Best Ankle Weights for Pilates (2026): 4 Light Picks Compared

The best ankle weights for Pilates for most people are Bala Bangles: slim, steel-and-silicone weights that come in 1, 2 or 3 lb each and fit wrists or ankles. NBC Select named them its best overall ankle weights. If you want something lighter on the wallet, TheraBand's Comfort Fit weights start at 1 lb, and Sportneer's adjustable pair goes from 1 to 5 lb per ankle.

Pilates leg series use light loads and lots of slow, controlled reps, so good Pilates ankle weights stay put and stay slim. Three things matter most: weight per ankle (not per pair), how it fastens, and whether it doubles as a wrist weight.

Quick comparison

The best ankle weights for Pilates

Best Overall

1. Bala Bangles (pair, 1/2/3 lb each)

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NBC Select named Bala Bangles its best overall ankle weights. Kristina Jennings, CSCS, told NBC Select they're a good fit for Pilates-based workouts because "they are on the lighter side," and Garret Seacat, CSCS, called them "one of the better quality ankle weights available." TODAY named them its "Most Stylish" pick.

According to Bala:

• Weights: 1, 2 or 3 lb per bangle, sold as a matching pair with a carrying case (2 lb is marked "Most Popular")
• Fit: 5.5 to 11 in, on wrists or ankles
• Build: steel wrapped in silicone, with elastic and hook-and-loop fasteners
• Uses: walking, Pilates, barre, yoga and everyday movement

Bala also says the 3 lb bangle is "nearly three times as thick" as the 1 lb.

An NBC Select reviewer who has used hers for almost six years, including on wrists and ankles in Pilates classes, says they "lay flat against my wrists and ankles" (about half an inch thick), stay in place and travel well.

Downsides noted in NBC Select's review:

• The Velcro lost its grip after about six years of heavy use
• She wears them above her smartwatch
• Some users find the strap itchy on the ankle
• The price

Pros

• ✓ NBC Select's best overall ankle weights
• ✓ Slim profile that stays in place, per NBC's long-term reviewer
• ✓ Works on wrists and ankles
• ✓ Light 1 lb option

Cons

• ✗ Priciest pick here
• ✗ Velcro wore out after years of heavy use, per NBC's reviewer
• ✗ Strap can feel itchy on the ankle for some users

Best for Light Pilates Loads

2. TheraBand Comfort Fit Ankle & Wrist Weights (pair)

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Garage Gym Reviews named TheraBand's Comfort Fit weights its "Best Light" pick. They are sold for strength training and rehab.

According to a retailer listing of TheraBand's specs:

• Weights (per weight, sold in pairs): red 1 lb, green 1.5 lb, blue 2.5 lb
• Build: neoprene outside, terry cloth inside, reflective strap or stitching
• Closure: adjustable buckle and strap
• Fit: ankles or wrists

Garage Gym Reviews liked the comfortable fit, non-abrasive materials and secure closure, and says they suit seniors and beginners. The strap loops through a metal D-ring. Its cons: each set is a fixed weight, and resistance is limited.

One retailer lists the green 1.5 lb set as discontinued, and we couldn't confirm whether it's still made, so plan on 1 lb or 2.5 lb.

Pros

• ✓ 1 lb option matches typical Pilates class loads
• ✓ Comfortable, non-abrasive materials, per Garage Gym Reviews
• ✓ Works on wrists and ankles

Cons

• ✗ Fixed weight per set
• ✗ 1.5 lb set may be discontinued

Best Adjustable

3. Sportneer Adjustable Ankle Weights (1–5 lb per ankle)

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If you want one pair that grows with you, Sportneer's adjustable weights are NBC Select's best adjustable pick and Garage Gym Reviews' best overall ankle weights.

According to Sportneer:

• Weight: 1 to 5 lb per ankle (2 to 10 lb for the pair) using removable weights
• Fit: "Fits most ankle from 7.5 to 12.5 inches"
• Build: neoprene with a D-ring and reinforced stitching

Garage Gym Reviews describes them as adjustable from 2 to 10 pounds; Sportneer says that's the total for the pair (1–5 lb per ankle).

Trainer McKay Romney told NBC Select the design "helps keep the weights in place so they don't fall out," and trainer Ife Obi said it "helps increase weight and save money." Garage Gym Reviews' main con: "Adjusting weight pouches can be difficult." Sportneer sells several similar models, so check that the listing is the 2–10 lb pair.

