Walking with weights -- OK or not?

Pump it!. I imagine your co-worker was concerned because of the fact that you're hiking in the hills for three miles in addition to weight training. Typically, weights are used as additives to light exercise - light jogging, walking, etc. Hiking in the hills (as I well know) is typically a steep incline that can get your heart rate up to its maximum potential. When you're adding weight training to that, you risk over exerting yourself. Maybe a way to meet in the middle is to use lighter weights. Working with two pounds for such a lengthy amount of time could end up with you building muscle and that may not be what you're targeting. I'd switch it up to lighter weights or use your weights exclusively for lower cardio times.

It's up to you!!. Walking with weights is not a bad thing, it does maximize a good exercise. It increases the amount of work your body is doing, but be careful. You need to be careful using weights, because if you use to much weight you can cause ligaments and/or joint pulls and/or tears.

Your Choice But Think It Through. Most fitness professionals are split on the recommendation of adding light weights (2-3 lbs) to a walking workout. Exercise science research shows that you only gain approximately 7% more caloric expenditure (i.e. 7 extra calories on a 100 calorie expended walk - about ONE bite of bread's worth) and the risk of using poor posture as you get tired from walking with hand weights may not be worth it. However, if using good posture, light weights, and walking short distances (2-3 miles), the weights may provide a nice 'toning' addition to the upper body muscles. The ultimate decision is yours, but remember if you choose to indulge, keep a perfect posture while walking with weights.

Thanks!. Hey, I really appreciate all these insightful and helpful answers. I'm not looking to burn off calories with the weights, just to add some toning to my upper arms. Bad posture? Er, well, I guess I'll need to be more conscious about that, as I do tend to get lazy.

not that ok. experts usually do not recommend that, b/c the risk of injury is very high compared to the calories burned. soooo, if you want to tone your arms, do some Strength Training wt those weights ;)

Hands Weights and Shoulder Injury. Orthopedic surgeons love people that walk with weights since it increases your risk of a shoulder injury. The added weight only burns about as many calories as an extra five minutes of walking adds. It can also tire your arms out which tends to slow your speed down. There was/is a series on PBS called "America Walking" http://www.pbs.org/americaswalking/index.html hosted by Mark Fenton (former race walking champion, author) and he answers the question in the negative as well at http://www.pbs.org/americaswalking/gear/gearusing.html

Depends what you are looking for... I used to walk with weights all the time. My arms got very toned! It was great. But, I then learned that the body doesn't walk in balance carrying heavy weights around. Plus, I refused to walk up hills with heavy weights, it was horrible. Somedays, just walking with my crazy purse is too much of a weight! I have heard that your walking form is so much better and you can cover more ground without the weights.

I thought it would be a great idea too. First time out with my weights my shoulder started hurting. 12 months of rehab later and shoulder surgery last month I am still rehabing a hurt shoulder. The orthopedic doctor calls it frozen shoulder. I call it expensive and disabling! Not a good idea, but keep up the walking! Apparently the swinging and the pulling strains the ligaments. (yes, I used very small weights!)

I've walked with light weights before and thankfully didn't injure myself. But I didn't swing my arms as I walked. My walking partner and I did a series of very deliberate and controlled motions, like bicep curls but we found it hindered our walking stride and soon gave it up. Sounds like we were lucky we weren't injured.

i guess its not that good of idea

Instead of weights, why not consider walking with walking sticks. They're good for support and increase calorie burn.