DIY Fitness Club

View Original

DIY Monkey Feet

PJ

Introduction

In this video, I cover multiple options to make your own DIY Monkey Feet! Now if you don’t know what Monkey Feet are: they are kind of like a Ski Boot that allows you to rapidly connect Dumbbells to your feet in order to execute a variety of exercises.

Admittedly, none of my DIY options are rapid and elegant as actual Monkey Feet - so consider these options as a “try before you buy” scenario. If you really like the exercises that they enable, then consider buying the real thing.

In this video I demonstrate how to connect DUMBBELLS to your feet. However if you would rather attach weight plates to your feet instead THEN please check out my other video “12 Easy Home Gym Hacks Using Soft Loop Tiedown Straps.” In that video I cover how to attach 1” Plates instead of dumbbells.

Option1: Soft Loop Tiedown Straps

This option feels great with light weight and heavy weight because of the ankle support. Further, at $1 per strap - it is certainly the cheapest option.

I have Size 13 (US) Shoes, I used 18” Long Soft Loop Tiedown Straps, and used a 3.25” Carabiner. Now if you have a different size shoe, use different Straps, and/or use a different size Carabiner - I CANNOT GUARANTEE this option will be right for you. Instead, you may need to look at Option 2 & 3 - which are adjustable.

You might be saying to yourself, “wouldn’t this option become adjustable if instead of a carabiner he used something else like a Velcro strap?” Well - I tried that, and I was not lucky with it. You may have better luck. The SMALLEST Velcro strap I had on hand was 8” long. This 8” Long straps when tightened down to it tightest setting, was still too long. Consequently the Soft Loop Tiedown Straps were too loose. Therefore, If you do try this, be sure to get a Velcro strap that is LESS than 8” long (unless your name is Shaquille O’Neal).

Option 2: 18” Velcro Straps

This option is the most user friendly option: its fast, it’s adjustable…its almost perfect. The only drawback is that there is no ankle support. Now personally i think that as long as you stay at15 LBS (or less) Dumbbells, the lack of ankle support is irrelevant. However, as soon as you exceed 15 LBS, I personally prefer the ankle support.

Option 3: Lashing Straps

To be clear - these are not ratchet straps. These are called, “lashing straps.” Instead if a ”ratcheting mechanism,” this product has a very strong metal buckle. The one I used in the video can securely hold 500 lbs.

Lashing Straps come in different lengths - all of which will be far too long for this application. You will have to trim them. You want them at least to be long enough to fit OVER the ends of your dumbbells. If you have Pro Style Dumbbells (with 10 LBS Plates on the ends) - you will obviously need them to be longer than if you have more compact dumbbells (e.g., Hex dumbbells). In the video - I use straps that were probably a little too long. I could have cut off more. Just use your best judgment. When cutting, use a sharp pair of scissors, and then take a lighter and lightly singe the the end where you cut. This will prevent the strap from fraying.

Even after cutting, you will have excess hanging down after you tighten the straps. I tuck the excess into my sock. However, you could also use another means of controlling excess strap length (e.g., use a Velcro strap to attach the excess to your leg).

Shopping List

WHEN SHOPPING, PLEASE CLICK FIRST TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: By shopping with Amazon via any of these links, I get paid a small commission which helps support the Club’s costs such as Web Hosting the website.

Once you try this for yourself - be sure to let me know how it worked for you! Happy Lifting!

SHOUT IT OUT: If you Build this project and want to brag about it, please use the #DesignBuildLift hashtag so that I can feature your amazing creation on my social media to help inspire others!