How to Make DIY Wrist and Ankle Weights for Home Workouts
Materials You’ll Need
- Equipment/Tools:
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Ruler
- Fabric marking pen
- Sewing pins
- Iron
- Funnel
- Materials:
- 1 fat quarter of fabric
- 24 inch 1-inch sew-in Velcro
- Thread that matches the color of your Velcro
- Weighted filler (rice, sand, etc.)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cut Out Your Pieces
Cut out four pieces of fabric from your fat quarter, each measuring 15 inches by 5 inches. Cut 8 pieces of Velcro into 3-inch long strips. You should have four hook sides and four loop sides so each piece of Velcro has a pair. Set these aside until later.
2. Mark Your Velcro Placement
Before you sew together the fabric for the weights, you’ll want to plan where your Velcro goes so it can be attached first. Lay out your fabric with the long sides on the top and bottom, with the fabric right side up. Take one piece of fabric and measure 1/2 inch in from the left side. Draw a line with your fabric marking pen. Measure 1 inch from the top of the piece of fabric and draw a line. Take another piece of fabric and measure in the same way but this time on the right side of the fabric, a line 1/2 inch from the left side and a line 1 inch from the top. Repeat the placement lines on two other pieces of fabric for the second weight.
3. Pin Your Velcro
Take a piece of hook side Velcro (the scratchy side) and place it where the two lines on the left side intersect, lining up the intersection with the top left side of the Velcro. Pin the Velcro down to the fabric. Take your other hook side Velcro and place it right beside the first piece. Pin this piece of Velcro down as well. Take a piece of loop tape (the soft side) and place it where the two lines intersect on the other piece of fabric, lining up that intersection with the top right corner of the piece of Velcro. Place another piece of Velcro beside it, to the left. Pin down the Velcro. Repeat pinning the Velcro for the second weight.
4. Attach Your Velcro
Using thread that matches the color of your Velcro, sew all the way around each piece of Velcro to secure it to the fabric. Take out the pins as you’re sewing. Remove fabric marking. Repeat sewing the Velcro for the second weight.
5. Put Together the Main Body
Lay down your piece of fabric with the Velcro on the left side of it, right side up. Take your other piece of fabric and place it on top, wrong side up, the Velcro on the right side. One set of Velcro should be on one side, with the other set on the other side. Pin the long sides of the fabric together and sew with 1/2-inch seam allowance. Be careful not to sew through the Velcro and backstitch at the beginning and end. Repeat making the main body for the second weight.
6. Sew the Center Divider
Turn the main body so it’s right side out. Press well. Fold the main body in half short ways to find the center. Finger press to make the center mark. Measure 1 /2 inches to the right of the center mark and make a line. Measure 1 1/2 inches to the left of the center mark and make another line. Sew along these two lines to create a divider for the weight. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of every stitch. You can use matching or contrasting thread here depending on what look you’d like to go for. Remove markings when finished. Make the center divider for the second weight.
7. Add the Filler
Take the main body of the weight and fill one of the sides up with some of your weighted filler. Be sure not to fill it more than 1/2 full. Repeat adding the filler for the second weight.
8. Stitch Closed
Being careful to keep your filler out of the way, take one end of the weight and fold in the extra fabric 1/4 inch. Press. Topstitch along the side of the weight, 1/8 inch away from the edge. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitches. Repeat with the other side. Finish the ends for the second weight.
9. Wear the Weights
To wear your DIY ankle and wrist weights, simply wrap them around the ankle or wrist and secure them with the Velcro. You’re ready for your next workout!
Tips for Making DIY Wrist and Ankle Weights
- Use different types of fabric to create unique and stylish weights.
- Experiment with different weighted fillers to find the perfect weight for your needs.
- Add decorative stitching or embellishments to your weights to make them more personalized.
- Make a set of weights in different sizes and weights to target different muscle groups.
- Store your weights in a convenient location so you can easily grab them for your next workout.
Benefits of Using DIY Wrist and Ankle Weights
- Increase resistance during exercises to build strength and muscle mass.
- Improve balance and coordination.
- Burn more calories during workouts.
- Make workouts more challenging and effective.
- Save money compared to purchasing commercial wrist and ankle weights.