Walking while holding weights? Your opinion...
 

I want to boost my exercise time and have considered buying some hand held weights to hold while I go walking. Do you think this will help me tone my arms and help me burn more calories cause my muscles would be working more? :?:

I've never used them, but I remember someone posting about wearing wrist weights while walking on the treadmill and doing some punches? Nelie maybe?

I've heard mixed reviews on the weights while running, but see people at the park carrying them or wearing them on wrists or ankles all the time. I would worry about throwing my center of gravity off and hurting myself, but I'm not the most coordinated. :dizzy:

Yes, yes, yes!

My running buddy and I walk a little over half a mile to the track and back on the mornings we run, and we carry handweights. You can TOTALLY see the difference! My arms are SO much slimmer and have noticeable muscle/definition!

Sure, some of it is from general body fat loss, but this is pretty much the only arm work-outs I get right now (I'm lazy about my pushups and other strength training) so I have to give it credit for the new muscles I have. She carries 5s, mine are 3s but I'm getting 5s next payday.

Oh yes this does help- when I walk with weights I sweat so much more!

Many experts say it's not a good idea due to the strain it puts on tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. It also apparently can raise your blood pressure. Do an internet search for "walking hand weights" for many opinions on the subject.

I've seen that they aren't the best thing--one should especially avoid ankle weights! They throw off your stride and put stress in places it's never suppose to be.

Here's just one article:

http://walking.about.com/od/exercise...alkweights.htm

A better idea is to get a weighted vest, supposedly. But, gosh, some of us are already wearing a weighted vest... ;)

Jay

I read it somewhere (sorry, can't remember where) a while back that it causes undue stress to your wrists wearing wrist weights. So, you might want to research that before you carry or wear wrist weights while walking or running.