 5 lb. pair | Material: Cotton | Filling: Sand | Closure: Velcro | Colors: Blue
Final Verdict
Ankle weights can make a great addition to any at-home fitness routine. And if you’re looking to score a pair of your own, you’ve got all kinds of options. Bala Bangles are a best-in-class option—and one you’ve probably seen all over Instagram. The wearable weights are so stylish you’ll be looking for excuses to slip them on, and you can rest assured knowing you’ll get a solid workout every time you do. If you’re looking for a budget-friendlier option, BalanceFrom’s GoFit Wearable Weights is a great pick. The soft weights come in a bunch of different sizes, so you can easily find a set that fits into your routine.
What to Look For in Ankle Weights
Weight
Any time you’re buying free weights, weight should be a key consideration. (That is, after all, the entire point of the purchase.) Look for a set that feels consistent with your skill level. And if you’re really not sure where to start, snag an adjustable set with low entry-level weight, and work your way up over time.
Material
Wearable weights can be made from all kinds of different materials—including silicone, cotton, neoprene, and more. If you want a softer set, look for weights crafted from fabric. And if you’d prefer something smoother, score a silicone option.
Adjustability
Some wearable weights are adjustable, meaning you can remove weighted bars from the weights to make them lighter—and add weighted bars to the weights to make them heavier. Not all wearable weights are adjustable. (In fact, a lot aren’t.) So if this a feature you’re interested in, be sure to keep an eye out for it.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Byrdie contributor Lindsey Lanquist has years of experience in the health and fitness space. And as an avid shopper, she knows what a bummer a bad product can be. That’s why she makes sure to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and widely beloved by those who've tried them.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any ankle weights from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.