Ready to put in some work on your glutes? Cable kickbacks are a killer way to develop a stronger and more toned backside. Here’s a breakdown of the best ankle straps to get that bootie popping.
Ankle straps are one of my favorite tools for developing stronger glutes and improving lower body stability.
Hook them up to your local cable machine (or set of resistance bands), and pop that bootie.
Ankle straps are also great as they:
Buuuuutt ankle straps are not all made the same.
When it comes to finding the right ankle straps for you and your workouts, there are some things to think about…
Fabric, strap length, D-ring positioning, where the strap sits on your foot/ankle, price and more.
Take advantage of my 30+ years of training in the gym and coaching clients and get the full low-down in this ultimate guide to the best ankle straps.
Read on, find the right ankle strap for you and your training, and make that bootie pop.
DMOOSE Fitness Ankle Straps for Cable Machines
One of the issues that consistently come up with ankle straps is the chafing and rubbing that happens on the ankle.
DMoose Fitness’ ankle straps reduce the chafe with a soft neoprene cuff that is easy on the skin and breathable at the same time.
DMoose makes high-quality gear, some of which I have already reviewed here, including their knee wraps and wrist wraps.
Available in eight different color combinations, and around $10 a pair (check Amazon for current availability and pricing), these ankle straps will have you kicking your butt and building those glutes in comfort.
IPR Fitness Flute Kickback PRO
If you are looking for ankle straps that are going to be used *only* for kickbacks, the IPR Fitness Kickback PRO is your ankle strap of choice.
The design of the strap, which could be more realistically considered a foot strap, is very smart.
It wraps around your shoe and closes with a thick Velcro strap that makes it easy to get in and out of while still locking in when fully secured. I really like how wide the strap on the heel is as well, as it evenly distributes resistance across the heel.
Gymgoers who fear the chafing that can happen with ankle straps will appreciate the foot-based fastening position, as the strap never makes contact with your skin, leaving you free to pound away on kickbacks without that pesky rubbing.
IPR Fitness sells these in five different colors, offer men’s or women’s sizing, and pricing varies by availability, size and the color you end up choosing (click here to see what Amazon has in stock right now).
Iron Bull Strength Padded Ankle Strap
Iron Bull Strength is one of my favorite all-time fitness equipment makers.
I swear by their hip thrust barbell pad, battling ropes, and use their elbow compression sleeves on heavy upper body lifting days.
Iron Bull’s ankle straps are made of leather and have two sturdy D-rings to snap onto your local neighborhood cable machine. A thick Velcro strap gives a proper and secure fit, and the shearling interior helps cut down on chafing and unnecessary rubbing.
In terms of pricing, they are middle of the pack, slightly more expensive than the DMoose straps but cheaper than the IPR Fitness Kickbacks at around $15 (click here for today’s pricing on Amazon).
Vishusju Fitness Leg and Ankle Cuffs
So far, all of the ankle straps we have looked at are made specifically to be wrapped around the ankle.
The Vishusju Fitness cuffs are a little more versatile.
They can be strapped around the ankle and also the legs, with an adjustable length of up to 28 inches. This means that the cuffs can be used instead of resistance bands for many popular glute exercises like crab walks.
Each cuff (they come in a pair) has two D-rings and a Velcro clasp to give you plenty of options for fit and resistance. The cuffs (which some reviewers use for more, ahem, adult purposes) are made of soft neoprene, which cut down on painful rubbing and chafing.
Vishusju Fitness sells these for around $14 (click here for current pricing and availability at Amazon).
FIGHTECH PRO Series Ankle Straps for Cable Machines
FIGHTECH Pro Series straps have everything you expect from a typical ankle strap.
Soft, comfortable inner lining that takes it easy on your skin. The D-rings are rated for up to 220lbs of weight. And the straps are durable.
What sets them apart (besides the price, which I will get into in a moment), is the added foot strap that wraps under your shoe and three different attachment points.
The added D-rings give you more choice and flexibility for targeting medial, lateral and anterior muscles while the foot strap provides a superior and snug fit.
FIGHTECH’s straps are pricier, costing around $24 (check here for today’s pricing on Amazon), but reviewers consistently rave about the secure fit and comfort of these ankle straps.
Take the Next Step
Now that you’ve read my breakdown of the best ankle straps for cable machines, you’ve got the information necessary to make the right decision.
Choose the best straps for you and get to work.
