Strong women stay young - ankle weights

[teentantrums]

Hello. I bought this book after reading about it on mumsnet and am keen to put it into practice! Has anyone else followed this weight program? The author suggests getting getting 20lb adjustable ankle weights (roughly 10kg per leg). This is really heavy! I cant find anything above 5kg. I dont want to waste money getting the wrong weight if I do actually need the heavier ones - has anyone done it? (Or knows where I can get heavier weight....) Thanks.

These adjustable ones are the heaviest I can find
https://www.fruugo.co.uk/2-packs-16kg-adjustable-ankle-weighted-exercise-leg-weighted-workout/p-343651321-752831943?language=en&ac=croud&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADpXug2BhTpsfHOjyseW3CflYIklW&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhYS_BhD2ARIsAJTMMQacA_GAjM7f8k5-Zk8cS6xmHHSNi07FfGKspZk1G_6Vcx4hCJsS4iQaArC1EALw_wcB

A weighted vest is better as the weight is carried more naturally on the body and affects the way the body moves less.

Thanks. I'll have a look.

@BogRollBOGOF These are for (seated) leg exercises rather than walking around so I don't think that would work.

I think Aldi are doing weighted vests this week.

Thanks. I don't want weighted vests - just ankle weights.

Sorry got the total weight wrong so edited my post!

Wow, 10kg per leg is a LOT!

My 12lb weighted vest arrives today and I'm going to be wearing that on hikes and dog walks to get more out of them. Cant wait to try it.

I'll look into ankle weights too though.

Ankle weights can have a detrimental effect on the knees and joints. Be careful.

I agree with this. I had some years ago when I was into fitness (so basically already quite fit and strong) and only wore them a couple of times as it felt like they were straining my knees...

I agree 10kg seems like a lot! I think I'll get 5kg to start with. (Actually she recommends starting with less and adding on weight gradually).

5kg seems insane to me!

I did lose a lot of weight afew years ago using first a pair of 1kg ankle weights and then increasing to 1.5kg. The larger ones were really chunky and uncomfortable and slowed be down a lot. Are you sure this recommendation is from someone reputable? I think you could do yourself quite an injury with 5kg ankle weights.

They aren't for walking in! This is a specific weights program which targets certain muscle groups through seated exercises. Basically like the leg machine at the gym.

Yes if you walk round in them, which is what the lighter ones are designed for.

But the OP is talking about ankle weights for specific leg exercises, a bit like using equipment in a gym. It's completely different and not at all damaging if done progressively.

OP, I have been doing SWSY for about 20 years, on and off, and I love the programme. It's very inspirational.

I have the all-pro 20lb adjustable weights . There are lots of images of them online but nobody selling them. Obviously I bought mine a long time ago. I'll have a look and see if I can find any thing similar anywhere.

@BishyBarnyBee That's great to hear! Do you feel that the programme has made you stronger? I haven't been able to find the weights she recommends either - they seem to have been discontinued. I could get ones that would take me up to 5kg - how long do you think they would last? I looked at the ones posted upthread which are a bit heavier but there are no reviews and they are shipped from China which I am a bit wary of due to being stung with customs duties in the past!

I have these, which might occasionally come up on ebay but not at the moment.

Buy All Pro Weight Adjustable Ankle Weights, Blue | 5, 10 & 20 lbs | Vitality Medical

They seem to have been discontinued and replaced with these, which would be phenomenally expensive even if they were available in the UK.
The Cuff Ankle & Wrist Weight | Health and Care

There's very little out there over 5kg per leg. You might be able to use two sets together with a bit of ingenuity, velcro or stitching, but that might not be at all feasible and obviously there is a risk of injury if you get it wrong so you'd have to proceed with caution.

It's frustrating because it is such a simple, accessible programme and so easy to fit in at home - once you know it well you can do it while watching undemanding television, though you do need to do it carefully and check form regularly.

The Strong Women Stay Slim programme just uses dumbbells and substitutes squats and leg raises for the weighted exercises in SWSY. It's definitely worth doing if you can't get the ankle weights, or doing with the lighter weights.

I haven't done it consistently for 20 years, but it is something I come back to because it works for me and fits in with my lifestyle. I do a lot of walking and cycling, then do strength and flexibility work in the evenings. What I love about Nelson is her brilliant understanding of older women and the way she makes it so accessible. Good luck with it, you'll enjoy it.

Thanks! Yes, the fact that you can watch tv while exercising (once you have learnt the moves) is very appealing to me! I am going to start with smaller weights and then decide what to do if/when I need to upgrade. Maybe that will mean going to the gym at that point or, like you say, finding a workaround.

Hi @teentantrums

I wondered what weights you went for in the end and how you got on. I am having similar trouble finding the ankle weights referred to in the book.

Thanks

.

Hi. I got weights from Decathlon but couldn't find any heavy enough. I think I'll have to sign up for gym membership after all!

Thanks foe replying. I am trying to avoid a gym membership too!

I got mine from Amazon. Have you had a good look there? (I can’t find the exact ones I bought, unfortunately.)

Actually, these are the dumbbells:
https://amzn.eu/d/4tJ957C

@Fairyvocals Thanks but we are looking for ankle weights not dumbbells. .

@teentantrums Sorry to post on here after so long but I'm having exactly the same problem trying to find ankle weights. I've read the book and I've been really keen to get started but it's so tricky to find the right ankle weights. I've given up on finding 10kg per leg but even the 5 kg I've seen looks of very variable quality.

Just wondering what you went for in the end?

I got some from Decathlon but they are not heavy enough. I won't be able to do the whole programme with them.