Are there any negatives to walking with hand weights?
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.
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.
