Walk with weights! Is it good idea?

Walking with weights can be beneficial but also comes with potential risks. Here’s what you should consider:

Benefits

1. Increased calories burn: Adding weights can raise your heart rate and increase calorie expenditure.

2. Muscle engagement: Holding weights or wearing a weighted vest engages more muscles, especially in the arms, shoulders, and core.

3. Bone strength: Carrying extra weight can increase the load on your bones, promoting bone density and strength.

4. Improved endurance: Walking with weights can make your walk more challenging, improving cardiovascular endurance.

Risks:

1. Joint strain: Carrying weights, especially in your hands or on your ankles, can strain your joints, particularly your shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles.

2. Altered gait: Weights can change your natural walking motion, leading to potential injury or muscle imbalances.

3. Overuse injuries: Over time, carrying weights can increase the risk of repetitive strain injuries.

Best Practices:

- Weighted vests: If you want to add weight, using a weighted vest evenly distributes the load and reduces the risk of joint strain.

- Light hand weights: If using hand weights, keep them light (1–3 lbs) and focus on controlled arm movements to avoid swinging, which can strain your shoulders.

- Gradual increase: Start with light weights and slowly increase as you build strength and endurance.

Conclusion:

Walking with weights can enhance your workout by increasing muscle engagement and calorie burn, but it’s important to be cautious. Using a weighted vest is generally safer than hand or ankle weights, and starting light is key to avoiding injury. If you have joint issues, it

The Bodyweight Team