6 Best Ankle Weights for Walking, Running, and Weights in 2024

Adding ankle weights to your workout will target your hips, legs, and glute muscles. That’s true for walking, running, and aerobics. No matter the exercise, using ankle weights can improve results. In this ranking, we tell you what you need to know about the best ankle weights, including the best adjustable ankle weights and the best for women. Ankle weights aren’t just for ankles, either. They work for arm and glute workouts as well. There are no shortcuts for working out, but using ankle weights definitely helps hard work pay off. So what are you waiting for? It’s never too soon to add the best ankle weights to your exercise routine. 

Our Top Picks: Best Ankle Weights

• Best Ankle Weights: BalanceFrom GoFit Ankle Weights. With eight weight options, our best overall option in our ranking come from BalanceFrom.
• Best Ankle Weights for Walking: Nordic Ankle Weights. Step-up your walking workout with Nordic ankle weights.
• Best Adjustable Ankle Weights: Prodigen Adjustable Ankle Weights. For the best adjustable ankle weights, look no further than Prodigen.
• Best Ankle Weights for Running: Sportneer Ankle & Wrist Weights. Sportneer are the best ankle weights for running, with five removable sand pockets and adjustable velcro straps.
• Best Ankle Weights for Glutes: All Pro Ankle Weights. Derriere not quite there? Tone yours with a new set of ankle weights from All Pro.
• Best Ankle Weights for Women: Bona Fitness Adjustable Ankle Weights. Stay safe while jogging at night with the reflective trim that comes standard on Bona Fitness adjustable ankle weights.

With eight weight options, the first ankle weights we want to tell you about are the BalanceFrom GoFit. These fully-adjustable weights are made from neoprene with a moisture-absorbing interior to keep you comfortable while you sweat. In addition to walking and jogging, these weights are good for core and cross-training. You can even use them for swimming. Additionally, the stitching is reinforced, and they’re filled with sand. 

They’re kept secure with an oversized velcro pad, and the weight increases in half-pound increments. According to user reviews, these weights fit well on small wrists and ankles. They’re handy for mat exercises while rehabbing post-knee surgery. We learned they’re also super comfortable, with soft, athletic-type fabric. The weight stays evenly distributed. The BalanceFrom GoFit ankle weights are the best choice if you’re after a little extra burn in your aerobics workout without turning it into a full strength-training routine. 

Simple walking can be a great aerobic workout. To add some burn to your next trek, we recommend Nordic ankle weights. They’re a little spendy for ankle weights, but worth it, with four weight options. Nordic uses neoprene with reinforced stitching, and there are some nice color options to choose from. The weights are fully-adjustable, with a velcro pad and a reflective trim to keep you safe while walking at night. Transport your weights to the gym and back in the carry bag that comes with the purchase.

Satisfied consumers comment they’re easy to take care of. To clean, just use water and detergent, then rinse and air dry. Some wear them around the house while doing chores or while they’re out on hikes. The weight increases in 1-pound increments. These weights also work well on wrists, with the velcro and latch buckle keeping them securely in place, no matter where you wear them. Over time, most who use them for walks end up not noticing they’re even on. We do not recommend them for swimming, however.

Adjustable ankle weights are essential to keep you challenged as your skills improve. The best adjustable ankle weights in our ranking come from Prodigen. With nine weights to choose from in unusual increments like 3.5 and 7.5-lbs, Prodigen ankle weights are made from cotton with a strong velcro strap for comfort and stability. Prodigen is also the rare company to make ankle weights as heavy as 15 lbs. 

Otherwise, the weights feature 4-layer construction:

• mercerized cotton 
• neoprene
• an Oxford bag to keep the bags compact
• and a plastic bag to protect the iron pellets from leaking 

Simply switch the bag out to go up in weight. The interior is soft, breathable, and moisture absorbent. And overall, these bags are durable, holding up well under intense use. That’s according to one user who chose these bags to rehab a knee shattered in an accident. We also like reports that the stitching is strong and that the neoprene feels smooth against the skin.

Sportneer ankle and wrist weights lead the pack among the best ankle weights for running. With five weight levels, they’re made from neoprene with reinforced stitching, and the outer trim is extra durable for running long distances. Contributing to Sportneer landing at the top of the ankle weights for running is the high-quality velcro enclosure. That means you won’t feel the weight moving around while you run.

There are five sand pockets reaching weights of 4 lbs. The straps help keep the weights comfortable and snug, creating the perfect fit, and the custom-designed D-ring keep also helps keep the weights in place while you move. Users say the bags are easy to take in and out, and that the strap is long, and the velcro is strong. According to reports, the construction material tends not to chaff, and we like the three color options to choose from.

Great glute exercises like kickbacks and butt lifts are made even more effective with the right ankle weights. Available in 10 weight options, All Pro ankle weights are our pick for the best ankle weights for glutes. To tone your tush, All Pro weights get as heavy as 2.5 lbs per ankle. They’re made of nylon, foam, and polyester. The weights are nicely padded around the ankle, and what’s also notable is the padded heel protecting the achilles tendon. The cushion flap permits the full range of motion.

The long strap makes the weights easy to adjust for different ankle sizes, including extra-small ankles. They’re not meant for swimming, but they do work well for kickboxing, just make sure the weight is evenly distributed. Another unique application is microloading, or bumping weight increments in the weight room by a ¼-lb at a time, a more effective weight-training approach for many. The weights slide in and out easily, and once in place, the weights stay secure.

Women looking to add ankle weights to their workout should consider the Bona Fitness adjustable ankle weights. Jogging in the dark raises safety concerns for many people. The Bona Fitness weights feature a reflective trim, helping anyone who uses them to stay safe in the dark. Otherwise, there are five weight options to choose from, and they’re made from neoprene and filled with iron sand. The straps are adjustable, and Bona Fitness products are known for fitting different shapes and sizes, no matter where you choose to wear the weights. 

Helping you stay visible, the weights come in a nice color combination of blue, fluorescent green ,purple, and gray. They’re also wrapped in a soft, stretchy comfortable Lycra that absorbs moisture and stays breathable. Those who’ve tried the weights call them comfortable, adding that once they’re wrapped around an ankle they stay put. They’re sturdy enough for all sorts of workouts, and one doctor actually recommends using them for building bone strength.

Our Process

For this guide on the best ankle weights, our team spent 5 hours researching the most popular options from over 30 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about 5 user reviews (both positive and negative) for each product to discover what shoppers thought about each ankle weights. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 6 on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.

If you enjoyed this read, sign up for our newsletter below and get special online shopping deals delivered straight to your inbox.

---

Further Reading