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Ankle weight

The benefits of regular, moderate exercise are almost universally recognized. One of the most popular and effective forms of exercise is training utilizing weight resistance. This type of training can be pure weight training such as using barbells and other very heavy weights to provide weight resistance. Another form of weight training combines aspects of aerobic exercise with moderate weight resistance. It is this second form of aerobic exercise combined with moderate weight resistance for which the present invention is particularly suited. An ankle exerciser is used to strengthen the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the lower leg, ankle and foot. The intrinsic muscles, of which there are ten, are located within the foot on the plantar side. These muscles help to maintain structural strength in the arch and the tarsal and metatarsal alignment. These muscles also aid in plantar flexing the foot and the stabilization of the first big toe. As the population becomes more and more active, injuries to various parts of the body are increasing. Strained muscles, ligaments and the like are becoming commonplace. Certainly, such injuries occur in professional sports. One common injury occurs to the ankle joint. This injury can be to the bone, to the muscles, to the tendons or to the ligaments associated with an ankle. These injuries can vary from slight to extremely complex and debilitating. Often ankle injuries require some rehabilitation and re-strengthening of the ankle and the body parts associated therewith. This may require work with a trainer or in a rehabilitation center. Rehabilitation of the ankle joint following skeletal or soft tissue injuries is facilitated by a structured and supervised strengthening, stretching, and range of motion exercise program. Rehabilitation is most effective when the exercise program can be periodically performed by the patient on a frequent basis, even as much as several times daily.

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