Not everyone has time to hit the gym every day to get the recommended 30 minutes of physical exercise that the American Heart Association suggests. Wearing ankle and wrist weights that discreetly fit under your clothes may seem like an appealing option to get a workout while performing your usual daily activities. Most weights are bulky and can slip down on your wrists or legs so that people can see them, but there are a couple of brands designed to stay hidden.
BodyTogs Ankle Weights
The BodyTogs Wearable Weights for legs are thin weights that run from the ankle up the lower leg . These weights can fit under pants or long skirts so you can hide them from view. Of course, if you wear shorts, capris or a short dress or skirt they will be visible. The weights comes in small, medium or large sizes based on the size of your calves. The small weights weigh 2 lbs. 12 oz.. The medium size weights 4 lbs. 3 oz. and the large size weights 5 lbs. 2 oz. They fit people with calves between 11.5 inches to 16 inches at the largest part. The leg weights cost around $53 to $60.
BodyTogs Wrist Weights
The BodyTogs wrist weights run from the wrists up the forearms so they can hide under long sleeves. They come in three sizes that weight between 2 lbs. 2 oz. and 2 lbs 13 oz. The small size fits people with a forearm circumference of eight inches to 11 inches around. The medium and large sizes accommodate people with 11 inch forearms up to 12 inches for the medium and 14 inches for the large. They cost between $50 and $55.
York Ankle/Wrist Weights
The York weights by York Fitness can be worn on either your wrists or your ankles. They are thin, light and are adjustable with a velcro strap. Because you can adjust them and they are not bulky, they will fit tightly enough not to slip and fit snuggly enough to hide under clothes. The York ankle/wrist weights have a soft texture that is less likely to irritate your skin with extended wear.
Using the Weights
Wearing the BodyTogs ankle and wrist weights while walking on a treadmill caused increased heart rates in a study performed by Frank Wyatt, an associate professor of kinesiology at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Although you might get more of a workout wearing these weights, you might also be increasing your risk of injury. Ankle weights are not recommended for brisk walking workouts, says Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. on MayoClinic.com. He says that ankle weights can strain the ankle joint and leg muscles, which will make your chances of getting injured greater.
However, performing strength training exercises for the legs with ankle weights can tone your legs and prevent or even reverse the loss of bone mass, which combats osteopenia, according to an Osteopenia3.com article "Ankle Weights Osteopenia Treatments That Work." Osteopenia3.com is run by Kate Lindemann Ph.D.
References
- American Heart Association: Physical Activity
- "Seattle Times": Exercise shortcuts: How well do they measure up?
- Ankle weights Osteopenia treatments that work.
- MayoClinic.com: Could ankle weights help me get more out of my usual walking routine?
- Sportsunlimitedinc.com: BodyTogs Wearable Weights - Leg Pair
- Dietandfitnessresources.co.uk: York Ankle/Wrist Weights
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