Although this tip may seem old-fashioned, it is still very effective in boosting metabolism and burning fat.
While increasing your basic metabolism is often recommended for effective weight loss, it is not always easy to exercise gently. However, this forgotten tip would have the merit of boosting our cardiovascular system and combining physical activity with the fight against a sedentary lifestyle.
Very popular in the 1980s, this fitness tip accessible to all has seen renewed interest on social networks in recent months. For what ? It would allow us to exercise more while developing our muscles. In fact, it adds resistance during activities such as walking, climbing stairs and household chores. The leg muscles (quadriceps, hamstrings, calves) are used more, which can help increase their strength and endurance.
Generally ranging from 500 grams to 5 kilos, ankle weights are, as their name suggests, small cast iron weights, decorated with a silicone or neoprene covering, allowing them to be attached around the ankles. And if their impact may seem minimal at first glance, a study carried out by the Journal of Taibah University Medical Science proved that people wearing ankle and wrist weights of 500 grams (or 2 kilos in total), three times a week, twenty minutes a day, during their daily activities had considerably reduced their fat mass, while their muscle mass increased by 0.75%. Note that none of the participants practiced any particular sport during the experiment.
Indeed, contrary to popular belief, even a minimal load can help improve the intensity of your movements. Placed at the ankles, the latter then provides continuous resistance to the legs and helps to strengthen muscle tissues. On the other hand, the additional resistance can promote stimulation of bones, helping to improve their density, which can be beneficial in preventing osteoporosis, particularly in older people. The little extra? When you perform your daily tasks with ankle weights, your heart works harder to deliver oxygen to the working muscles, which can have a beneficial effect on long-term cardiovascular health. Finally, this slimming tip can improve joint stability and balance, since the stabilizing muscles must work intensely to handle the added weight.
To get started, start with a moderate weight to avoid overloading the joints and tendons. Make sure to distribute the efforts well and not strain the joints. If you are a beginner, it is better to start with small periods before gradually increasing your effort. The result will only be more obvious!
