Ankle Support Advice (Plus Introduction)

lls31

Hi ladies!  I've been lurking for a while and posting here and there, but I wanted to introduce myself.  I've been working out regularly for the past 10 years (and I participated in several team sports for many years before that).  I've done many different workouts (from gym workouts to fitness DVDs) and I've experimented with various eating habits (not necessarily dieting).  I would love to help and offer advice to anyone who needs it and I love reading this board to find new workout ideas and eating habits.

That being said, I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice.  I always had weak ankles when I played sports in high school and college and I always had a trainer tape them.  Over the past several years, my daily routine didn't really include many high intensity, high impact workouts, so my ankles were fine.  Now that I'm doing Insanity regularly, I'm having a really hard time with my ankles to the point where they almost give out in the middle of a workout.  Does anyone have any recommendations for ankle braces or any sort of ankle support?  

J&K10910

Honestly, the best thing you can do for your ankles is to strengthen them.  I'd look up low impact ankle strengthening exercises, or ask a doctor or physical therapist for advice.

mehgank

I have pretty weak ankles, and I've noticed that if I incorporate running on the sand to my training runs twice a week, it's starting to strengthen my ankles a bit. The first few weeks they were sore post-run, but nowadays I hardly notice it.

Like J&K said above, I'd talk to a doctor/PT and see what they suggest, since every body is different.

lls31

Thank you both!  I honestly didn't even think of these things.  Since I always had my ankles taped when I played sports, I immediately thought I should get an ankle brace.  I will look into some ankle strengthening exercises and I'll look into a PT as well.  

J&K - LOVE your pink shoes!  Such a great photo!

AlliJae

Yeah I agree with PPs. I had my ankles taped all of high school and college volleyball. I ended up having ankle surgery 3 years ago to clean up some lose cartilage. The best thing I found after surgery was to do calf raises. If you have a resistance band, put it around your foot for some resistance and then move your ankle up and down. Then side to side. And then in circles. Try 10 sets of each on each ankle. Keep the resistance light, but enough that it feels like strengthening! Good luck

sstewart299

I agree with the resistence band training...I am in school for podiatry and it is what we always suggest to patients who have issues with their ankles. Problems with your ankles can be due to instability in your foot (due to some sort of deformity) and your ankles are attempting to compensate for that...so getting your feet checked out wouldn't be a bad idea!