Holding/lifting weights while on treadmill...

tarahs
tarahs Posts: 99 Member
edited January 8 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all. This maybe a tricky question. I lift a 2 lb weights on each arm while on treadmill (3.5 pace) . Can anyone tell me how many extra calories for each mile??? Ive been "guesstimating" at 20 calories. Any info. is much appreciated!:flowerforyou:

Replies

  • shanmackie
    shanmackie Posts: 194 Member
    There's no way to know for sure. I recommend wearing a HRM.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    You don't want to hear this, but you deserve the truth:
    Virtually nothing. Maybe 2-3. If that.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Nothing. You are holding weights that weigh less than your hands.
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    Nothing. You are holding weights that weigh less than your hands.
    Yup.


    Pretty much zero benefit from doing this. If your trying to just increase calorie burn, go faster.
  • sleepytexan
    sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
    At my gym, they frown on moving the olympic bar into the "machine" room. It scares all those people who think they're working out.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    At my gym, they frown on moving the olympic bar into the "machine" room.

    Hahahaha. I'm trying to picture that...
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    It's way more potentially dangerous than potentially beneficial. Just walk faster without them.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Negligible difference. Try lifting weights before you hit the treadmill.
  • MidwestAngel
    MidwestAngel Posts: 1,897 Member
    I walk with another person on my shoulders, I'd say I burn about an extra 100 calories, and they get a fun ride out of it.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I walk with another person on my shoulders, I'd say I burn about an extra 100 calories, and they get a fun ride out of it.

    I do enjoy it a lot, but it would be more fun if you'd wear the outfit i bought you
  • MidwestAngel
    MidwestAngel Posts: 1,897 Member
    I walk with another person on my shoulders, I'd say I burn about an extra 100 calories, and they get a fun ride out of it.

    I do enjoy it a lot, but it would be more fun if you'd wear the outfit i bought you
    I told you I would only wear that outfit on days I'm riding on top of you.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    I walk with another person on my shoulders, I'd say I burn about an extra 100 calories, and they get a fun ride out of it.

    I do enjoy it a lot, but it would be more fun if you'd wear the outfit i bought you
    I told you I would only wear that outfit on days I'm riding on top of you.

    I think I'm burning calories just from reading this.
  • tarahs
    tarahs Posts: 99 Member
    Im NOT just holding the weights but actually lifting them up and down,side to side while power walking, so im sure im burning calories but doesnt know how much...
  • djfriedman81
    djfriedman81 Posts: 125
    better to add ankle weights and pick up the pace to burn more calories
  • LaurySch
    LaurySch Posts: 277 Member
    Im NOT just holding the weights but actually lifting them up and down,side to side while power walking, so im sure im burning calories but doesnt know how much...

    Nope. The only benefit is getting the reputation as the weird chick on the treadmill waving her hands around, which probably isn't a benefit at all. Unless you have a youtube account and video yourself while doing this. Perhaps you should check out the thread on fun gym pics.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    I walk with another person on my shoulders, I'd say I burn about an extra 100 calories, and they get a fun ride out of it.

    I do enjoy it a lot, but it would be more fun if you'd wear the outfit i bought you
    I told you I would only wear that outfit on days I'm riding on top of you.

    Did it just get hot in here?
  • Crankstr
    Crankstr Posts: 3,958 Member
    I walk with another person on my shoulders, I'd say I burn about an extra 100 calories, and they get a fun ride out of it.

    I do enjoy it a lot, but it would be more fun if you'd wear the outfit i bought you
    I told you I would only wear that outfit on days I'm riding on top of you.

    Did it just get hot in here?

    heh
  • rapat
    rapat Posts: 108 Member
    if you're walking, increase the incline, ditch the weights
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    No, just no.

