They’re Attacking Fitness from Every Ankle

Huffing and puffing at the gym is a worthy commitment that most make towards health- and self-improvement, but when an Apple Watch fails to calculate the full extent of one’s physical activity, all of that working out can feel like an exercise in futility.

Wearing the Wrong Way, Getting the Right Results

So, rather than rocking the smartwatch on their wrists, fit-influencers are wearing the gadgets a little lower for best results.

Why Wearing an Apple Watch on the Ankle is a Game-Changer

Espinal and other workout fanatics say wearing an Apple Watch on their ankles better tracks the success of their sweat sessions.

A Fitness Enthusiast’s Testimonial

“Me putting my Apple Watch on my ankle while I workout,” wrote exercise enthusiast Ana Espinal, 23, from Manhattan, in the closed-caption of a TikTok testimonial.

“If you know you know,” she continued to her online audience of over 84,000 fans.

The Science Behind the Hack

Apple Watches, technologically advanced accessories — which can cost upwards of $1,000 — come complete with hardware and software that measures heart rate, estimate calories burned and serve as the basis for associated heart health and fitness features, per a November 2024 report from the multinational tech brand.

What the Experts Say

The wearable devices have, too, been hailed for measuring heart rate during exercise with “clinically acceptable accuracy” in recent studies. Researchers have found the fashionable trackers especially useful for patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases — and have saved more than a few lives.

The Ankle Hack: A Fitness Game-Changer?

Every time I have my Apple Watch on my wrist it always pauses and never records my full workout,” the Big Apple brunette captioned her clip. “Found out about the ankle thing and never went back.”

Real-Life Examples of the Ankle Hack

Kristen Hollingshaus, a content creator from San Francisco, has been touting the benefits of wearing an Apple Watch around her ankles for years.

One User’s Experience

When the watch was on my wrist and I kept my hand on the cart, [it] ended up calculating 91 steps in 10 minutes,” said the working mom of two, who’s recently lost over 35 pounds.

Another User’s Experience

When the watch was on my ankle, it calculated 835 steps,” she continued, calling the outcome of her experiment “mind-blowing.”

The Verdict

So the big lesson here is…put your watch on your ankle.

Conclusion

The rise of the ankle hack has sparked a new wave of interest in wearable technology and its potential to revolutionize the way we track our fitness. Whether or not the claims made by fit-influencers and users alike can be substantiated, one thing is clear: the Apple Watch is here to stay, and its potential uses are vast and varied.

FAQs

* What is the ankle hack?
The ankle hack is a method of wearing an Apple Watch around one’s ankle instead of one’s wrist, in order to track physical activity and fitness progress.
* Is the ankle hack effective?
According to users and influencers, the ankle hack can provide more accurate tracking of physical activity and fitness progress than wearing the watch around the wrist.
* Is the ankle hack endorsed by Apple?
Apple has not officially endorsed the ankle hack, but many users and influencers swear by its effectiveness.
* Can I use the ankle hack with other fitness trackers?
The ankle hack is specific to the Apple Watch, although other fitness trackers may have similar features and capabilities.