wrist weights to tone arms while running?

elfpearl

I started running last year and I am loving it...running about 3-5 miles 5 days a week, and I have lost about 10 lbs...5-10 more to go. My legs have toned up a ton...but my arms could use some work, esp. on the back of my upper arms (triceps?) Anyway, I pretty much despise workout dvds (got sick of them a few years back when that was all I used to work out) and was wondering if anyone had advice on wrist weights worn while running? Will that tone my arms, specifically in that area? Is it bad/good? Not worth it? Thanks in advance for any input.

MrsAgi

I would be interested in the answer too

kaotik26

My guess is it would probably benefit you better by doing some at home calisthenics, like push ups and tricep dips.

Tennessee2019

bump

eilmeister

I'm certainly not an expert, but I'd guess that wearing wrist weights while running won't do much for your triceps. To work out the triceps, you need to do pushing movements with your arms, extending your elbow, such as pushups or bench presses. Holding up wrist weights while running might do a little bit for your biceps, though. But as I said, that's just a guess.

jerendeb

I don't like anything in my hands while running. Today I brought a 24 oz water bottle (1.5lbs) and that about drove me crazy. I think the weights in hand while running will affect your gait and could cause other unknown problems.

For light weigh workouts without DVDs, how about (if you watch TV even for 15 minutes) doing some light curls & triceps extensions? That would be almost a mindless activity and yet I'm sure you'd feel it burn after a while. I've tried this and it's very effective.

One other activity could be walking. Not so much walking for fitness but to work the arms. You could walk near your home for 10-15 minutes easily and workout those arms.

SeanNJ

Given how people normally use their arms while running, I would expect that wrist weights would stress your biceps more than your triceps. Plus, if you're running any significant distance, you could wear out your upper body and then wind up finishing your run with bad form.

My guess is it would probably benefit you better by doing some at home calisthenics, like push ups and tricep dips.

This sounds like a better idea to me too.

nuttyfamily

I researched using wrist weights and leg weights.

What I read most is that using these while running and even walking (both arms or legs) changes your stride and form and that is not a good thing. It can cause strain or injury.

For arms, it is better to find strength building exercises with weights to tone.

Jynus

straight up no... do not do this. unless you like greatly increasing your risk in injury.

And regardless, there is no such thing as toning. muscle either gets bigger, stays the same, or gets smaller. if you want to make muscle bigger, do exercises/diet that make it bigger. which is lift heavy and eat a ton of food.

you're basically confusing building muscle with losing fat. lose fat and existing muscle looks far more prominent.

elfpearl

Thanks everybody!! I do 30 push-ups every night, and I have seen some change, but not a lot...my biceps are pretty big lol so I definitely don't want to add to that. I guess I'll keep working on losing the fat and see if that makes a difference. All comments are appreciated!!

DavPul

My guess is it would probably benefit you better by doing some at home calisthenics, like push ups and tricep dips.

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!