    If you were carrying heavier you would be setting yourself up for injury.
    I think my hydration pack may weigh 2 pounds. I don't factor that in.
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    Honestly, I think I gain 4 lbs in water weight when I work out at the gym and I doubt it burns any extra calories. Also, calorie burn is an estimate outside of a lab. So the 20 calories or 30 or whatever that you may burn extra carrying the extra 4 lbs isn't worth counting, unless you're trying fit in ice cream or cookies...then the calories you burn typing on MFP count. I want cookies. :grumble:
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    better to add ankle weights and pick up the pace to burn more calories

    Ankle weights are bad. You are not designed to carry extra weight on that part of your body, and it puts unnatural strain on your joints and changes your natural gait. If you MUST carry weight, do it in the form of a backpack or waistpack.
  • djfriedman81
    djfriedman81 Posts: 125
    better to add ankle weights and pick up the pace to burn more calories

    Ankle weights are bad. You are not designed to carry extra weight on that part of your body, and it puts unnatural strain on your joints and changes your natural gait. If you MUST carry weight, do it in the form of a backpack or waistpack.

    I think at 2 mph or so there should be no change in gait only if picking up with pace...2-3 mph is leisure walkin..i think
  • arcticfox04
    arcticfox04 Posts: 1,011 Member
    Nothing. Just increase the Incline.
  • danasings
    danasings Posts: 8,218 Member
    better to add ankle weights and pick up the pace to burn more calories

    Ankle weights are bad. You are not designed to carry extra weight on that part of your body, and it puts unnatural strain on your joints and changes your natural gait. If you MUST carry weight, do it in the form of a backpack or waistpack.

    Yes, this. I found this out the hard way in my teens. If you want to burn more during cardio, go faster. Then weight train afterward.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    better to add ankle weights and pick up the pace to burn more calories

    Ankle weights are bad. You are not designed to carry extra weight on that part of your body, and it puts unnatural strain on your joints and changes your natural gait. If you MUST carry weight, do it in the form of a backpack or waistpack.

    I think at 2 mph or so there should be no change in gait only if picking up with pace...2-3 mph is leisure walkin..i think

    Are you really willing to risk your joint health when you're not sure? For almost no added benefit?
    I would not. Just walk a little faster.
  • mlh150
    mlh150 Posts: 28 Member
    There are a multitude of things wrong with the weights on a treadmill concept. Firstly, it's dangerous. Secondly, it's also unlikely you are receiving any toning benefit. If you want cardio...try intervals. If you want weights...do weights separately. Injuries come easily from an overly repetitive movement for an extended time or more commonly in trying weights on a treadmill the tendency to constantly break with the wrist with small weight in a walking motion. As far as toning, if you are focused on walking its unlikely you are properly contracting the muscle to receive toning benefits. If you usually do one speed...try doing interval training. That will give you the extra burn you are looking for.
  • Stompp
    Stompp Posts: 216
    At my gym, they frown on moving the olympic bar into the "machine" room. It scares all those people who think they're working out.

    LOL! That's awesome.
  • Sparlingo
    Sparlingo Posts: 938 Member
    There are a multitude of things wrong with the weights on a treadmill concept. Firstly, it's dangerous. Secondly, it's also unlikely you are receiving any toning benefit. If you want cardio...try intervals. If you want weights...do weights separately. Injuries come easily from an overly repetitive movement for an extended time or more commonly in trying weights on a treadmill the tendency to constantly break with the wrist with small weight in a walking motion. As far as toning, if you are focused on walking its unlikely you are properly contracting the muscle to receive toning benefits. If you usually do one speed...try doing interval training. That will give you the extra burn you are looking for.

    Quoted for truth -- do the weights separate from the cardio :).
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    better to add ankle weights and pick up the pace to burn more calories

    Ankle weights are bad. You are not designed to carry extra weight on that part of your body, and it puts unnatural strain on your joints and changes your natural gait. If you MUST carry weight, do it in the form of a backpack or waistpack.

    I think at 2 mph or so there should be no change in gait only if picking up with pace...2-3 mph is leisure walkin..i think

    Dude. No means NO. Listen to yourself. You're saying that at a slow pace and low weight, there should be no change. No change means NO benefit. So why do it at all?

    Like Bean started, ankle weights do much more damage than good. Just increase the incline or speed if you want a more intense workout. Your body is made to walk uphill and fast. It's not made to carry weight at toe level.
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