Ankle and wrist weights.

Von Smallhausen · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:09

Is there any benefit to wearing a weight on your ankles and wrists when you go running ? Would it be of benefit to cardio or toning ?

I run 5-7 km 2-3 times a week.

icecold · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:24

I'd say the only real benefit would be analogous to wearing a backpack. While the ones for your arms might even say they're good for "toning", they won't be.

Dave M · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:34

Don't they increase your chances of injury? I'd imagine it would benefit both, it must add strain to various muscles in the arms and legs but in a seriously unbalanced way.

I'd prefer a (good) backpack with some bottles of water in personally. Always go with bottles of water as they're more use than bags of sand

Crowort · 27 Dec 2011 at 18:53

I don't have personal experience with them but I've heard they are bad for causing injury because of their placement.

icecold · 27 Dec 2011 at 19:30

Telescopi said:
Don't they increase your chances of injury? I'd imagine it would benefit both, it must add strain to various muscles in the arms and legs but in a seriously unbalanced way.

I'd prefer a (good) backpack with some bottles of water in personally. Always go with bottles of water as they're more use than bags of sand

In reference to "toning", this would be like doing a thousand reps with a tiny dumbbell, which is next to useless.

Far better to have some good distance or time goals, or even to mix things up with some sprinting which is great for burning fat and building muscle (yes I just said that

).

EdGey · 27 Dec 2011 at 19:33

I wouldn't suggest it, it's asking for an injury. I have ankle weights but I only use them to strengthen certain muscles if I have had an injury or similar.

They're good, but only for controlled exercises.