walking with weights

When I am out running I see a lot of ladies around here with weights as they walk. However, they don't do it everyday. Maybe alternating when you have them and when you don't. But I agree with gemiwing, I don't think 1lbs weights should hurt.

I walk with 3 lb hand weights, but instead of leaving my arm long and stretched out (as you would when you walk) I keep a slight bend in my arm and curl the weight as I walk. I also do shoulder presses and shadow boxing.

I think if you vary the exercise you shouldn't end up with an injury.

Ditto!
I used 3 pound weights as well, and keep my arms moving and usually bent at all times, as well as boxing.

My neighbors are probably getting a show, but my arms are looking pretty good.

I haven't had any pain from it yet, and god knows I'm a klutz-- if there's a way to hurt myself doing something, I will find it. I think you're safe.

Walking/running w/hand weights is usually ineffective. With 1lb, 3lb weights, the risk of injury is minimal, but so is the probability of benefits.

Cardio: Studies have shown that carrying hand weights adds almost nothing to the effort, therefore there are no cardiovascular benefits. A more exaggerated arm swing CAN add substantially to the cardio effectiveness of walking, but it is the amplitude of the arm swing that creates the extra work. Adding 1lb or 3lb weights adds only modestly more benefit (5lb does significantly more, but also substantially increases the risk of injury).

Just so this is clear: Arm swing (where hands in front reach at least the height of the shoulder): Increases cardio intensity--even without weights. Carrying weights: minimal or no benefit.

Strength: Strength increases result from working a muscle group to a state of temporary fatigue (exhaustion) in a limited number of reps (1-15 mostly). Doing a thousand arm curls with a 3lb weight while walking will not increase strength--it will only train your body to lift 3 lb weights while walking.

So you can do what you want, but carrying hand weights while walking or running does not improve cardio fitness or muscle strength.

there are far more effective ways to tone the arms than walking with weight.

Arms are a small and very active muscle group. There are short, effective techniques that can tone them up and improve arm and shoulder strength very fast. Biceps, triceps, and shoulders accept toning very quickly and with a very high degree of efficiency.

Personally I wouldn't mix your exercises, it creates issues with form both in the walking (YES, walking correctly DOES have form, and it's that form that will keep you from long term knee, hip, and back injury)and form in the arms, plus it does very little for the walking aspect.

If you're trying to save time by doing 2 exercises at once, well then, do something like the elliptical and use the hand bars for more than just balance, you CAN use them to push and pull, and it will help somewhat, and the nature of an elliptical forces you into more or less correct form. I still think it's better to isolate your exercises, it's hard to concentrate on form when you're doing two completely disparate routines at the same time.

Is there a place to find out how many calories I burn using hand weights .I apologize if this is the wrong place to ask this ,I am a newbie .Thanks :-)