health fitness
  • Log In / Create Account
  • Renew Membership
  • Join Now
  • View Cart (0)
THE WORLD'S LARGEST ASSOCIATION
FOR FITNESS & WELLNESS PROFESSIONALS
1-800-999-4332 or
  • Home
  • Membership
  • Conferences
  • Insurance
  • CECs/CEUs
  • Articles
  • Videos
  • Store
  • FitFeed
  • Answers
  • FitnessConnect
Ask a health and fitness-related question and receive answers from fitness experts and professionals
Home » IDEA Answers » Are there any negatives to walking with hand weights?
More Info
Question asked by Patricia Long 757 days ago

Are there any negatives to walking with hand weights?

Strength TrainingPersonal Training

Add Comment
 
Cancel
 

Answers (5)

Answered by Karin Singleton 731 days ago
MemberVerified
1391 Questions Answered, 12 Questions Asked
2
Yes, there are.

On the assumption that you are walking for cardiovascular benefits, you will walking at a pace to elevate your heart rate to the appropriate zone and maintain it there for a length of time (this also applies to interval training). This kind of walking requires the use of the arms to assist in forward motion.

Holding weights (or attaching wrist weights) when walking fast requires that the body decelerates additional load in the upper body extremities. Since walking is an activity done over an extended period of time, this may lead to injuries of the shoulder.

However, there are options: if you use the hand weights to increase your body weight, you may consider wearing a weighted vest where you can distribute the addtional weight close to your body. Another alternative is to use Nordic poles.
1 Comment
Thank you, that was very helpful.
Comment by Jared Ashlock 706 days ago
 
Cancel
Answered by Stephen Landrum 715 days ago
MemberVerified
706 Questions Answered, 7 Questions Asked
0
I agree with Karin. Most fitness walking programs are lengthy and the use of hand weights may lead to injuries of the shoulders.
Add Comment
 
Cancel
Answered by Erica Ziel 714 days ago
Verified
11 Questions Answered, 0 Questions Asked
0
Agreed, potentially unneeded wear & tear on your shoulders & rotator cuff muscles. Spend a couple extra minutes in the gym & lift to strengthen your shoulders. If you want your walking workouts to be more challenging find some hills or sand.
Add Comment
 
Cancel
Answered by Joni Shavlik 710 days ago
Verified
10 Questions Answered, 0 Questions Asked
0
I also agree with the above replies, please note that weights should not be added to the lower extemeties for the same reasons. Knees would take on the most of the problem with legs snapping into extension quicker and harder than without weights. When clients want to add a boost to their walking program we find hills, and even repeat going up and down them, long stairways, or some lunge walking can get the heart rate to boost into an interval. I have used the Nordic walking Poles in Wisconsin, in the middle of summer, and aside from people cleverly yelling "Hey! Where's the snow?!" they really add speed and effort to the walk.
Add Comment
 
Cancel
Answered by Susan D'Alonzo 409 days ago
MemberVerified
1133 Questions Answered, 19 Questions Asked
0
I have my bootcampers walk with 8 pound medicine balls which we then incorporate into mini circuits along the way.

We use them constantly:and hold them into our center of gravity as we move.

At first they all think they're so heavy but very soon they adapt.
Add Comment
 
Cancel

Add Answer

Image CAPTCHA
Follow Question

Share this page

Client Share
Tweet

Related Questions

Are there any negatives to walking with hand weights?

5 Answers | Asked by Patricia Long

Is there bone building benefit to walking with ankle and or hand weights?

15 Answers | Asked by Teresa Maldonado Marchok

Walking to lose weight

13 Answers | Asked by Ryan Rogers

HAND STRENGTH

12 Answers | Asked by Michael Saiz

How Has The Negative Economy Impacted Your Business? What Are You Doing To Address This Challenge?

6 Answers | Asked by Sandy Todd Webster
View All Questions

2 People are Following this Question

Find a Personal Trainer

IDEA Fitness Connect
  • IDEA FitnessConnect
    • Find a Fitness Professional
    • Find a Personal Trainer
    • Find a Gym
    • Find a Class/Event
    • Fitness Success Stories
    • Fit Pro Blogs
    • FAQs
    • Get Listed
    • FitFeed
    • Media Information
  • Fitness Conferences
    • IDEA World Fitness Convention™
    • Inner IDEA® Conference
    • IDEA Personal Trainer Institute™ East
    • IDEA Personal Trainer Institute™ West
    • Apply to be a Presenter
    • Assistant/Work-Study Program
    • International Representative Program
    • IDEA Awards
  • Publications
    • Article Library
    • IDEA Fitness Journal
    • IDEA Trainer Success
    • IDEA Fitness Manager
    • IDEA Fit Tips
    • IDEA Food & Nutrition Tips
    • IDEA Pilates Today
    • Authors’ Guidelines
    • Republishing Policy
  • About IDEA
    • Contact Us
    • Press
    • History
    • Advertising & Exhibiting
    • Management
    • Careers with IDEA
    • IDEA Experts
    • Previous Award Winners
    • Joining Forces
  • Career Guide
    • Certifications & Trainings
    • IDEA Answers
    • Continuing Education
    • Liability Insurance
  • Membership
    • Become a Member
    • Renew My Membership
    • Log-in
Be Social: Find us on Facebook follow us on Twitter
Copyright © 2013 IDEA Health & Fitness Association. All rights reserved.
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Site Map