Yahoo! Life featured Physical Therapy Central’s Dr. Devin Trachman, PT, DPT, MTC, Clinic Director of Physical Therapy Central’s West Edmond Clinic, in a recent article on using wrist weights while walking.
Walking is a popular form of exercise, but have you ever thought about taking it up a notch without carrying heavy equipment? This is where wrist weights come in. As Dr. Trachman explains, these weights can add a new level of challenge to your walk, benefiting your heart and overall fitness.
“Typically, you see an increase in heart rate if you are wearing wrist weights while walking, which means your cardiovascular system is working harder to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your muscles than if you were not wearing the weights,” she explains. “You also have increased oxygen consumption because the body requires more oxygen to produce energy for this activity. This is a great and simple way to help strengthen your cardiovascular system.”
When deciding which weight to choose, Dr. Trachman recommends at most three pounds per wrist weight, beginning with one-pound weights. As you continue to utilize the wrist weights, you can up your weight if you aren’t experiencing any pain. “The biggest reason I do not recommend going over three pounds per weight while walking is due to how much the added resistance can change your natural walking mechanics,” Dr. Trachman explains. Adding extra weight can affect your natural arm swing, balance, and coordination. Additionally, the weights can put excessive strain on the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, so if any pain or discomfort occurs, grab a lighter pair of wrist weights or stop using them altogether.
If you have any questions or concerns about using wrist weights, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a Physical Therapy Central physical therapist. Your health and safety are our top priority. For the full article, please follow this link: Should you wear wrist weights while you walk?
