Since that initial Covid lockdown, we’ve all become obsessed with walking. We want to know the best walking route, which walking sandals to buy and whether there’s any benefit to the whole 10,000 steps a day goal. And it seems like new benefits are being found on a monthly basis, whether it’s the impact on our lifespan, mental health or overall immunity.

But what if you’re ready to take your daily walking habits to the next level? What if you want to squeeze every drop of goodness from a regular stroll without breaking into a sweat or having to schlep to the nearest mountain? That’s where ankle weights come in. 

You may have seen 80s fitness icons and LA superstars like Halle Berry, Vogue Williams and Jessica Alba wearing bands around their ankles while out grabbing a venti from Starbucks. Or perhaps, like me, you’re more familiar with them as a pilates tool. Either way, they’re supposed to help you to build muscle and work that little bit harder during everyday tasks, whether you’re walking, working out or doing laundry.

Bala bangles – other brands are available – are small, easy to use and really light (1lb each). Bala recommends them for use during yoga, aerobics, boxing, walking, core training and pilates. And they’re not cheap, typically retailing at just under £50. So, are they worth it? 

Ellen Scott, Stylist’s deputy digital editor 

I’ve already waxed lyrical about the joy of walking on a treadmill while working, so I won’t get too into it again, but to recap: I love that it lets me get some activity in every day, I love that I can hit my 10,000 steps target while getting work done, and I love that the act of walking seems to get my brain into gear, too. But having been walking while working for nearly half a year now, I was ready for a way to mix things up a bit.

I tried walking backwards, which was challenging but not exactly practical – I couldn’t type while also thinking about taking backwards steps – and I’ve upped my speed during meetings, but I wanted something different. Enter: ankle weights. 

I strapped mine on and got walking as usual, quickly finding that while I wasn’t conscious of the added strain, I felt tired much more quickly than usual. With regular breaks, I made it to my usual 10,000 steps and enjoyed the slight soreness in my legs as a result. After a couple of days, I hardly noticed the weights on my ankles at all. What I did notice is that I already felt fitter and stronger after just a week of weighted walking. Plus, I discovered a bonus: if you walk with weights on, when you finally take the weights off, it feels like you’re flying.

I’m so swayed by the brilliance of ankle weights that I’m tempted to wear them at all times – to cycle into work, to walk to the shops, to hike. All we need is to make ankle weights the next cool accessory and I’m golden. 

Miranda Larbi, Strong Women editor

Not a day goes by when I’m not out trying to get in my daily steps. If I’m working from home, I always start the day with a walk in the park (if not a run). On office days, I try to push the team to come out for a stroll around the square mile for some fresh air and snacks – even when I’ve brought lunch with me. And if I’ve not reached 10,000 by the time I finish work, my boyfriend and I will go for a hushed dusk wander before bed.

It’s all about being chronically active. Walking is a lovely thing to do if you’re near green space. It allows time for conversation, the opportunity for creativity and the space to embrace joy. And, of course, it keeps us physically active. But if you walk like me, it’s likely you’re rarely getting out of breath on your daily ramble – and we know that speed is kind of important for reaping all the health benefits of walking.

But I don’t want to walk faster – I want to go at my usual speed but get more out of each outing.

I strapped myself into the Bala bangles one sunny lunchtime and set out on my usual midday meander around the local park and marshes. They’re light enough to not be cumbersome or particularly noticeable, but the weight definitely has an impact. It kind of felt like moving through wind or very fluid treacle. As I walked around freshly mown fields, the extra pounds forced me to pick up my feet more – making me think about my walking posture and the way that I probably don’t land my foot correctly every time.

As someone with chronic Achilles tendonitis, I was keen to avoid adding any extra pressure to the tendon itself but found that simply having more weight to lift with every step did make it slightly less comfortable to walk. So, I unstrapped and moved the bangles up around my calves and that made a huge difference. I still got the benefit of the weights without loading an already inflamed area.  

The real challenge came when I reached my road. I live on a big hill that can be a challenge to walk up at the best of times. Armed with my bangles, I strode up – using my arms, engaging my core and firing up the glutes. I probably walked up in record time.

Will I wear them on future walks? Yes, definitely on dry lunchtime strolls when I’m WFH. But having tested them out, I’m now really keen to start using them for pilates and general chores. I can well imagine that they might add a little spice to the dreariness of sweeping or running over to the corner shop for odds and ends.

Images: Getty; Miranda Larbi