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Running With Weights: Running Shoes Weights And Hand Weights

Running With Weights

Running weights used to be quite popular among walkers and runners. Today too there is an emphasis on using weights to obtain an improved aerobic workout. Hand and ankle weights are recommended for increasing strength and also maximizing the benefits of aerobic exercise. In some cases ankle weights are recommended for increasing the intensity of the walk or run.

It is important to keep in mind that when you use running hand weights or ankle weights, you exert a large amount of pressure on the shoulders and hips. This pressure can be too much for your strength level and may prove to be injurious. The arms swing as you run or walk and there is a high level of resistance at the end of the swinging movements due to the weights. The muscles must put in a great deal of extra effort to bring the motion to a stop before you can switch directions. This leads to muscle fatigue and after some time, they are unable to stop the movement safely. This contributes to excessive stress and injuries are bound to occur. Instead of using running weights, it is better to run or walk faster. This makes your arms and legs also move faster, therefore giving you the same benefit as using weights. It is essential to practice the correct technique of walking or running so that you can the maximum benefit from the exercise. Runners should learn the proper way to swing the arms as this strengthens the upper body muscles and enables the individual to move more easily. It also loosens up the neck and shoulder muscles. At the end of a walk, runners can perform an upper body workout with dumbbells or a resistance cord.

Many experts also do not recommend the use of hand and ankle weights while running or walking. Running shoes with weights must also be avoided. This is because the body is not designed to undergo pressure in certain areas. Overexertion of these areas can lead to injuries. Some individuals opt for running weights in order to burn a greater amount of calories for weight loss. Such people are advised to increase their pace of walking or running. This allows for a higher level of calorie burning without the risk of injury. Improper use of running weights can contribute to muscle, ligaments and tendon tears as well as joint sprains. Hand and ankle weights are meant for exercises such as strength training.

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