Wrist Weights

Will_Thrust_For_Candy
Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi All!

I was thinking about adding wrist weights to my Zumba workout....just light ones, maybe 1 or 2lbs each. Good idea? Bad idea? Let me know your thoughts :smile:

Thank you in advance!

Replies

  • Eat_Me_I_Taste_Like_Candy
    Eat_Me_I_Taste_Like_Candy Posts: 235
    Hi All!

    I was thinking about adding wrist weights to my Zumba workout....just light ones, maybe 1 or 2lbs each. Good idea? Bad idea? Let me know your thoughts :smile:

    Thank you in advance!

    I think its a good idea ..makes your wrist stronger =]
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    Well I was aiming for stronger arms....but stronger wrists wouldn't be so bad either lol
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    I don't see how they would be a lot of benefit to the muscles that control the wrist.
  • nyspotlight
    nyspotlight Posts: 124
    They make weighted gloves that a lot of people use for kickboxing. Something like that would probably help keep you challenged.
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    In krav maga, we use wrist and ankle weights to increase speed. Not sure how that would help for Zumba, but it might make you burn more calories.
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    Thanks!

    Yeah, I'm looking for a way to make the workout more challenging, burn more calories, and maybe work on a little toning while I'm at it.

    There was a lady at my class (friends with the instructor) who told me that it's not a good idea because "my body won't have time to get used to it" I kind of found that advice to be a little....ummmmm.....silly for lack of better word lol
  • vade43113
    vade43113 Posts: 836 Member
    Well I was aiming for stronger arms....but stronger wrists wouldn't be so bad either lol

    i don;t see how 1 or 2 pounds will, do much.... even for the wrists.
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    That is certainly odd, what she said. Maybe ask your instructor?

    I've definitely found that the 1 and 2 lb weights make a huge difference. It doesn't seem like much, but after a few minutes, you really start to feel it. I'm still a white belt, so I'm only using the lightest wrist weights for now. The guys using the ankle weights as well are almost all 2 ranks above me.

    The main issue you may find is that the weights tend to slide a bit, so they may end up chafing your skin. We're only using them for about 15 minutes out of a 90 minute class, and punching in the air is very different movement-wise than dance movements.
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    That is certainly odd, what she said. Maybe ask your instructor?

    I've definitely found that the 1 and 2 lb weights make a huge difference. It doesn't seem like much, but after a few minutes, you really start to feel it. I'm still a white belt, so I'm only using the lightest wrist weights for now. The guys using the ankle weights as well are almost all 2 ranks above me.

    The main issue you may find is that the weights tend to slide a bit, so they may end up chafing your skin. We're only using them for about 15 minutes out of a 90 minute class, and punching in the air is very different movement-wise than dance movements.

    I actually did ask the instructor and she was vehemently against me using wrist weights in the class....she said that it would be too easy for me to strain something but then I challenged her on that because in the Zumba DVD set there is a set of 1lb hand weights to use with one of the sculpt 'n' tone DVDs. She said that is different because it's more about the repetition? Then she called the other lady over that told me that my body wouldn't have time to get used to it lol
  • tippv2j
    tippv2j Posts: 1
    I was also told not add wrist weights to a regular Zumba class and they should only be used for the Zumba Tone class. Too bad my gym doesn't have one.
  • coachtruder
    coachtruder Posts: 21 Member
    I would not reccomend them. I am a certified Zumba Toning instructor and when we did our training they said that regular weights can be used, but you need to be careful and not 'flail' with them. The toning sticks have 'give' so you don't jar your muscles and the Toning moves are slower than a regular Zumba class. With Zumba there is a lot of free flowing of the arms and if you have the extra weight at the end of your lever (arm) then you may do more damage than good. I can also tell you from experiance...you do not want to do anything that will damage your shoulders. I have had a shoulder sugery because I stretched all the tendons which was 10 years ago and I am not looking at another surgery soon. :(

    You could use them when you clean the house. ;) Using the vacuum...picking up stuff...folding laundry. Nice easy things that don't jar your muscles. :)
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I would have to see some research before accepting the idea that 1lb wrist weights could significantly increase the risk of injury.

    Adding some wrist weights could modestly increase the intensity of the exercise. However, that could also be achieved by just working a little harder in class.

    Adding wrist weights will do nothing for "toning arms" or increasing strength.
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