Adding light weights to your fitness regime is a great way to increase intensity and improve strength. Whether you’re doing Pilates, yoga, cardio, strength or taking a stroll, wrist and ankle weights are a hands-free way to feel the burn. Another perk? They don’t take up much space in your bag or home gym.
But as you know, there are dozens of options on the market. That's where I come in. I used my experience as a certified personal trainer, spin instructor and yoga teacher; tapped my peers; and spent hours researching and poring over dozens of reviews on some of the highest-rated weights in the market. Use the links below to get my professional advice, answers to your top questions, and of course, my top picks.
Also, don't forget to check out Start TODAY to discover the greatest workout challenges, weekly meal plans and much more.
Best ankle and wrist weights to shop, according to experts and editors
These SPRI wrist weights with a thumb lock are best if you’re looking for an option that stays in place. These versatile two-pound wrist weights don’t slide around as you punch, power walk or pulse your arms. They’re one of my [Gokita] top picks if you’re looking for something specifically for the hands or wrists and don’t care for dual-purpose weights that also work around the ankles; these are best for walking or boxing workouts.
With a glowing five-star rating from over 10,700 Amazon shoppers, these ankle weights from Henkelion come in five fun colors and three different weight variants (two, three and five total pounds). They’re also made with a moisture-wicking premium neoprene-cotton blend and have removable sand bags if you’d like to customize how easy or difficult you’d like your cardio to be.
"When it comes to fitness gear, I like to stick to the basics: dumbbells, resistance bands, a yoga mat I can use again and again, and ankle weights. And as far as ankle weights go, these fit the bill — they’re nothing fancy, but they work!" shares partnerships editorial assistant Erica Marrison. "My favorite feature is that they are held on by a strong velcro, as opposed to a double ring buckle, which I’ve tried in the past and didn’t love because they were always coming undone and slipping off. Plus, the price point on these is great and they can easily be stored, which is key for small space living."
"I have these at home and highly recommend them," explains Daniela Celi, a Barry’s senior instructor and NASM certified personal trainer. "I love that they are adjustable so that both my husband and I can both use them," she adds.
Amazon reviewers love these ankle weights so much that they’re the No. 1 bestseller in the retailer’s Strength Training Wrist and Ankle Weights category. It’s easy to see why; for starters, they’re durable and have strong Velcro closures.
The weight can be adjusted to however heavy you’d like them to be — they have little sand bags in the pockets of the ankle weights that are removable. Fran Sales, former Shop TODAY associate editor, bought a pair on a whim to elevate her low-impact workouts and yoga practice. “I really dig how easy it is to adjust the weights on this, even mid-session!” she raved.
There are no other ankle weights that are trendier and cooler-looking than the Bala Bangles. These babies can be worn on your wrists or ankles, come in an array of fun colors like Blush, Sage and Sea, and are only one pound each (though you can buy a set of two or three pounds each, too).
One fun fact: Though they’re not meant to be waterproof, a lot of customers do use them for water activities “without any issues,” according to Bala’s reps.
"I’ve had these for years and recently picked them back up for some at-home workouts and have been loving having them in my routine again," says editor Vivien Moon. "They’re lightweight enough that you don’t feel it at first but with repetitive movement, that little bit of added resistance adds up. I love how easy they are to put on and that they stay on snug so that no matter what exercise I’m doing, they’re not getting in the way or distracting me. They also double as ankle weights which is an added bonus."
More ankle and wrist weights to shop
If you have smaller wrists or ankles and have trouble finding weights that don’t loosely hang, this set from Pinc Active is a great choice. They wrap around your ankles fully without feeling loose, and they come in a range of sizes depending on how hard you’re trying to go during your next Pilates class.
Not made for the faint of heart, these ankle weights weigh a whopping 10 pounds each (that’s 20 pounds total!) and will get you sweating in no time. Removable weights are included, and they work particularly great for leg lifts and glute toning.
One intermediate user, an Amazon reviewer, said they’re versatile: “I had been using leg extensions on a weight bench for years, but felt due to the last injury [to] my knees, [I now do] a wider range of motion with lighter weights. In my case, it is working well. Takes a little longer to strap on and off, but worth the effort. As a bonus, they provide enough ballast for my sit-ups, so no longer hooking my feet under barbells. For under $25, well, well worth the price.”
With more than 5,700 verified five-star ratings on Amazon, these picks from Gaiam are a great addition to add to any workout routine. They come in two weights and will make for some seriously toned legs, whether you’re doing proper aerobics or just dancing in your home.
Many reviewers say that these ankle weights are very comfy and the Velcro doesn’t rub the skin, unlike other options they’ve used.
