We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Running with weights

Sugar_Junkie
Sugar_Junkie Posts: 366 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Sometimes when I do a workout dvd at home my boyfriend will jog in place with 3 lb weights. I have recently started jogging on the treadmill at a 4.5 mph speed and I am just curious if weights while jogging is something I could or should consider..

Replies

  • Osulindsay21
    Osulindsay21 Posts: 48 Member
    I'm no expert, but I think running with hand or ankle weights is bad for you. It throws your body off of its natural running motion and could cause injury. I would say no.
  • Ruthaw1961
    Ruthaw1961 Posts: 42 Member
    Running, jogging with weights is not generally a good idea. It throws off your natural gait and you can be prone to injury. And to get any real benefit to weights, you need to lift heavier than 3 pounds. Keep the cardio and lifting workouts independant of each other for best results.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    I think it can also increase stress on the joints if you're jogging on hard surfaces.
  • FlyByJuly
    FlyByJuly Posts: 564 Member
    Speaking from experience, I think it's better to not run with weights. In the past, I've used ankle weights, which pulled on my knee joints. I also ran with light handweights, which pulled on my elbow and shoulder joints.
  • Sugar_Junkie
    Sugar_Junkie Posts: 366 Member
    Thank you for the responses. I didnt think about it throwing me off balance.
  • ATLMel
    ATLMel Posts: 392 Member
    Agreed with others. You put plenty of weight on your knees/shins/ankles/feet when you run (about 1.5 X your body weight). there's no need to add weight to it. That's not really the point of running, imo.
  • waffleflavoredtea
    waffleflavoredtea Posts: 235 Member
    I have ankle/wrist weights and I use them only for low impact cardio... basically just for walking and general cleaning/gardening. I love the extra challenge sometimes and they are supposed to be helpful for toning.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    When I'm bored, I wear ankle weights round the house for an hour. Then take them off and feel like I'm walking in space. :-D
This discussion has been closed.