Pros

• ✓ Adjusts from 1 to 5 lb per ankle
• ✓ Picked by both NBC Select and Garage Gym Reviews
• ✓ Published fit range

Cons

• ✗ Weight pouches can be fiddly to change, per Garage Gym Reviews
• ✗ Bulkier than a bangle
• ✗ Several similar Sportneer models on sale

Best Soft Budget Pick

4. Gaiam Restore Ankle Weights (2.5 or 5 lb per ankle)

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Gaiam's Restore ankle weights are NBC Select's best budget pick and Garage Gym Reviews' "Best for Beginners." Trainer Ife Obi told NBC Select she likes them for their softness and that they feel comfortable against bare skin. Garage Gym Reviews' reviewer said they "stay tight around my ankles and feel soft on my skin."

According to Gaiam:

• Weights: 2.5 lb per ankle (the "5 lb set") or 5 lb per ankle (the "10 lb set")
• Build: sand-filled neoprene, polyester and mesh with "soft anti-chafe neoprene fabric"
• Closure: hook-and-loop, one size fits most (Gaiam doesn't publish a size range)
• Uses: Pilates, yoga, dance, aerobics and cardio

The catch for Pilates: the lightest option is 2.5 lb per ankle, which is above the 1–2 lb starting range one Pilates studio suggests. Garage Gym Reviews also calls the "adjustable straps" marketing misleading: there's only a hook-and-loop tab, with no strap or buckle to cinch it tighter. Experiences with fit vary: NBC Select's Bala reviewer says a pair of Gaiam ankle weights she tried earlier slid up and down her legs.

Pros

• ✓ Soft on bare skin, per NBC Select and Garage Gym Reviews
• ✓ Budget price tier
• ✓ Named for beginners by Garage Gym Reviews

Cons

• ✗ Lightest option is 2.5 lb per ankle
• ✗ One size only, no published range
• ✗ No cinching strap despite "adjustable" marketing, per Garage Gym Reviews

Also considered

• P.volve Ankle Weights: NBC Select lists the 3 lb version, which has a neoprene shell and Velcro strap and comes with a 7-day P.volve streaming trial. They're also sold in a 1.5 lb version. We couldn't confirm from P.volve whether those weights are per ankle or per pair, so we left them out of the main list.

How to choose ankle weights for Pilates

How heavy should ankle weights be for Pilates?

Lighter than you might think. A Pilates Anytime mat class built around ankle and wrist weights (Dane Sorensen's "Ankle & Wrist Weight Mat") "uses 1-pound ankle and wrist weights to target small stability muscles through rhythmic movements."

One studio, Absolute Pilates, suggests you "start with 1 to 2 lbs per leg" and gradually work up to 3 to 5 lb. It adds: "If the added weight causes you to compensate or lose stability, it's a sign you should go lighter." Garage Gym Reviews says the right weight "depends on your personal fitness level and what exercises you'll be performing," and that someone untrained or returning after injury "might only need a one-pound ankle weight per leg."

For a first pair, that points to 1 lb (Bala or TheraBand) or an adjustable pair you can start low on (Sportneer). None of our picks go below 1 lb per ankle. If 1 lb feels like too much, look for a lighter weight, and check that the label gives the weight per ankle. NBC Select's listing for Bala Bangles mentions a 0.5 lb option, but Bala's own page currently starts at 1 lb, so we couldn't confirm it's still sold.

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Which Pilates exercises use ankle weights?

Ankle weights fit slow leg work done lying down or standing in place. Texas A&M recommends them "primarily for stationary exercises," such as leg lifts, and trainer Stephanie Mansour told TODAY she suggests them for "Pilates mat exercises that focus on your legs and glutes."

Absolute Pilates lists leg lifts, donkey kicks, side kicks, hip circles, lateral lunge knee-ups and single-leg glute bridges as moves to add them to, and says to avoid "high-impact or jumping movements."

Per ankle vs. per pair

Labels can mislead. Gaiam's "5 lb set" is two 2.5 lb weights, and Sportneer's "2–10 lb" pair is 1 to 5 lb per ankle. Bala lists weight per bangle, so a "1 lb" pair is 1 lb on each ankle. Always check the per-ankle figure before you compare.

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Fit and closure: what stays put during leg work

Garage Gym Reviews says weights should fit "snug around your ankle without limiting movement flexion of the foot." Two of our picks publish a fit range: Bala fits 5.5 to 11 in and Sportneer fits 7.5 to 12.5 in. Gaiam only says "one size fits most."

Hook-and-loop (Velcro) closures are quick but can wear out. NBC Select's long-term Bala reviewer saw hers lose grip after about six years. TheraBand and Sportneer use a strap through a D-ring.

