School is out across the country and summer vacation is in full swing. If you haven’t already packed up the family and ventured out on a trip, you probably have at least one out-of-town excursion coming up. Celebrities are getting in on the prime travel season, too. Ellen DeGeneres already dined with giraffes in Africa, Pink took her family to Bali and Selena Gomez spent July Fourth touring Disneyland with friends.
While it can be hard to keep up a fitness routine while on vacation, Gomez didn’t miss beat at the park. The pop star added ankle weights to her ensemble in a genius multitasking move. The ankle weights stepped up her walk in the park, and they can do the same for you too!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk1rUPkArPD/?taken-by=selenagomez
Experts told the Los Angeles Times that wearing ankle weights makes the larger lower body muscles — hamstrings, quadriceps and glutes — work harder. As a result these muscles get a better workout with the same movements and you get a cardio benefit too.
Though most of Gomez’s Instagram photos show her sitting with the weights, it’s safe to assume she got plenty of steps in with the fit accessories, too. In a typical day at Disneyland, you can easily walk about 30,000 steps!
Click through the post below to see several other pictures of her day at the park.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk1sLhlgabW/?taken-by=selenagomez
But there is a potential downside to wearing them: that extra resistance means there’s more pressure and force on the joints. Ankle weights can aggravate existing conditions or weaknesses. If you feel any pain or discomfort in ankles, knees or hips, that’s a red flag that ankle weights are not the best choice for you. Everyone else could follow Gomez’s affordable and sneaky fitness trick.
So, strap on the ankle weights the next time you’re hiking around Disney, and indulge in glittery cotton candy, Dole Whip doughnuts and more treats totally free of guilt.