MonkeyFeet revolutionized hip flexor training with a novel (yet simple) approach that had gym trainers turning their heads. For people familiar with Knees Over Toes training, the sight of athletes using dumbbells attached to their feet for hip flexor raises is a common one. Up until recently, this exercise was made possible mainly thanks to products like MonkeyFeet.
However, the quest for MonkeyFeet alternatives has led many to explore a myriad of options available online, some of which include somewhat harmful DIY solutions.
Now, it’s time we talked about a MonkeyFeet alternative that offers more than just hip flexor exercises – the Hybrid Athlete ankle strap for dumbbells.
Let’s get right into it.
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Can You DIY Your Own MonkeyFeet Alternative?
Well, the short answer is – yes, you can. You may need to resort to some makeshift fixes that won’t always do the trick. The success of your MonkeyFeet alternative also relies on what gym gear you have at your disposal. Here’s a list of some DIY MonkeyFeet alternatives:
- Mini band – can be used for smaller dumbbells
- Leather belt – it can hold a dumbbell pretty tight, but the setup is cumbersome
- Ankle weights – these come premade and are usually not as heavy
- A simple rope – a strong, simple rope can do virtually anything
The Downsides of MonkeyFeet Alternative DIYing
Surely, as you go through these DIY MonkeyFeet alternatives, you’ll notice some immediate issues and extra challenges.
If you want to give it a try and see how you fare with dumbbells attached to your soles, that’s great. But, please keep in mind that the DIY solutions come with a few drawbacks:
- A mini band has elasticity which (if not tightened) can shift the weight around making it impractical. Also, it will snap way quicker if you use it this way.
- The belt takes a while to put on and, more importantly, take off when you’re done
- Ankle weights can move up and down your shin, since they go above your ankle. The shifted center of mass isn’t ideal for exercising.
- Using a rope opens up a new can of problems, with the biggest one being – Will you be able to tie it the same way every time?
On top of these practical issues with DIY exercise equipment, when it comes to ankle straps for dumbbells, you need to think about safety as well. And these solutions come with a certain level of risk of snapping, untying, being too tight or too loose, etc.
Hybrid Athlete Ankle Straps For Dumbbells - A MonkeyFeet Alternative That Covers It All
DIYing your fitness gear solutions can be a nice crutch, but it’s no solution for the long run. At Hybrid Athlete, we designed an ankle strap for dumbbells that deliver everything you need to tackle those hip flexors (and more). And it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg (pun intended).
With the HA ankle straps for dumbbells, you can expect:
- A snug fit secured by a robust buckle (not too tight, not too loose)
- The center of mass is positioned directly under the foot
- Extra stability thanks to the strap that’s attached behind the ankle
- The strap is easy to put on and off (just step into it and strap up)
Ankle Straps For Dumbbells - A Hip Flexor Delight
In the KOT niche, the ankle strap for dumbbells is mainly used for targeting the hip flexors. The hip flexor raises are an essential tool in the arsenal of injury prevention. Hip flexors’ main role is to bring knees towards your chest, aka – to raise your legs up.
But, the benefits of healthy hip flexors go beyond that. With strong and resilient hip flexors you can expect your posture to improve as well.
But, most importantly, athletes need to develop hip flexors if they want to use the biomechanics of the body in an optimal way. Hips are involved in virtually every movement out there after all. Here’s how to do hip flexor raises with ankle straps for dumbbells:
- Use the strap system to firmly attach both your foot and the dumbbell
- Stand on a slightly elevated surface with your other leg (this can be done on a flat one as well)
- Square your hips and brace your core
- Leading with your knee, raise your leg up toward your chest
- Hold for a brief moment
- Repeat
The Hybrid Athlete Ankle Straps For Dumbbells Have Many More Purposes
As a MonkeyFeey alternative, the ankle strap for dumbbells can help you tackle more than just your hip flexors. Loading weight to your feet can do you a lot of good if you use it right. With these straps, you can also tackle the following muscle groups:
- Hip Flexors – targeting not only weak but tight hip flexors
- Posterior Chain – hamstring leg curls with free weight
- Quads – leg extensions with a fresh twist on the center of mass
- Tibialis Anterior – tibialis raises for tibialis strength as a bulletproofing method
We’ve covered some pretty powerful ankle-strap-for-dumbbells exercises in detail before, so be sure to check them out HERE.
Hybrid Athlete’s Ankle Straps for Dumbbells as a MonkeyFeet Alternative - The Conclusion
You might consider experimenting with a DIY MonkeyFeet alternative and test the waters to determine if the clunky setup doesn’t bother you.
While these homemade solutions can be effective temporarily, they come with their own set of challenges, like the bands snapping or getting your foot entangled in a belt loop.
Jokes aside, if you want to get serious about training (and bulletproofing) your body, you have to check out our own, tried and true, Hybrid Athlete Ankle Straps for Dumbbells:
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