Why You Should Rethink Working Out With Ankle Weights

We've all seen the occasional jogger wearing weights attached to their ankles. But are ankle weights good for anything other than a throwback social media post? While the idea that weighted exercise gear can up your game is nothing new, there are a few things you should know about ankle weights before strapping them on.

Ankle weights are basically dumbbells for your feet. They are flexible fabric pockets filled with weights, usually ranging from one to 20 pounds. Each weight has a strap that allows you to wrap it around your ankle and secure it for exercise. Plenty of styles are adjustable, allowing you to add or remove weight to the pockets.

Using ankle weights as a way to intensify workouts — whether you're running, walking or strength training — can supply added resistance to force your muscles to work more vigorously. However, in some circumstances, ankle weights can also be dangerous, and many believe their risks outweigh the benefits — which is why so many physical fitness experts do not recommend using them.

Read more: 12 Exercises That Are Safe to Do With Knee Pain

Many experts, including physical therapist Garrick Lim , caution that ankle weights are actually doing more harm than good. He points out that they might increase the likelihood of pain and injury for some exercisers, which is why he doesn't recommend using them for the purpose of intensifying training.

"This is especially true for people who wear ankle weights when walking, jogging, jumping, or going up or down stairs," Lim says. "By having the extra weight on your body as a result of ankle weights, you are inadvertently changing your body's natural movement patterns, which may result in muscle- and/or joint-related pains."

Plus, he adds, with high-impact activities — such as running and jumping — you are increasing the amount of load on your body, putting more pressure on your joints and increasing your risk for injury, especially at the ankles, knees, hips and lower back. The Mayo Clinic also points out strapping on these weights could strain the ankle joint and leg muscles when used during brisk walking.

Only you can decide if the personal benefits of ankle weights outweigh the risks. If you do decide to use them for intensifying your workout, make sure you're strong enough to manage the added weight with good form.

"If you're using too heavy of an ankle weight, this can strain the ligaments and cause an injury," says fitness expert Stephen Pasterino, founder of P.volve. "I always tell my clients to keep at a comfortable pace and stay within their range of motion; start off light until you build up strength and function to add weight."

There are plenty of alternatives to the controversial gear that you can use instead, Lim says, that "will help build these muscles and not place excessive pressure on your joints." Consider using resistance bands, weight machines or even swimming to improve power, speed or the intensity of your training.

Of course, if you have any preexisting injuries or joint problems, you should definitely speak to your physician before adding ankle weight or any other new gear to your workout routine. And if you ever feel pain or discomfort while using them, play it safe and stop.