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    Holding/lifting weights while on treadmill...

    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:

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    Replies

    • Posts: 194 Member
      There's no way to know for sure. I recommend wearing a HRM.
    • Posts: 3,924 Member
      You don't want to hear this, but you deserve the truth:
      Virtually nothing. Maybe 2-3. If that.
    • Posts: 61,406 Member
      Nothing. You are holding weights that weigh less than your hands.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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...
    • Posts: 8,701 Member
      It's way more potentially dangerous than potentially beneficial. Just walk faster without them.
    • Posts: 8,897 Member
      Negligible difference. Try lifting weights before you hit the treadmill.
    • 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.
    • 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
    • Posts: 1,897 Member
      show previous quotes

      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.
    • Posts: 8,399 Member
      show previous quotes
      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.
    • 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...
    • Posts: 125
      better to add ankle weights and pick up the pace to burn more calories
    • 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.
    • Posts: 18,771 Member
      show previous quotes
      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?
    • Posts: 3,958 Member
      show previous quotes

      Did it just get hot in here?

      heh
    • Posts: 108 Member
      if you're walking, increase the incline, ditch the weights
    • 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.
    • 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:
    • 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.
    • Posts: 125
      show previous quotes

      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
    • Posts: 1,011 Member
      Nothing. Just increase the Incline.
    • Posts: 8,218 Member
      show previous quotes

      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.
    • Posts: 8,701 Member
      show previous quotes

      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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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 :).
    • Posts: 61,406 Member
      show previous quotes

      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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