Interestly enough, info on adding weights to people's legs: Before You Buy Walking Weights >From Wendy Bumgardner
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board I am often asked about wearing weights to increase your walking workout, burn more calories walking, or to tone the upper body while walking. However, I have never found a walking expert or coach who said this was a good idea. All agree that adding weights at the ankle, wrist or foot may increase the risk of strain and injury. None of them recommend heavy weighted shoes. There are better ways to tone your body and to burn more calories through walking. Burning More Calories Walking Adding weight will allow you to burn more calories per mile, but only about 5-8 calories more per mile for every 10 pounds added. Compare that to walking a quarter of a mile - a 100 pound person burns 15 calories in a quarter mile at an easy pace, while a 200 pound person burns 30 calories. That takes only 5 more minutes and you aren't increasing your risk of injury. Some products are marketed to walkers but I cannot recommend them, for one of two reasons. First, the product may make claims that have not been supported by properly designed studies. Second, they may be products that increase the risk of injury or strain if used by fitness walkers to walk for 30 minutes or more. Weighted Shoes Several companies have come out with weighted shoes with the benefit being that you burn more calories per mile walking in very heavy shoes. I have consulted with several physical therapists and walking coaches and all say the same thing - that such shoes when used for fitness walking would likely increase the risk of muscle strain and injury. It is not natural to have very heavy feet. Wearing them around the house or office might increase your calories burned. However, I find that wearing heavy shoes makes me want to take fewer steps and to not walk as much. Rather than wearing heavy shoes, just walk a couple minutes longer to get the same calorie burn with less risk, or use fitness walking poles to burn more calories in the same time. Why I Don't Recommend Weighted Shoes: http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/a/weightedshoes.htm Ankle Weights The same caution applies to ankle weights as to heavy shoes. It is not a natural place to add weight to your body, so you increase the risk of strain to your hips, knees, and leg muscles. Leave them at home and just walk a couple of extra minutes to burn those calories, or use fitness walking poles.
