ankle or wrist weights?

erin1621

Cathlete
So i just started cathe cardio and weights and i love it! I only have 5,10 dumbbells. I feel like i could go to 8lbs for some movements and 12 for others. Does anyone use ankle weights or wrist weights to up the weight? how does it work does it matter that its on your wrist and not in hand for distribution of weight evenly? suggestions adv?
 
Because of all the odd weight combinations I needed in STS I started using my wrist and ankle weights a lot. I have 5 lb. adjustable ankle weights that go in 1/2 lb. increments and I found that any time I needed more than 1 lb. on each wrist that was the way to go. I have 1 lb. wrist weights and the weighted gloves that contain two 1/2 lb. weights and found that when I needed 2 lbs. it was easier to just add the ankle weights than to use the gloves and wrist weight together. And it worked very well for when I needed to add 3 and 4 lbs. They are bulky, but I didn't find it uncomfortable. And it really made a huge difference in my being able to work my way up to heavier weights.
 
For those 2 weight increments, I would just buy the dumbbells.

If you're just starting with Cathe, you're only going to get stronger, and need those weights more and more. I would just think that after awhile, it would get annoying to have to strap on hand or ankle weights, especially if you're changing between increments quickly.

Just my 2 cents.

When I started with Cathe, I used mostly 5s and 8s, and now I seldom touch either of them. If I had to load up everytime I needed to curl my 15s, my workouts would take forever.
 
I agree with melimcn, you will be much better off purchasing 8's and 12's. Depending on the workout, if it moves quickly, getting the wrist weights on and off, even though quick, still is not quick enough. I use my 8,10,12's for so many workouts now, and just would not want to bother with using the wrist weights. The cost of getting the 8's and 12's is nothing when compared to the convenience of having them.

However, I did use the wrist weights for STS when I needed in between weights like 17, 22, 27, etc.. There is often no way I can jump from a 15 to 20 or 20 to 25, and the option for in between weights in that range was a necessity. Some places do sell 17.5, 22.5, etc, but they are hard to find, and it gets VERY pricey in that range to buy all those heavy dumbbells. I have 2 and 3 pound wrist weights, 1 pound weighted gloves, and 5 pound ankle weights.

I can't say I use the ankle weights too often, they are mainly used for floor work, but you could add them to your ankles for step ups and step up varieties like in 4 Day Split.
 
I agree with Dela too.

You may want to check your local Craigslist and type in dumbell, dumb bells, etc., you'll find some good deals on people wanting to get rid of their collection.

I have wrist weights in one pound increments, but they are annoying for various reasons. I ordered Platemates and so far they are vastly more usable. http://www.amazon.com/PlateMates-Hex-Pair-1-25lbs-each/dp/B002B3KUBI

Instead of ankle weights, I ordered shoe irons and these are awesome for kickboxing or anything really. http://store.ironwearfitness.com/shoeiron-cool.html

I really use these a lot, like on my trainer because they fit so easily on my bike shoes. Ankle weights feel weird to me, and slip around...same like wrist weights, these don't and for some odd reason need half the weight because of the way they sit right on top of your foot.
 
You may also wanted to consider purchasing platemates. They are a good investments and they can be used easily on most metal dumbbells.
 

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