Best wrist weights for Pilates: pick a dual-use set

The best wrist weights for Pilates are usually the same light set you wear on your ankles. If you also want to add load to arm work, pick a set that fits both. Bala Bangles and TheraBand Comfort Fit are both sold for wrists or ankles, and TODAY lists Gaiam's as wrist and ankle weights too. TODAY editor Vivien Moon says of the Bala Bangles: "They're lightweight enough that you don't feel it at first but with repetitive movement, that little bit of added resistance adds up." If you wear a smartwatch, NBC Select's reviewer wears her bangles above it.

Ankle weights vs. resistance bands

Both add resistance. Garage Gym Reviews calls ankle weights a simple, affordable way to add resistance to your workouts, "much like" resistance bands. The difference is how the load works. An ankle weight is a fixed load you lift against gravity, and Texas A&M recommends them mainly for stationary moves like leg lifts.

A band's pull depends on how far you stretch it. Merrithew rates its Flex-Band's force at 100% elongation, and Pilates Anytime has you choke up on the band to add tension or hold it lower if you need less help. Bands can also assist a move, as in an assisted roll up. Compare options in our best resistance bands for Pilates guide.

When to skip ankle weights

Ankle weights suit slow, stationary work better than walking. Texas A&M says using them "for aerobic activities, like walking, can cause muscular imbalance and change your gait," and recommends them "primarily for stationary exercises," such as leg lifts.

In a TODAY article, physical therapist Karena Wu of ActiveCare Physical Therapy advises starting with "a short duration of use, no more than 15-30 minutes."

She says these groups should skip them:

• People with significant balance issues
• People with severe osteoarthritis
• People with recent or active leg injuries
• Postpartum people not yet cleared by a doctor

Trainer Stephanie Mansour adds people with ankle or knee problems and people new to exercise. If any of those apply to you, check with a clinician first.

The verdict

For mat Pilates and barre, light and slim beats heavy and bulky.

• Most people: Bala Bangles in 1 or 2 lb. NBC Select's best overall ankle weights, and they work on wrists too.
• Want a light, low-cost start: TheraBand Comfort Fit in 1 lb (it's in the $15–30 price tier).
• Want room to progress: Sportneer Adjustable, 1 to 5 lb per ankle.
• Prioritize softness and don't mind starting at 2.5 lb: Gaiam Restore.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How heavy should ankle weights be for Pilates?

Light. A Pilates Anytime ankle- and wrist-weight mat class uses 1 lb weights. One studio, Absolute Pilates, suggests 1–2 lb per leg to start and working up to 3–5 lb, going lighter if you start compensating or losing stability. Garage Gym Reviews notes that a beginner or someone coming back from injury may need only 1 lb per leg.

Are ankle weights good for Pilates?

They can add resistance to slow, controlled leg work. Trainer Stephanie Mansour told TODAY she suggests them for "Pilates mat exercises that focus on your legs and glutes," and Texas A&M recommends them mainly for stationary exercises like leg lifts. Experts quoted by TODAY say people with ankle or knee problems, significant balance issues or recent leg injuries should avoid them. If unsure, check with a clinician.

Can you use the same weights on your wrists and ankles?

Some are built for both. Bala Bangles fit 5.5–11 in and are marketed for wrists or ankles, and TheraBand's Comfort Fit sets go on either. NBC Select's long-term Bala reviewer wears hers on both in Pilates classes, above her smartwatch on the wrist.

Is it OK to walk in ankle weights?

It's not what they're best for. Texas A&M says using them for aerobic activities like walking can change your gait and cause muscle imbalance, and recommends them mainly for stationary exercises such as leg lifts.

Is a "5 lb" ankle weight 5 lb per ankle?

Not always. Gaiam's "5 lb set" is two 2.5 lb weights, and Sportneer's 2–10 lb pair is 1–5 lb per ankle. Check the per-ankle figure.

Sources

• NBC Select: Best ankle and wrist weights
• NBC Select: Bala Bangles review
• Garage Gym Reviews: Best ankle weights
• Garage Gym Reviews: Sportneer Adjustable Ankle Weights
• TODAY: Best wrist and ankle weights
• TODAY: Benefits of ankle weights for walking
• Bala: Bala Bangles
• Sportneer: Adjustable Ankle Weights
• Gaiam: Restore Ankle Weights 5 lb set
• Lifeline: TheraBand Ankle & Wrist Weights
• P.volve: 3 lb Ankle Weights
• Texas A&M Howdy Health: Walking with weights
• Absolute Pilates: The power of ankle weights
• Pilates Anytime: Ankle weights Pilates classes
• Pilates Anytime: 5 Pilates TheraBand exercises
• Merrithew: Flex-Band Regular Strength