While you may know the brand for their bands, look no further than TheraBand’s ankle weights if you’re looking for options that are super comfy. They’re designed with a soft, nonabrasive terrycloth interior that won’t irritate the delicate skin around your ankles, per the brand.
One rave review: “[I’m] having to go through physical therapy, and they’re really worth the money that I paid for them. They’re made very well and they’re helping me with my exercises.”
The P.volve workout has gained a cult following among its devotees, where ankle weights are a necessity for multiple workouts. These ankle weights are filled with sand and won’t leave you feeling that “bulky” feeling you might get with other ankle weights. One reviewer (who echoed many others) noted, “You end up feeling the (best) burn from them!”
These sleek-looking weights have comfortable thumb locks to keep them secure on your wrists during intensive strength training or cardio workouts.
The product description suggests that they can be worn as classic ankle weights — one review even says, “They feel really secure when wearing them — both on my wrists and on my ankles. I actually may use this product primarily on my ankles!”
Celebs are big fans of these ankle weights, especially when they’re doing dance-inspired, high-intensity, low-impact cardio workouts with Lekfit. This pair is said to be sleek and easy to strap on.
One long-time user shared, “I like the quality, even though they started losing the filling … it happened after years of use. I didn’t want to be without them. They are easy to strap on and fit me well.”
This pick is a bit different from the rest but is also one of my favorites for its versatility. These LaceUp bars are bendable, so you can wrap them around your wrists and ankles, or stretch them straight to use for biceps curls, tricep dips, or specific yoga or Pilates movements.
Reviews show some creative uses of these LaceUp weights, including wrapping them on kettlebells for a couple of extra pounds, putting them on lacrosse and hockey sticks for handling drills, or wearing them while checking off chores on your to-do list or even walking the dog.
What are the benefits of wrist weights?
Using wrist weights while exercising improves upper body strength and, maybe more surprising, your cardiovascular health. Studies show that walking with handheld weights or wrist weights increases your oxygen uptake (how much oxygen you’re able to take in) and heart rate, compared to walking without weights. The short of it: Exercising with wrist weights leads to greater calories expended (read: burned). Just be sure to show your wrists some love to prevent injury.
Personally, I love adding wrist weights to shadow boxing workouts, arm movements and core exercises — exercises you do with a high number of reps using light weights, versus those performed with a low number of reps using heavy weights.
Eliza Shirazi, founder of fitness website Kick It By Eliza, feels the same. “There are so many benefits to adding light weights (like well-fitting wrist weights) to cardio workouts, but my favorite reason is that you are building muscle endurance ... building stamina and improving our cardiovascular health” thanks to the added resistance, she explains.
What are the benefits of ankle weights?
Ankle weights offer plenty of benefits, especially when it comes to building strength in the lower extremities. Using ankle weights for exercises like leg raises, donkey kicks and even some cardio exercises can help increase muscle mass and improve balance.
Notable studies regarding ankle weights show significant benefits in older populations (though all of us can take notes here). One study of nearly 100 participants aged 66 to 76 years showed significant increases in lower-limb circumference (i.e., muscle mass) after three months of wearing ankle weights, for at least two 20-minute outdoor walks per week.
Another study of healthy older women showed that using a resistance band and wearing ankle weights three times per week for three months achieved significant improvement in lower body strength and mobility.
Before you start with ankle and wrist weights, a note of caution
Muscle imbalances occur when we repeat the same exercises often without training other areas of the body; these can then cause aches, pains and injuries to the joints (specifically knees and hips) and your back.
For example, wearing wrist weights while walking and pumping your arms — without also training muscles in the shoulders, triceps, biceps, back and core — might cause an imbalance.
Similarly, walking with ankle weights requires the quadriceps to work harder than the hamstrings. Doing so regularly without also training every other muscle in your legs movements can also cause muscle imbalances in the lower body.
So make sure to prioritize supplemental training to other parts of your body once you decide to start using ankle and wrist weights.
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How we chose
To select the ankle and wrist weights in this story, we sifted through the many options on the market to choose some of the highest-rated, most popular options (as well as editor-favorite picks). We also spoke with fitness experts who shared their go-to weights as well as advice.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Eliza Shirazi is a fitness expert and founder of Kick It By Eliza, a fitness brand founded on a type of training she describes as "a 13-round fitness method that is music-driven, sweat-inducing and kickboxing-inspired."
- Daniela Celi is a Barry’s senior instructor. She’s also an NASM certified personal trainer and is pre/postnatal certified.
- Our top picks
- Best ankle and wrist weights to shop, according to experts and editors
- More ankle and wrist weights to shop
- What are the benefits of wrist weights?
- What are the benefits of ankle weights?
- Before you start with ankle and wrist weights, a note of caution
- Frequently asked questions
- How do you add Shop TODAY as a Preferred Source on Google?
- How we chose
- Meet the experts