Ankle Weights?

Question:

Ankle Weights?

What are they? Do they help? Where do i get them?

BTW, does lifting weights with your legs on those workout machines help them at all in Ballet?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've been dancing for 14 years (7 competitively in tap/ jazz/ ballet/ lyrical) as well as on my highschools varsity dance team for 3 years. This past year, my dance line coach required us to wear ankle weights while we ran and while we did high kick so that when we took them off, our kicks would be even higher. I dont really think it helped. It ended up causing lots of shin splints and it just made everyone get really tired a lot quicker! My podiatrist said it was not a good idea AT ALL to wear ankle weights when dancing and working out and stuff because its just damaging your shins and muscles. I really wouldn't reccomend it based on my experience. But if you still want to, you can purchase them at Walmart of Target for 7-20$ a pair. They generally range from 1-5lbs per ankle...but be careful...2.5lbs doesnt sound like a lot, but it really is!!! Get the ones with removable weights so you can adjust the weight if you still want to get them! Hope it helped!!! - Monica