Do you use ankle weights and do they bulk your legs?

[dmlarue1]

I am loving margaret richards workouts....She does a ton of floor work and I was just wondering if anyone adds ankle weight to these...if you do have you noticed any bulking? My quadriceps would get much bigger with firm and cathe weight training but that's primarily squats and lunges etc....

[videofit]

I think it depends on your body type. As an ectomorph who uses 2.5 lbs. ankle weights (I put both weights on one leg for inner and outer thigh work and one weight on each leg for quads and hamstrings), I'd like my legs to bulk up a bit but they don't. They just get nicely shaped, which is better than nothing. Maybe because she does so many reps it prevents bulking? I have no idea.

[Sara1000]

What videofit says! I used to use 5 pound ankle weights for floor work but strained a muscle in my rear that way so am just easing into using ankle weights again.

Like videofit I WISH I could bulk up my legs a bit!

[juberann]

I am not looking to bulk up my legs but I sure wouldn't mine some definition and Tracie Long is going to be helping me with that Barre workouts bulk up my legs more then using light weights ever did, I am the opposite of most women, I think, and I found this out the hard way just recently. I have been doing mainly Barre for the past few weeks and have gained inches in my thighs my pants are tighter, that is the first thing I noticed. They feel more "solid" but they are larger, not exactly what I'm looking for. I will still incorporate a Barre workout into my week but not 3-5 times a week like I have been doing.
That said, ankle weights never made me bulk (personally) but it's been awhile since I have used them. Tracie Long uses them in her newest LONGevity workout, Leaning Out, but I didn't put them on (actually, I just found them). I love having strong legs, it powers everything else I do in my daily life. Hopefully, when adding ankle weights, I won't bulk up my thighs, I didn't when I was younger and hopefully I won't now

[brownie123]

I can get muscle definition easily, but I do not bulk up with ankle weights. In fact...I LOVE them! Rock hard bum thanks to my 4 pound ankle weights. I do high reps (50+) with my weights. I really like them. Some days, I do workouts without them to change it up....but, all in all, I use them a few times a week. HTH

[Nuggie's Auntie]

I don't have any issues with bulking from ankle weights... just cookies and the like.

[ldy_solana]

when i used them i didn't bulk much, and i usually do. i would be careful with the weight and reps used b/c it could put excess strain on joints just b/c of the placement of the weights. somebody recommended thigh weights as an alternative.

[laurajhawk]

I hadn't used ankle weights for years till I got Brazil Butt Lift (the High & Tight workout uses ankle weights for lots of moves). For me, BBL is a really "anti-bulk" program - my thighs and hips definitely got slimmer.

[Kathryn]

I usually use weights more moves like 'donkey kicks' and other moves in that position. For inner and outer thigh work lying on one's side, I hold a dumbell above the knee, on the lower quad (to avoid sideways pressure on the knees).

I don't find ankle-weight exercises to be 'bulking'.

[Mary09(b)]

Originally Posted by Kathryn

I usually use weights more moves like 'donkey kicks' and other moves in that position. For inner and outer thigh work lying on one's side, I hold a dumbell above the knee, on the lower quad (to avoid sideways pressure on the knees).

I don't find ankle-weight exercises to be 'bulking'.

I've read and heard that the only range of motion safe for the knees with ankle weights on is to move the knee in its usual hinge path. Any side to side movement puts too much lateral pressure on your knee joint. Like Kathryn said, a safer alternative is to hold a dumbbell on the thigh for lateral raises and that sort of thing.