Walking Weights

darlalu00

Is it true that you burn more calories when you walk with those weights you strap on your hands or wrists?

lilsnowbird

bump

Sepheara

logicly. the more weight you have to move the more energy you expend to move it the more calories you burn.

DiabeticAlien

I would have to say that they probably do raise your calories burned. My reasoning is this...my sis in law commented that she can walk 30 minutes at 3.5 mph and burn less than half of what I burn doing the same walk. (both use hrm's) My comment was I'm 6 foot tall and weigh 280 lbs and she's 4'7" and weighs 120....it makes sense that I'd burn more cause it takes more effort to move my big butt.

TourThePast

Is it true that you burn more calories when you walk with those weights you strap on your hands or wrists?

Yes, but not much more. The way I figure it, if you weigh 180lb and wear a 2lb weight on each leg, you're only increasing your workload by just over 2%. Actually, now I think about it, it's more like only 1% because when you walk you're only lifting one leg at a time.

Aside from which, as someone who has had knee trouble, personally I'd be wary about throwing out the musculo-skeletal dynamics of my body.

Just walk a bit further, or increase your pace - or run! :bigsmile:

darlalu00

Thanks everyone!!! I just didn't know if it would be worth the purchase, if it wasn't that effective.

MzBug

They may not add a significant burn to your routine, but if you use some arm movements during your walk you can tone your upper body while walking. I have been using the Leslie Sansone 3 mile super fat burning video at home, and using 2 lb hand weights. My arms, shoulders and upper back have toned up nicely. I would imagine that you might look a little silly walking down the street doing curls and pumping the weights but it would be a way to get a "two-fer" during your walk.

darlalu00

Thanks...I think I'll get them a try.

jjs22

Well, it depends on which weights you mean. There are weights (usually 5 pounds or more) that you put around your ankles that are really meant for strength training exercises (like 2 sets of 12 reps of leg lifts). I've heard that people who try wearing these for long walks, or try just wearing them all day long end up getting joint problems or other pains. Not a good idea.

The other weights are the ones you hold in your hands while walking. Like one or maybe 2 pounds. I don't think using these burn enough extra calories to be worth counting, but I think the idea is that carrying them engages your upper body muscles more, so that walking helps strengthen them as well.

MzBug

Thanks...I think I'll get them a try.

I got mine from Wal Mart, the red 2lb coated "dumbell" weights were less than 3 bucks each.

darlalu00

Thanks