Best ankle straps for cable machine exercises
Ankle straps are great for cable leg exercises and cable glutes workout. They are a great addition to lower body exercises to add variations to traditional exercises that you do with dumbbells and barbells.
Ankle straps are an effective training tool paired with a cable pulley machine to work lower body muscles such as the glutes (butt), hamstrings, abductors and adductors.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through those links. See my disclosure for more information.
Exercises you can do with ankle straps
- Cable kickbacks
- Cable lunges
- Cable lateral squats
- Cable hamstring curls
Benefits of using ankle straps
Cable exercises are great gym accessories to help with strength training because they offer constant tension throughout each exercise. However, they also typically allow for a better range of motion more than many other machines.
They also allows you to adjust and hit different angles in exercises, which will allow you to target the muscles differently.
Unilateral training
We all have a dominant side which can sometimes take over in exercises like when using a leg extension machine or doing squats. However, unilateral training forces us to work one side at a time, getting a balanced workout.
Tip: Start each set of exercises on your weaker side. It will allow you to have a more balanced workout and increase the strength to equal or catch up with the more dominant leg.
Comfortable
Ankle straps, when fastened properly, are snug on the body and comfortable. Most ankle straps have a soft inner layer that eliminates chafing and rubbing on the skin.
Versatile
You can do a variety of exercises with ankle straps including lunges, squats and kickbacks.
What to look for when buying ankle straps?
Sturdy velcro strap
Strong velcro is necessary. You’ll be doing and undoing the velcro straps for each workout you use it on, so a strong velcro will help with longevity.
Double d-rings
Double d-rings will allow for you to easily connect to a cable machine. It also helps you add more weight for resistance for exercises to build muscle.
Padding
When lifting more than lighter loads, you don’t want to feel discomfort and pain from the strap digging into your lower legs. The thickness of the padding will make a difference.
Best ankle straps for cable machine
Our Pick
DMoose Ankle Straps
The straps are made from 7mm thick neoprene padding for support. The straps are 10 inches long and adjustable with stainless steel D rings to attach to any cable machine.
Pros
- Good for men and women
- Multiple color options
- Heavy Velcro closure
Iron Bull Ankle Straps
The straps are made with thick neoprene padding for support. The straps are 11 inches long and adjustable with stainless steel D rings .The Velcro straps are adjustable with fit any size ankle.
Pros
- Strong Velcro strap
- Two stainless stell D-rings which helps lifting heavier weight
IPR Fitness Foot Harness
Isolate your glutes, hamstrings, inner thighs and calves with this shoe foot harness. The adjustable Velcro strap secures around your foot on the outside of your shoe with the attachment point on the toe-end of the strap.
Pros
- Fits around shoe and helps isolate glutes and hamstrings
- Proprietary foam helps maintain control when sweaty
Cons
- Not good for lateral leg raises, kick backs or squats
Alternative to ankle straps and ankle cuffs
Resistance bands are a great alternative to ankle straps. You can use resistance bands for kickbacks and lunges.
Wrap up
Ankle straps for weightlifting offer support as you strengthen your legs and glutes. They fit tightly around the ankle with secure velcro and include a D-ring to clip onto the cable machine.
You can change up which leg exercise you do by adding cable leg exercises with an ankle strap.
