I'm thinking about getting some ankle weights to wear around the house just so I'm doing some light weight training as I'm puttering around here.

Anyone tried this?

I'm leary of using weights for my upper body.......I hurt both shoulders in the past and tore a rotator cuff in one.......if I put to much stress or strain on my shoulders, I'm in major pain.

However, I need something I can do to help build muscle.........advice welcome!

Have you seen a physiotherapist (sp)? Sometimes weight training helps injuries but it has to be done a specific way. There should be some appropriate excercises that you are able to do that will help your injury and build muscle, but as I am no professional, I can only recommend that you see one.

Good luck!

Dana

Don't forget lower body.

Squats and lunges are great exercises.

I agree with Dana you should talk to a physical therapist or someone who has experience with injuries. I have some minor issues in my shoulder and knees and weightlifting has helped...alot. Still you don't want to mess around with a torn rotator cuff. You could also ask in the "ladies who lift thread".

You should absolutely NOT wear ankle weights walking around. They are made just for doing exercises, and in fact in the packaging instruct you not to use them for any other activity. From http://walking.about.com/cs/toppicks/tp/walkweights.htm
From Wendy Bumgardner,
Your Guide to Walking.
Wearing weights can increase the calories burned while walking, but it is far safer to just walk further instead. Weights at the ankles, feet, wrists and hands increase the risk of injury to the knees, shoulders, muscles, tendons and repetitive motion injury. A weighted backpack can cause strain if the weight is not distributed across the hips. Only a weighted vest or hip belt is recommended. I do not recommend weighted shoes, all of my experts caution against them.

There are lots of other good exercises you can do to get in shape without risking an injury.

I was going to say about ankle weights for walking. My knees ache just thinking about it!

If you want to get into weights try www.stumptuous.com and click on "iron". There are some great articles on there for beginners, and about injuries, but I would definitely see a physio before you go slinging around heavy weights with bad shoulders

Wow thanks for the information.........weights in general "scare" me, because I have no idea what I'm doing. Thanks for posting those links.

You can do other forms of strength or resistance training besides using weights. Have you tried push-ups? Or what about using a resistance band and a stability ball? I don't like doing upper body work with free weights, either, because I can picture myself dropping the weights on my head or feet and hurting myself. I see the same results in my upper body by using a 6' resistance band. I purchased it at a sports medicine store (used a lot for rehab from sports injuries) for $6. There are different resistance levels. You can find the bands at stores like Target or Wal-Mart. I also like to do yoga or pilates. Doing plank poses strengthens your upper body.

Hi, I actually did this once or twice. Big mistake. I took my dogs for a walk and put on some ankle weights (2 lbs). I did hurt my knee because I was trying to walk naturally and my joints just couldn't compensate. So my advice, from experience, would be to use the weights when you can concentrate on lifting them properly..

It seems every time I start a workout program, I hurt myself: knees, shoulder, wrists, hip, ankle....a list of casualties. I really like Yoga and Pilates because it is the only exercise I can routinely do without injury!