Buying Guide: How to Choose an Ankle Cuff Attachment for Cable Exercises

Step 1

While cable machines are good for an almost uncountable amount of exercises involving the upper body, they also have a couple of uses for the lower body. Most of those involve using an ankle cuff attachment. These cuffs wrap around your ankle and hook to the cable machine’s pulley loop, allowing you to perform kicks, hamstring curls and glute raises. They can even allow you to do leg extensions - if you can contort the movement well enough. For those who get bored of the normal and typical exercises of leg day, the ankle cuff shines brightly as a way to avoid boredom.

Step 2

Aside from the quality and comfort of this product, the usefulness is limitless. You can apply it to any leg workout. That's obvious enough. However, aside from that, you can use this strap as a stabilizer for exercises that involve the upper body. Just clip it onto one side of the cable machine and use enough weight to hold your body taut. Then you are free to do curls, press downs, or upright rows from the other side of the cable machine. You will not have to worry about keeping a somewhat rigid form. This cable strap has usefulness that goes far beyond simple leg exercises. Buy one today and you can start to enjoy all the benefits.

Step 3

Ankle straps/cuffs come in synthetic fabrics with neoprene or fluffy cotton padding for comfort. Comfort is the key factor to consider when buying an ankle strap.

Step 4

In most cases, there is very little price difference between the leather and synthetic ankle cuffs. The Ader model is more expensive than all the others.

Step 5

Consider ease of cleaning and maintenance. Can you put the cuff into a washing machine?

Step 6

Some models include accessories. Does an item include carabiners or special clips?

Step 7

Some models come with an instruction manual or training tips.

Step 8

If it includes a warranty, how long is the warranty? Are there any fees associated with getting the item repaired or replaced?

Step 9

Does it include a metal chain to hold weights or a cable Is the chain heavy gauge or thin links that might bend?

Step 10

How much weight can the chain or cord hold?

Step 11

Consider the ease of putting the cuff on and taking it off. Does the cuff include a buckle, velcro or snap lock?

Step 12

Consider padding. Some ankle attachments have padding on the inside of the cuff to prevent your ankle from chafing. Padding can be neoprene or fluffy cotton.

Step 13

Below I'll talk quality, comfort, and usefulness of the ankle cuff that I'm able to link to the site. Read on and get that credit card ready.

Step 14

My favorite ankle cuff is the Ader Padded Leather Ankle Strap. It is a strap that feels like a band of pillows on your ankle. It clips right on, no matter what size ankle you have, and stays in place. So, you can easily avoid the nastiness of chafing. The leather is soft and the padding around the inside portion is comfortable enough for you to almost forget that the ankle cuff is there. Whether you're loading up 20 or 150 pounds on the cable machine, this cuff will quickly apply that weight to your ankle and allow you to perform lifts without worrying about unnecessary pain or injury.

Step 15

Along with how comfortable it is, the Ader Padded Leather Ankle Strap is a work of durable art. The leather used to create the strap will easily last for years, and the padding inside the strap will continue keeping your ankles abrasion-free. The strap is equipped with a heavy-duty snap that you'll never have to worry about breaking. You can put on as much weight as Hercules or Thor could handle, and this ankle strap will hold up. If you buy one, you won't find any reason to replace it.